Flying with a mobility scooter

[ZellyB]

We are flying down to MCO in January and I'll be using a scooter while at Disney. This will just be my second trip needing an ECV. The first trip we drove, so we took my scooter with us on a trailer. Since we are flying this time, my DH and I are in a debate about whether to try and fly with my ECV or just rent one when we get there. Having seen the rental ones, I feel like I would really prefer mine over the rental options. I have this scooter (but with a captain's chair and no basket on the back).


It has great speed (not that you need that at Disney) and handling and it brakes which helps avoid potential running into people or things. It makes really sharp turns, so nice in some queues. Sits up a bit higher than other scooters so visibility is better. Battery life is top-notch. We had days we were in the parks for most of the day and the battery level barely dropped. I did plug it in each night but suspect I could have gone 2 days or more on one charge. If we rent, I'm thinking I'd go with the Victory Pride 3-wheel scooter from Gold Mobility. We will have a rental mini-van while there (6 of us so all the seats up) but believe that either the rental scooter or my own will fit behind the seats if disassembled. I'll have two strong men with me so lifting it into the minivan is not a concern.

So, now to the questions I have. Has anyone here flown with their own scooter? Did it survive the trip ok? Damage that makes the scooter inoperable upon arrival is my biggest fear. I've read a lot on flying with them and understand (I think) how it works and I can walk from check-in to the gate without a problem, so we could actually check it at the counter if that's allowed. I just need it for the amount of walking required at Disney. We will be flying out from a smaller airport that uses regional jets. IN reading about size restrictions and the size of my scooter, I think it would need to be disassembled or at least folded up in order to fit in the cargo hold. This freaks me out but my DH thinks it's no problem. He REALLY wants me to take my scooter since he thinks it's better than the rental ones. Not to mention saving money. Has anyone had to disassemble or fold a scooter for air travel? We even debated if we could fold or disassemble it finding a bag of some sort to put it in to further protect it.

We've gone back and forth on this so many times it's driving me crazy. I'll take any experience or advice anybody cares to offer.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would suggest contacting the company that makes your scooter to see what suggestions they have for air travel. Some of the lightweight foldable power wheelchairs even make travel bags. Maybe your scooter has one available too.

 

[MrBellatrixLestrange]

We are flying down to MCO in January and I'll be using a scooter while at Disney. This will just be my second trip needing an ECV. The first trip we drove, so we took my scooter with us on a trailer. Since we are flying this time, my DH and I are in a debate about whether to try and fly with my ECV or just rent one when we get there. Having seen the rental ones, I feel like I would really prefer mine over the rental options. I have this scooter (but with a captain's chair and no basket on the back).
View attachment 608499

I don't want to sound overly cautious but I don't think that thing was made to be flown whether it has a captain's chair or not. I would probably take a plane.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd be interested in hearing from others also. Our family's just the opposite-DW (Me) wants to bring my scooter, but DH is afraid of damage that would make it inoperable.

 

[tobikaye]

I have flown with my sister with her EVC a few times. We flew with her Buzzaround 3 wheel scooter. We just took the basket with us on the plane and left the scooter at the bottom of the jetway. If hers had any damage, it was not noticeable and everything was fine.

Our next trip, flying, will probably be with her foldable Luggie. She did not have it the last time we flew. On that one, I know we will have to carry the battery onto the plane with us.

 

[MS_Warrior]

I fly with mine all the time. I've taken it to Disney numerous times, Canada, Miami, Hawaii twice, Cali,.. probably a few more. Works fine.

 

[mamabunny]

We are flying down to MCO in January and I'll be using a scooter while at Disney. This will just be my second trip needing an ECV. The first trip we drove, so we took my scooter with us on a trailer. Since we are flying this time, my DH and I are in a debate about whether to try and fly with my ECV or just rent one when we get there. Having seen the rental ones, I feel like I would really prefer mine over the rental options. I have this scooter (but with a captain's chair and no basket on the back).
View attachment 608499

It has great speed (not that you need that at Disney) and handling and it brakes which helps avoid potential running into people or things. It makes really sharp turns, so nice in some queues. Sits up a bit higher than other scooters so visibility is better. Battery life is top-notch. We had days we were in the parks for most of the day and the battery level barely dropped. I did plug it in each night but suspect I could have gone 2 days or more on one charge. If we rent, I'm thinking I'd go with the Victory Pride 3-wheel scooter from Gold Mobility. We will have a rental mini-van while there (6 of us so all the seats up) but believe that either the rental scooter or my own will fit behind the seats if disassembled. I'll have two strong men with me so lifting it into the minivan is not a concern.

So, now to the questions I have. Has anyone here flown with their own scooter? Did it survive the trip ok? Damage that makes the scooter inoperable upon arrival is my biggest fear. I've read a lot on flying with them and understand (I think) how it works and I can walk from check-in to the gate without a problem, so we could actually check it at the counter if that's allowed. I just need it for the amount of walking required at Disney. We will be flying out from a smaller airport that uses regional jets. IN reading about size restrictions and the size of my scooter, I think it would need to be disassembled or at least folded up in order to fit in the cargo hold. This freaks me out but my DH thinks it's no problem. He REALLY wants me to take my scooter since he thinks it's better than the rental ones. Not to mention saving money. Has anyone had to disassemble or fold a scooter for air travel? We even debated if we could fold or disassemble it finding a bag of some sort to put it in to further protect it.

We've gone back and forth on this so many times it's driving me crazy. I'll take any experience or advice anybody cares to offer.

I fly out of an airport where about ⅔ of the flights are small regional jets. It adds a layer of complexity, to be sure. Taking your scooter apart might help prevent some kinds of damage, but will add time (and stress) at the airport. Not to mention, you will have to carry tools with you, (check with TSA to make sure you can bring the hand tools you need on board the plane - some tools can be shipped in luggage, but not carried into the cabin) and during the flights, you will have to keep track of not only your tools, but any extra hardware you can’t stow in the hold.

Here’s what I consider when taking a mobility device with me when I fly:
- First thing I think about is how I will handle it *if* something does happen to the device while it is in the hold, or during the loading/unloading process on the tarmac. Do I have a rental vendor in that city identified? Will it ruin my trip?
- Next is how my device is designed. I strip everything off of my device (including the batteries, because on some airlines, with some batteries, they are required to fly in the cabin) to make it as compact and lightweight as possible. I especially remove anything like lights, cup holders, etc. because those will inevitably get “lost” or broken off by accident.
- Just like everywhere else, the airlines right now are suffering from staffing issues. This means that ground crews are running hard and fast to turn planes; as a result, I am seeing more reports of devices of all kinds coming back out of the hold - either at layovers or destinations - with damage. It’s not intentional, but when they are (literally) throwing stuff into that hold to get the aircraft off the ground, will your device survive?
- If you are not willing to accept *any* level of damage to your personal mobility device, then the best advice is to not take it.

I understand the allure of taking your own device; the first step for you might be to call the airline you are flying with and ask them if your device will be able to be gate checked. Be prepared to answer questions about the overall weight of the device, as well as what kind of battery it has.

Most folks will gate check their personal mobility devices, only because concourses can be quite long, and if you have a layover, you can have quite a lengthy commute between gates at some airports. When you gate check a device, it’s best to arrive at your gate as early as you can, and let the gate crew know as soon as they start working your flight that you will be gate checking your device. That lets them plan better for when it’s time to load the plane.

If you choose to check it as luggage, make sure there is absolutely *nothing* that can come off in flight before you hand it over at the counter - and be sure to ask the airline *before* your travel day what you will need to do to make it flight-ready.

Honestly, with your style of scooter, I might consider leaving it at home, and renting from a vendor at WDW, especially if you think you won’t need it for the airport. I know it costs money to rent a scooter, but if yours gets damaged by the airline, how much money will it cost to repair it? (If it‘s even repairable). And who would you find to repair it? Where I live, there simply isn’t anyone who even does any kind of repairs on ECVs or any mobility device other than wheelchairs - and he’s a “bike guy” who has a family member with a manual chair, so he is self-trained on manual chair repair…

 

[Evita_W]

DH is having a hard time with deciding on our next trip if he should bring it or rent, as the wheelchair service at MCO has been beyond terrible. Also, always gate check mobility devices, do not check them as luggage, as that is far more likely to result in damage.

 

[ZellyB]

I would suggest contacting the company that makes your scooter to see what suggestions they have for air travel. Some of the lightweight foldable power wheelchairs even make travel bags. Maybe your scooter has one available too.

Good idea!

I have flown with my sister with her EVC a few times. We flew with her Buzzaround 3 wheel scooter. We just took the basket with us on the plane and left the scooter at the bottom of the jetway. If hers had any damage, it was not noticeable and everything was fine.

Our next trip, flying, will probably be with her foldable Luggie. She did not have it the last time we flew. On that one, I know we will have to carry the battery onto the plane with us.

Thank you!

I fly with mine all the time. I've taken it to Disney numerous times, Canada, Miami, Hawaii twice, Cali,.. probably a few more. Works fine.

Thank you!

I fly out of an airport where about ⅔ of the flights are small regional jets. It adds a layer of complexity, to be sure. Taking your scooter apart might help prevent some kinds of damage, but will add time (and stress) at the airport. Not to mention, you will have to carry tools with you, (check with TSA to make sure you can bring the hand tools you need on board the plane - some tools can be shipped in luggage, but not carried into the cabin) and during the flights, you will have to keep track of not only your tools, but any extra hardware you can’t stow in the hold.

Here’s what I consider when taking a mobility device with me when I fly:
- First thing I think about is how I will handle it *if* something does happen to the device while it is in the hold, or during the loading/unloading process on the tarmac. Do I have a rental vendor in that city identified? Will it ruin my trip?
- Next is how my device is designed. I strip everything off of my device (including the batteries, because on some airlines, with some batteries, they are required to fly in the cabin) to make it as compact and lightweight as possible. I especially remove anything like lights, cup holders, etc. because those will inevitably get “lost” or broken off by accident.
- Just like everywhere else, the airlines right now are suffering from staffing issues. This means that ground crews are running hard and fast to turn planes; as a result, I am seeing more reports of devices of all kinds coming back out of the hold - either at layovers or destinations - with damage. It’s not intentional, but when they are (literally) throwing stuff into that hold to get the aircraft off the ground, will your device survive?
- If you are not willing to accept *any* level of damage to your personal mobility device, then the best advice is to not take it.

I understand the allure of taking your own device; the first step for you might be to call the airline you are flying with and ask them if your device will be able to be gate checked. Be prepared to answer questions about the overall weight of the device, as well as what kind of battery it has.

Most folks will gate check their personal mobility devices, only because concourses can be quite long, and if you have a layover, you can have quite a lengthy commute between gates at some airports. When you gate check a device, it’s best to arrive at your gate as early as you can, and let the gate crew know as soon as they start working your flight that you will be gate checking your device. That lets them plan better for when it’s time to load the plane.

If you choose to check it as luggage, make sure there is absolutely *nothing* that can come off in flight before you hand it over at the counter - and be sure to ask the airline *before* your travel day what you will need to do to make it flight-ready.

Honestly, with your style of scooter, I might consider leaving it at home, and renting from a vendor at WDW, especially if you think you won’t need it for the airport. I know it costs money to rent a scooter, but if yours gets damaged by the airline, how much money will it cost to repair it? (If it‘s even repairable). And who would you find to repair it? Where I live, there simply isn’t anyone who even does any kind of repairs on ECVs or any mobility device other than wheelchairs - and he’s a “bike guy” who has a family member with a manual chair, so he is self-trained on manual chair repair…

All excellent points and very helpful. I also am leaning heavily toward renting, but for whatever reason, my DH really wants to take mine.

DH is having a hard time with deciding on our next trip if he should bring it or rent, as the wheelchair service at MCO has been beyond terrible. Also, always gate check mobility devices, do not check them as luggage, as that is far more likely to result in damage.

Good to know that most of you definitely say that gate checking is the way to go.

 

[Mydustydog]

I have no experience with flying with my ECV, but have plenty with breaking it down for travel in an SUV. I have a Pride Victory 10 (heavy duty) that breaks down into 6 or 7 pieces. We have a Santa Fe SUV. When broken down and stored in our vehicle it takes up half of the back with one side of the back seat folded down. My husband can break it down or put it together in less than 5 minutes. Its heaviest parts are the rear wheel assembly, the two batteries, and the tiller/front wheel platform. Other parts are the seat, the battery housing, and the basket. Having two guys to help break it down should be no problem for you! There are some rental companies that advertise ECV's that come apart for transportation in a vehicle.