New ECV user - any advice?

[Tigger&Aidan]

My dad recently purchased an ECV for our upcoming trip. He'll be taking it on our flight to Orlando and to the parks. He rented one last year at each park and I'm hoping it will be more conveient to have all the time. Any suggestions on getting through the airport/flight? DH said it is a non-spillable battery so we shouldn't have any problems getting it on the plane (which he read on Southwest.com). Is this true for non-spillable batteries - anything special need done? I'm going to call Southwest to check, but figured I'd ask here too. Also, if he would need to charge the battery while at a park (which i'm guessing he won't, just want to be sure), can we do that at Guest Services or do we need to go back to our resort? Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated! TIA!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

When you get to the airport let them know you want to "gate check" the EVC. They will give you a tag and he will be able to drive it all the way to the aircraft door. They will take it and put it in the luggage hold and will return it to the aircraft door after arrival.

Take the key with you, and put it in "freewheel" when he gets off. Have a large, bright, sign showing how to put it into our out of freewheel; this will help in the aircraft itself.

Remove anything that can be easily removed/lost and take it on board with you.

Have a large, bright, sign that shows how to lower the tiller against the seat; again this will help prevent damage.

Check it very carefully when you get it back to see that nothing has been damaged.

As far as the power. If it is a "full-size" ECV, usually with two batteries each weighing about 25 pounds, there is no problem as he should be able to ride it all day at full speed and only need to charge it overnight. If it is a transport type of ECV, with a single battery pack, it is probably good for about ten miles. See what the owner's manual says.

You will find there are a lot of outlets available, especially in restaurants and food courts. If the ECV has an onboard charger and he wants to, he can just pull up to an outlet and plug it in while he is eating; a one hour charge will do a lot.

 

[SueM in MN]

You will find there are a lot of outlets available, especially in restaurants and food courts. If the ECV has an onboard charger and he wants to, he can just pull up to an outlet and plug it in while he is eating; a one hour charge will do a lot.

There is link in the disABILITIES FAQs thread about outlets, but it basically says what Cheshire Figment says along with a bit of people´s hints of where to find outlets.
There is also information in the disQBILITIES FAQs thread about transportation in WDW - like how to use the buses and some information about boats, mororails and parking.

If he doesn´t have a lot of experience with driving his ECV, I´d suggest practice until he feels very comfortable with turning both directions, backing and backing while turning in both directions. It´s also helpful to be able to parallel park it because there are times when that is the easiest or quickest way to get it into the place it needs to be for a show, bus, etc.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

I would go a step further and say call the airline ahead of time and let them know you are bringing it. They will ask about the batteries so It is good you know, they should actually say non spill or gel battery right on them.
They may try to get you to check it with your bags at the counter, Don't do it, as it will then go to the baggage claim at the other end. Just tell them you are gate checking it PERIOD. you have an absolute right under the DOT accessibilty laws to do so. and be sure you tell them when you do that you expect IT brought to the door of the plane when you arrive. Hopefully you are on a non stop because otherwise it gets a bit more complicated.

It never ceases to amaze me, you would think that airlines have never taken a scooter or electric wheelchair before the way the agents act when dealing with it. Just be insistent and clear about exactly what you want.

 

[tarkus]

I would go a step further and say call the airline ahead of time and let them know you are bringing it. They will ask about the batteries so It is good you know, they should actually say non spill or gel battery right on them.
They may try to get you to check it with your bags at the counter, Don't do it, as it will then go to the baggage claim at the other end. Just tell them you are gate checking it PERIOD. you have an absolute right under the DOT accessibilty laws to do so. and be sure you tell them when you do that you expect IT brought to the door of the plane when you arrive. Hopefully you are on a non stop because otherwise it gets a bit more complicated.

It never ceases to amaze me, you would think that airlines have never taken a scooter or electric wheelchair before the way the agents act when dealing with it. Just be insistent and clear about exactly what you want.

I agree. Call your airline and tell them what your plans are. As stated above don't let them talk you into anything you don't want.

Gate check , period. I do it all the time with a device they don't see often and have never had a problem.

Heres a link to checkout:
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publications/disabled.htm


Enjoy your trip.

Be Big,
Alan

 

[Tigger&Aidan]

Thanks for the advice! We do have a two pack battery, so that should be good for the day, I hope. We rented a car, so no worries about the buses - waiting in line for a bus with an ECV and a toddler is just a little to much for me! My dad has the manual and is reading it now....
I'm just a little worried about the airlines, but I'll definitely be calling them today. Thanks again!

 

[tarkus]

You mentioned Southwest. I have found them to be A1 and have flown hundreds of segments with them.

Enjoy,
Alan

 

[RNMOM]

I am a bit compulsive about stuff so I took self adhesive address stickers, crossed off the address and put our cell phone numbers on them. I put one on each piece of my scooter. Batteries, inside the hood, bottom or the motor/ pan. I figure if anything happens, they would know whom to contact. I also use an address tag for my key chain for my scooter key.

I photo copied the battery instructions and assembly instructions and put them in a plastic sleeve and diaper pinned them to the inside of my storage pocket on the back of my scooter seat. I figured it was easy to store there anyway.

When I flew Continental, in Cleveland the gate agent had the man come to meet me who would take the scooter and put it on the plane. It was a nice touch. I did allow him to take the key and drive it down the elevator. Otherwise it would have had to be disassembled to carry down. That was just at that airport so whatever works for you and that you are comfortable with. I had my scooter waiting for me at the plane door when I arrived in Denver and again back in Cleveland. I was very pleased with Continental's service. Yes, I did call ahead and let them know I was flying with it.

I also put my basket in a cloth bag and carried it on. It was not considered a carryon or extra baggage.