SWA with ECV ?

[tmli]

My mom will be taking her personal ECV for the first time. Do we have to notify SWA ahead of time? Does she drive it to the plane and leave it there to be gate checked like she did her manual chair? Does she have to disassemble any part of it?

 

[clkelley]

As long as the ECV has gel batteries she can take it directly to the gate. If it has wet cell batteries then she will have to check it at the counter so the batteries can be stored properly. We travel on SW with hubby's ECV lots of times. We tie down the basket with cable ties and bungies and secure the charger to the base under the seat with cable ties. We took the armrests off of the seat a long time ago, those stay at home, they are more trouble than they are worth.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

It is always a good idea to let them know before hand that you are bringing it be sure to have a copy of the manual for it with you attached to the vehicle in case they need to disassemble anything.
All airlines prefer that you check the ECV at the desk then use their WC to get to boarding area and onto the plane, you can drive it to the gate and gate check it but many airports are set up so that they then have to take it back thru the terminal to an elevator and it takes much longer to get it loaded onto the plane, chances of it not making it with you increase with this plan. As much as it annoys me I have found after much travel with mine to do it the desk check method and use WC has worked best for me. Also it is wise to take pictures of the vehicle as close to surrendering it to them as possible in case they damage it.

 

[SueM in MN]

It's not that easy to find the information about wheelchairs and ECVs on the SWA website, but here's a link to it. There is really not that much information on the site (and the other posters to this thread already mentioned most of it). They do say if you have a wet cell battery, you should contact a SWA reservation agent at 800 I FLY SWA (800 435-9792). Even though you likely don't have a wet cell battery, they might be able to help with your questions.

 

[tmli]

I called SWA and in Buffalo we can take it right to the gate. They said when we check in they will advise if it would be easier to have the chair checked there. Thanks everyone for the responses and the great tip of using the cable ties to secure basket etc.

 

[shovan]

I can tell you we have flown with SW often and they have been very helpful each time. We've done it with a ECV & now with a wheelchair. They have allowed my DH to take it all the way to the door of the plane. They transfer him to the little ailse chair & from that to the airplane seat. Then they will either drive the chair or roll it off whatever you prefer. Good Luck & have fun!

 

[dj2]

bring the owner's manual if you can. i needed to refer to it on my return home because the airline employee wanted to know it's weight--he said it was so they could balance the cargo properly. this question did not get asked of me on the way down. drove right up to the gate both times, and scooter was returned to me at the gate both times. swa did a GREAT JOB and i will be looking to fly with them again for our next trip. i don't think i had informed the airline of the scooter in advance, but i did have the box checked off about needing assistance in boarding. have fun!