Those with ECV experience on Airlines

[clkelley]

My hubby has successfully flown with his ECV several times and had no problems.

However, on our upcoming trip, we are travelling with another couple who each have their own ECVs, so that makes a total of 3 ECVs on this trip (not counting any other passengers we don't know about that might have one).

The plane we are taking is a 35 passenger jet.

I've read through Delta's rules for wheelchair transport and it says that there is room for one collapsible wheelchair on board, and that it is 1st come 1st serve, but doesn't say anything about cargo capacity for ECVs. What happens if the hold can't accomodate all three of them.

Has anyone been told they will be put on a later flight because their particular aircraft can't accomodate their mobility device??

As far as I can tell it is not the passengers' responsibility to book larger aircraft because of their mobility needs.

Any advice?? Should I be worried.

Thanks,

Carol

 

[Anne MN]

I would call the airline directly and ask the specific questions of them. The airline should be able to tell you their regulations for each type of aircraft. I am guessing that this is a small "puddle jumper" or what they use for regional flights.

The airlines are the one who make their own regulations and rules and need to answer the questions. I know that it has taken a little while on hold asking specific questions, it can take them a little time to get you to the people who handle the special requests, like diet restrictions, medication rules, etc...

 

[dj2]

and would also suggest that you call back once or twice at different times of the day/week, to confirm the answer you get. it is, unfortunately, not uncommon to get different answers from different people at big companies such as airlines.

my guess is that the ecv's take priority in the cargo hold and would bump other "regular" suitcases to another flight if there wasn't enough space, but that's just a guess.

sometimes, the person on the phone will give you their best guess, too, and not always take the time to research the correct answer. or the person might check on the answer, but the person they are asking doesn't really know...etc. i'd feel better calling back a few times to make sure you keep hearing the same story.

and i'd suggest arriving at the airport early. if you arrive after much of the cargo hold is filled already, that might put you at more risk for not getting your evc's onto the plane. just because there might be a specific policy, may not mean that the people loading the plane always follow it.

boy, i really sound pessimistic in this post! sorry. i do try to be a more positive person usually.

dj

p.s., you might want to make sure that all three passengers with ecv's have their records designated as in need of special assistance or whatever it's called. this might be a flag to someone looking at the passenger list. don't really know if this is important....

 

[Raggedy]

I was wondering the same thing. I want to rent one near my house. They are onlyl 160 dollars for a week. Much cheaper than disney's price. Has anyone done this before?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi Raggedy

A few things to think about before renting from at home and bring the ECV with you on the plane.

How many people are in your party; how do you expect to get between your home and the airport, and between the airport here and the hotel. An ECV takes up a lot of space in a car trunk.

Walker charges only $199 for a week; Randy is less (but I'm not sure how much). Daily rates go down after a week. Tips to drivers and baggage people tend to go up when an ECV is involved.

If a rental from an Orlando area company has a problem, the company can replace it, usually within an hour. If it is your personal ECV and it has a problem you would probably have an idea of what needs to be done and would have to pay for the repairs anyway (unless covered by warranty). If your rental from at home has a problem, what do you do?

 

[Raggedy]

thanks for the info. Your probably right. I don't even know if i am going to rent one yet. I had knee surgery a couple of months ago and i need another one. I am just a little nervous about all that walking.

 

[SueM in MN]

Originally posted by clkelley
I've read through Delta's rules for wheelchair transport and it says that there is room for one collapsible wheelchair on board, and that it is 1st come 1st serve, but doesn't say anything about cargo capacity for ECVs. What happens if the hold can't accomodate all three of them.

Has anyone been told they will be put on a later flight because their particular aircraft can't accomodate their mobility device??

The "one collapsible wheelchair on board" information refers to the closet that is inside the passenger area. Not all flights have a closet that can accomidate a wheelchair, but if they do, the space is first come first serve and generally only one collapsible wheelchair will fit.
And, according to the Air Carriers Access Act, the wheelchair/mobility device takes precedence over the other items in the closet. We have actually done this and bumped some luggage from the closet to the baggage compartment. Wheelchairs and other mobility devices also have priority over the other items being carried in the baggage compartment. In your casee, on a small plane, I don't know if there would be any limits imposed by the size of the plane, but if all the ECVs would fit, they have to carry them all, even if it means bumping some luggage to a later flight.

Here's a link to a good summary of the Air Carrier's Access Act. The airlines are not under the ADA, but are governed by this act.