Tips for traveling with scooters

[RNMOM]

I just wanted to post a few things I did when I flew with my scooter in hopes it might help others.

I put a heavy shopping bag to put my basket in and took it on the plane with me. That is the only part that came off as I left the arms at home to make it easier to manage.

I used a small ID tag for my key which had my name and cell phone numbers for myself and DH incase it got misplaced. It didn't. The attendant who took the scooter to the hold assured me the key would remain with the scooter and be turned off. I understand some airlines bring the key back up and have the flight attendant give it to the passenger. At least this is what I read somewhere else.

I used the adhesive type address labels and put one on each part of my scooter like the batteries, pan, motor, etc and added our cell phone numbers to it. They have stayed on quite well over the past year. Again, just a precaution.

I considered buying or making a cover ( was thinking about polar fleece) to have them cover the unit in the hold to pad and protect it. I ran out of time and didn't get it done and we had no problems what so ever when we flew with Continental.

I flew from Cleveland to Denver and at each gate they tagged the scooter and took it just as I boarded the plane on the gangway. I could have walked down but it would have been a bit hard for me. The people were polite, introduced themselves and seemed very well experienced in handling equipment. The scooter was waiting for me as I came off the plane. Great service all around at both ends.

 

[SueM in MN]

very good ideas

 

[Piper]

I flew Continental in July and they did an awesome job with the scooter.

I also took a shopping bag, but I put my charger in it and put it in the basket to take into the plane. The basket was put in the overhead with the bag in it.
Another tip is to take a spare key with you--I didn't need mine, but it was good to have! They let me take the key on the plane with me--my ecv is very light and easy to handle. It weighs less than 100 pounds including the battery.

 

[Nadine&Scott]

Thanks for the advice. DW and I are taking her parents to WDW in January. Her Father just got a scooter and he is nervous about how he will make out with it (Getting to the airport, on and off the plane and bus etc..) Any advice to help us lessen the anxiety is greatly appreciated.

Scott

 

[RNMOM]

Scott, they gave me the choice of giving them my scooter at the check in desk or taking it to the boarding gate. Uh, if I could have walked all the way through the airport I wouldn't need the scooter. So I rode it to the gate where they placed a tag on the unit that had the info they needed. I had also called ahead when I booked my ticket to let them know I had the scooter. I believe there is a limit of how many scooters/wheelchairs they have room for in the hold. I don't know for sure but read that somewhere.

When we left the plane they had it ready for me at the door of the plane. I simply rode it through the airport to luggage and my DH brought the rental car up and we loaded it into the trunk. We flew into Denver that trip.

I would be interested in knowing how they handle the scooters on the Magical Express busses. Let us know how it is done if you go that route, ok?

 

[Nadine&Scott]

We will be using Magical Express for the first time. I will certainly post the results. My Father in law has almost four months from now until January to get the feel for his scooter, he hopefully will be an old pro by then.

Scott

 

[Piper]

I had to wait for a Magical Express with a lift. I cannot "do" stairs. I had let them know that I would be needing one before I arrived, but I still had to wait for about 30 minutes for one. They can load scooters and wc in the luggage area of the regular busses if you can do the stairs.

That was one of the few negative comments I heard. When the lift bus finally arrived, I was loaded first. Now, I had been sitting to the side of the line while many people arrived and left on the other busses, but one couple loudly commented on how I was getting preferential treatment by "getting on first!"

 

[Nadine&Scott]

My Father in law can do some stairs but it takes a lot out of him. Guess we will just to see how much he has left after the trip from Boston.

but one couple loudly commented on how I was getting preferential treatment by "getting on first!"

You could have all the pixie dust in the world but it just doesn't rub off on some people.

Scott