travel scooter and airplane

[Cation]

I'm taking my mother on a Southwest flight from Oakland to Midway this week. She will be using her 4 wheel Go-Go Elite travel scooter.

We've never flown with the scooter before. Will she be able to use it to the gate? Will we get it back at the gate when the flight lands? She has COPD and a chronic leg problem, so she can only walk relatively short distances. Will there be a problem with security?

She's really stressing about this...

Thanks.

 

[krisnme]

You will ride the ECV all the way down the ramp right to the plane door. They will take it from there. when you land wait on the ramp and they will bring it back to you. This can take a while so we usually just wait to be last to de-plane. be sure to label all removable parts of your scooter, and many place instructions to disassemble on the scooter. we have never done this and not had a problem, but you never know. take your key with you and any other small removable parts. we also take quick pictures of the scooter while at the gate so we can check and prove any damages when we get it back. Security will ask her if she can walk thru or if not she will get a special pat down. flying with a scooter and manual w/c has never been a hassle for us and we fly often. Good luck!

 

[Piper]

When I fly, I remove the basket and charger and take them on the plane. I also fold the seat back down. I took the arms off a long time ago, so I don't have them to worry about.

The flight attendants usually know that I am waiting for my ecv and let me sit by the door until it is brought up to the door of the plane.

There is usually a special line for going through security with a wc or ecv. Just ask where they want you to go and then follow their directions.

 

[Disney4us2]

I took my scooter to WDW in August. It was easy. I don't use the arm rests on my scooter, so I left those home. I take the basket and the charger with me on the plane. I use a small backpack that the basket fits in. I also bubble wrap around where the basket attaches and the control area as well. I was able to drive the scooter right up to the plane. I flew Southwest and they were really great with my scooter. Going to Orlando I was nervous that the scooter would not make it to the connecting flight. I saw it being loaded so I was relieved. You should be fine with the scooter on the plane. I also have tags on the tiller and the battery.