First time travelling with an ECV... what do I need to know?

[ElenitaB]

Well, things have progressed to the point where I need an ECV here at home and have just bought my very own 3 wheeler. I'm picking it up tomorrow. I will be travelling to WDW at the end of the month and will be bringing it with me. What do I need to know before I head to the airport? Do I need to tell the airlines that I have it? What are the procedures at the gate?

I did note our DME reservation that I had an ECV. Is it worth calling again just to be sure?

Any tips are much appreciated!

[scootch713]

We rented one for my neice. My best advise is to be patient. Trying to get thru congested areas such as Main Street can be difficult and frustrating at times.

[Mickey'sGirl]

We've never flown with an ECV, but we used to fly with my Mom's wheelchair all the time. We did speak to the airline prior to our flight date to let them know her limitations etc. I would certainly let the airline know that you have one, and then they can let you know their procedure.

I am so happy for you and the freedom your ECV will give you!

[TheDuckRocks]

Ellen, Marilyn Michetti flies with her ECV to DIsney every year and swears up and down that it is not difficult. Maybe you could send her a PM if she doesn't see your post.

[peemagg]

I flew with an ECV for the first time this past May. It wasn't difficult at all.

I first did call the airline and note on my reservation that I was traveling with the scooter. The main reason for this was because of the battery and so that the airlines knows it is coming so they make room for it. I then went to security and stayed on my scooter. I was pulled off to the side where they wanded me and my scooter. Then when I got to the gate I rode it down to the plane. They pre-boarded us so they had time to load the scooter.

I had before I got to the airport, took anything that might get lost or damaged off the scooter and placed it in a separate bag. I also put my charger in there. You can do this and it doesn't count as part of your carry on count due to it being medical equipment. When I landed I waited and was one of the last off the plane. My scooter was waiting there for me at the door of the plane.

Forgot to mention that I put the scooter in freewheel before leaving it and I also locked the tiller into the down position and locked the front wheel.

Just as a precaution we took pictures of the scooter before boarding the plane. That way we had record of the shape it was in before handing it over. This way no one could say that it was damaged before they got a hold of it.

Really it isn't difficult at all. I was very surprised how smoothly it went.

[jenny1976]

Hi,
First of all, make sure you request special assistance with your airline and REPORT your ecv, they will tell you what their procedure is with the battery. Usually, they will make you transfer to a wheelchair, take the battery and store it, and the will send your ecv to the belly of the plane. You will be boarded first so make sure you allow at least 2 hours for check in and boarding. They will transfer you from the wheelchair to an aisle chair if you cannot walk into the plane. After everyone dissembarks the plane once you arrive, they will give you your ecv, battery and all. You haveto make sure they give it back in the same condition in which you handed it in, as is stated in the Air Carriers Access Act.
You should ask Disney to arrange for a handicap accessible room just in case, and you should tell DME that you are traveling in an ecv.
Also, you should know that not all rides are evc accessible and you should be ready to transfer either to a ride or to a wheelchair. Finally, you should know, you cannot ride the buss on an ecv, they will make you get off so they can strap the ecv more securely. so you will have to be on a regular seat and possibly climb up or down the stairs.
If there is any other reasonable accomodation you need, make sure you ask Disney and the Airline, and also take a doctor's note just in case you need a guest assistance pass.
Take care and have fun!!!!!!!!!!

[peemagg]

You do not need a doctors note for a GAC. In fact a CM will not look at it. If you feel better bringing a Dr's note then it does not need a diagnosis, just have it say what accommodations you need, such as no waiting in sun or such.

When using a ECV or wheelchair you don't need a GAC unless you need accommodations different from mobility issues.

[PETE FROM NYC]

Last trip, March,07.First trip w/ DWs ECV.When booking flights,Jet Blue was the only carrier that could give us straight answers.She rode to the gate, surrendered her ECV and walked on to the plane.
When we landed, her ECV was brought to the gate in about 5-10 minutes.
Her biggest problem was people trying to rush off of the plane almost knocking her down.
This year we are driving down with the ECV safely in the back of my Expedition.

[Marilyn Michetti]

It's really simple. Just go through security, which is not bad, if your body isn't full of metal. You will be pre-boarded, and will ride your ECV right to plane door. They take your scooter down to the cargo hold, and it's waiting for you when you get off. They will ask you what kind of battery you have, and I can't remember which one is right, but you can check it ahead.

The busses at Disney have been updated. It used to be harder, but now they've got adequate room to turn around, facing front, and three point into the space. Just PLEASE don't be discouraged if somebody makes a face when you're boarded first on the bus. The driver is required, BY LAW, to secure you before the others. The reason, (if any crabby passengers are reading this) is simply that the driver is not allowed to leave his running bus unattended, which is why he shuts the door. Can you imagine some nut taking off with the bus, the driver, and passangers?

The best advantage to bringing your own ECV, is that you know it. The ones in the parks are like trucks, and nobody really shows people how to operate them - they just hand you a key, and take your money.

Good luck, Pete. It's not bad at all.

[ElenitaB]

Thanks, everyone, for your answers. I'm a veteran ECV renter but after many, many times of reading Marilyn's advice ("buy your own, it will pay for itself in the long run"), I did just that. Now, based on the benefit of your experience, I feel much better about getting it on and off the plane. (Now if I could only get it out of my trunk! )

Thanks again!

[Marilyn Michetti]

Did I call you Pete? Yeah, I did. Sorry.

It does pay for itself, and you have it at home for malls, airport, etc. I'm taking mine to Vegas in the Spring, AND, it's been to Disneyland twice.

Have fun.

[ransam]

i've never flown w/ an evc, but i always use one once i get to the park, and i can tell you that there is no place better in the world than Disney for handicapped...there wasn't one thing i wanted to do that i couldn't do.