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https://www.mymobilityscooters.uk/categories/electric-powered-wheelchairs
Traveling With an Airline Approved Electric Wheelchair There are many aspects to take into consideration when traveling with a powered chair The staff at the airport and the airline will inquire about the dimensions of your chair battery type and how to use it Make sure you have this information ready before you go to the airport Make sure that your wheelchair is equipped with airsafe batteries that are in compliance with the regulations for air travel What is an airline approved electric wheelchair Airline approved electric wheelchairs are ones that are designed to be carried and stowed safely on airplanes They will typically have nonspillable batteries that are FAAapproved for air travel and can be tucked under the plane as checked luggage Furthermore they will be able to maneuver on rough surfaces such as gravel deceleration strips brick or roads that are muddy They may also have a patentpending power drive system that allows them to navigate in tight spaces or elevators Airlines will provide assistance for your scooter or wheelchair from the ticket counter until the gate to board It is essential to contact the airline prior to your departure to make sure they are aware of any specific needs and to confirm that they can meet these requirements Some airlines require you to be at least an hour before your departure time This is crucial during busy travel periods Southwest Airlines has a special compartment in the passenger cabin of their planes that allows for the stowage and storage of one wheelchair or mobility scooter Continue is not large enough and is first come first served Federal regulations also require that any additional batteries be inspected by a scooter or wheelchair They must be shut off unless they are specifically designed to prevent accidental activation United Airlines requires 48hour notice prior to bringing an electric scooter or wheelchair on their flights They also ask that you checkin an hour prior to your flight so that they can ensure the proper handling of your equipment Additionally they request to complete their Mobility Aid Information form to give airport personnel assembly and disassembly instructions as well as other pertinent information about your mobility chair or power scooter Safety Airlineapproved electric wheelchairs are designed to ensure secure and comfortable travel These chairs are designed to fold and they comply with airline guidelines for battery size handling and stowage If you plan to travel with your airline of choice contact their Special Assistance department ahead of time to discuss specific guidelines for powered mobility devices These experts can help you plan your travel itinerary and provide you with the most current information on battery requirements They can also give you instructions for assembly and disassembly Some airlines ask that you take the wheelchairs battery out of the way for safety reasons and place it in a bag for carryon This is to ensure that the batterys terminals are not exposed and that it is stowed upright Depending on the airline you use you may need to label your wheelchair This should include your name your address your telephone number as well as your wheelchair model This will help airline and airport personnel quickly and accurately identify the equipment in case it gets lost or mishandled during your trip You might also consider purchasing aftermarket slings like the CARES harness or ADAPTS sling which allow you to remain in your wheelchair when you transfer with airport and airline personnel It is recommended to arrive at at two hours before your scheduled departure time to ensure the proper stowage of your equipment is done If you are able be there earlier than two hours before your scheduled departure time This is especially important during busy holiday periods or rush hour This lets you checkin early and gives the representative of the airline plenty of time to assist you in stowing your chair Before you travel and leave home take a photograph of your wheelchair to use as proof in the event that your device is damaged on the flight This will give you leverage to pursue compensation from the airline for damages You should also consider bringing an extra cushion for your seat so that the flight is as comfortable as possible for you Cushions for seats are essential when you travel for more than an hour They can reduce the pressure on your skin and will prevent soreness CheckIn If you are traveling using an approved airline electric wheelchair the process of boarding a plane can be an intimidating experience But with the right preparation and adhering to the rules and regulations traveling with your power chair is feasible Before you book your flight talk to an airline representative to find out more about their policies and procedures They will be able to guide you in the right direction regardless of whether you prefer to get your seat at the ticket counter or at the gate In either case arriving 1 hour before your flight is recommended This allows the airline plenty of time to examine your equipment and make sure that it will be safely towed to be ready for your trip Depending on the type of power chair you have It could be necessary to disassemble it for transport If this is the case its helpful to have clear instructions for assembly and disassembly on hand to help the airline employees handling your chair It is also recommended to attach any safety and maintenance information to your chair including the owners manual and warranty information It is also a good idea to remove any detachable accessories before you leave for the airport and also to ensure that all the controls are working properly When you arrive at an airport the electric chair will be loaded into the cargo hold and then stowed The airlines arent allowed to charging you an additional cost to store assistive devices like electric wheelchairs This is a great feature for people with disabilities because it can help them avoid unnecessary expenses After the plane has landed at the airport an airline employee will be able to transfer you from your power wheelchair to a wheelchair that is able to slide down the aircraft aisle You can then disembark and your powered wheelchair is returned to you at the nearest possible place to the doorway of the aircraft either at the jetbridge or at the gate It can be a bit daunting to travel in an electric chair but with right planning and following guidelines you can enjoy exploring new places The most important thing to keep in mind is that if youre not comfortable in your chair you will not be able to fully enjoy the freedom that travel provides CheckOut Airliners are notoriously crowded and can be very stressful for people who have mobility issues If youre traveling with a wheelchair or a scooter it can make your trip more enjoyable However its essential to follow the airlines guidelines regarding the use of your chair and storage it on the plane If youre traveling with a power chair make sure to contact your airline prior to your departure to inquire about their policy and get any questions answered Many airlines will allow you to bring a motorized chair for your flight so provided you prepare it properly for travel Some airlines will require that you charge the batteries prior to taking off and others will require a doctors letter before they will allow you to travel with your powered wheelchair Certain airlines may also require you to take apart the batterypowered portion of your chair and put it in a protective case When you arrive at the airport make sure to arrive at least two hours prior to your departure time to ensure that your airline has enough time to prepare your wheelchair for flight Its also a good idea to bring any documentation such as the owners manual as well as any instructions for assembly or disassembly of your mobility aid to the airport This will help speed up the checkin process and can make sure that there is no confusion about the policies of your airlines wheelchair If you are at the counter for tickets to airline or gate make sure to explain your mobility needs clearly Provide a description of your wheelchair and any other accessories you may require like seats or sideguards Ask the airline whether they will be placing your wheelchair in a specific cart or examining it for stowage If youre transferring to the plane using your electric wheelchair you should try to book a direct flight which will reduce the number of times that your equipment will be transferred between various locations Once your wheelchair is in the plane it will be stored in the cargo compartment as checked luggage The US Department of Transportation prohibits the airlines from charging additional fees for the storage of a wheelchair or scooter If your equipment arrives damaged you must capture a photo prior to leaving the airport and immediately inform the airline