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https://www.mymobilityscooters.uk/categories/electric-powered-wheelchairs

Traveling With an Airline Approved Electric Wheelchair There are a few aspects to take into consideration when traveling with a powered chair The airport staff and airline personnel will ask you numerous questions about your chairs dimensions and battery type as well as how it should be handled Make sure you have this information ready prior to your trip to the airport Make sure your wheelchair is equipped with airsafe batteries that are compliant with air travel regulations What is an airlineapproved electric wheelchair Electric wheelchairs that are endorsed by airlines are able to be safely transported and stored on planes They typically come with an unspillable battery that is FAAapproved for air travel and can be stored under the plane as checked luggage They will also be able maneuver on rough surfaces such as deceleration stripes gravel bricks or muddy roads They could also have an exclusive power drive system that permits them to move in tight spaces or elevators Airlines will provide assistance with your wheelchair or scooter from the ticket counter to the boarding gate However it is essential to contact them prior to time to ensure they are aware of your needs and confirm that they can meet your needs Certain airlines require you to arrive an hour before your scheduled departure which is crucial in busy travel times Southwest Airlines has a special compartment in the passenger cabin of their planes for the stowage of a wheelchair or mobility scooter This space is limited and is first come first serve They also require that any additional batteries be checked as part of the scooter or wheelchair since federal regulations require that they are disconnected from the device unless it is equipped with a safe design to stop accidental activation United MyMobilityScooters requires 48 hours advance notice prior to you bring electric wheelchairs or scooters on their flights They also require that you check in one hour prior to your flight so they can ensure the proper handling of your equipment They also request that you complete their Mobility Aid Information Form so that airport representatives can get information on assembly and disassembly as well as other details about your mobility wheelchair or power scooter Safety Airlineapproved electric wheelchairs are made for secure and comfortable travel They can be folded and comply with airline guidelines regarding battery size handling stowage and handling If you plan to travel with your airline of choice make contact with their Special Assistance department ahead of time to discuss the specific guidelines for powered mobility devices These experts can assist you in planning your travel itinerary and provide you with the latest details regarding battery requirements They can also provide you with assembly and disassembly instructions Some airlines require you to remove the battery from your wheelchair for safety reasons and put it in a bag for carryon This is to ensure that the batterys terminals arent exposed and that it is safely placed upright Depending on the airline you use you may be asked to label your wheelchair with the following details your name address number and model This will allow airline and airport personnel quickly and accurately identify the equipment if it gets lost or mishandled during your trip You might also consider purchasing aftermarket slings such as the CARES harness or ADAPTS sling that help you remain in your wheelchair during transfers with airline and airport personnel Make sure you arrive at the airport two hours prior to your scheduled departure time to ensure that your equipment is in good storage If you arrive earlier than this it is even better particularly during busy times of the year or during rush hour This allows you to checkin early and gives the representative of the airline plenty of time to assist you in stowing your chair Take a photo of your wheelchair before you travel This serves as proof if your device gets damaged during the flight This will help you to seek compensation for any damages from the airline You should also think about bringing an extra cushion for your seat so that the flight is as comfortable as it can be for you Using a seat cushion is essential when you travel for longer than an hour because it reduces the pressure on your skin and help prevent soreness CheckIn If you are traveling with an airline approved electric wheelchair the process of getting on a plane could be an overwhelming experience However with proper preparation and compliance with rules and regulations traveling using your electric chair is attainable Before you book your flight talk to an airline representative to find out more about their policies and procedures They can guide you on the best method to check into your seat regardless of whether its at the counter for tickets or at the gate In either case arriving one hour before your flight is recommended This allows the airline to examine your equipment and ensure that its safely stored for your journey Depending on your power chair it may be necessary for you to disassemble it before transport In this instance it is helpful to have instructions for assembly and disassembly in the table to aid airline personnel who will handle your chair Attach any safety and maintenance information to your chair This includes the owners manual and warranty information It is also a good idea to remove any detachable accessories before you travel to the airport and to ensure all of the controls are working properly Once you arrive at the airport your electric chair will be loaded into the cargo hold and then stowed Airlines are not allowed to charge you extra to store assistive devices such as power chairs This is a great benefit for passengers who have disabilities as it helps them save money When the plane lands an airline employee will be able to transfer you from your power wheelchair to a wheelchair that is able to slide in the aisle of the aircraft Then you can disembark and your wheelchair is returned to you at the closest possible location to the aircraft door either at the jetbridge or at the gate Traveling with an electric wheelchair may seem daunting but with careful planning and adhering to the guidelines you can be able to enjoy the pleasure of exploring new locations easily It is essential to keep in mind that if you do not feel comfortable in your chair you wont be able to enjoy the freedom it provides CheckOut Airplanes are notoriously crowded and can be extremely stressful for those with mobility issues The use of a wheelchair or scooter can make the trip less stressful for you but it is important to follow your airlines policies for the transportation and storage of your chair on the plane Contact the airline ahead of time to inquire about their policy regarding power chairs and to inquire about any questions Many airlines will allow you to bring an electric chair on your flight so that you prepare it properly to travel Certain airlines will require that you discharge the batteries prior to boarding and others will require a doctors letter to allow you to fly with a power wheelchair Some airlines may also require you to disassemble the batterypowered part of your chair and put it in a protective case Get to the airport at least two hours before the time of departure to ensure that your airline can prepare your wheelchair prior to your departure Its recommended to bring any documentation like the owners manual as well as any assemblydisassembly instructions for your mobility aid to the airport This will speed up the checkin process and help avoid confusion about your airlines policies regarding wheelchairs On arrival at the counter for tickets or at the gate be sure to clearly communicate your mobility requirements Provide the kind of wheelchair you own and any other accessories you may require such as seat cushions or sideguards Ask the airline if they will be examining your wheelchair for stowage or whether it will be transported to the plane using an adapted cart If youre moving from your electric wheelchair to the plane you should book a direct flight to minimize the number times your equipment is moved between locations Once your wheelchair is on the plane it will be stowed in the cargo compartment as checked luggage The US Department of Transportation prohibits the airlines from charging extra fees for the storage of a scooter or wheelchair If your equipment is damaged you must take a photograph before leaving the airport and immediately inform the airline