When I fly with my personal
ECV, I bring along all of my extra batteries that will fit in my battery bag.
The way it works with the airline I fly on (American Airlines) is that when I check in with the Gate Agent, I let them know I need to Gate Check my device, and that I have a battery bag, with lithium-ion batteries, that I will carry on. It does not count against my carry-on limit, because it is related to my
scooter, so like the scooter, it flies free.
I always do two things to try make this process smoother: First, I try to arrive as early as possible for my flight. I don't want to roll up as they are working the flight, and then be *that person*... And second, once I see that a Gate Agent has arrived at my gate to start working the flight, I go over, and wait to speak to them. Typically I try to wait until there are no other passengers, but if a line forms quickly, then I go ahead and get in line. By letting them know as early as possible that you will need to gate check your device, you are helping them while they are readying the boarding process, and they can make sure to let the ground crew know to expect your device will be coming down - so space is created and held for your device during the cargo loading process as well.
I have never had a Gate Agent ask to see inside the bag (although TSA obviously does LOL).
When it is time to board, I roll down to the aircraft door, and get my scooter ready to hand off to an airline rep. I place my battery in the bag with the spare. I use Velcro One-Wrap to make sure that anything I don't want to lose off the scooter is well attached (Velcro One-Wrap is the double-sided velcro, so you can make self-sticking loops with it) and I board the aircraft with my battery bag. (I'm not required to remove the battery, but I do so as a personal choice)
I always let the Flight Attendant know that I have my ECV batteries in the bag (it's marked with the scooter manufactuer's name and the universal Handicap symbol) and exactly which overhead bin I have placed it in. Some FA's will ask me to store it under the seat instead; on a couple of flights they have stored it in a coat closet up front. Regardless of where it is stored, I can now take my seat, and fly away to Disney!
°o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o°
Just before or just after landing, I will typically ask the FA's to please let me know when they bring my scooter up from the hold. I remain seated, and let everyone else get off the plane while I wait. Once my scooter is up by the aircraft door, I retrieve my battery bag and install my battery, and motor on down to DME!
°o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o° °o°
At
MDE, when we are ready to board the bus, I let the driver know about the battery bag, and show them where I stow it on my scooter. (I have to sit on the scooter to ride the lift into the bus) Some drivers will tell me to leave it where it is, others have preferred to stow it below in the baggage hold.
If we arrive at our Resort Hotel, and our room isn't ready, I can either leave it stowed on my scooter, or I have been known to leave it with Bell Services. It is clearly marked with a BRIGHT PINK luggage tag, so they should be able to see whose room it goes to!
That's how *my* experience has been. I fly American Airlines because that's who the hubs works for.
