On a recent trip to Jamaica, we decided to bring a foldable scooter with us, to experience first hand what we speak so much about with our customers who plan to travel with their devices. Our plan was that our daughter, my mother or my sister could use it when needed. Our daughter has been experiencing bouts of extreme fatigue. My mother's ability to walk long distances has become challenging, and then my sister recently injured her ankle. Here is how our experience went.
When we have clients coming through our showroom, we typically recommend the following steps:
- Connect with the Airlines before your date of travel to let them know you will be traveling with a device.
- Provide device information which is easily accessible on the unit.
- Use your device to get to the airplane. Never check your device in with your luggage, instead drive it to the gate of the airplane.
Connect with the Airlines
We always recommend connecting with the airlines ahead of travel to let them know that you are travelling with a mobility device. We were booked with American Airlines, and I gave them a call a week ahead of our trip and they assured me that it would not be a problem.
When we were checking in with American Airlines online, they gave us the option to register our mobility device. It was a simple and short form to fill out.
Provide Device Information
We arrived at the airport 3 hours ahead of our trip, since it was international, and we had one person with a mobility device and another using the wheelchair service. Check in was easy but we had a specific line inside the airport for mobility devices and assistance.
To prepare for the trip, we laminated the manufacturer’s specifications sheet for the device, attached that to the device and found that useful many times. We also tagged the unit with our contact information (including our cell phone number), in the event it got lost along the way or the baggage handlers had questions.
Tip: Our daughter’s 4 wheel carry-on suitcase was easy for her to roll next to her while driving the scooter.
Use your Device to get to the Airplane
After check-in, our daughter sped through the airport on her scooter, easily guiding her carry-on suitcase next to her with one hand. The wheelchair attendant who was pushing my mom was kind enough to show us the accessible route, avoiding the stairs and knowing where all the elevators were. We made it through security fairly quickly. My daughter had to put the seat cushion through the scanner and a TSA representative did check the device, while she walked through the body scanner.
Once we were called for boarding the plane, we took the battery and the key out. Folded it down and left it right next to the airplane door for the baggage handler to get.
Tip: Take photos with your cell phone of your device when you leave it at the gate.
We did have a transfer in Miami and once we arrived there was some confusion with the gate agent not knowing if the device would be brought up to the plane or if it would meet us at the final destination. However, we did tell the check-in agent that we needed the device to get to our next flight in the Miami airport, and it eventually appeared after about a 10 minute wait.
There was a really long walk between flights in Miami and we were grateful for the scooter. Boarding our next flight in Miami was similar to our experience in Phoenix, however the plane to Jamaica was smaller and we could not take the scooter all the way to the entrance of the plane. Instead they asked us to leave it at the bottom of the ramp so the baggage handlers could get it there - which we did.
Tip: Be prepared to take all accessories and the battery (where applicable) with you on your flight. Either bring an additional folding bag or leave extra space in your carry on to hold the battery.
Once we arrived in Jamaica, the scooter was waiting in the baggage area. The Ocho Rios airport is a very small one, so it was not a long walking distance to get to it. There were a couple scuff marks on the tiller from the trip, but everything was working properly and we were on our way. My sister used it the most while we were down there, opting to go on a neighbourhood walk she would not have been able to partake in without it. Overall it was a fairly easy experience to travel with and gave multiple people some additional independence to enjoy the trip. We even noticed many people looking at the scooter, with a few asking us if it was convenient to travel with. If you are interested in learning more about traveling with a mobility device, please feel free to stop by our showroom.