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AIR TRAVEL
When making a reservation, you should always inform the airline that you need special
assistance and are travelling with your own electric scooter. If they ask what type of battery
you are using, advise them that it is a non-spillable Lithium Ion battery which is airline
approved. When arriving at the airport and if you have limited mobility, simply remain on your
SmartScoot™
and drive directly to the departure gate. Similarly, with wheelchairs, you should
receive preferred treatment at the security checkpoints.
You should identify yourself to the gate agents and ask them to confirm how your
SmartScoot™ will be handled from the time you get onto the plane until the time you receive
it upon reaching your destination. A gate check tag should be placed on the scooter and you
should confirm that the scooter will be brought up to you on the jetway upon your arrival at
your destination. Passengers with mobility devices are usually asked to board the airplane
first to give the
airline handlers enough time to store the SmartScoot™
into the luggage
compartment below the plane. Most airlines will want you to drive the
SmartScoot™
down
the jetway to the entrance of the plane. Once at the entrance of the plane, carefully get off
the scooter and remove the battery to place into your carry-on luggage and enter the plane.
Upon arriving at your destination, the scooter should be brought up to you on the jetway.
CAUTION
–
Often times the jetway has a long or steep incline which is not completely
flat and there may not be suitable run-up space, which could make driving the scooter
on the jetway hazardous. If you find these or other potentially hazardous conditions,
either walk the scooter along the jetway or ask airline personnel for assistance.
