Delta Airlines and Powerchairs

Posted by Katja on 2 July 2008 | Permalink
Filed under travel, wheelchair use | 6 comments so far

I haven’t flown Delta in decades. Does Delta really not let you gatecheck a powerchair or scooter?
From Delta’s website:

We need 48 hours advance notice and at least one hour advance check-in on the day of departure if you:

* Require the packaging of a wheelchair battery for shipment as checked luggage (one hour advance check-in at the ticket counter).

(http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/special_travel_needs/services_travelers_disabilities/reservations_requirements/index.jsp)

and

We appreciate your checking powered equipment that may require disassembly at the ticket counter so we can arrange for proper handling. You may use our wheelchair equipment after checking your personal wheelchair.

(http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/special_travel_needs/services_travelers_disabilities/wheelchair_services/index.jsp)

If you use a powerchair or scooter and fly Delta, tell me that it ain’t so!

Comments

6 Responses to “Delta Airlines and Powerchairs”

Ken on July 3rd, 2008 10.26

This info is on the Delta web site a little below the statements referenced…

Effective June 1, 2008, Delta and Delta Connection Carriers will allow customers with battery powered wheelchairs to check these assistive devices at the gate without having to disconnect the battery before transport. In order to transport your wheelchair or scooter using the the U.S. DOT PHMSA (Pipeline of Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) special permit (SP 14548), your assistive device must possess a defect-free battery in a rigid compartment that is integral to the chair. The equipment must also have two effective methods of preventing accidental activation during transport
Katja on July 3rd, 2008 11.45

Thank you, Ken.
stephen on July 20th, 2008 6.27

it seems that with the trouble the airlines are having these days ha they’d be looking for cost-free ways to accomodate people. being helpful seems like a no brainer to me.
Blake on July 23rd, 2008 12.22

You should check out Mobility Air Transport.
Grace Young on August 28th, 2008 13.05

I flew Delta with my scooter in March. No problems. They simply asked if the batteries are gel cel or dry cell. I got a gate tag at the check-in counter and stayed on the scooter until I drove it up to the plane, then got off and they took it away. I showed them how to disconnect the batteries on the outside of the battery case. After the flight they brought the scooter to the plane. BTW, on the same flight I brought my manual wheelchair and stored it on the plane.
Mortaine on August 29th, 2008 2.57

Katja,

Long time reader, infrequent commenter. I wanted to let you know about a blog I found called Rolling Traveler. The author, Derek, is a wheelchair user who travels (maybe as much as you do!) and posts about his experiences in various cities, the issues he deals with (many of which you also discuss), and so on. The URL is rollingtraveler.today.com.

Don’t know if it’s a useful blog to you or your readers, but I figure you are a wealth of information, so here’s a little bit more to add to your knowledge base.

Regards,
–Stephanie