When you rely on mobility equipment in your everyday life, otherwise simple activities such as traveling can become surprisingly complicated. This is particularly true if you’re planning to fly on a commercial flight but don’t know how to bring a mobility scooter along. Fortunately, airlines make plenty of allowances to accommodate all passengers, including scooter users. Here are a few things you should know about before you travel.

3 Tips for Traveling With a Mobility Scooter

1. Check in With the Airline

Before booking your flight, make sure that the airline with which you intend to travel can accommodate your mobility equipment. Then, make sure the batteries your scooter uses comply with FAA guidelines. The FAA won’t allow spare lithium batteries to be carried in checked baggage, and spillable or wet batteries are not allowed on commercial flights. Provide the airline with any information about your scooter they request, which you can find in the owner’s manual.

2. Board Carefully

On the day of your flight, make sure your mobility scooter is fully charged, bring a spare key along, and pack your battery charger and a plug adapter. Arrive at the airport several hours in advance and ask the airline’s customer service team for instructions on boarding your mobility scooter. Check in your scooter and turn it over to a member of staff, who will take it to the plane to be loaded securely.

3. Take Pictures Before and After

Although airline staff will do their best to protect your scooter while handling and transporting it, accidents can happen. In case you need to register a complaint or file a claim for damages, take detailed photos of your scooter before turning it over to staff. After you get it back, take another set of photos for comparison. This evidence can support your claim if the scooter was accidentally damaged while in transit.

When you’re looking for top-quality mobility equipment in the Flowood, MS area, turn to the team at Hometown Medical. Serving the community since 2002, they offer an extensive selection of the latest, most reliable mobility scooters, along with lift chairs, portable oxygen supplies, and custom wheelchairs. Call (601) 933-4699 to discuss your needs, and visit them online to learn more.