Air travel with Travelscoot

[EileenN]

I spent months looking on Craig's list and ebay for a used travelscoot. Not to be found. I finally bought one and am finding new freedom to shop where I want without looking if they have scooters and if they work. I will be flying with it in September and looking forward to it.

[usavvy2]

We purchased DH's TravelScoot from eBay (for a few hundred dollars less than retail). Looking back, it was risky to do so but it worked out ok in our case thank goodness! (No, it wasn't recent so don't think you missed it on eBay! It was a few years ago.)

 

DH mostly uses a cane but he does use the Travel scoot when there's walking involved more than 100 feet or so. Our travels with it include flying domestic and international with it gate checked as well as luggage checked. Using it at convention-type events and on a river cruise originating in Paris in 2010. Our experience:

 

Delta airlines - Domestic:

DH rode it down the jetway, lowered the handlebar, disconnected the battery and carried it aboard along with the seat back while handing the scooter over to DL's ground crew. We got the scooter back for our connection in ATL, and then redeposited it at the jetway for our 2nd leg. (It was put in the hold with the strollers, etc. each time and was there waiting for us when we deplanned at each stop.) We did this RT without incident a few times.

 

Delta airlines - international:

We packed it up in a hard-sided golf bag, declared it as medical equipment only (no shoes or other travel gear in the bag even though there was room and it killed me not to make use of that valuable space), and shipped it as luggage free of charge with DL airlines. We then picked it up as checked luggage when we arrived at CDG airport's baggage claim dept. in Paris.

 

Ground Transportation - Paris (CDG):

A car service took us and our luggage to the hotel and then the next day we took the cruise line's bus to the port on the Seine for a river cruise from Paris to Roeun.

 

Cruise Ship - Avalon River Cruise:

I unpacked it from it's golf bag in the cruise ship's lobby. Avalon allowed us to park the scooter in the lobby during our entire cruise so it wouldn't take up room in our cabin; I carried the battery to and from the lobby when we went off the ship. Hubby walked off the ship and I carried the scooter (in one piece all assembled) off the ship. (Often times there were crew members when we debarked and they were gracious enough to haul it off for me.)

 

European cities in France:

for the most part, travel by TravelScoot in France was not an issue. DH used it at the cemetery in Normandy, on the streets of Roeun, touring Monet's garden in Giverny (Vernon).

 

At Van Gogh's cemetery in Auvers-sur-Oise, there was a steep, paved road to walk to get to Van Gogh's grave. I drove it up the steepest part to make sure it wouldn't tip over and then came back down for DH to drive it up, instructing him to pretend he was skiing triple black diamonds and not to "bomb the hill!" It went up the steep slope without incident and I walked close behind the scooter as an added safety measure. The only places where it was problematic: 1) at Les Andelys, the castle was built on a very steep hillside and the scooter couldn't go to the ruins. (Just taking it off the bus would have been an issue on the steep hillside so we chose to go back down to the town instead and toule around.) 2) Also, in Roeun, the ship was docked below street level and the elevator wasn't working so DH had to walk the stairs and I had to carry the scooter on the way back to the ship after the guided tour was over.

 

I'll attempt to post some pix from that trip but will need to reduce the size of them first. In the meantime, PM me if you want more info or to see specific photos.

[richkinkade]

You might want to consider the lower gearing. You sacrifice speed for torque but it will be plenty fast anyway. More torque will give you more power going up hills and ramps.

[cotatica]

You might want to consider the lower gearing. You sacrifice speed for torque but it will be plenty fast anyway. More torque will give you more power going up hills and ramps.

 

I totally agree with this. My friend and I each had this done, and they suggested it when they heard our weight, and I would hate to be able to go faster than mine goes now. I am able to go up inclines although I haven't challenged it yet but I know at some point I will have to. If I didn't know the gearing had been lowered I would think at times I may be able to go faster than I really should. Enjoy yours when you get it and I am sure you will if you are able to try one out. The "Elizabeth's Travelscoot" blog was what had sold me on it in the first place. We were on a cruise and a lady had one. She offered me a try and I took her up on it...sold me right then and my friend just watching me was the one that came home and said she was ordering one the first morning we were home and did I want one too. Well of course!

[RLM77]

If you don't mind me asking, how much is it and how difficult is it to install?

 

My weight is in the mid 200's ( l have always gotten up the various ramps/ inclines I have faced, but not with ease.

 

Thanks, Marlee

[cotatica]

If you don't mind me asking, how much is it and how difficult is it to install?

 

My weight is in the mid 200's ( l have always gotten up the various ramps/ inclines I have faced, but not with ease.

 

Thanks, Marlee

 

we are both in are mid 200 also

from the website the prices are listed

travelscoot dot com

$ 1625.00 reg

$ 2195.00 with the best battery

 

Here is a great web site to see all kinds of people using them and also great ideas for the travelscoot

mytravelscoot dot blogspot dot com

 

my friend and I bought ours on the same order with the questions of discount etc. They don't give any discounts no matter how many you buy. It was worth a try. She lives out at the river during the summer and goes on the dirt paths all the time. I went with my family to a family gathering and I got around just like a walking person and was never tired. I go to Walmart and other stores and don't even think about seeing if their cart is available or working unless I have lots to buy. My little travelscoot can hold quite a bit between the red bottom carrier and a cloth bag hanging from the handle bars.

 

If it seems like I am a salesman that is the furthest from the truth. It is just that since I have gotten my travelscoot the first thing that come to mind with almost anything about getting around is "oh I can't do that" then "OH YES I CAN!" and out comes my scoot. You hear/read about people saying they have gotten their life back, that is the truth!

[RLM77]

I am so sorry....I wasn't clear...i was asking about the lower gearing assembly or whatever it is.

 

I have had a Travelscoot since, umm, 2010 I think. If you search on Elizabeth's blog for Marlee, you can even, gasp, see my picture!

 

Thanks for your swift repy though....Marl

[cotatica]

I am so sorry....I wasn't clear...i was asking about the lower gearing assembly or whatever it is.

 

I have had a Travelscoot since, umm, 2010 I think. If you search on Elizabeth's blog for Marlee, you can even, gasp, see my picture!

 

Thanks for your swift repy though....Marl

He didn't charge a thing to put it in the lower gear. I am not sure how all that works but no charge.

[nieciez]

If it seems like I am a salesman that is the furthest from the truth. It is just that since I have gotten my travelscoot the first thing that come to mind with almost anything about getting around is "oh I can't do that" then "OH YES I CAN!" and out comes my scoot. You hear/read about people saying they have gotten their life back, that is the truth!

 

I was at the weekly Farmer's Market on Saturday and I had 4 people stop me and ask about my Travelscoot!

 

I wish I had known about the lower gearing when I purchased my TS back in 2009.

[katisdale]

I'm not sure about this but I think you can do the lower gearing yourself. I guess I would call and ask how it is done.

[clyde3]

Tony gave me the lower gear but I had to buy the smaller belt. The lower gear is the 11 tooth gear. The smaller belt is the 650mm belt. If you do change it yourself be advised that the screw on the end of the motor shaft is a left hand threaded screw. You turn it right to loosen it. Left to tighten.

[mamaofami]

Joanne, no one has mentioned that the travel scoot does not go in reverse. You have to put your feet down and use them to step it in reverse. Wondering if this will cause you trouble with your knees.

 

I'm 4"10 and use the junior scoot. It's too heavy for me to lift in and out of the car so I'm still dependent on my husband to do that.

 

Good luck with it.

[EileenN]

We call the reverse movement the "Fred Flintstone shuffle". I find it a but stiff on carpetting but easy on a hard floor.

[usavvy2]

Joanne, no one has mentioned that the travel scoot does not go in reverse. You have to put your feet down and use them to step it in reverse. Wondering if this will cause you trouble with your knees.

 

I'm 4"10 and use the junior scoot. It's too heavy for me to lift in and out of the car so I'm still dependent on my husband to do that.

 

Good luck with it.

 

Also, about the "Manual Reverse" - there are times when "manual reverse" is a bit tedious - for example driving into an elevator and then trying to turn around inside it or backing back out again before the elevator door closes!

[usavvy2]

The TravelScoot seat is in the upholstery shop (took it to Harley Davidson first but they wanted $150 so called my local auto body place and they referred me to an auto upholstery specialist who is gonna charge me "about $80"). I'm wondering if anyone else that had the seat modified for comfort uses a hard sided golf case like us and if so, did the seat still fit inside the golf case after it was modified? I told the specialist 1" of memory foam and 1" of something else on top of what's already there. We get it back in a couple of days.

[katisdale]

Mine still fits in the golf bag we bought. I had extra padding put in but don't know how much as I didn't measure it before I took it or don't remember now. Regardless it still fits. I don't have the batteries (I have 2 of the lithium) in the bag as we carry those separately.

[usavvy2]

Mine still fits in the golf bag we bought. I had extra padding put in but don't know how much as I didn't measure it before I took it or don't remember now. Regardless it still fits. I don't have the batteries (I have 2 of the lithium) in the bag as we carry those separately.

 

Oh, I'm hopeful that it'll still fit in the hard sided golf case then! I, too, NEVER let the battery go with the scooter! My thought is that if they damage the scooter at least I have the $700 battery in my possession and only need to repurchase the hardware again! Once, I had an airline employee on the plane (perhaps luggage handler that assisted seating my DH) try to take the battery from me. He insisted; I insisted NOT. I pulled out a copy of the paperwork from Delta's web site about the requirements as well as paperwork documenting how many grams my battery contained. He finally backed down. And THEN, the flight attendant (FA) came over, told me that she saw what happened and if that ever happened again, to just call a FA over as they knew the regulations and, of course, I was right. (And I thought to myself - "well, geez, then why didn't you just step up to the plate and tell him when he was trying to take it away from me!?" So, always take proof of the battery's contents as well as the regulations from the airline you're flying and you should be fine!

[joankiara]

Oh, I'm hopeful that it'll still fit in the hard sided golf case then! I, too, NEVER let the battery go with the scooter! My thought is that if they damage the scooter at least I have the $700 battery in my possession and only need to repurchase the hardware again! Once, I had an airline employee on the plane (perhaps luggage handler that assisted seating my DH) try to take the battery from me. He insisted; I insisted NOT. I pulled out a copy of the paperwork from Delta's web site about the requirements as well as paperwork documenting how many grams my battery contained. He finally backed down. And THEN, the flight attendant (FA) came over, told me that she saw what happened and if that ever happened again, to just call a FA over as they knew the regulations and, of course, I was right. (And I thought to myself - "well, geez, then why didn't you just step up to the plate and tell him when he was trying to take it away from me!?" So, always take proof of the battery's contents as well as the regulations from the airline you're flying and you should be fine!

 

 

We have just bought a Travelscoot (near new, in perfect condition) and really looking forward to taking it on a small cruise in November around New Zealand (Dawn Princess) and then the bigger one (South America, Grand Princess) in January 2013. We have been looking at these threads to get a feel for what it's going to be like travelling with the 'Scoot. The November trip should be a breeze as we will only be flying across Australia to join the cruise but the January trip will definitely be challenging - flying to San Francisco via Singapore on Singapore Airlines - I'm going to contact our TA for an initial reaction soon! After a couple of days in SF we will then fly down to Fort Lauderdale via Phoenix on United Airlines (I think).

 

Any tips etc. would be greatly appreciated....we thought from the general blurb that it was better not to take the carrybag for the 'Scoot and just ride it up to the departure gate dand let them deal with it and put it with the strollers or whatever...or am I being Mary Poppins??

 

Already the few excursions to shopping centres etc. have been just great and my husband seems to have adapted very well to it and I might even lose a bit of weight keeping up with him!

 

Thanks in advance!!

Joan

[usavvy2]

... Any tips etc. would be greatly appreciated....we thought from the general blurb that it was better not to take the carrybag for the 'Scoot and just ride it up to the departure gate dand let them deal with it and put it with the strollers or whatever...or am I being Mary Poppins??

 

Already the few excursions to shopping centres etc. have been just great and my husband seems to have adapted very well to it and I might even lose a bit of weight keeping up with him!...Joan

 

Congrats! It has changed our lives! We have done both - ride it to the jetway and take it as checked luggage (with no ding against your quota or fees charged). For domestic trips, we typically ride it to the jetway; however, be sure you park close to the FA counter so they see you and explain you'll need a little extra time to get off and prep it for the baggage carrier. When you get to the bottom of the jetway, turn it off, take off the battery & carry it into the cabin with you, lower the handlebars, and wait for your flight to take off. I recommend you do not put that little cloth catch all on and don't put the wire basket on either. When you get off (we wait until everyone else de-planes unless it's a super close connection then we advise the FA on board that we're not going to be able to wait until the end due to a close connection), reassemble it and go. Be forewarned, though, that the sections of the jetway are a tad difficult to get up. I just put my hand on the back of the scooter whle DH steers and I give him a little helping push over those sections. Be sure to tag your scooter with your name and a contact number.

 

For international flights, I've been leery to use the jetway approach as it's easier to get through customs etc. when you're in the wheelchair. So we pack it in the hardsided golf case and check it. Pack only the medical eqpt. in there - nothing else. Tag it inside and out with your name and destination and a reach #.

 

There are occasions where we also check it for domestic travel (e.g., flying with a pet, need to get another piece of medical equipment like a transport chair or rollator to the destination). It all depends.

 

Check your insurance coverage for los/stolen/damage and what's covered. Go and enjoy!

[joankiara]

Thanks so much for all the advice....and we will have our baptism of fire in November when we fly to Sydney to join the cruise around NZ. I was rather hoping my husband would be able to use it at the international airports early next year as there is always so much walking and although a wheelchair has been offered in the past, always declined!

Joan

[usavvy2]

Thanks so much for all the advice....and we will have our baptism of fire in November when we fly to Sydney to join the cruise around NZ. I was rather hoping my husband would be able to use it at the international airports early next year as there is always so much walking and although a wheelchair has been offered in the past, always declined!

Joan

 

Joan, I strongly recommend you take him to the local mall and let him scoot around there to get really comfortable with the throttle, navigating in foot traffic, elevator egress, turnarounds, etc. This way he won't be learning on the ship itself. (Not that it's tricky, it's just that he will be at a lower height than able-bodied adults who do not look low and keep walking/cutting you off and the like.

 

And, if he might be inclined to decline a wheelchair, and your recommendation of taking it so you can get to the head of the line and not have to worry about navigating foreign airports, then by all means, let him scoot his way to the jetway! :cool:

 

I hope it will make as big of a difference in your lives as it does in ours. The only thing I still need to get for my DH's scooter is an orange flag or flashing light for the back so he can be seen from behind. (Not that I let him go ANYWHERE without me but still....)

[EileenN]

I purchased a set of front and rear lights in the bike dept of Wmart. They are easy to install with a simple wrap around and are extremely bright. Push on once and it is a solid light, push twice and it is a blinking light..white for the front and red for the rear. Just love it when out in the evening at a concert or event.

[joankiara]

Thanks Usavvy2 and EileenN...training is well in hand and we have plenty of big shopping malls for variety here! We will have a look in the bike department of KMart, Big W or Target when we are next out and scooting (me trotting). We don't have Wmarts here in Oz but know they are similar to our KMarts.

 

We have all been trying the new 'toy' out - big kids and grandkids included and it's fun! More importantly it has restored independence...it just surprises me that not more people don't have them as they are so liberating.

 

Thanks again...

 

Joan