Sticky: Airports & The Special Needs Traveler About This Page:

[stonewall]

For all of you that are wondering how to navigate through airport security with your ECV, wheelchair or a youngster with special needs, here is the link to the Transportation Safety Authority's page:
TSA: Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions

Check out the entire web site and don't hesitate to make use of their 800# and call them if you have any questions. Keep in mind that while TSA agents staff maost airports in the country (including Orlando's), some facilities hire independent agents (Rochester, NY, is one example). The indep. companies adhere to similar guidlines, but if you are traveling through an airport where you will encounter them, you can always call or visit them with questions too.
I have had to call the TSA several times and have always found the agents to be very polite and helpful and they also want to hear about any problems that you might encounter. Their web site is updated regularly and all new regulations are posted right away.
If any of you PassPorters have comments on your airport's security procedures, please share them here and identify the location and travel dates. We'll try to keep this up to date and add anything new that may crop up.

[mrsaboz]

My husband and I are flying down to Orlando for Disney, and he will be bringing his ECV with him. I understand that the Magical Express buses accomodate ECV's but where does he put it on the bus?

[stonewall]

You are right, Jen, ECVs and wheelchairs CAN be accomodated on Disney's Magical Express busses, but space is limited. Ideally, you should let them know when you make your reservation, but if you haven't done that, go ahead and call them ASAP! Also, make sure that you reconfirm, reminding them that you have an ECV, for your return trip.
Letting them know in advance permits the driver and anyone who is responsible for handling the baggage to know that you have an item that you'll need right away since your husband will need it when he leaves the bus. Please make sure that you have notified the airline in advance also (it doesn't hurt to call them two days before you leave and again the day before, since I've had them mysteriously "misplace" my information! ), and get to the terminal about 30 minutes earlier than you normolly would so that the ECV's batteries can be inspected and security tape applied across the battery pack itself. If he is planning to ride the ECV to the gate, make sure that the airline is aware of that in advance also, and tell them again at check-in, and someone will accompany you to the gate and take the ECV from there right to the belly of the plane. Since he'll have to leave the key with the ECV, PLEASE remember to bring an extra key (or 2! ), and I always leave a copy of the ECV's user's manual in the pocket on the back of the seat just in case someone has trouble figuring out how the tiller folds down or whatever.
Check out the TSA website for more tips on traveling with the ECV and don't forget to make that call to Disney for the Magical Express. Please let us know your experiences with using an ECV and the Magical Express so we can include it in the thread. Thanks!