Flying With Segway
 

Hello,

This is my first post. I am disabled and am planing on taking my X2 with me from the States to Ireland. Have already checked with United the Lithium Batteries are ok to fly just need some paperwork the lets the pilot know that they are on board. I will be taking down the jet way and have it stowed as a electric wheelchair. My question is do I need a container for it, I am planing on taking the Lean Steer off, just the base will be stowed.

Thanks, Glide On

I don't think you need a container for the base, although wheels can be bent by storing on end or throwing the base about, but...

It is my understanding that Segway lithium ion batteries are not allowed on any passenger aircraft, whether in the passenger compartment, luggage compartment, or even flying as cargo. Period. However, that MAY have changed for personal assistance devices. A search of United Airlines' website yielded the following page
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...heelchair.aspx

Assuming the best case, this says that only one battery can stay in the Seg base, the second has to be independently packed, and is only allowed as carry-on baggage. If they count the two Seg batteries as one, then it would exceed the 300 Watt-hour limitation, and it can't fly at all. Each original Segway battery is supposedly 200 Watt-Hours.

Having said all this, I think it is VERY risky to depend on an airline to transport your Seg. The decision is going to come down to a couple of gate agents. Airlines don't have much experience with Segs, and with all the excitement about exploding "hoverboards", you can bet that a gate agent is going to look at those humongous Seg batteries and read the requirements VERY carefully.

It might be useful to get a detailed and signed authorization from an appropriate airline representative, if you are able to find such a person. Also good to have a Plan B for what to do with your Seg, and what to do in Ireland, if United tells you No Go when you are at the gate. Good luck!

Flying AA
 

I have the same concerns. I call American and talked with them about the Segway mini pro and my disability. I have made two calls.

1. The first call the lady said she tagged my reservations to allow the device. I also asked if my AAdvantage account could be tagged so that future flights would also be tagged and the response was that I needed to call for each reservation. A pain but better than the physical pain I suffer while traveling without the Segway.

2. The next day I called again just to double check through a different representative. She pulled up the reservation and verified that it was tagged and she re-assured me I could take it with me. She also volunteered that people are traveling with Segway devices all the time now.

This will be my first time traveling with the mini pro and my biggest fear is getting to Tampa and then trying to fly back and they decide to not allow on return. During the last call the lady re-assured me that would not happen.

Their are exemptions in the regulations which "permit" airlines to accept them but they are not "required" to do so. Also, please be aware that while the person you spoke with may have made accommodations for you, since the batteries are considered to be regulated hazardous materials the pilot will be informed of their presence. He/She has full authority over whether they will or will not fly with them on board. I genuinely wish you the best and please keep us posted with how you make out.

So two (nameless) reservation agents made promises. Good luck with that. I really hope it works out.

Jason knows what he's talking about, so all the promises in the world wouldn't keep an aircraft captain from leaving you at the gate, if they have any concerns.

If your Seg gets stuck in Tampa, remember that you can ship a Seg by domestic GROUND service (Fedex, UPS, etc), without it being HAZMAT. You have to leave the batteries bolted into the base.

The regulation used to be exactly how you described. Per current CFR49 regulations it appears it would still need to be shipped as UN3481 "Lithium Ion Batteries Contained In Equipment". I don't ship this way often at all but my recollection is that it is still fully regulated hazmat with an exception for the packaging since the equipment is offering the protection from damage during transport. UPS and FedEx would not accept a package of this nature from you without you being hazmat certified. Thus, your only remaining viable option would be a freight shipment by tractor trailer.

As always these people are the only ones who can provide lawful and binding interpretations of regulations http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regulations. My $0.02 is provided at no charge but also with no guarantee.

Wow! Then this means that one can't domestically ship either a Seg (Gen I or Gen II with Lithium-ions), without it being HAZMAT certified, other than as tractor-trailer carrier freight? Ouch.

Thanks, Jason!

flying with Segway
 

my wife uses segway gen 1 with lean seat for mobility. that seems to be the difference: gen 1 has the NIMH batteries, not lithium ion. we had a Kent Case made for the motor/wheels(found thru ebay). we have traveled united airlines within the us. we arrived three hours before each flight and just barely made it onto the plane each time. i carry on the handlebars because they are too fragile to trust to the baggage handlers. we contacted the ADA, they contacted Aeroflot, Aeroflot contacted us, we sent pictures of me packing the unit and the serial number, Aeroflot cleared us to fly. this was a lot of trouble but we had time to spare when we arrived 3 hours early for a flight thru Moscow to Rome. the ADA contact was the key--and we started this whole process four months before the scheduled international travel.

The biggest difference is Nickel Metal Hydride batteries. That technology isn't inclined to catch fire, like some Lithium Ion batteries.

Anyone can take a gen 1 with NiMH as checked baggage on a passenger plane. as long as it fits the general requirements for baggage for that airline. (size, weight, etc.)

Cool:D:D:D:D:D:D