UAs policy on Segways?
Mar 6, 2006, 9:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Washington, DC, USA
Programs: V-Flyer Black
Posts: 329
UAs policy on Segways?
So a friend wants to travel with his Segway.
Few questons. Can he bring it onboard as cabin baggage or will they take it as hold baggage like a electric wheelchair?
Has anyone brought segway with them when traveling?
Few questons. Can he bring it onboard as cabin baggage or will they take it as hold baggage like a electric wheelchair?
Has anyone brought segway with them when traveling?
Mar 6, 2006, 9:38 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K and MM, AA EXP
Posts: 427
Isn't a Segway WAY too big to bring on board with you?
Mar 6, 2006, 10:05 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Burke, VA USA
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Lots of good info here: http://www.segwaychat.com/
I believe you must check them; folks on the segchat board have come up with all kinds of packing containers. I think you may have to separately pack some pieces to get under the 50 lb limit unless you're willing to pay extra.
However, if it's used as a mobility device you may be able to work something out if it's a widebody with a closet.
Note that you can only take the regular nickel batteries onboard - the new lithium batteries cannot travel by air.
I believe you must check them; folks on the segchat board have come up with all kinds of packing containers. I think you may have to separately pack some pieces to get under the 50 lb limit unless you're willing to pay extra.
However, if it's used as a mobility device you may be able to work something out if it's a widebody with a closet.
Note that you can only take the regular nickel batteries onboard - the new lithium batteries cannot travel by air.
Mar 6, 2006, 11:05 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Another aeroplane, another sunny place, I know I'm lucky but I just want to go home.
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Just saw one about 2 weeks ago. This gentle man walked a little slower than other people, so instead of using wheel chair, he had his own segway. It was treated as a personal wheel chair ( or stroller in other cases ), he had a green " gate check " tag on it and it was brought down by the stairs next to a/c door and brought up to the door again upon arrival. But this is a person who needed a wheel chair, if you are healthy and able, I'd say it's a good idea to check with airlines.
Mar 6, 2006, 12:02 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Hah, haven't heard about those little things that Wired said would "change the way we live" in a while.
If your friend absolutely needs it, it would be gate-checked at best. Otherwise, it'll be treated as fragile/oversized luggage.
If your friend absolutely needs it, it would be gate-checked at best. Otherwise, it'll be treated as fragile/oversized luggage.
Mar 6, 2006, 9:01 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Washington, DC, USA
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Posts: 329
Well if I understood correctly, it was handled like a wheelchair. My friend does not use it as an assistive device, but as a form of transport in a major US city with hills. They are fun, as I lent forward an maxed out 12 or so MPH. I want one. Thanks for you help and input. 
Mar 6, 2006, 11:16 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: united airlines
Posts: 4,967
Originally Posted by PimpNumOne
Well if I understood correctly, it was handled like a wheelchair. My friend does not use it as an assistive device, but as a form of transport in a major US city with hills. They are fun, as I lent forward an maxed out 12 or so MPH. I want one. Thanks for you help and input.
Mar 6, 2006, 11:21 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SAN
Programs: UA GS/1K/MM, VA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 5,581
Originally Posted by itsme
They always catch my eye too. Are there opportunities to test drive them? How many $s do they run new? What about used?
Mar 6, 2006, 11:33 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Burke, VA USA
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Mar 7, 2006, 6:20 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2005
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A lot of people think they look interesting and cool, but they have a really high green geek factor. That surely limits sales.
Mar 7, 2006, 7:07 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Boston
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Posts: 146
One of the best activities at Disney World is the Segway tour of Epcot. This is a 2 hour session that starts before the park opens and includes one hour of tuition (you will need it if you have not Segwayed before or recently) and one hour touring Epcot. It is a blast. The world showcase at Epcot is a very diverse terrain for the Segway. These devices have very limited practical application but they are great fun for a few hours. The last time I did this it cost around $60 after the AP discount.
Mar 7, 2006, 7:44 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Originally Posted by hbyerly
..the new lithium batteries cannot travel by air.
batteries are lithium based. So is my camera and my iPod.
UA once gave me a hard time checking my electric scooter with a lead acid
battery. Which I understand - but they gave in when I could show that the
battery was sealed and had no overpressure valves.
Do you know the reasoning behind barring the lithium cell from air travel?
Mar 7, 2006, 11:19 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: UK
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Posts: 1,049
The L-ion battery issue is to do with the quantity of it contained in a battery of segway size. mobile phones, etc - have TINY amounts in comparison.
Mar 7, 2006, 11:44 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Burke, VA USA
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Originally Posted by weero
Do you have some background on this?... Do you know the reasoning behind barring the lithium cell from air travel?
Apparently there was a fire at LAX in 1999 that led to the initial advisory.
I can't find the rule itself, but here is a subsequent modification with more information on the original ruling: http://hazmat.dot.gov/regs/notices/nprm/2002_11989.htm
Under the HMR, 49 CFR parts 171-180, most lithium batteries and
equipment containing or packed with lithium batteries are regulated as
Class 9 materials.
equipment containing or packed with lithium batteries are regulated as
Class 9 materials.
Most Segways come with the nickel-based battery, so it's probably not an issue for your friend. The new lithium batteries give you twice the "glide time", but run about $500 extra.
Mar 7, 2006, 1:56 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: SUV
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Posts: 7,017
It's such an ignorant ruling because the batteries that burned were primary Li batteries, IIRC. There is no free Li metal in a Li-ion battery. If it is uncharged then it's 100% safe. The bureaucrats of course don't know the difference between Li-ion secondary Li primary.
The ruling is actually an issue for the latest laptops as it is hindering higher capacity batteries because they are not "legal" on flights. Li battery conferences always feature some presentations and papers on Li battery air transport.
Also, the Valence batteries that they use on the Segway are extremely safe versus overcharge or other abuse.
The ruling is actually an issue for the latest laptops as it is hindering higher capacity batteries because they are not "legal" on flights. Li battery conferences always feature some presentations and papers on Li battery air transport.
Also, the Valence batteries that they use on the Segway are extremely safe versus overcharge or other abuse.
