New videos from TravelScoot

These are four new videos from TravelScoot.  To view a video on YouTube, click on the picture.

TravelScoot mobility scooter used for commuting on public transportation.

TravelScoot mobility scooter used for shopping.

TravelScoot mobility scooter in an airport.

TravelScoot mobility scooter used in a train station.

Cynth's round seat experiment

  

I have been talking with my son about how I thought my scooter seat might be more comfortable if it was round. I sit on a round wheeled stool in my kitchen while cooking and doing pretty much everything in there. I have a round wheeled stool in my living room that I use to wheel on though out my house.

Well, good son that he is he swapped out my TravelScoot seat with the top of a round stool for me as one of my Christmas gifts. It is more comfortable and has increased the time I can spend on my TravelScoot without discomfort.

In case any of you wanted to try it (at your own peril!) I thought I would tell you how my son accomplished this.

Things you will need:
The seat off of a stool. Mine is a 16" top.
An electric staple gun and staples.
Spray adhesive.
Your TravelScoot tools.
1/4" T-nuts.
A hammer.
A drill & bits.
A screw driver or something to remove the staples from the stool upholstery.
A razor knife.

1. Disassemble stool seat. Remove all the staples from the stool and remove all the upholstery and foam from the stool. Be careful not to damage the foam it is glued to the wood base of the stool. You need to get the wooden base out.

2. Remove the metal plate from the bottom of your existing TravelScoot seat and use it as a template to mark the position of the bolts on the round stool seat.
Drill the round seat and hammer in the T-nuts.

This is the round seat with the T-nuts in place (they are the small holes)

This is the other side of the round seat with T-nuts in place

3. Put the foam back on the seat.

You will need the spray adhesive to glue the foam back to the round wood seat. This is the brand we used.

Once the foam is in place you need to staple the foam and covering back into place.

Now you need to put the last trim piece from the bottom of the seat back on. You need to mark where the bolts that go back into the bottom of the seat go while you are doing this. We used a razor knife to cut out holes for the bolts.

Once the trim piece is back in place we made sure the bolts would screw in nicely. My son bought bolts instead of using the ones on my original TravelScoot seat. Here they are in test position.

4. Bolt seat onto the TravelScoot seat mount.


Finished!

I do not use the seat back so we did not put that bracket back on. Having this round seat does make me have to swing my leg back further while getting on and off the scooter. I am not sure if you could step through between the handle bar upright and the seat to get on the scooter with the round seat in place because it does come forward further than the original TravelScoot seat. I have always got on my TravelScoot by swinging my leg over the seat like getting on a bike.

TravelScoot Christmas at Opryland

Christmas lights
TravelScoot at Opryland resort, Nashville TN

I finally had a TravelScoot adventure!

This is me at the Baltimore Royal Sonata hotel, preparing to hit the harbor!

From reader and fellow TravelScooter JeanMarie

Hi Elizabeth,

I love reading the stories of TravelScooters on the road and wished I had something to write about. I’ve had my scooter for about a year and a half but haven’t done much beyond regular life stuff. Don’t ge me wrong, by my estimate, the scooter has paid for itself, but still, nothing to write about until this summer when I took my first trip since B.T. (“Before Travelscoot”).  I get a little wordy so feel free to edit this!

In July I went to Baltimore for a family event. It was held at a beautiful hotel right across from the harbor. Mom and I checked in on Friday night and went across the street to have dinner and walk around a bit. It was so much fun to be able to ride along the water front and SEE the lights and boats. The main event was Sat. evening so our plan was to take the Baltimore Water Taxi during the day to see as much of the harbor as we could.

It rained hard in the morning but when it subsided we hit the road. The first boat water taxi we took was a commuter run across the widest part of the harbor. Mom and I took seats under the awning and inside the plastic windows. My scoot sat out on the open part at the front of the boat in the spray and mist but did just fine and didn’t move. The boat had a short ramp which I walked up and they carried the scooter. After we completed the commuter circle, we went about 100 feet to the next pickup point to take the taxi with the more tourist route but there was no ramp from the harbor. It was a flimsy portable, hollow plastic 2 step ladder. I tried but there was no way. The steps were too high and I didn’t even fit between the aluminum handrails. So mom went and I saw the rest of the harbor we hadn’t seen. Even in the mist and rain it was fun. My mother, on her cane, with one artificial knee and another painful knee, refuses to use the scooter. She’s afraid of it. If I had gone on the second boat with her, I would have missed seeing what I did.

Yesterday mom and I went to the NC State Fair. She rented the traditional scooter. I had my travel scoot. When I first got the scooter and was learning to ride, I hit a curb or something too hard and bent the metal part that holds the front wheel. Since then (with replacement) I’ve been more careful about surfaces. But today I put my scooter to the test!  Parking was on grass. There was a lot of graveled areas, some I was able to navigate, some I couldn’t. Even the paved areas were full of rocks. The worst part was getting from the parking across the avenue and through the gate to the scooter rental place. In the fair itself there was uneven ground, more rocks, holes, hills, electrical wires covered by tape on the midway, huge crowds that don’t pay attention to where they’re going. Not by choice, but I think I hit just about every road hazard possible today. But me and the scooter made it!  Whew!

The rent-a-scooter, being heavier, with electric reverse and more material around the rider, worked better for mom. She’s a nervous and timid scooter, (slow too). Although, the rental did take her up a hill I had to walk, it’s all good. There is no one-size fits all.  After the fair, I think I can say that being on a TravelScoot is not for sissies! But I led the way through the crowds for both us, having fun the whole way!

Tally ho fellow scooters!

JeanMarie

Rear View Mirrors

Help Frank find a rear view mirror so he can see who is behind him

From Frank in Melbourne, Australia

QUERY:  HAS ANYONE FITTED OR DESIGNED A “REAR VIEW MIRROR” TO THE TRAVELSCOOT?  I have found that this can be quite useful if, for example, one is going along a narrow path  or in a “crowd” of people heading to or from, say, a show etc. on a ship, because it is easy for one to stray into a pedestrian’s path if he/she is wanting to overtake you in the  aforementioned circumstances.

In reply to KRYSTAL:  I fully agree to what you (they) say but I have had countless people just stare behind me in amazement at that  “amazing scooter”, and even the ships’ waiters rush to be the one who rides it back (from its “parking lot”)  to my table after dinner!

Maintenance questions from Lynn Ellen

Question:  The black rubber foot pedal covers on both sides are now about to have a serious truncation, as in they have been bent by having close encounters with doorways and soon they will just bend/pop off. Has anyone posted about these items? I am wanting in general to give the Scoot a serious cosmetic tune-up as well, as one of the velcro straps that holds the batteries in place is threatening to break off, I could use a renewal of the velcro that holds the maroon triangle in place, and dirt has moved into some of the nooks and crannies. What do you and others suggest?

Answer:  My scoot is about the same age as yours (3 1/2 years).  My black rubber foot pedals are still in good shape, but I imagine you could order replacements by calling TravelScoot.

TravelScoot USA
504 Kirkland Road
Chehalis, WA 98532
800-342-2214
360-670-6616
www.travelscoot.com

I also have a velcro strap on the battery that's starting to come loose, and while I haven't yet replaced it, I would think you could buy velcro from a fabric store and replace the strap yourself.  I have taken my triangle off and washed it with soap and water in the sink and it looked like new afterwards.  My velcro is in good shape, so I haven't looked at replacing it.

I hope others have suggestions for you, or can tell us about their successful cosmetic renovations.

Krystal's Third Anniversary

Krystal's TravelScoot in Costume

From Krystal:

Today is the anniversity of getting my scooter. In the past three years I've learned some interesting things about people by the comments.

Here's a sampling:

"You really don't need that." (By my boss who saw me hobbling around in pain for years.)

"You can be healed." (From a stranger a D*C.)

"Use it or lose it." (Various people who I thought were my friends.)

Twenty years of working at different exercises, medications, etc. doesn't seem to have helped. Or maybe it would be better if I were to just stay at home in pain and depressed where they wouldn't have to deal with the change in my life style. This also usually comes from people who don't know about scooters and/or have not paid attention to the fact that the TravelScoot actually helps with my therapy - kicking back to reverse, weight training getting it in and out of the Ravi, core muscle excises from balancing on the backless seat. (Aside from offsetting the depression because it's fun!)

"Why do you need that?" (For some reason, strangers seem to think that I should justify why I'm using a scooter. Some people are actually inquiring for their sake or that of a loved one. Other people think it's out of laziness not realizing that it would be so much cooler to have two good working legs. I really miss my sassy walk.)

"Good for you." (My boss's boss who kept wanting to send me home because he could see how much pain I was in.)

"That's sooo cool!" (OK, so this is my favorite. I've noticed a lot of scooter envy. It's mine and you can't have it. So there.)

TravelScoot at the 2012 Para Olympics

This was submitted by Nat Cheang, who sells TravelScoots in Singapore.  His website is at http://theruggedtree.com.  You can contact him at (65) 9751-3335 or ncheang@theruggedtree.com.

Laurentia Tan, Singapore's silver and bronze medalist for the 2012 Para Olympics Equestrian competition
seen here at the opening ceremony and when she rode her TravelScoot to receive the medals.
Our heartiest congratulations to Laurentia.  What started all of this was when Laurentia's father
saw a TravelScoot in Singapore.  Visited with Nat Cheang of Rugged Tree (distributor for the region)
to view and evaluate the scooter.  Saw how how compact and ultra portable it could be when
collapsed for transportation.  The nimbleness, trendy look and its light weight features won
Mr. Tan over.  What a surprise gift it was for Laurentia.  All in time for her to use at the para-Olympics.

Adventures in Norway

I just love it when you all send in pictures of your grand adventures. It makes me want to kiss my TravelScoot!  ~~Elizabeth

Frank in Norway, about 4,800 feet above a beautiful Fjord...snowing at the top and about 28 degrees at the bottom.

Evelyn and Frank in Norway, in front of a giant Troll

"Viking" Durra: on his trusty Travelscoot

Tractor vs. TravelScoot

Submitted by Dean Hughson:

To celebrate our company's end of its fiscal year people brought their children in for a mini tractor race. They won against me on the TravelScoot. Ha ha

 

Don't miss out!

I used to miss out on experiences like these because I couldn't walk long distances.  If you've just happened upon my blog because you need help with distances too, please do something about it.  Of course I love my TravelScoot and highly recommend it, but there are all sorts of mobility aids out there. 

Lone Cypress. Monterey to Carmel, CA, 17 Mile Drive

My best friend Melissa, fighting the wind, and thankful there's a guard rail in place!

Walking trail by our hotel, near the San Francisco airport

Me and Alan, taken on the 17 Mile Drive

My favorite jewelry lady

Big Sur!

 My husband (in blue), singing karaoke at the NAAFA Convention!
 

American Airlines and the TravelScoot

American Airlines

I recently returned from a trip to San Francisco on American Airlines with my husband Alan, and our friends Melissa and Greg.  Melissa and I both have TravelScoots.  She has one lithium ion battery and I have two.  Before arriving at the airport, we let the airline know that we would be using the scooters.  After we checked our luggage we went through security.  We each got off our scooters and walked through the screening point.  Security took our scooters and checked them.  Part of their check includes swabbing them.  I suppose they are looking for some evidence of explosives.  If you don't walk through security you automatically get a full pat down, so it's to your advantage to walk through if you can.

After going through security we found our gate and waited for the gate agent to arrive so we could get gate check tags for our scooters.  They issued the tags and we attached them near the clamp you use to raise and lower the handlebars.  Don't attach it to the handlebars because the tags will get covered up when you fold the handlebars down and cover them before you get on the plane.

We always arrive early for the flight so we can be first in line with the gate agent AND first in line to get on the plane.  Once they give us permission to board we drive our scoots to the door of the plane.  Things start moving pretty quickly then, and our husbands get in on the action to make it go quicker.  Alan works on removing the batteries and storing them in our TravelScoot travel bag.  (A picture is at the bottom of this page: http://travelscoot.com/prices.htm.)  I drop the handlebars and cover them with the protective case that comes with the kit.  Melissa and Greg do their version of this same step, and then we all board the plane.

When we arrive at the next airport we wait until last to leave the plane.  We do this to give the crew time to retrieve our scooters.  When we get off the plane the scooters are usually waiting there at the door for us, and we put the batteries back on and take the protective cover off the handlebars and we're on our way.

That's a summary of how things usually work, but it seems like each flight is just a little different, and sometimes you need to educate the crew on the best way to get you and your scoot to your destination.  We left from the Baton Rouge airport, then changed planes at the Dallas/Fort Worth airport, and our final destination was the San Francisco airport.  The crew is usually fascinated with how light and portable the TravelScoot is, but they don't always understand the battery.  On our first flight the crew had been instructed to take the battery and tape off the connectors, then wrap it.  We explained that there wasn't anything to tape off, and told them that we always take the battery on the plane.  Some of the staff do not seem to understand batteries beyond wanting to know that it's non-spillable, so I usually leave it at that unless the conversation goes further and then I'll explain that they're lithium ion.  Mostly what the crew wants to do is get everyone boarded and seated, and leave at the scheduled time.

The crew seems accustomed to dealing with much heavier scooters with sealed lead acid batteries, and they may assume you're going to leave the battery on so they can drive the scooter to where it's stored.  Instead, we remove the batteries and tell them the scooter only weighs 29 lbs. and that the crew always takes the scooter at the door of the plane and stores it where the baby strollers are stored.  This worked on three of our flights and the crew put the scoots on an elevator right by the door of the plane to transfer them to the ground where they could be loaded.  On the fourth flight two crew members took the scooters and walked them back out into the terminal and went down a different elevator with them.  We were able to take the picture above from the plane.

Hey, where'd you get that scooter?

Hello, scooting friends!

I don't know about you, but I get stopped all the time by people asking about my TravelScoot.  Usually I have one of Tony's business cards to give them, but I thought it would also be nice to have something saved on my phone that I could just text or email to them.  For those of you in the U.S., if you'd like to have that same capability just save this graphic to your phone.

Hi from a TravelScoot clown!

Hello,

I enjoyed looking at your blog and thought your readers might find this fun.  I recently received my TravelScoot, just in time for a 4th of July parade in my city.  I had signed up for with a group of clowns.  I chose the TravelScoot over my big clunky scooter.  It looks like fun!  Outfitted with pinwheels and streamers, bells and honkers, and a beach umbrella, the TravelScoot fit right in with the clown brigade.  Nobody even guessed it was a mobility scooter.  Some kids told me I had "the best ride out there."  I think it's great not to feel disabled by mobility impairment, but "super"abled by a vehicle that people admire as something they would like to try.

-Gwynneth, aka Woopsy Daisy

How do you fold your TravelScoot?

From Jean, a new TravelScoot owner

This is me, with my brand new Travelscoot in Las Vegas in the Mirage hotel.  most people know how huge those hotel/casinos are and this was perfect to get around.  It is so maneuverable it was easy to move among the rows of slots, etc...not that I would ever do that of course.  This was the first time I've ever used it other than trying it out when we got it.  I love it now I have to figure out how to get it to fold and unfold to go in my trunk.  I sure don't find that as easy as some of the demos show.

Do you have tips for Jean on perfecting the art of folding your scooter?  If so, comment on this post or mail them to me at elizabeth@ifisher.com.  I found that practice makes perfect.  Within a week or so of getting my scoot I could fold it down in under a minute.

Handicap Travel in Italy

As I got out of the small commuter plane from Brussels to Milan it appeared it was going to be one of those days.  I was dead tired having just flown from the US and they weren't at a ramp but rather you had to walk down the steps but I gathered up my strength and did it and there was my TravelScoot waiting for me.  We went outside the airport and a guy with a large van was sitting and negotiated him to drive us to a hotel we would stay for the night. A nice dinner in our room with wine and pasta made it all better and the next morning we 'scooted' 2 blocks to the Milan Italy train station.  We learned that there in Italy there is a group of offices at all major train stations called Sala Blu.

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=720b1855a74ea110VgnVCM1000003f16f90aRCRD

Just ask at the train station and they will escort you out to the train, use a special hoist to put you and your TravelScoot into the train and help you with your bags.  I suggest you not book 1st class since the most friendly handicap rail cars are 2nd class but nice.  We then took the train to Venice and when there a special water taxi awaited me.  It had a hydraulic lift and you stepped off of the dock onto it and then it lowered you down and you sat in the beautiful wood boat.  I have to admit that the tides in Venice are a bit of a challenge and make getting on and off a challenge but I did it.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187870-c3011/Venice:Italy:Venice.For.The.Disabled.html

The water taxis which go all over the area go to stops and the stops are a bit of a challenge because the tide moves but people are happy to help you and once one the boat I just held on and sat on my TravelScoot.

There is no reason NOT to go to Italy if you get a chance. Your TravelScoot will allow you the freedom to wander around and eat the fine foods and drink the fine wines.  We even went on a tour and went in a factory that makes parmigiana  cheese and another that made balsamic vinegar.

Everywhere I went people stopped me and I gave out cards and told them I travel constantly on mine.    I suspect Tony at TravelScoot can keep up with me from weird calls he gets from the places I travel to.      

Dean Hughson, Omaha Nebraska

Lymphedema and the TravelScoot

Coming to Grips With Ones' Frailty

Submitted by Dean Hughson

As your lymphedema progresses you may find it increasingly difficult to walk.  Many people never reach that point,thankfully, but for those who do, adjusting to it is difficult.  Thinking back I can remember when walking into a theater or a large mall, 'hurt' but I would soldier it on and do it.  I started finding ways to park closer to the door and ultimately I began using a mobility scooter and finally 'www.travelscoot.com'.  Once I found the TravelScoot I was no longer 'isolated' and could do the travel that I used to do. In fact I did 180,000 miles in one year and my faithful TravelScoot never failed me once.

Obviously I'd rather not have to use it but I do and it makes me mobile again.  I urge people not to 'avoid' the reality that they are not moving around as much and get some help.  There is nothing to be ashamed about: diseases happen to many people.

I am not the strong guy I once was but I am still able to get around and that makes all the difference in the world.

IKEA

Melissa and I went to the Houston IKEA in March.  I'd wanted to shop at IKEA for years and it didn't disappoint!  Thanks to our TravelScoots, we were able to spend many hours shopping.  I wish I had pictures of us pushing and pulling our loaded carts.  We were able to buy three bookcases and TONS of other items and haul it all ourselves.  Lucky for us there was someone available to help load the van.

Can you find the TravelScoot in this picture?

This is like one of those "hidden object" puzzles.  Can you find the TravelScoot in this picture?  Rhonda and her family recently vacationed in Washington, D.C.  I don't know which Smithsonian museum they're at in this picture, but her TravelScoot is certainly coming in handy for all those bags!

Compliments on Tony Korn, TravelScoot

I've had two compliments recently about Tony Korn, our U.S. TravelScoot provider.

The first came from one of our regular posters, Dean Hughson:

Tony is a standup guy. I have a 'short' in one of my lithiums and he is replacing it.  I don't know if other people have had much contact with him but he is a good provider of services and I appreciate his spirit.  It is a privilege to do business with someone of this caliber.  

The second came in a much more unusual way.  I was coming out of Target last Saturday and a man chased me out of the store, yelling "ma'am, ma'am!"  I knew immediately it was about the TravelScoot because this is FAR from the first time it's happened, but instead of wanting information about my scooter, he wanted to thank me.  Many months ago I was in a medical complex and a couple flagged me down for information about the TravelScoot.  They were the daughter and son-and-law of the man at Target.  My friend Rhonda ended up demonstrating the TravelScoot for the wife of the man at Target.  When Rhonda and I do this, we usually don't know what happens afterwards, so it was nice to find out that they'd bought the TravelScoot and had really been enjoying it.  One thing the man told me was that they'd had something go out on the scoot and he had called Tony and Tony had immediately sent him the parts he needed.  He seemed quite pleased with the quality of service he received.  That's been my experience too.  Thank you, Tony!

'97 Toyota Rav 4 and the TravelScoot

From Krystal:

Vroom-vroom fits nicely in the back of a '97 Toyota Rav 4.

I added a desk floor mat to protect the carpet.  A frame of pipes held down with velcro (so it can be removed if needed) helps keep the front wheel from turning while loading/unloading, and a twist tie holds it in place while moving.

Keep riding cool,

Krystal

Lincoln MKX 2011 and the TravelScoot (with a lift)

From Empress Bee (of the high sea):

I have a Lincoln MKX (the suv one) and recently had the lift installed. This is a photo of the back of the 2011 Lincoln MKX with the lift.

Bicicletta di Juge

I read a post on a fellow TravelScooter's blog that I thought you all would enjoy.  Read it and discover how Juge's TravelScoot came to be known as "Bicicletta di Juge."  It's a sweet story.

http://handinhappy.blogspot.com/2012/03/my-new-friend-travelscoot.html

Honda Crosstour and the TravelScoot

From Richard Jay

Hello Elizabeth, I always enjoy receiving your e-mails.  I recently moved from the Philippines to Las Vegas, Nevada.  The first thing I wanted to do after buying a home was to purchase a car.  I didn't want an SUV or any utility style vehicle.  Fortunately, there was an auto show in Las Vegas just the time I was getting ready to make a purchase.  I wanted a sedan, and  did not want to fold the travel scoot or take off the front wheel.  After seeing every sedan at the auto show, only 2 sedans satisfied this prerequisite.  One was a Honda Crosstour, the other was a Toyota Prius.  I opted for the bigger, more luxurious Honda.  The car was made with a travel scoot in mind.  It almost seemed like Mr. Huber and Honda synchronized for this perfect fit.

When pulling up to the Vegas hotels and casinos, valets are always very impressed how simple, light and easy it is to remove the scooter in its upright unfolded position.  Only requirement after it has been removed from the trunk is to put on the seat.

I hope that this information is helpful to my other travelscoot buddies.  I haven't purchased the hard golf bag recommended recently. It is on my things to do list and I eventually I will get one.  Thanks for that tip!

Regards to all travelscoot buddies,

Richard Jay.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Toyota Highlander and the TravelScoot

From Denise:

Funny you should bring this subject up as I 've been thinking about changing vehicles.  Right now I drive a Toyota Highlander, which I do love but with gas prices hitting $4 a gallon I've been thinking about getting the new Prius V5 that has a larger cargo area then the Prius that my husband drives.  I haven't made it to the dealer yet to see if the TS will actually "fit" but from all the pictures I've seen of this new model, it looks like it might.  We can get the TS in a standard Prius with the back seats down and a bit of a tipping to get it past a low spot in the headliner.  I cannot do this myself without hubby's help.  Right now this is just a possibility, not sure I am actually going to make the switch.

Like I said, I carry my TS in a Highlander and as you see, we have PLENTY of room.  Also note another item I've been meaning to share with you and your readers is that I further customized my seat.  I added decorative furniture nails to the banding around the seat.  If you remember I  had mine customized at a auto upholstery shop and though they did a very nice LOOKING job, the banding was starting to pop off just like it did with the original black.  It seemed the staples were not long enough and popping.  So, I got the idea about the decorative nails and so far they are working great and gives it an "Easy Rider" look LOL.  Next I want to get some purple upholstery spray color the canvas pouch.

OK back to transportation.  While traveling I have also set the TS in the truck of a Ford Crown Victoria trunk with only dropping the tiller to the lowest position and the lid of the trunk closed with no problem.

So, that has been my experience with my Travelscoot and transportation.

2011 Toyota Rav 4 and the TravelScoot

 

From Kate:

My TravelScoot fits nicely in my 2011 Toyota Rav 4, without folding. BTW the RAV 4 is excellent for being arthritis friendly for people with painful hands. 

Code of Federal Regulations for Lithium Ion Batteries 49 CFR 175.10

Below is the DOT regulation regarding airline travel with lithium ion batteries.  Up to January 1, 2012, compliance with this regulation has been on a voluntary basis for the airlines.  As of January 1, 2012, compliance is mandatory.

TravelScoot's single capacity Li-Ion battery contains 24 gram lithium and is approved for air travel.

The complete text of 49 CFR 175.10 is at
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1cbbd60e3b9ad751579279fd251f54b3&rgn=div8&view=text&node=49:2.1.1.3.11.1.25.5&idno=49.  Sections 17 and 18 apply to the lithium ion batteries.  I have excerpted the text below:

(17) A lithium ion battery-powered wheelchair or other mobility aid as follows:

(i) A wheelchair or other mobility aid equipped with a lithium ion battery, when carried as checked baggage, provided—

(A) The lithium ion battery must be of a type that successfully passed each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria as specified in §173.185 of this subchapter, unless approved by the Associate Administrator;

(B) Visual inspection of the wheelchair or mobility aid reveals no obvious defects;

(C) Battery terminals must be protected from short circuits ( e.g., by being enclosed within a battery container that is securely attached to the mobility aid);

(D) The pilot-in-command is advised, either orally or in writing, prior to departure, as to the location of the wheelchair or mobility aid aboard the aircraft; and

(E) The wheelchair or mobility aid is loaded, stowed, secured and unloaded in an upright position and in a manner that prevents unintentional activation and protects it from damage.

(F) A lithium metal battery is forbidden aboard a passenger-carrying aircraft.

(ii) A wheelchair or other mobility aid when carried as checked or carry-on baggage, provided—

(A) The wheelchair or other mobility aid is designed and constructed in a manner to allow for stowage in either a cargo compartment or in the passenger cabin;

(B) The lithium ion battery and any spare batteries are carried in the same manner as spare batteries in paragraph (a)(18) of this section.

(C) The lithium ion battery and any spare batteries are carried in the same manner as spare batteries in paragraph (a)(18) of this section.

(18) Except as provided in §173.21 of this subchapter, portable electronic devices (for example, watches, calculating machines, cameras, cellular phones, lap-top and notebook computers, camcorders, etc.) containing cells or batteries (including lithium cells or batteries) and spare batteries and cells for these devices, when carried by passengers or crew members for personal use. Each spare battery must be individually protected so as to prevent short circuits (by placement in original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals, e.g. , by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch) and carried in carry-on baggage only. In addition, each installed or spare battery must not exceed the following:

(i) For a lithium metal battery, a lithium content of not more than 2 grams per battery; or

(ii) For a lithium-ion battery, an aggregate equivalent lithium content of not more than 8 grams per battery, except that up to two batteries with an aggregate equivalent lithium content of more than 8 grams but not more than 25 grams may be carried.