 |
Physicians Letter
Passengers who intend to use a POC onboard must present a statement from their physician with a date of issue not to exceed one year prior to the date of flight departure. Click here for a printable sample of a Physician Statement. This letter must state:
- If the user is able to operate the POC and recognize and respond appropriately to its alarms. If not, the user must travel with a companion who is able to perform these functions.
- The phases of the flight (such as taxi, takeoff, cruise, and/or landing) during which it is medically necessary to use the POC.
- The maximum flow rate corresponding to the pressure in the cabin under normal operating conditions (note that aircraft cabins are pressurized to an altitude of 8,000 feet).
Conditions that must be met for onboard POC use:
- The POC may only be used in its battery-operated mode. Sun Country
Airlines does not have electrical outlets onboard available for commercial
product use.
- Passengers using a POC are responsible for carrying an adequate
battery supply to last the entire journey including the duration of
the flight, all ground time (before and after flight and during
connections) and for unexpected delays. See below for average flight times.
- Passengers must properly package extra batteries to ensure that a short
circuit is prevented. Additionally, battery terminals must be recessed or
packaged so that contact with metal objects, including terminals of other
batteries, is prevented.
- Passengers must ensure that their POC unit is free of oil, grease or
other petroleum products and is in good condition free from damage or
other signs of excessive wear or abuse.
Making a Reservation
- Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance and the customer
must inform the Reservations Agent of their intention to use a POC and the
model of the POC to be used.
- If the reservation is made online, the passenger should notify Sun
Country Reservations toll-free at 1-800-359-6786 or 651-905-2737 for
Minneapolis/St. Paul local calls (Mon-Sun, 5am-Midnight Central Time) that they
intend to use a POC onboard.
At the Airport
- Passengers using the POC must check in at the ticket counter at least
one hour prior to departure.
- POC's are considered assistive devices and do not count toward the carry-on
baggage limits.
- POC users will be provided the opportunity to pre-board the aircraft.
Onboard the Aircraft
- In accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Safety
Regulations, the customer using an approved POC must be assigned a seat
closest to the window than any other customer in that row. In many
situations, the customer using the approved POC must be seated in a
window seat to comply with the Safety Regulations.
- The POC must fit underneath the seat in front of the customers.
As a result, passengers cannot sit in a bulkhead seat.
- To meet FAA Safety Regulations, a customer using a POC cannot
occupy an emergency exit seat.
- Customers may use the POC while moving about the cabin as long
as the "Fasten Seat Belt" sign is not illuminated.
How long is the flight?
Passengers must carry a sufficient number of batteries to cover the flight
duration, time for enplaning and deplaning, plus unexpected delays. Please
call Sun Country Reservations toll-free at 1-800-359-6786 or 651-905-2737 for
Minneapolis/St. Paul local calls (Mon-Sun, 5am-Midnight Central Time)
for information on flight length.
Carrying Mobility Devices Onboard the Aircraft
Some portable items such as walkers and canes may be stored in the aircraft cabin
as long as they do not impede access to emergency exits or protrude into the aisle.
If possible, these items should be stowed in a closet or overhead bin according to
Sun Country carry-on baggage requirements. Sun Country representatives will make
determinations and assist with stowing or checking these items. These items are not
considered as part of the carry-on baggage limit.
Checking Mobility Devices
Wheelchairs may be checked at the ticket counter or the gate. Powered equipment
requiring disassembly to board should be checked to ensure proper handling. Customers
are welcome to use Sun Country's wheelchair equipment after checking personal
wheelchairs. Checking and returning personal wheelchairs at the gate can be arranged.
Depending upon the airport, delays may occur when delivering the wheelchair,
especially for heavier powered models where normal ramp stairways cannot be used to
carry the equipment into the jet way.
Manual wheelchairs
Manual wheelchairs can be checked at either the ticket counter or gate. Detachable
items such as seat cushions and footrests may be carried onboard or tagged as baggage
and stowed with the chair in the cargo bin. Please provide as much information as
possible to the Sun Country representative to ensure proper transportation.
Powered equipment including carts and wheelchairs
Whenever the cart or wheelchair will fit upright through the aircraft bin door,
powered equipment should not be disassembled, and batteries should remain attached.
If the size of the aircraft bin door prohibits upright loading, airport personnel
may ask for instructions on how to disassemble the equipment. Have these instructions
readily available to avoid delays.
Batteries must be identified as either spillable or non-spillable to establish
proper handling. Dry cell and gel cell batteries are considered non-spillable so
fewer handling requirements are necessary. Battery packs showing cracks and/or damage
will be packaged, handled and transported as a spillable battery.
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hotline
This free government service provides information on the rights of air travelers with
disabilities. The hotline also assists individuals with who are experiencing
time-sensitive, disability-related air travel problems that require immediate attention.
1-800-778-4838 (voice) or 1-800-455-9880 (TTY)
7:00 am to 11: 00 pm Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
|
