What Is Procedure For Taking A 'walker' On Board A Flight Or Checking?

If the walker is collapsible, it can be carried on airplane. If it will not collapse and doesn't fit in the overhead or under seat, it can be checked for no fee for passengers with disabilities.

This is from American Airlines' website:

American Airlines and American Eagle accept motorized and non-motorized mobility assistive devices for transport. When necessary, we will disassemble and reassemble wheelchairs or other assistive devices for our customers when they travel. It is helpful to us if you provide written instructions to assist us in this process.

Attention customers traveling to or from airports in the European Union*

Advance notification is strongly recommended when traveling to or from airports in the European Union* with wheelchairs and other mobility assistive devices.

Carry-On Assistive Devices

Canes, walkers, CPAP machines and other assistive devices capable of being collapsed small enough to fit into approved overhead and under seat stowage areas are welcome and do not count toward your carry-on item limit.

They must be small enough to be stowed in such a manner as not to protrude into any seating row floor space or main aisle. Items such as seat cushions, detachable control boxes, armrests or footrests also may be carried on board with you.

Assistance stowing carry-on baggage that meets baggage limits is available for customers with disabilities who request extra assistance. Due to storage limitations, some equipment or devices may have to be checked as baggage if it is not required during flight. All assistive devices must be packed separately from normal baggage to avoid baggage charges.

Wheelchair Storage

American Airlines (and American Eagle jet aircraft) has a designated closet space in the cabin of each aircraft to accommodate one collapsible wheelchair. In most cases, more than one wheelchair can be accommodated, provided the space is available. This space is available on a first-come, first-served basis for customers who take advantage of pre-boarding. Additionally, some wheelchairs can collapse to fit either in an overhead bin or beneath a seat.

Non-collapsible wheelchairs or scooters are acceptable as checked luggage. These items may be checked in at either the ticket counter or the departure gate.

For customers with disabilities, there is no charge for transporting wheelchairs or providing wheelchair services.

Wheelchair Check-In

Non-collapsible wheelchairs and other mobility assistive devices are accepted as checked baggage. These items can be checked in at the main ticket counter or at the departure gate. We ask customers with battery-powered wheelchairs to check in at the main ticket counter at least one hour prior to departure to ensure proper boarding of the chair.

We make every effort not to disassemble a wheelchair or scooter; however, the small size of some airplane cargo doors and the contents of some batteries require disassembly. For that reason, it is helpful to have the assembly and disassembly instructions with you, as well as any specialized tools that may be required.

Wheelchair Batteries

For safety reasons, we must examine all batteries to determine proper handling. For all batteries not labeled by their manufacturer as 'non-spillable', and for wheelchairs which cannot be loaded, stowed, secured, and unloaded in an upright position at all times, removal and airline dangerous goods packaging procedures apply. Lithium-ion wheelchair batteries must be packaged and shipped separately. Visit www.aacargo.com for details.

Traveling To or From the European Union*

The airport authorities in each airport provide assistance to persons with reduced mobility for all airlines. To ensure availability, it is highly recommended that you make your special assistance requests as far in advance as possible for flights to and from countries in the European Union.* Wheelchairs and other reduced mobility assistance requests can be made while you are booking your flight on AA.com or by calling Reservations.

If advance notification is not given, the airport authorities will make reasonable efforts to assist you, however an advance notification will help ensure you receive the assistance you require.