TravelPenguin

But then the realization hit that this is airplane travel and, of course, I want our flight to be as safe as possible. Ultimately, if Delta wants my batteries taken off and packaged, that’s what we’ll do.

Don't let Delta charge you extra for the wheelchair or the batteries or to say that they count toward your baggage allowance--they don't. Here's a good page describing the rules they have to follow: https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/wheelchairs-and-other-assistive-devices

But then I discovered that mine are the sealed lead, non-spillable, AGM type.

 

So, I called Delta back to inform them and that’s when I was told that the batteries had to be disconnected, placed in special (airline-provided) boxes, and checked.

According to 49 CFR §175.10 Illustrated, AGM batteries do not need to be transported separately from the chair if the battery can be "Securely attached to the wheelchair or mobility aid" and "the wheelchair or mobility aid design provides an effective means of preventing unintentional activation" -- e.g., the device mentioned by Enforcer in reply #11 above, the quick-disconnect I had installed, and possibly key-controlled on/off switches.

If you believe the chair is safer transported disassembled, by all means do that. But if it is sturdy enough when assembled*, and the batteries are attached securely, it's a lot less hassle to transport as is. It's also quicker to tell if you need to file a damage claim with the airline.

* It can be hard to determine what's best. Disassembled, the parts may be more likely to be tossed like regular luggage or end up under other luggage. Assembled, it may be ridden, sat on, and leaned on by baggage handlers (I understand why they do it, as heavy power chairs can be a pain to push and it's not always clear what should be used for pushing, but it's still irritating; we've seen burly baggage handlers step onto my wheelchair via the footrest rather than sit and then place their feet on it, resulting in my feet dangling until we can reset things**). It also needs to have a way to put it into and out of push-mode.

** It's a good idea to pack a few tools in checked luggage, along with spare fuses (don't ask why I now do this), though the advantage of a cruise is the maintenance folk have access to all the cool toys, I mean useful tools :). Hotels often do as well, though if you're traveling internationally you may encounter the fun of metric wrenches being not quite the same size as imperial ones.

Sorry, that's probably WAY more info than you really want, but sometimes it can be helpful to be over-prepared :)

Most, if not all, of the free trolleys in Old San Juan are wheelchair accessible but they do not have tie-downs. You can board them near the piers. There are 3 different routes and one will get you to the forts. You don't have to get off and can just do the entire round trip route. Some information (and a map) can be found here: https://sanjuanpuertorico.com/trolley-old-san-juan/

We did this instead of a tour. One warning: the combination of rough road surfaces and questionable suspension on the trolley meant it was a very, very bouncy ride. It wasn't the most comfortable experience, but the price was great :)

I've traveled extensively domestically and internationally on many airlines, including Delta, with my power wheelchair, which for a while had AGM batteries*. I've never had to take batteries out of the chair. My chair is a permobil (not designed to be disassembled), and I installed a quick-disconnect on the cable between battery and control. Sometimes airlines like to tape the ends but not always (to cause a spark, which is what they're concerned about, one would have to poke wires into the connection ends; flopping around during turbulence would not do it).

* I honestly don't remember if my current (heh, pun :) ) batteries are AGMs, but they are sealed, non-spillable, gel batteries. And for over 20 years non-spillable batteries have been the norm for wheelchairs in the US (and quite likely elsewhere, though there may be exceptions).