Airport security and medical equipment

dol

Earning My Ears
Joined
Apr 25, 2000
We are flying to WDW in Dec. We will need to bring my son's pump for his tube feedings. Prior to 9/11, I had planned on carrying it on the plane. I am concerned now that it would cause a major hassle with airport security. I called companies about renting equipment down there but it is not a good option for us because of the cost. I'm concerned about the pump being damaged if I pack it in the luggage we will check. We use it every day so we can't ship it down ahead of time with the formula.

Any suggestions? Has anyone had any experience recently carrying on medical equipment?
 
I would suggest calling the airline and speaking to someone in the disability department.

Perhaps you could be helped through airport security by someone from the airline.
 
You should definitely call the airline, especially if you want to be able to use the pump during the flight. My son uses a feeding pump, suction machine, ventilator and pulse oxymeter in flight. We have had to get all the items cleared by the airlines each time we have flown. Most airlines have a list of medical equipment approved for use in flight. Be sure to have your model number and the name and address of the manufacturer of the feeding pump on hand when you call the airline. Don't just speak to a ticket agent. Ask for special services. Most ticket agents do not have the authority to clear the medical items for use during flight. It is possible that you may be prohibited from using the feeding pump during take off and landing.

We have never had any problems getting through security with all of our son's medical equipment. As a matter of fact, in the major airports, the airline security people were familiar enough with medical equipment to ask me if we had a "breathing machine" in our carry on bag (I sent it through the x-ray but did not have a chance to tell them what it was until it had already gone through). All of this was before September 11, 2001. However, I would expect that the security folks are prepared to see some medical equipment. They may ask you to turn on the feeding pump to show it works (they do this with laptop computers sometimes).

I would definitely not check the feeding pump as baggage and I think that the airline would not want you to check it. They tell you not to check sensitive and expensive equipment.

When you call the airline, ask if there is any way someone can escort you through security.

We are planning to travel in late November. If you are traveling after that, let me know and I will tell you how it goes.
 
Sorry. I did not remember reading in your post that you are traveling in December. We will be returning in early December and I can give you a report then. Keep in mind, the experience can be different in different airports. Be sure to allow enough time to get through security. Many airlines are also randomly pulling people out of line as they are boarding the plane for additional and more extensive searching. Allowing more time will provide you with an opportunity to have your medical equipment examined ahead of time (if the airline requires it) and to avoid a hassle at the gate.
 
In addition to talking to someone from the special needs department at your airline, I would suggest try to get something in writing from them that says the equipment can be brought on board the plane. Also I would carry an instruction book or something with a picture/description of your item and what it is used for and a letter from your doctor indicating that this is equipment that needs to be brought on the plane with you. Each airline and airport is going to be different, so you may as well be prepared to the max. Since the equipment is vital for your son, you can't take any chances with it.
 

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