Bringing crutches with me on a plane...? And metal detector question..

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We are flying down this week. I am still recovering from a broken ankle. I am now in a boot and I do not need the crutches when I wear the boot. I will need them for maneuvering in the hotel room without the boot and for accessing the pool. (I don't want the boot to get wet sitting by the pool, so I figured I would remove it by the lounge chairs and crutch to the pool.)

So--what do I do with them on the flight?
I don't want to check them as I don't want them getting lost as we are taking DME. So I will bring them with me on the plane. Will they let me? I know they have to be stowed. But no idea where.

Thanks for any guidance!

And speaking of the boot--it has metal. So what happens at the TSA checkpoint?

 

[amykathleen2005]

They will probably be gate checked. Bring them through security, they will swab them and your boot and maybe pat you and the crutch down. Then go to the gate. You can get to your seat and have them tag the crutches with a special tag so that it they are available immediately after landing to you.

 

[Michigan]

TSA will probably make you undo the boot to look inside and the crutches will be stowed in the closet near the front door of the plane

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Helpful to know. Thanks!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

if you can walk with the boot without the crutches, send the crutches thru scanner with carryons. ask the gate crew about how they handle the crutches

 

[SueM in MN]

Asking the gate crew is best.
Depending on the plane, they may have a closet or should fit one of the overhead bins.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Just got back!

For both of my Jet Blue flights, the crutches went into the overhead bin.

Out of DCA, I had the pat down. I guess she had a cloth or some ring as they tested for explosives. They didn't ask to remove my boot.

Out of MCO--I ended up having to rely on my crutches for 2 days of my trip as the distances were more than I could handle. So I had wheelchair assistance. He took me through the accessible lane which brought me to the full body scanner. Since I could stand, they had me use that to avoid a full body. My boot made it slightly difficult to have my feet positioned properly--but it worked. Then they swabbed by boot and the wheelchair.

Both airports, I put the crutches through the scanner with our carry ons.

Other experiences may vary, but thought I would share mine.