Flying and oxygen use....

goofy4tink

No tags...not needed! Transportation moderator
Joined
May 2, 2002
Messages
54,711
Okay...here's the scenario...my dad, 83, is going to need to fly home, to Boston, from Ft. Lauderdale. They are booked with JB for May, but Dad and my step-mom would love to get home sooner. BUT...he is on oxygen 100% of the time. He uses an oxygen converter ( I think that's what it's called anyway) at home, with a huge length of tubing attached so he can get around the condo. When he has to get out to appts, he uses portable oxygen tank. But, those tanks aren't allowed on planes evidently.
Anyone have any idea as to what they can do??? I'm flummoxed..have no idea where to go now. I have asked over on the Disabilities board as well.
Thanks guys.
 
Diane,

Most airlines have provisions for providing Oxygen to those dependent on it. I'm looking at the B6 web site right now and I'm finding this:

Requirements for onboard use of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC)


Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC)
An oxygen concentrator is a machine that takes normal room air and, using a series of sieves, filters, and a compressor, removes nitrogen from the air, increasing the oxygen content of the resulting air to up to 96%.

Note: An oxygen concentrator is not to be confused with compressed oxygen which is prohibited on any JetBlue aircraft.

Specific models of oxygen concentrators are approved for onboard use as long as the customer meets the following requirements:

Link for Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) requirements



Requirements for Traveling with a Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC)
All of the following requirements must be met to travel with a POC on a JetBlue flight:
The customer must contact JetBlue Reservations and advise of the intended use of the POC and model type.
Customers must travel with an approved model of POC.
The POC must have a manufacturer's label attached indicating that it has been approved for use on aircraft (does not need to be a FAA issued label).
The POC is used in its battery-operated mode during the flight. (JetBlue Airways does not have electrical outlets onboard for commercial product use.)
The customer must have a sufficient number of fully-charged batteries to cover the duration of the flight and anticipated delays.
Extra batteries must be packed for carry-on in a manner to prevent a short circuit. (Battery terminals must either be recessed or packaged so as to prevent contact with metal objects, including terminals of other batteries.)
The customer must have a letter from his/her physician on letterhead with an issue-date of no more than one year prior to flight departure date. The letter from the doctor is a requirement of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. The letter must include the following information:
Whether the user is able to operate the device, recognize and respond appropriately to its alarms; and if not, that the user is traveling with a companion who is able to perform these functions.
The phases of the flight (taxi, takeoff, cruise, landing) during which use of the device is medically necessary.
The maximum flow rate corresponding to the pressure in the cabin under normal operating conditions. (Cabins are pressurized to an altitude of 8,000 feet.)
Please note: Generic forms printed from the FAA website, or elsewhere, will NOT be accepted as valid documentation for bringing a POC. The letter must be written on a physician's letterhead. Customers may wish to contact the manufacturer of their POC if their physician is not familiar with the POC and is having problems providing the FAA-required letter.
The customer must check-in with a JetBlue Airways Crewmember at the airport on the day of departure for a boarding pass no later than one hour from departure and must present the POC and paperwork for inspection by a JetBlue Crewmember.



Approved Models for Use on JetBlue

AirSep FreeStyle
AirSep LifeStyle
Inogen One
Imogen One G2
Respironics EverGo
SeQual Technology Eclipse
Central Air (Delphi RS - 00400)
Invacare XPO2
DeVilbiss iGo
International Biophysics Lifechoice
Oxlife Independence Oxygen Concentrator




Bringing oxygen onboard the aircraft

» Oxygen on JetBlue




Oxygen on JetBlue
JetBlue will not carry persons who require medical oxygen onboard. Due to safety reasons, we do not permit any type of oxygen to be brought on the aircraft nor do we supply medical oxygen onboard. However, in the event of an emergency, each aircraft has four oxygen masks per row for customer use.

Specific models of oxygen concentrators are approved for onboard use as long as the JetBlue requirements for oxygen concentrators are met. An oxygen concentrator is a machine that takes normal room air and, using a series of sieves, filters, and a compressor, removes nitrogen from the air, increasing the oxygen content of the resulting air to up to 96%. An oxygen concentrator is not to be confused with compressed oxygen which is prohibited on any JetBlue aircraft.



(that's all taken from the web site itself)
 
He could go by train (http://www.amtrak.com), where his oxygen tanks would be permitted. There are some restrictions on the number and weight of tanks, and you need to make advance notice, but there should be no problem making such a trip.
 

Okay...here's the scenario...my dad, 83, is going to need to fly home, to Boston, from Ft. Lauderdale. They are booked with JB for May, but Dad and my step-mom would love to get home sooner. BUT...he is on oxygen 100% of the time. He uses an oxygen converter ( I think that's what it's called anyway) at home, with a huge length of tubing attached so he can get around the condo. When he has to get out to appts, he uses portable oxygen tank. But, those tanks aren't allowed on planes evidently.
Anyone have any idea as to what they can do??? I'm flummoxed..have no idea where to go now. I have asked over on the Disabilities board as well.
Thanks guys.

Diane, up until 4 months ago I worked for the oxygen company Lincare as a customer service rep and customers of ours that flew used the Inogen portable concentrator. It's small and is on wheels so it's very easy to get around with. It comes with 2 batteries that you charge before your trip so your dad will have more than enough charge to get to MA. Your dad's Oxygen company will have something he can use.
 
Thanks guys. My dad and step-mom had absolutely no idea there were portable oxygen concentrators out there. They couldn't believe I got answers from people I don't 'know'....what do they know!!!! You guys are the best. We'll be calling their oxygen provider.
 





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