Hope this is the right place - valuables in carryon/checked luggage - what to do?

[Minnesota!]

We will be bringing my son's (EXPENSIVE) nubulizer with as his breathing issues seems to flare up in humidity. Anyway, I planned on putting it in my carryon (it's the size of a small handbag) but DH wants to check it. He thinks the TSA agents at the security gates will want to tear it apart b/c of concerns.

WWYD?

 

[minkydog]

I would absolutely carry it on. The TSA agents have seen hundreds of nebulizers. I have not had a problem with them tearing it up. But if you check it and it gets lost for a night or two--and you need it--you're going to be up the creek, my friend. I've had much more experience with lost luggage than man-handled carry-ons.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yeah, what MinkyDog said! Do you need us to help you convince your husband? Put him on the computer

Seriously - first, whenever you (anyone) fly, you should always pack a carry on bag with: medications, travel documents, valuables (the nebulizer in your case, but also video equipment, electronics, jewelry, etc) and whatever clothing/toiletries you'd need for your first day/night at your destination. The airlines have been known to misdirect LOTS of checked luggage each year. For example, if you're arriving in the morning you may want to go swimming until you can get into your room so you'd pack swimwear. Arriving late in the evening, you might want to put pjs and a change of clothes in your carry on.

 

[safetymom]

Do not put it in your luggage. Never pack anything valuable in your luggage.

 

[goofy4tink]

My nephew, now almost 21, always flew with his nebulizer in his carryon. He never had a problem. There is no way I would put that in my checked bag. It would be just my luck that that would be the bag that got lost for 4 days!!!
If I can't replace something in WDW, and I don't want to go without it, then it goes in the carry-on with me.

 

[ducklite]

Tell your husband that your son is far from the only person who travels with a nebulizer, a cpap machine, an insulin pump, insert your medical device here, etc. The TSA has seen it all, they know what they are, and they leave them alone.

They are more likely to be concerned about a neurotic middle aged man who is overly concerned with how they look at his and his families "Stuff".



BTW--my nebulizer was only about $150--really not that expensive, not that I"m advocating checking it...

Anne

 

[Minnesota!]

See I knew you guys would back me up!! LOL!

I will definitely be carrying it on! Thanks again!

(My son's neb was covered by insurance, but a replacement is over $300!)...

 

[clkelley]

Also, medical devices DO NOT go against your carry on limit, you can have 10 or more medical carry ons if you need them.

 

[lauritagoddess]

BTW, before we left for Disney at the end of February I purchased a really good ultrasonic portable nebulizer for my son. It's so much smaller and easy to carry around. I just tossed it into the backpack I wore on the plane. I didn't even feel the weight of it. Knock wood we didn't need it, but it was good peace of mind, and I didn't have to carry around the big nebulizer.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Also, medical devices DO NOT go against your carry on limit, you can have 10 or more medical carry ons if you need them.

How would one person handle TEN carry on items, even if they were allowed?

 

[ducklite]

BTW, before we left for Disney at the end of February I purchased a really good ultrasonic portable nebulizer for my son. It's so much smaller and easy to carry around. I just tossed it into the backpack I wore on the plane. I didn't even feel the weight of it. Knock wood we didn't need it, but it was good peace of mind, and I didn't have to carry around the big nebulizer.

Can I ask which one, and if it is the type that runs on recahrgeable batteries?

I'm looking at getting one, but am a little overwhelmed by the choices (and promises...)

Anne

 

[gw_lit]

How would one person handle TEN carry on items, even if they were allowed?

You have to be able to juggle!

 

[lauritagoddess]

Can I ask which one, and if it is the type that runs on recahrgeable batteries?

I'm looking at getting one, but am a little overwhelmed by the choices (and promises...)

Anne

This is the one I got -

http://www.kidzmed.com/item--Kidz-Med-Portable-Ultrasonic-Nebulizer--km113.html

I had checked out the MabisMist but it seemed too complicated. This one is so easy to use. It does have a rechargeable battery and it's almost silent. We needed the nebulizer a couple of weeks ago and my DS loved it because he could hold it do the whole treatment himself.

 

[midwestdee]

Absolutely - take it on board with you - DO NOT check it in! My husband uses a C-Pap machine for sleep apnea - cost $$$$ and we always take it on board with us. Yes, occasionally, there have been security people who did not know what it was at first - but their supervisor always has - it hasn't been a problem. Although you should know that United sure counted it as one of our carry ons.

 

[SueM in MN]

Just agreeing with the others.
You never want to put any medical equipment into your checked baggage. There is too much chance of damage or never seeing it again.
Here is a link to the Transportation Security Administration page about travel with medical devices.
I don't know what airline you are traveling on, but if you do a search on their website for "special needs", you can find out their specicic guidelines for medical devices. In most cases, if the device is needed because of a disability, it is not counted against your carryon allowance. (I am very good at juggling).