Medical bag on Spirit and through TSA

[aubriee]

When we go to WDW Sept 1st-8th my mom will need to take her nebulizer machine, nebulizer treatments, nose spray, insulin, glucometer, lancets, chem strips, and syringes. I'll need to take my victoza pen and a bottle of contact lens solution. Can we just put all these in a separate bag and then unzip that bag to go through the scanner? If so what kind of bag do you put that stuff in? I was thinking maybe just a Vera Bradley tote, but if I used a tote like that, would it count against us as a personal item when we get on the plane? We are flying Spirit and would like to do carry on only, with us each carrying a carryon, a personal item, then the bag with the nebulizer and medical stuff in it.

 

[deegack]

Medical equipment will not count toward your allowed baggage but only medical equipment/items can be in that bag. You stuff a sweater or a pair of shoes in there they can charge you. Declare it as medical to the tsa and airline. They will probably look at it closely and then let you go with it.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Spirits website does not indicate this bag will be free. I am not sure you won't be charged.

 

[deegack]

Spirits website does not indicate this bag will be free. I am not sure you won't be charged.

There is actually an FAA regulation or federal law regarding medical bags. I'm on my phone and can't pull it up right now but if you google medical bag and airplane is should come up. The big thin is nothing else can be in there even if the medical equipment takes up half the bag.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I can't find any such regulation. As a matter of fact everything I find refers you to the TSA and airline. I did find regs on carrying and using a CPAP. I also found where the TSA says you can bring medications through the scanner even if the liquids are over 3 oz, but nothing about the airline giving it free passage And since the airline gets to set every other rule on carryon then what Spirit could do is tell OP that she gets the medical bag as her free under seat item and to pay up for the other two

If there are regs that say they can't count as the free item, if I were OP I would find and print.

I did find something on just about every other airline giving you a free extra bag of this, but not Spirit

 

[deegack]

No need to get snippy. I said I wasn't sure if it was an Faa regulation or a federal law. Its a federal law the Air Carrier Act. In it section 382.41 (d) - "Carriers shall not, in implementing their carry on policies, count toward a limit on carry-on items any assisitive device brought into the cabin by a qualified individual with a disability."

In theory I guess an air carrier could say you can carry the devices but not put them in a bag but that would be nonsensical. So as long as the bag only contains medically necessary items, you will be allowed to carry it on and not count toward you carry on allowance.

Actually Spirit airlines contract of carriage section 6.15 says walking sticks and other assistive devices will not count toward the carry on allowance.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

An assistive device is considered a cane, crutch etc.....not sure OPs stuff meets the standard

And "snippy" ???!

 

[deegack]

An assistive device is considered a cane, crutch etc.....not sure OPs stuff meets the standard

And "snippy" ???!

Yes your response was snippy. Because you couldn't find it it must not exist. An assistive device is any device a person needs for daily activities. They can include wheel chairs, canes, walkers or things like a vest my nephew must wear for several hours a day to knock the mucus out of his lungs so he can breathe. This vest travels with him on planes free of charge and not counted as a carry on because it is a assistive medical device he needs. It is covered under the carrier act. My daughters nebulizer comes with us on all flights free and not counted because it is an assistive medical device that she needs. Just because it is spirit and they charge for everything does not mean they get to disregard federal law. The op
Should call, confirm with spirit including the name of the person she spoke with, print out a copy of the appropriate section of the law and travel. If they do charge her she should contact the agency in charge of the applying the law ( I believe it's the dept of transportation) and file and complaint under the act.

 

[kerplop]

I use a CPAP machine and it's not counted against me. If they do want to examine it, you should request they change their gloves and if they swab it, a clean swab. You'd think that'd be obvious, but they don't as a matter of practice

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Yes your response was snippy. Because you couldn't find it it must not exist. An assistive device is any device a person needs for daily activities. They can include wheel chairs, canes, walkers or things like a vest my nephew must wear for several hours a day to knock the mucus out of his lungs so he can breathe. This vest travels with him on planes free of charge and not counted as a carry on because it is a assistive medical device he needs. It is covered under the carrier act. My daughters nebulizer comes with us on all flights free and not counted because it is an assistive medical device that she needs. Just because it is spirit and they charge for everything does not mean they get to disregard federal law. The op
Should call, confirm with spirit including the name of the person she spoke with, print out a copy of the appropriate section of the law and travel. If they do charge her she should contact the agency in charge of the applying the law ( I believe it's the dept of transportation) and file and complaint under the act.

Sorry to have upset you so much

I still don't see what you see. They have to let you bring on assistive devices. They don't have to give you anything else. It is not a guarantee Spirit won't say your device is your freebie.

Not sure OP would have a basis for complaint

 

[aubriee]

No need to get snippy. I said I wasn't sure if it was an Faa regulation or a federal law. Its a federal law the Air Carrier Act. In it section 382.41 (d) - "Carriers shall not, in implementing their carry on policies, count toward a limit on carry-on items any assisitive device brought into the cabin by a qualified individual with a disability."

In theory I guess an air carrier could say you can carry the devices but not put them in a bag but that would be nonsensical. So as long as the bag only contains medically necessary items, you will be allowed to carry it on and not count toward you carry on allowance.

Actually Spirit airlines contract of carriage section 6.15 says walking sticks and other assistive devices will not count toward the carry on allowance.

Hmm, well if we get charged we get charged. She has to have it and no way can we get the medical stuff in our carry ons and still have room for our other stuff.

Can you please post a link to that FAC Act 382.41? Thanks!

 

[Lewisc]

Hmm, well if we get charged we get charged. She has to have it and no way can we get the medical stuff in our carry ons and still have room for our other stuff.

Can you please post a link to that FAC Act 382.41? Thanks!

http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publications/disabled.htm

Is a summary. Items such as an insulin meter, lancets, syringes, pen...will easily fit inside your personal item. Many diabetics carry that kind of stuff and don't need an extra bag. The issue is with Spirit. Passengers who want use their personal bag instead of paying for a bin bag and instead of paying to check a bag may not have room for their medical stuff if they insist on putting items which normally go in a bin bag or checked bag in the personal bag. The kinds of items which belong in your personal bag are exactly the items you want to put in a separate bag.

You can put the neutralizer and other medical stuff in a separate bag. You might get lucky. It's clear the law is designed for items like wheelchairs and canes, not items which can easily fit in your personal bag.

 

[deegack]

http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publications/disabled.htm

Is a summary. Items such as an insulin meter, lancets, syringes, pen...will easily fit inside your personal item. Many diabetics carry that kind of stuff and don't need an extra bag. The issue is with Spirit. Passengers who want use their personal bag instead of paying for a bin bag and instead of paying to check a bag may not have room for their medical stuff if they insist on putting items which normally go in a bin bag or checked bag in the personal bag. The kinds of items which belong in your personal bag are exactly the items you want to put in a separate bag.

You can put the neutralizer and other medical stuff in a separate bag. You might get lucky. It's clear the law is designed for items like wheelchairs and canes, not items which can easily fit in your personal bag.

Actually it not clear that the intention of the law was for wheelchairs only etc. why is one disability given preference over another. If you have a disability that requires medical equipment airlines must transport it at no cost. You can't fill half a bag with clothes and half with your equipment and say its a medical bag.

 

[bumbershoot]

I would probably call Spirit, and also call that 202 number on the bottom of that webpage linked to, to see if they have a better definition. It's not clear to me at all that *things that can be packed in a bag* would be considered assistive devices. Especially b/c they put "wheelchair" and "mobility aids" before "and other assistive devices" each time. Seems to me, they mean "things that help the person get around", not anything else.

 

[jsilvers]

Can you please post a link to that FAC Act 382.41? Thanks!

382.41 is an obsolete citation (and it also refers to a regulation implementing the Air Carrier Access Act, not a section of the act itself). The relevant language now appears at 14 C.F.R. § 382.121:

§ 382.121 What mobility aids and other assistive devices may passengers with a disability bring into the aircraft cabin?

(a) As a carrier, you must permit passengers with a disability to bring the following kinds of items into the aircraft cabin, provided that they can be stowed in designated priority storage areas or in overhead compartments or under seats, consistent with FAA, PHMSA, TSA, or applicable foreign government requirements concerning security, safety, and hazardous materials with respect to the stowage of carry-on items.

(1) Manual wheelchairs, including folding or collapsible wheelchairs;

(2) Other mobility aids, such as canes (including those used by persons with impaired vision), crutches, and walkers; and

(3) Other assistive devices for stowage or use within the cabin (e.g., prescription medications and any medical devices needed to administer them such as syringes or auto-injectors, vision-enhancing devices, and POCs, ventilators and respirators that use nonspillable batteries, as long as they comply with applicable safety, security and hazardous materials rules).​

(b) In implementing your carry-on baggage policies, you must not count assistive devices (including the kinds of items listed in paragraph (a) of this section) toward a limit on carry-on baggage.​

The full text of Part 382 can be found at http://airconsumer.dot.gov/rules/Part 382-2008.pdf.

An "FAQ" adds the following explanation:

When may a bag containing an assistive device be counted towards a passenger’s carry-on bag limit?

Answer: An assistive device is any piece of equipment that assists a passenger with a disability to hear, see, communicate, maneuver, or perform other functions of daily life, and may include medical devices and medications. A carrier may count toward a passenger’s carry-on limit a carry-on bag containing items other than an assistive device. For example, a bag containing both medications related to the passenger’s disability and toiletry items or one in which a back brace and clothing are packed would be subject to the carry-on limit even though the medications and back brace meet the definition of assistive device. To the extent possible, all of a passenger’s assistive devices should be included in one bag. When making a determination as to whether an item qualifies as an assistive device, the carrier may ask the passenger how the item assists the person in performing a function of daily life.​

See http://airconsumer.dot.gov/rules/FAQ_5_13_09.pdf.

 

[Lewisc]

Actually it not clear that the intention of the law was for wheelchairs only etc. why is one disability given preference over another. If you have a disability that requires medical equipment airlines must transport it at no cost. You can't fill half a bag with clothes and half with your equipment and say its a medical bag.

The act applies to disabilities. Medical conditions like diabetes isn't always considered a disability. Spirit is the kind of airline which might enforce the policy literally. Items like wheel chairs can't fit in your carry on luggage. Test strips, blood sugar meter etc can fit in your personal bag. You can't fill a bag with medical stuff and put so much as a T Shirt in the bag and qualify.

People flying Spirit need to budget the cost for a checked bag. Thinking you can fit everything you need in a bag which fits under the seat in front of you isn't realistic.

 

[aubriee]

The act applies to disabilities. Medical conditions like diabetes isn't always considered a disability. Spirit is the kind of airline which might enforce the policy literally. Items like wheel chairs can't fit in your carry on luggage. Test strips, blood sugar meter etc can fit in your personal bag. You can't fill a bag with medical stuff and put so much as a T Shirt in the bag and qualify.

People flying Spirit need to budget the cost for a checked bag. Thinking you can fit everything you need in a bag which fits under the seat in front of you isn't realistic.

I know that nothing beside medical supplies can be in a medical bag, which is why I listed the items I did. There would not be anything else in it. We've already prepaid for a carry on for each of us, so we'd each have a 21" carry on, plus a personal item. I flew Spirit this past May with just a carry on and personal item and had space for everything I needed for the week. I use packing folders and packing cubes, so have no problem taking just a carry on and personal item. However, my mom will need her diabetic supplies, nebulizer, and a box of breathing treatments, plus all her meds, so she needs that extra medical bag and we really do not want to check a bag for the tiny amount that we would need to put in it.

 

[Lewisc]

I know that nothing beside medical supplies can be in a medical bag, which is why I listed the items I did. There would not be anything else in it. We've already prepaid for a carry on for each of us, so we'd each have a 21" carry on, plus a personal item. I flew Spirit this past May with just a carry on and personal item and had space for everything I needed for the week. I use packing folders and packing cubes, so have no problem taking just a carry on and personal item. However, my mom will need her diabetic supplies, nebulizer, and a box of breathing treatments, plus all her meds, so she needs that extra medical bag and we really do not want to check a bag for the tiny amount that we would need to put in it.

The items which don't count against your allowance are items required do to a disability. Diabetes isn't generally considered a disability. I suspect most airlines won't split hairs. I'm not so sure about Spirit. I'll speculate if you make sure the bag is 100% medical stuff, and are polite, you'll have a reasonable chance of success.

Suggestion. The wheels, and frame necessary for a wheeled bag, takes a significant % of the bags capacity. Consider a non-wheeled "bin bag"

 

[deegack]

The act applies to disabilities. Medical conditions like diabetes isn't always considered a disability. Spirit is the kind of airline which might enforce the policy literally. Items like wheel chairs can't fit in your carry on luggage. Test strips, blood sugar meter etc can fit in your personal bag. You can't fill a bag with medical stuff and put so much as a T Shirt in the bag and qualify.

People flying Spirit need to budget the cost for a checked bag. Thinking you can fit everything you need in a bag which fits under the seat in front of you isn't realistic.

Actually the definition of an individual with a disability under the ACAA is anyone who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.(2)has a record of such impairment (3) is regarded as having such an impairment.

Diabetes can qualify as a disability under this definition as it impact the major life activity of eating. The nebulizer is to help with the major life activity of breathing. Even if these conditions are normally controlled in every day life, the stress of travel as well as any delays that may occur can exacerbate the conditions and its in everyone's best interest that the traveler be able to access his or her medication and equipment.

As I said above only medical supplies and equipment can be in bag if you want it to travel free. Most airlines will strictly adhere to that requirement.

 

[jsilvers]

Actually the definition of an individual with a disability under the ACAA is anyone who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.(2)has a record of such impairment (3) is regarded as having such an impairment.

And a definition in the regulations implementing the ACAA is:

The term physical or mental impairment includes, but is not limited to, such diseases and conditions as orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing impairments; cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental retardation, emotional illness, drug addiction, and alcoholism.​

See 14 C.F.R. § 382.3 (emphasis added). Lewisc may not himself consider diabetes to be a disability, but he is dead wrong about what the law requires.