Nebulizer on Spirit Airlines

[aubriee]

My mom threw me for a loop this morning when she announced, she'd decided she'd like to go to WDW when I go in just a little over a month. I was able to get her on my Spirit flight for a decent price this morning, but then got to thinking about her meds. I know TSA won't give her a problem about her nebulizer, but what about Spirit. We are planning on doing carry on only, but the nebulizer and her meds won't fit in her carry on bag, along with all her clothes and stuff. Would a bag with her nebulizer, it's meds, and both our diabetic supplies count toward our carry on limit . In other words could we each have a personal item, each have a carry on, then have a bag with just medical supplies? Would the medical bag be free?

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I think you'll have to check a bag.

See this section of Spirit's website. Down toward the bottom they mention nebs.

I suspect what will happen is you can bring a carry-on on-board for free with the medical equipment, but you won't be allowed another full-size carry-on at any price, so you'll have to check the non-essentials.

Personally, I'd be worried about letting Spirit know about all these details and just pay-up.....requesting a free bag for medical reason could set off a whole bunch of procedures that have to be followed by the employee. All that stuff about having to have a doctor's note that she's okay to fly, and you get the wrong/misinformed employee and you're looking a a lot of hassle that could have been avoided for a nominal cost.

 

[jsilvers]

I suspect what will happen is you can bring a carry-on on-board for free with the medical equipment, but you won't be allowed another full-size carry-on at any price

Incorrect. The U.S. Department of Transportation's rules require airlines to allow passengers to bring aboard a carry-on of medical equipment, at no charge and without it counting against the carry-on allowance. Notably:

What mobility aids and other assistive devices may passengers with a disability bring into the aircraft cabin?
Passengers may bring manual, but not electric wheelchairs, other mobility aids (e.g., canes, including those used by blind passengers), and other assistive devices (e.g., POCs), as well as prescription medications and any medical devices needed to administer them (e.g., syringes, auto-injectors), as long as they comply with applicable safety, security and hazardous materials rules. These devices and aids cannot be counted against the airline’s carry-on limits.

Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Section 382.121 (http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/Part 382-2008.pdf)

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

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Air Travel of People with Disabilities Under the Amended Air Carrier Access Act Regulation (http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/FAQ_5_13_09.pdf)​

 

[deegack]

Incorrect. The U.S. Department of Transportation's rules require airlines to allow passengers to bring aboard a carry-on of medical equipment, at no charge and without it counting against the carry-on allowance. Notably:

What mobility aids and other assistive devices may passengers with a disability bring into the aircraft cabin?
Passengers may bring manual, but not electric wheelchairs, other mobility aids (e.g., canes, including those used by blind passengers), and other assistive devices (e.g., POCs), as well as prescription medications and any medical devices needed to administer them (e.g., syringes, auto-injectors), as long as they comply with applicable safety, security and hazardous materials rules. These devices and aids cannot be counted against the airline’s carry-on limits.

Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Section 382.121 (http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/Part%20382-2008.pdf)

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

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Air Travel of People with Disabilities Under the Amended Air Carrier Access Act Regulation (http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/FAQ_5_13_09.pdf)

This and just make sure nothing that isn't medical equipment/medication etc is in there. If you mix stuff they can charge you for an extra bag/

 

[stepdisney]

We flew Spirit from Atlantic City airport two years ago and had to carry my son's nebulizer bag (he has asthma). They did not countthe bag at all and we were able to put it in the overhead at no additonal cost. The did take out the machine to make sure that there was nothing inside of it. We were all still able to carry an additional bag that fit under the seat.

 

[aubriee]

We went ahead and prepaid for a carry on each and will also each have a personal item that will fit under the seat. We just didn't want to check a bag and wondered if Spirit would allow a third bag (containing medical items only) for free in the overhead. She won't need the nebulizer during the flight, but will need it at WDW.