New Liquid Restrictions for Airlines

[MissingMickey]

Any ideas on how this will affect so many of us here? Son is tubefed at night with meds and takes bottles during the day. Always pack liquid meds and formula for at least 2 days in carryon. We don't fly until the end of Nov, so plenty of time to see how it shakes out, but I bet some of you are leaving sooner. Anyone know more details yet?

 

[binkyboots]

as far as I can tell from reading (I would definately call the airlines nearer the time to check)

you may carry liquid meds with a letter from the doctor or some kind of proof. the name on the meds must match the name on the passenger's ticket.

bottles of made up formula are ok, someone in the party must drink from it.

powdered formula, I dont know.

 

[MissingMickey]

Thanks! I guess we will pack the biggest bottle we can find and pray he drinks from it (or we get to tastetest PJ - ick). Good thing we booked direct. Will probably ship formula, too just to be sure.

 

[clkelley]

I also read that folks from UK coming to the US can not bring personal wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, or ECVs through security.

Yikes, that means they have to check their personal device and be wheeled through the airport in an airport chair.

 

[binkyboots]

yes, for the moment at least...

that worries me a little, I always like to see dh's chair being safely loaded!

I'm thinking for people in highly adapted chairs they'll have to work something out though

 

[ditzoyd]

NO LIQUIDS OR GELS OF ANY KIND WILL BE PERMITTED IN CARRY-ON BAGGAGE. ITEMS MUST BE IN CHECKED BAGGAGE. This includes all beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, tooth paste, hair gel, and other items of similar consistency.
Exception: Baby formula, breast milk, or juice if a baby or small child is traveling; prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket; and insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines

Beverages purchased in the sterile area must be consumed before boarding because they will not be permitted onboard the aircraft.
Passengers traveling from the U.K. to the U.S. will be subject to a more extensive screening process.


http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/threat-change.shtm

hope this helps

I leave in 2 days... ..... of all the timing

Ditz

 

[Selket]

Sounds like they won't let you on flights from the UK with electronic devices either. I wonder if that would affect travelers with insulin pumps? There are probably other electronic medical devices I'm not aware of too.

Fortunately I have no travel plans that involve airplanes.

 

[ducklite]

Sounds like they won't let you on flights from the UK with electronic devices either. I wonder if that would affect travelers with insulin pumps? There are probably other electronic medical devices I'm not aware of too.

Fortunately I have no travel plans that involve airplanes.

I can't imagine them not allowing medical devices like insulin pumps. That's akin to telling someone they have to cut out their pacemaker.

What about prosthetic limbs? screws that hold bones together? Neck braces? Plaster casts?

They've got to make exceptions for medical devices.

Anne

 

[faeflora]

As a former international security agent (yep in my past I had the hard job) the reason as best as I can guest for the no personal wheelchairs in the UK is to keep the boarding area past security screening as sterile as possible. As for medical devices such as insulin pumps and the like I am sure that security is dealing with these situation on an individual basis and is helping the guest as best as possible. This is an interesting development on the wheelchairs but I can understand at this time the heightened need for this in the UK since as the news is reporting now that the investigations and continued possible arrests and detainments are continuing in the UK.

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm guessing that the reason for no wheelchairs is that (no matter how well they are checked) it would be difficult to check them so thoroughly that someone could not hide something as small as an ipod battery in one. I have heard on the news that an ipod battery was planned to be used as a power source to detonate a bomb. That's why the "no battery operated devices". I'm afraid there is going to be a large increase in stolen items since all those expensive devices like cameras, ipods and medical devices that are not absolutely needed during flight would be unprotected.

The other reason might just be that thoroughly checking wheelchairs would slow the lines down too much and they are already very long with the extra checking they are doing. As someone already noted, some people with very specialized wheelchairs can only ride in their wheelchair, so they would have to make some exceptions. That would probably affect a relatively small number of people; the majority using wheelchairs could probably use a standard adult wheelchair from the airport for at least a short period of time. They could have many people leave the airport wheelchair on the 'non-sterile' side, walk thru the security scanner and then get in another airport wheelchair on the 'sterile' side. Pulling the other wheelchairs at the security checkpoint would cut down on the number needing to be screened by quite a bit.

I agree that they are going to have to make some exceptions for people with things like insulin pumps. If they can cut down on the people that need extra screening, they should have more time for the people who need special screening.

 

[Schmeck]

Between the noncoverage of the ADA for airplanes (how did trains get included, but not airplanes?) and the rights lost from the Patriot Act, airports do not have to let people with medical equipment through secure points, etc. They don't have to make exceptions. Hopefully, airports will not go that far, and will be reasonable.

If you have special circumstances, they will consider it, case by case. I'd call the airport ahead of time, tell them exactly what it is you need to bring on board with you. Make sure you get the name/ID of the person you are talking to. Ask if someone can give you the name of a 'big honcho' in security if there is a problem.

 

[NJBlackBerry]

Congratulations on turning a serious discussion into a political one ("rights lost in the Patriot act").

Nice job.

It was an interesting thread. I NEVER put my CPAP machine in checked luggage. I wonder what about that. Not battery operated either. Gets checked EVERY TIME I go through security. Which is 4-6 times per month.

 

[Selket]

I think the wheelchair issue is a big problem - that just sounds like a huge difficulty.

I would think they'll have to come up with some way to make exceptions for those things and things like insulin pumps and other electronic/battery operated type medical devices that folks could not go without on the plane.

But right now the prohibition against wheelchairs and electronics is only if you are flying from the UK right? Not domestic or international flights originating in the USA?

So I wonder if they let you bring cold paks if you have to have medication that needs to be kept refrigerated? I know some folks use byetta which is very picky about being kept a certain temp and we keep our unopened bottles of insulin cold.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

I am four weeks away from my next visit, so I am hoping things will have settled down a little but if they haven't ...

I'm guessing that the reason for no wheelchairs is ...

It will be very difficult for me to transfer to another whelchair as I can only make a sliding transfer with the chairs parked close to each other with the armrests removed. I know from my last trip that the airport wheelchairs in Orlando have had the armrests welded on to prevent theft. If my airline cannot reassure me on this point, I will have to cancel my trip.

Also, in the past I have had baggage handlers damage my chair so I now take everything that comes off, like headrest, cushion, footrests etc with me into the cabin. I dread to think what will happen if they have to be checked.

I'm afraid there is going to be a large increase in stolen items since all those expensive devices like cameras, ...that are not absolutely needed during flight would be unprotected.

I will reluctantly be leaving my SLR at home and briging just the cameras I don't mind losing, a six year old VCR and a point & shoot with a low (by today's standards) resolution that is due replacement. If I am really lucky, maybe someone will steal it and I can claim on my insurance!!

Andrew

 

[clkelley]

I am four weeks away from my next visit, so I am hoping things will have settled down a little but if they haven't ...

It will be very difficult for me to transfer to another whelchair as I can only make a sliding transfer with the chairs parked close to each other with the armrests removed. I know from my last trip that the airport wheelchairs in Orlando have had the armrests welded on to prevent theft. If my airline cannot reassure me on this point, I will have to cancel my trip.

Also, in the past I have had baggage handlers damage my chair so I now take everything that comes off, like headrest, cushion, footrests etc with me into the cabin. I dread to think what will happen if they have to be checked.



I will reluctantly be leaving my SLR at home and briging just the cameras I don't mind losing, a six year old VCR and a point & shoot with a low (by today's standards) resolution that is due replacement. If I am really lucky, maybe someone will steal it and I can claim on my insurance!!

Andrew

I was thinking of you Andrew when I read about only airport wheelchairs past security. I'm hoping something can be worked out. It appears that the only difficulty you will have is leaving the UK to get here. Good luck to you!!!!!

(P.S. How difficult is it to change your flight plans and fly out of a different country other than UK??)

 

[Talking Hands]

While I understand about no liquids I don't like it one bit. I carry contact solution and drops to use if I need to remove my contacts and icing gel as a emergency way to bring up my blood sugar. I alsi usually carry a couple of diet sodas that I can safely drink since airlines don't serve diet drinks with Splenda and I have a severe reaction to nutrasweet.

Gives me all the more reason to not want to fly anywhere. Good thing I can drive to WDW. The relatives will just have to live without my visits.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have not been able to find anything specific and official about wheelchairs and air travel in reference to any recent changes or not allowing them to go beyond the security check area in the US.
The guidelines for the UK do specify that only wheelchairs provided by the airport may go thru security. They will allow walkers, walking aids and pushchairs (strollers for those of us in the US) , but they must go thru the xray machine in order to get thru security.

I found 2 stories from today on CNN that mentioned new guidelines. One was about US Travelors adjusting to tougher rules and the other story was about travel restrictions in general. Neither of those articles mention anything about wheelchairs being restricted in the US and the Transportation Security Administration has a link to their page about travle with disabilities on the same page as an updated link to new screening measures.

So, as it appears today, Andrew will have difficulty traveling, but those of us who are in the US should still be able to bring wheelchairs thru security after screening.

While I understand about no liquids I don't like it one bit. I carry contact solution and drops to use if I need to remove my contacts and icing gel as a emergency way to bring up my blood sugar. I alsi usually carry a couple of diet sodas that I can safely drink since airlines don't serve diet drinks with Splenda and I have a severe reaction to nutrasweet.

I did find one reference (I think it was one of the CNN links) that said contact lens cases could be carried on without extra bottle. That sound to me like you would be able to bring a contact lens case with a small amount of liquid in the case in the even that you need to remove your contacts. That's what I did anyway for daily use when I did wear contacts.

On the tsa site it does list some exemptions to the no liquids or gels, including Exception: Baby formula and breast milk if a baby or small child is traveling; prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket; and insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines
So, I guess you might be able to carry a gel sugar source because it would be medically essential (but it would probably have to be a 'medical' one rather than just icing gel). So, if you do plan to travel, I'd probably contact the tsa for more clarification.

 

[dclfun]

I am flying to Chicago next week and called United earlier today to be sure that I can use my ventilator and it's battery during my flight and also be able to gate check my power chair. I was put on hold awhile and a supervisor told me I'd have no problems with any of the above. I was particularly worried about a ban on batteries even though mine is a big marine battery. They also know I'm bringing a service dog and cannot easily be removed from my chair due to all the attached equipment. Since it is a short flight I will pack my tube feeding in my luggage. I'd not planned to use my feeding pump in-flight anyway so it will be easier to avoid having to worry about the liquids even though it is medically necessary liquid. I will be calling the day before my flight just to confirm all the details again.---Kathy

 

[Ali and boyz]

we were over at the beginning of July and they wouldn't allow my son to use his wheelchair back then and that was before all this extra security. My son has special adaptations to his chair to keep him in as he is paralised from the neck down. This didn't happen last year so I was surprised and somewhat worried . another thing they did this time (not only to our son) was to tranfer them in full view of all the queueing passengers waiting to get through security. felt sorry for them

 

[SueM in MN]

we were over at the beginning of July and they wouldn't allow my son to use his wheelchair back then and that was before all this extra security. My son has special adaptations to his chair to keep him in as he is paralised from the neck down. This didn't happen last year so I was surprised and somewhat worried . another thing they did this time (not only to our son) was to tranfer them in full view of all the queueing passengers waiting to get through security. felt sorry for them

I'm curious.
How did you get him from security to the plane? Did they have anything to help keep him in place?