One More Question: Airport Screeners And Wheelchair Headrests

[DisneyWheeler]

We're leaving tomorrow for our trip. The one thing I'm worried about, is my headrest. I have an headrest adapter bracket that goes on the push handles of my manual wheelchair, that the headrest (which is normally on my power chair seating system) is going to go on. This will make it easier on my neck and head when we're going through the parks, since I have a head tilt because of my scoliosis. Right now, it's disassembled in my wheeled backpack.

So, if I wheel my backpack on the plane, will the airport screeners be able to recognize it as a headrest for a wheelchair? Or, would they confiscate it because of the end of the headrest bracket being sharp (even though it has a tennis ball covering it)? I know that they don't want anything sharp like tools (which we've packed in our suitcase for my headrest and wheelchair) or box cutters, when I looked on the TSA website.

I may wind up checking my backpack all the way through. But, I'll ask the ticket agent if my headrest would be OK to carry on the plane in my backpack. With having to disassemble/reassemble my wheelchair at Denver and Orlando, from Portland, my mom didn't want to have to be taking too much stuff off my chair. Even though I'm going to have a bag for all of the parts that were taken off.

Samantha

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Medical devices, including tools and accessories for medical devices, are allowed. (They specifically state that tools for prosthetics are allowed through, so your tools for your headrest/wheelchair should also be allowed through.) The TSA agents prob'ly won't know what the item is in your bag, so you'll have to tell them what it is if they ask/question you about it, but they should let it through. If not, ask for their supervisor, who should know the rules about medical equipment being allowed.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with what MS Butterfly wrote.
I always take DD's wheelchair headrest off and bring it on the plane. Hers doesn't have anything sharp about it, but it could be used as a club

In our experience, if the screeners see anything in your bag that looks 'suspicious', they will ask about it. I would suggest using duct tape to tape the tennis ball onto the sharp end; that would keep it from possibly getting dislodged in your bag. Be sure to bring tape for the return trip.
I'd also look at how sharp it is. If it's 'It might break the skin or cause a scratch' sharp, that's a lot different than 'it could cause a bad cut.' You might also consider putting that piece in your checked bag if it's not a vital piece of your wheelchair. That way, you don't have to worry.

 

[DisneyWheeler]

I agree with what MS Butterfly wrote.
I always take DD's wheelchair headrest off and bring it on the plane. Hers doesn't have anything sharp about it, but it could be used as a club

In our experience, if the screeners see anything in your bag that looks 'suspicious', they will ask about it. I would suggest using duct tape to tape the tennis ball onto the sharp end; that would keep it from possibly getting dislodged in your bag. Be sure to bring tape for the return trip.
I'd also look at how sharp it is. If it's 'It might break the skin or cause a scratch' sharp, that's a lot different than 'it could cause a bad cut.' You might also consider putting that piece in your checked bag if it's not a vital piece of your wheelchair. That way, you don't have to worry.

Thanks Sue; It's one of those Stealth wheelchair headrests. I've tested it out, and it doesn't seem to be sharp enough to break the skin. This is the first time we're going to use it with my manual wheelchair on this trip, and the first time I will use the headrest adapter bracket for my manual wheelchair as well.

I think the screeners should be able to know that it's a headrest for my wheelchair-we just couldn't have it on my wheelchair because it would be time-consuming getting it and the headrest adapter bracket, off and on my wheelchair at the gate. Especially when there's also the removable stroller handle extension, armrests, footrests, and cushion that we also have to carry on the plane. We're also carrying my wheelchair tray on for the first time this year, as well.

Last time I tried having tools in my carry-on bag, the screeners wouldn't accept it, so we had to ship them back home. Even when I explained that they were for my wheelchair. I'm glad I got smart this time, and packed them in the suitcase.

Samantha

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I've tested it out, and it doesn't seem to be sharp enough to break the skin.

OK, I just had mental pictures of you bashing your hand with your headrest to see what happened! Hmmmm... I think I'm having a bit of a funny day today!

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks Sue; It's one of those Stealth wheelchair headrests. I've tested it out, and it doesn't seem to be sharp enough to break the skin. This is the first time we're going to use it with my manual wheelchair on this trip, and the first time I will use the headrest adapter bracket for my manual wheelchair as well.

If it'd like this one:

that was the kind of headrest that DD had on her first 2 wheelchairs. We loosened 2 screws on the headrest bracket and slid the headrest post out of the bracket. Then we tightened the screws again and left the bracket on the wheelchair.
We never had any quesions about the headrest when we carried it on.
She has a different type of Stealth headrest now; it can be either folded down or if I loosen 2 turn screws, it can be lifted out of the bracket.

Last time I tried having tools in my carry-on bag, the screeners wouldn't accept it, so we had to ship them back home. Even when I explained that they were for my wheelchair. I'm glad I got smart this time, and packed them in the suitcase.

Samantha

We have carried tools in our carryon. We had a set stolen when we packed it in the checked baggage. The TSA website says that they are allowed, so if you want to carry the tools on, I'd suggest printing out a copy of the TSA information that allows it.