Oxygen, Flying And Me

[lotsofkids]

I have a question for next Feb. We have flights on United BDL-IAD-MCO and return. I couldn't get anything N/S for anything reasonable. My niece (actually her parents) carries oxygen in case she has a siezure. I see where we need to rent it for the flight. I think we'll need to rent it in Orlando also. Does anyone know if we rent it in Orlando, can it be delivered to the ME desk? They'd prefer to have it asap rather than wait. I've also read thet United will transport the equipment. Has anyone done this? How has it Worked? Last things: Do any of the ME busses have wheel chair lifts? If so, do you request one ahead of time? Has anyone had any experience with this? It sounds like ME will still be around next February. Any idea if there will be a fee? Thanks for all of your help!

 

[pugdog]

I have a question for next Feb. We have flights on United BDL-IAD-MCO and return. I couldn't get anything N/S for anything reasonable. My niece (actually her parents) carries oxygen in case she has a siezure. I see where we need to rent it for the flight. I think we'll need to rent it in Orlando also. Does anyone know if we rent it in Orlando, can it be delivered to the ME desk? They'd prefer to have it asap rather than wait. I've also read thet United will transport the equipment. Has anyone done this? How has it Worked? Last things: Do any of the ME busses have wheel chair lifts? If so, do you request one ahead of time? Has anyone had any experience with this? It sounds like ME will still be around next February. Any idea if there will be a fee? Thanks for all of your help!

First the airlines will only let you fly with empty o2 tanks. But the good news is that there is an O2 concentrator that IS FFA approved to fly with. Talk to your O2 supply company. It will also save you the airline charge to have O2 available ,which can be $100. The DME bus needs advance notice for a wheelchair.
Come over to the disABILITES board for alot more info and help on planning for your trip, we will all love to help you.

 

[TammyC]

Delta charges per flight leg for oxygen, so if you have to change planes you pay twice

 

[bicker]

Note that Southwest won't even let you fly with FAA approved O2 equipment.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I've moved this to disABILITIES!... I think it'll get better responses here!

 

[isla bonita]

My dad will not be joining us because he refuses to pay or let us pay for him to fly with O2. Can you tell me more about the FAA approved tanks?

 

[lotsofkids]

Thanks for your replies. When I called United, the agent said that United doesn't allow the FAA oxygen yet. Also, I was told that the charge is $100/direction (regardless of plane changes). We do have a stop. Also, United Express does not have oxygen available - fortunately discovered this within 24 hours of when I booked as the last connection was on United Express. This is the first year in about 10 that they have flown. Last year's drive was alot for them. Does anyone know if rented oxygen can be delivered to the ME counter? I don't think she has liquid oxygen if that makes a difference.


Another question: She cannot sit unsupported. I have read about the aisle wheelchairs for boarding assistance and have ordered one in case it may work. She may need to be carried on the plane (by a family member) and placed in her seat. Any advice/experience like this? She is a petite ,80 lb. 18 year old.

Thanks for your continued help.

 

[pugdog]

Note that Southwest won't even let you fly with FAA approved O2 equipment.

Actually they do, read the following from their website. But they do not provide any.
Portable Oxygen Concentrators

Effective for travel on or after January 3, 2006, Southwest Airlines will allow Customers to bring onboard and use certain models of the AirSep LifeStyle and Inogen One Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) devices during all phases of flight and in accordance with Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 106, 14 CFR Part 121.

AirSep LifeStyle and Inogen One POC Conditions that Must Be Met:

* The POC may only be used in its battery-operated mode. Southwest Airlines does not have electrical outlets onboard for commercial product use.
* To be used onboard the aircraft, the AirSep LifeStyle or Inogen One POC must have a label attached indicating that it has been approved for use in aircraft.
* The Customer must have a sufficient number of fully charged batteries to cover the duration of the flight and anticipated delays, plus one extra battery for unanticipated delays. Extra batteries must be packaged for carryon in a manner to prevent short circuit. Battery terminals must either be recessed or packaged so as to prevent contact with metal objects, including terminals of other batteries.
* The Customer must have a letter from his/her physician on letterhead with an issue-date of no more than one year prior to flight departure date. The physician’s letter must state:

* whether the user is able to operate the device and recognize and respond appropriately to its alarms, and if not, that the user is traveling with a companion who is able to perform these functions
* the phases of the flight (taxi, takeoff, cruise, landing) during which use of the device is medically necessary, and
* the maximum flow rate corresponding to the pressure in the cabin under normal operating conditions. (Cabins are pressurized to an altitude of 8,000 feet.)

 

[isla bonita]

Thank you for all your information. I can not express how happy you have made me and our whole family. We have a trip planned 3 generations. My dad is sick and might not get down with us because of the O2 situation. Now I can give them the great news. Thank you thank you thank you Deb

 

[pugdog]

Here is the most recent list of airlines that allow your own O2 if you use trhe correct machine.

Traveling By Air
Now that the FAA allows the Inogen One onboard commercial aircraft, here are a few points to make air travel easy.
Currently, the following airlines allow the use of the Inogen One onboard their aircraft:

* Alaskan Airlines
* Allegiant Air
* America West
* American Airlines
* ATA Airlines
* Delta
* Frontier (Effective April 1st)
* Hawaiian Airlines
* Midwest Airlines
* Northwest Airlines
* Qantas
* Southwest
* Sun Country
* US Airways

Check with your airline to make sure they will permit the use of your Inogen One. Some airlines may not permit the use of portable oxygen concentrators like the Inogen One onboard their aircraft. You may also contact Inogen Customer Care (1-877-4-Inogen) for assistance.

Also the USDOT is currently looking at making airlines provide O2 FREE of charge. They closed the comment takinh end of January so we'll see what happens.

 

[bicker]

Wow. So Southwest changed their policy. I wonder how much their bad exposure in the Airline television series contributed to that.

 

[froglady]

Wow. So Southwest changed their policy. I wonder how much their bad exposure in the Airline television series contributed to that.

I've watched the series, and the only incident I recall was when a customer just showed up with an O2 tank...no letter, no sticker, no pre-arrival clearance of any kind. Did I miss an episode where a passenger with authorized equipment, doctor's note, etc. and pre-approval from the airline was denied boarding?

It still appears (per the information posted) that if you show up without clearing things with the airline (as to type of tank, paperwork, etc) you'll still be denied boarding on ANY airline, not just SW.

 

[Lewisc]

Southwest still won't allow pressurized oxygen tanks which may be required if a passenger requires a constant supply of compressed oxygen.

 

[pugdog]

Southwest still won't allow pressurized oxygen tanks which may be required if a passenger requires a constant supply of compressed oxygen.

No airline will. That is what brought down the TWA flight by Boston a few years back.
The new concentrators should work for just about everyone.

 

[bicker]

You must have missed an episode. The Southwest gate agent was very nice about trying to help the passenger book passage on another airline (I think they mentioned Delta or Northwest--not sure).

So, now, I'm still not sure what about Southwest's policies actually changed in January 2006.

 

[pugdog]

SW does not provide O2. And they only allow the 2 approved concentrators to be brought on if you have meet the criteria on their website.

 

[forr2grls]

We went to WDW nov of 02..our dd has epilepsy and needs o2 for seizures.we had oxygen delivered to our resort.the company we used was
H+R Medical.phone # 407-847-9124.Not sure if they are still in business...hope this helps