Question from Reader: Air Travel for Little One with CF

I thought I would share in case others out there had similar questions and/or concerns.

Reader:

Hello Ronnie!  I hope all is well!  I was wondering if you could give me some advice / tips for traveling with cystic fibrosis.  I'm about to take my 6 year old daughter to Denver and had a few questions...

1. Do you have to check The Vest?  Or can it be a carry on because it's medical equipment?

2. Do meds have to fit in a quart zip lock bag in the carry on, or ar they exempt from that?

3. Should I have her wear a face mask on the plane?  Cold and flu season and  all.

Ronnie:

1. No, you do not have to check the Vest. It can be carried on and will not count as a carry-on since it is medical equipment.

2. I have never put my meds in a zip lock bag and always carry them on. Just remember that if your meds are on a carry-on that also has non-medical items (clothes, etc), it WILL count as a carry-on.

3. I've never worn a face mask on a plane, but it is certainly dependent on the comfort level of the individual (or their parents).

Hope this helps!! Don't hesitate to ask more questions

Reader:

Have you ever been to Denver or somewhere similar?  We live in Iowa, met you at the CF Family day a couple years ago , and she's never left the state.  Do you have any issues with the thinner air?  I know each case is different, just wondering. Thank you so much!!!

Ronnie:

I didn't have any issues with altitude or thinner air until much later on in life. And when I say issues, they were minimal at most. I would bet that any change she would feel, you would feel also.

If you have a question that you would like my input on, please never hesitate to email me at ronnie@cysticlife.org!

Flying with Cystic Fibrosis: Know Your Rights

I just got done reading Talana's blog about her issue with United Airlines and the problems they gave her regarding her carry-ons and medical equipment. Check it out, it's quite a story.

With so many of us traveling, I wanted you guys to have access to the Federal Law and what it states regarding us bringing on our medical equipment. I copied the parts of the document that I felt applied to us. I encourage you to read through the full document when you have the time.

To read the full document from the U.S. Department of Transportation click here.

14 CFR Part 382

Nondiscrimination on the Basis

of Disability in Air Travel

§ 382.41 Stowage of personal

equipment.

(a) All stowage of qualified individuals

with a disability wheelchairs and other

equipment covered by this Part in aircraft

cabins shall be in accordance with 14 CFR

121.589 and 14 CFR 121.285(c) or 14 CFR

135.87, as applicable.

(b) Carriers shall permit qualified

individuals with a disability using personal

ventilators/respirators to bring their

equipment, including non-spillable batteries

that meet the requirements of 49 CFR

173.159(d) and any applicable FAA safety

regulations, on board the aircraft and use it.

(c) Carriers shall permit qualified

individuals with a disability to stow canes and

other assistive devices on board the aircraft in

close proximity to their seats, consistent with

the requirements of FAA safety regulations

for carry-on items.

(d) Carriers shall not, in implementing their

carry-on baggage policies, count toward a

limit on carry-on items any assistive device

brought into the cabin by a qualified

individual with a disability.

.....

(3) Wheelchairs and other assistive devices

shall be stowed in the baggage compartment

with priority over other cargo and baggage.

Where this priority results in passengers’

baggage being unable to be carried on the

flight, the carrier shall make its best efforts to

ensure that the other baggage reaches the

passengers’ destination within four hours of

the scheduled arrival time of the flight.

....

(c) Carriers shall not require qualified

individuals with a disability to sign waivers of

liability for damage to or loss of wheelchairs

or other assistive devices.

If you have anything in addition to this, please send it to me and I will add to this post. I would also like to hear your stories- Have you had any problems when it comes to flying with your medical equipment?

And remember to take a look at today's Thankful Thursday...seems like quite the cowinky-dink that I listed "airplanes" today.