Medicial Equipment as carry-on?

[Amlee]

Ok, I am now in a metal leg brace on my left leg. It's attached to my shoe, to keep my ankle from rolling and give the muscle, tendons, and ligments time to heal. Similar to what the young Forrest Gump wore.

 

When I travel I usually take a 17in rolling bag and a small backpack for my 12in laptop. I have two braces. One is attached to a more formal leather shoe. The other is attached to a New Balance shoe.

 

I tried just wearing the leather shoe a few weeks back on my Celebrity cruise. But I found that the shoes didn't allow for the heat very well and became uncomfortable. So I have had the NB brace made.

 

The brace is about 24 inches tall and I have a duffle bag that it will fit in. I told the airline (U.S. Airways) when I purchased my ticket (first class) all of this and I was told I wouldn't have any problem with carrying this onboard with my other 2 items. She asked a lot of questions and width and weight and such. So I feel like she made notes on my account.

 

But I know from experiance what is said in a little cubicle and what happens out in the field are two very different things.

 

What should I expect from the flight attendents and crew?

 

The rolling bag and the duffle bag will both fit over head and the backpack under the seat with no problems.

[katisdale]

I use a rollator for balance assistance and have had good fortune with the airlines. I have been allowed to bring the rollator to the door of the plane and then it is either taken to the hold or placed in a closet in the cabin. I fly steerage and have had no problem or attitude from the flight staff in the US. In Italy, flying on Iberia, I was told I could NOT use the rollator to walk to the gate but must use an airport provided wheelchair. I did not see my walker again until about 45 minutes after we landed in New York and I was getting worried it was not going to show up as we changed planes in Madrid. Now the Security check point is another topic altogether.

[Splinter]

You are right to be concerned the the gate agent may not be on board on this, since in our experience they rarely get the information that you give when calling about questions or concerns.

 

Call back the airlines (get the same person if possible) and ask them to e-mail or fax you a letter stating that you are entitled to take an extra carry-on bag with your brace in it. Take this with you to the airport, and show it to the gate agent. This should get you and your luggage onto the plane safely and without a lot off hassle.

 

Have a great cruise!

[Quampapetet]

Medical equipment does not count towards baggage requirements (for both carry-on and checked baggage). See the TSA site if you need more information.

[Amlee]

Thanks, I was wondering what experanice any of you had with this type stuff.

 

I did re-call U.S. Airways to reconfirm my information. The first lady I spoke too did make all the notes in the system. I was told that the crew would be aware of my extra luggage and not to worry about it. So I will just go with it.

 

As for the TSA's OMG! I'm not able to take this brace off and walk. You would have thought I became public enemy #1. The TSA's in Fort Lauderdale were AWFUL! When I went through the metal detector and the alarm went off. This TSA came out of no where yelling WHAT IS WITH THE SHOES!! GET THEM OFF NOW! I showed her my brace and said I can't! She gave a huge huff of breath, and rolled her eyes at me. I'm not usually speachless, but I was in shock. If I hadn't been running late for my flight, I most likely would have taken the time to have said something about my treatment. I will never make the mistake of flying in or out of Fort Lauderdale again. Sadly I wasn't the only one having this problem with the TSA's of that airport. As there was also a women in a wheelchair would was having a hard time with the TSA. There was also a man who didn't understand any English. The TSA was in his face screaming at him like a drill sgt.

 

My mother was there to get my luggage off the belt. I'm still not sure what would have happened with that.

[Quampapetet]

With your brace, you should prob'ly not even try to walk through the metal detector. You should declare the brace and ask for a hand-screening up front. The guy prob'ly was mad that you were "wasting his time" by going through the metal detector, since you're definitely going to set it off. He had no excuse for being so rude, though!!

 

I was just at that airport a smidge over a week ago and didn't encounter any mean TSA agents. (A check-in agent for the airline, on the other hand, was downright rude.)

[Splinter]

Better yet, get a wheelchair (contact a Skycap) when you arrive at the airport and get an escort through the TSA security location and to the gate.

 

My mother also wears bilateral leg braces, but cannot stand. When we go through security they wand her, swab her shoes and pat her down after we tell them she cannot get out of the wheelchair or easily remove her shoes/braces, and they are generally very cooperative. You have to speak up and tell them what you can and cannot do BEFORE you go through the regular line.

[Amlee]

I asked the counter person if I needed to do anything special and was told no. When I got in line, I pointed it out to the TSA who checked my boarding pass. He said just let them know down the line. When I got to the point where the line divided, I again pointed it out. I was again told let them know. When I put my bags up on the table and got my laptop out, I again pointed to my brace that was visiable under my shorts. He shouted we need a female asst. So it wasn't like I didn't let them know ahead of time.