New travel regulations?

Bea · Post by **Bea** » 2006-08-13 16:56:47

Greetings! New here and joined to get travel tips from anyone who has been through airline security since this past Thurs. (I also posted on an existing topic on the Gen'l board).

I've been on every website and attempted phone conversations with airline, TSA, FAA, HS, and security contractors about what specifically is required to allow liquid and gel essential non prescription medical equipment. No one had any info., a few checked for me, and came back with nothing. I was told to have the usual (MD letter, description of items, etc.) but to expect to have the items tested and confiscated. When I explained that testing substances used for sterile procedures was a medical risk I was told it was still up to the security personnel.

This is not great news. My mother is terminally ill, so there isn't the option of waiting. Who new caring for an orthotopic neobladder made me a potential terrorist?

Maybe I'll find more humor in this once I get on the plane intact. Anyone been through this yet with the above mentioned items?

TIA

Charles_in_Tx · Post by **Charles_in_Tx** » 2006-08-13 17:11:57

I will be traveling by air on the 24th. The best is can find is that all those items that are liquid or paste will have to be checked in my
Luggage and I can not have any of it in my carry on luggage.
This is new because of the attempted attacts in London by the terrorist.

Good luck and be well,
Charles in TX

Lynne · Post by **Lynne** » 2006-08-13 18:04:20

Bea,

I agree with Charles. I would pack anything that security might find "questionable" in my checked luggage.

Lynne

PS. Please check your PM's. I was unable to email you.

Bea · Post by **Bea** » 2006-08-13 18:09:58

Lynn, the reason why I posted is that I need the above mentioned equipment during travel. If I didn't need the equipment during the duration of the flight it wouldn't be an issue. I can't go two hours without having to cath, sterilize, etc. and I will be in the air 5 hrs. and traveling 8+ before I reach my destination and have access to my checked backage.

TSA was unfamiliar with my request and didn't have much to say other than what I posted above. Thanks, anyway.

jpotts · Post by **jpotts** » 2006-08-14 17:19:25

I will be traveling in Oct and wondered the very same thing, I need my saline to flush twice a day and gel for insertion of my cath. I am not as concerned about the saline, but am wondering if the small unopened foil packets would be allowed...I am planning on waiting on hoping life will be easier by then. I did get a script from my doc today for the saline, anxious to see what you all encounter. I wish you the best of luck, I know how frustrating this all is.....

jpotts · Post by **jpotts** » 2006-08-14 17:23:09

Okay, so the more I think about it the more frustrated I get. I wonder if there is a state rep or senator we could reach out to who might be able to help us educate TSA and the airlines about our situations? I realize it is just ignorance and totally support safe travel but how can they make a informed decision if they truly don't understand? I am from MO, I will gladly reach out to see if there is anyone or anything to help. My stoma is where my navel was, perhaps if I pull off my patch and show them????? It is such a shame anyone has to go through this, ostomate or not!

Bea · Post by **Bea** » 2006-08-14 17:45:35

Jpotts, thanks for your understanding. I don't even have anything to show them as a neo bladder is an inside job:) If my mother wasn't so critically ill I would consider rescheduling this trip.

I am currently in contact with my senator's office to see if they can help in any way. From speaking directly with TSA staff it was obvious that no one had catalogued what essential medical equipment will look like for less typical health issues, and we certainly fall into that category. This means that airport security personnel are receiving no additional training. I have to catheterize sometimes up to 10-12x per day, plus I've been dealing with chronic UTI since surgery. Traveling without catheters, gel lubricant, and bleach/water would put my health and safety in jeopardy.

I will report back after Wed. night, and hopefully with good news, as well as anything that would be of use for everyone here.

Bea · Post by **Bea** » 2006-08-15 23:33:39

For anyone that is still concerned about needing to travel with gel lubricant, and non prescription water/bleach or saline as carry on items, I have some good news. I got an immediate postive and helpful response from my state senator's office (CA), and they took prompt action on my behalf. I did frame this as an ADA issue, as well as one, though unusual, that would be happening more and more as people with ostomies, bladder, prostate, some gynecological cancers, and other health conditions realize how these new regulations could affect them.

My senator's office staff are drafting a letter explaining my situation (plus I have a letter from my Doc, as well as a brochure explaining self cath & equipment), AND they called TSA on my behalf, and I got a return call from the local director. I was assured that the agent on duty at the airport tomorrow night was briefed on my situation, will meet me at the checkpoint, and will assist in the private screening process of my equipment. Everyone's being respectful, cooperative, and kind. I don't believe I would have been able to reach the TSA Director without the intervention from my senator's office, but this may vary from state to state.

I'm very relieved, and hope this is useful to someone else. If I can be of use to someone in helping draft a letter to their senator I would be more than happy to help upon my return from this trip at the end of the month.

Thanks so much for all your support, shared frustration, and advice.

Lynne · Post by **Lynne** » 2006-08-17 21:25:49

Bea,

That's good news. Have a safe trip !

Lynne

Steve S · Post by **Steve S** » 2006-08-17 23:01:36

You can also contact your airline and the ones I use (Alaska and American Airlines) have customer service people that can place information relating to health issues on your ticket profile. Notes from our doctors are a must now a day.
I am traveling to Mexico over the holidays again this year

[Automated by GetSmile]and I will be making sure to contact my airline.

[Automated by GetSmile] Steve

bobh · Post by **bobh** » 2006-08-19 13:04:36

Bea:

I have just run into this exact situation. I have a continent urostomy and have always travelled with a small bag with my catheters, KYJelly and sanitizer. Since last Thursday I have been unable to do so. I contacted TSA just as you did and was told that there was no way. According to them if I showed up at security I would either have to dump the KY and sanitizer or just turn around and go home. They would not accept a doctor's letter as they said anyone can fake a letter or even a doctor's prescription. My boss has even tried contacting them with no luck. They just don't seem willing to bend. I realize that because of the times they have to be careful but TSA also needs to find ways t allow exceptions.
Bob

Bea · Post by **Bea** » 2006-08-31 23:09:05

Sorry to read this happened to you and I'm not surprised as that's what i was told, too. I was also told that my airline carrier, and a doctor's letter are no guarantee to get through security with any gel or liquid.

The good news is I am back from my trip and it proved that without the intervention I requested from my state senator's office I would not have have been allowed on a plane with my supplies. I know this does not apply to everyone as some of us don't need to use gel lubricant or liquid at the frequency that my health condition requires and can afford to pack it or send it on ahead. I cannot.

But I now know that i cannot fly without my senator's office calling TSA on my behalf (at every airport I flew out of) until TSA becomes more familiarized with our healthcare needs. I hope I don't have to fly very often. It was exhausting and very stressful. But only once did my little bottle of bleach/water test postive for explosives. (No, I'm not kidding.)

Glad to be back in one piece.

LindaAukett UOAA Advocacy · 2006-09-01 12:03:32

To what extent would a pre-lubricated catheter such as a Spedi-cath make travel time easier? It might not be something you would choose to use on a full time basis, but it seems that it would eliminate the need to have a separate tube/bottle of lubricant (or water to activate the hydrophilic types of catheters) - particularly in the airplane-boarding security process.

Linda

Mara · Post by **Mara** » 2006-09-01 12:18:25

LindaAukett UOAA Advocacy wrote:To what extent would a pre-lubricated catheter such as a Spedi-cath make travel time easier? It might not be something you would choose to use on a full time basis, but it seems that it would eliminate the need to have a separate tube/bottle of lubricant (or water to activate the hydrophilic types of catheters) - particularly in the airplane-boarding security process.

Linda

Bea - I am glad you were able to complete your travels without having your necessary equipment confiscated. I forgot where you live but I am wondering if it is a small airport as I cannot imagine organizing something like that at JFK or a similar large or hub airport.

And in actuality I would not care to have to contact my Congressperson to intervene on my behalf.

Could you have used equipment as Linda described? If so, I think that would have made things much easier and less nerve-racking as well as less intrusive in your personal business.

Since I have an ileostomy I don't think any of my equipment - flange, pouch, Eakin seal - would be an issue as carry-on luggage but I am thinking of contacting my surgeon before my next trip to have him write me a letter/prescription just in case. Also my travels tend to be international where it may be more difficult as non-US airports have some different rules.

Best wishes!

Bea · Post by **Bea** » 2006-09-01 13:08:23

Greetings Laura, and Mara,

To answer your questions: Yes, it would be easier to have self lubricating catheters for travel. In my case it still wasn't possible as my insurance does not cover them, and though I was able to obtain three from my MD's office prior to this trip, I often have to cath more than three times during a 9 hr. trip and therefore still needed to sterilize to reuse. I also had sealed sample packets of lubricating gel which were not examined or comfiscated, just the bottle of bleach/water.

And I understand this is not going to be a concern or problem for everyone here, just those who use gel or liquids for frequent use and therefore need to be included with carry on bags.

Mara, I flew out of SFO, and through Pittsburgh, and Memphis. Interestingly enough the TSA agent at SFO told me that San Francisco and NY had the biggest Homeland Security airline security budgets and therefore they were more able to immediately able to respond to me personally. They told me smaller airports would present more of a problem so they called ahead to PIT and MEM to let TSA staff know about my situation and be prepared to help escort me through security.

I was treated with unobtrusive courteousy by all TSA staff, but it really was the call from senator's office that allowed me to travel without problems. Hope this changes.

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New travel regulations?

New travel regulations?

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