Are You Traveling with a Disability or a Medical Condition?
A little prior planning can make your trip easier for you and for the security personnel. This article gives tips about pre-trip medical preparations, packing, documentation, security procedures, and other concerns for travelers with special needs.
By Larry Westfall
Traveling with a disability or a medical condition will be easier if you plan ahead of time.
Provide advance notice to your airline or travel agent if you require assistance at the airport. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) can only assist you with the screening process. Your airline will assist you through the airport facility and the screening queue line.
If you require a companion or assistant to accompany you through the security checkpoint to reach your gate, speak with your airline representative about obtaining a gate pass for your companion before entering the security checkpoint.
The limit of one carry-on and one personal item (purse, briefcase, or computer case) does not apply to medical supplies, equipment, and mobility aids, and/or assistive devices carried by and/or used by a person with a disability.
Pack your medications in a separate pouch/bag to facilitate the inspection process. Ensure that containers holding medications are not too densely filled, and that all medication is clearly identified. It is recommended that passengers refrain from packing any medications in their checked baggage that they do not want exposed to X-rays. Instead, send larger quantities of medications to your destination by mail or any other way preferred.
If you have medical documentation regarding your medical condition or disability, you can present this information to the security officer to help inform him of your situation. This documentation is not required, and will not exempt you from the security screening process.
Make sure all your carry-on items, equipment, mobility aids, and devices have an identification tag attached.
The TSA recommends that you bring all the necessary tools and/or appliances that you require to put on or take off your prosthetic device (e.g. wrenches, pull sleeves, etc.) should you need to remove your prosthetic device for any reason. TSA allows these tools to be carried through the security checkpoint once they have been screened.
If you have a medical device (on the interior or exterior of your body) check with your doctor prior to traveling to determine if it is safe for you to go through the metal detector or to be hand-wanded. If your doctor indicates that you should not go through the metal detector or be hand-wanded, or if you are concerned, ask the security officer for a pat-down inspection instead.
Your personal supplemental oxygen will need to undergo screening. Check with your doctor prior to coming to the checkpoint to ensure that disconnection can be done safely.
If your doctor has indicated that you cannot be disconnected or if you are concerned, ask the security officer for an alternate inspection process while you remain connected to your oxygen source.
If you need an oxygen supplier to meet you at the gate, check with your airline well in advance of your departure about their procedures for allowing suppliers to meet you at the arrival gate, since these procedures vary from airline to airline.
A little prior planning can make your trip easier for you and for the security personnel.
About the Author:
Larry Westfall is a frequent traveler to Thailand, visiting two to three times per year. He saves time and money booking through Hotel in Pattaya. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com)
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Article added 01/18/08.
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