Traveling with oxygen tanks

Traveling with oxygen tanks (Full Version)

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Vendaval -> Traveling with oxygen tanks (6/30/2008 1:28:31 PM)
Greetings A/all, In a few months I will be assisting an elderly relative with travel from one state to another. She was recently prescribed oxygen and has portable tanks. I am debating between airline and train travel. Anyone here travel with medical equipment? What planning tips do you have to offer? Thank you, Vendaval

VBPiercedGal -> RE: Traveling with oxygen tanks (6/30/2008 2:19:16 PM)
Whether flying or taking the train, be sure to call ahead and let them know you will be assisting an elderly person who requires oxygen. Ask if there is a policy for allowing persons with disabilities and their assistants to board early, if there is adequate storage for both the tanks and carry on bags, and any other minutia you can think of. They will let you know exactly what precautions you need to take with the tanks. Also, you'll probably need a note from her doctor explaining the need for oxygen and that he/she has cleared her to travel.

sirsholly -> RE: Traveling with oxygen tanks (6/30/2008 2:44:33 PM)
you may need to turn in most of her O2 supplies to the co. that supplied them....with the exception of a travel tank. The way it happened here was all but the portable tank was turned in prior to the move and a new supply co delivered the needed supplies prior to the patients arrival.

sub4hire -> RE: Traveling with oxygen tanks (6/30/2008 2:45:15 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Vendaval Greetings A/all, In a few months I will be assisting an elderly relative with travel from one state to another. She was recently prescribed oxygen and has portable tanks. I am debating between airline and train travel. Anyone here travel with medical equipment? What planning tips do you have to offer? Thank you, Vendaval You can pretty much forget about traveling by plane. My mother was on oxygen the last 10 or so years of her life. I even wrote to the heads of the airlines. Pretty much it ended the same with each airline. We have oxygen on board...and yes people can use it in time of emergency but they cannot carry their own onboard. Just needing oxygen to live isn't a necessity for an airline. So, unless times have changed in the last 6 years since her death...you're out of luck. I never tried a train...you may luck out there. We always ended up driving and seeing the country again. Made for lifelong memories but...its a hard way to travel.

stef -> RE: Traveling with oxygen tanks (6/30/2008 4:01:10 PM)
Some airlines will provide supplemental oxygen but none will allow passengers to bring oxygen tanks on the plane unless they are empty. United's policy on the use of supplemental oxygen states "Passengers requiring medical oxygen during flight must use equipment provided by United, but we can transport your personal oxygen equipment, provided it meets certain packaging and labeling requirements." You need to notify them at least 48 hours in advance and will verify the need with your physician. Delta, US Air and Continental have similar policies. Southwest will not provide supplemental oxygen but will allow the use of an approved POC, as will most other airlines. ~stef

Vendaval -> RE: Traveling with oxygen tanks (6/30/2008 11:02:27 PM)
Thanks for all information folks.

starDF -> RE: Traveling with oxygen tanks (7/1/2008 7:36:15 AM)
I used to coordinate flights for people with medical needs at work...until about a week ago :) If she can use a POC (Portable Oxygen Concentrator) you can take her on most any airline with it. If it needs to be from tanks those need to come from the airlines and only a handful of airlines provide oxygen. It will cost you around $100 per "leg" (if there is a layover, the flight is two legs). She will need a letter from the doctor stating the rate of flow and how administered. If they decide you can go with a POC - the letter needs to be different and most airlines have a form that will need to be filled out and signed. If you have any questions, feel free to msg me. I'll be happy to help. starDF

DiurnalVampire -> RE: Traveling with oxygen tanks (7/1/2008 7:42:07 AM)
You may also wat to check with the doctor if he or she thinks air travel is a good idea. I had an older friend, a pen pal for years, whos doctor told her that he did not want her traveling by air because of multiple effects he was afraid the pressure would have on her. Train travel might be slower, but it might also be safer. DV

sub4hire -> RE: Traveling with oxygen tanks (7/1/2008 8:16:13 AM)
Tell your doctor she is traveling as well. He will write you out a prescription for O2 when you reach your destination. So, just do your homework because you will need to fill that prescription once you get into town.

Vendaval -> RE: Traveling with oxygen tanks (7/1/2008 2:12:12 PM)
She has 4 doctors post surgery and will have to be cleared for any travel plans. I am thinking the train might be better with her combined medical conditions.

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