Weighted blankets and TSA

[Starwind]

I know they let medical bags travel for free I was just questioning if it was check bags ( where you do not have it on the plane with you. I would never let my medical things be checked, with how many bags go missing getting some of my medical equipment back would be a nightmare that I do not want to deal with ( one piece of medical equipment there is a shortage on so there is no way of getting that replaces ;(. So I would not check anything medical at all in case your bag gets lost. and I do know weighed blanket help a lot I have one and it is the best thing I have done I just do not think they would count it as medical

I have too many medical things to manage navigating if they are only in my carryon. So I have to prioritize. Medications and fragile/hard to replace/very expensive/electronics/absolutely cannot live without medical items go in carryon. Other things especially something that a replacement could be overnighted gonin a single checked suitcase containing only medical items. I realize it is a risk but practically do not really have a choice.

Sw

 

[SueM in MN]

I have too many medical things to manage navigating if they are only in my carryon. So I have to prioritize. Medications and fragile/hard to replace/very expensive/electronics/absolutely cannot live without medical items go in carryon. Other things especially something that a replacement could be overnighted gonin a single checked suitcase containing only medical items. I realize it is a risk but practically do not really have a choice.

Sw

We are in the same situation.
We have traveled for years with a checked bag of medical supplies plus a carry on bag.
We do the same - medications and anything hard to replace gets carried on. The rest goes in a checked suitcase of medical supplies. We have not been charged, but understand that the airline has the right to look into the bag and charge us if it contains anything that is not medical.
This is a picture of our medical supplies suitcase (with some things removed already). The box next to it is a box of additional supplies we mailed to our resort. We could not carry on all the things we need.

 

[LadyD]

Good point! That makes me feel a bit better. It’s a small blanket and will fit in his little backpack he’s carrying on - I don’t think I want to deal with declaring it as medical equipment if I don’t have to - the diagnosis is super new and I’m already overloaded with paperwork, doctors appointments, IEP meetings, etc.

I brought my weighted blanket as a carry on in my purse. TSA didn’t blink an eye or care at LAX. It was all fine

 

[DisneyOma]

I brought my weighted blanket as a carry on in my purse. TSA didn’t blink an eye or care at LAX. It was all fine

That must be a pretty small, light blanket! the one we have at school weighs a ton (not really, but more than 20 lbs) but it covers the entire body. I'm guessing no one is thinking of bringing one of those, then? Because that's what I was imagining, LOL!

 

[LadyD]

That must be a pretty small, light blanket! the one we have at school weighs a ton (not really, but more than 20 lbs) but it covers the entire body. I'm guessing no one is thinking of bringing one of those, then? Because that's what I was imagining, LOL!

Mine is a very small one, 7 lbs. I keep it at work usually because it is better than nothing. The larger blankets that work better are too large for me to use and keep at work. Air travel has become such a disaster for me (as I type this at the terminal after my fly has been delayed repeatedly all night and I have been subjected to a host of situations I don’t deal with well) I figured it was worth bringing it this time, and with my headphones and bear, it has definitely saved me from having a complete and total meltdown. Totally worth carrying around for air travel. The cover for mine is also a very soft fabric that is soothing to me when I rub it, so it does serve that dual purpose.

 

[Minniemouse07]

you wont have any troubles taking it in a case that is checked , have traveled with our sons as checked.

Call TSA, and inform them that your child has ASD they can then give you the information you need. I find that it differs from person to person and airport to airport.

A few airports have the Autism wings program, not sure if its in your area and when the next one will be.. but it worth checking it out.

Go to your airline booking and request an escort through TSA , you may need to call the airline to do it . you will have someone escort you from the ticket counter to the gate.. you will still have to do all the TSA check points but having that escort makes life just a little bit easier.

also on the TSA website you can print of their card which you can fill out and hand to the agent , you can say what a diagnosis is, what equipment you are bringing and not have to say a word..

You can also request a private screening if they need a pat down.

There are a number of sites that you can go to , to download free Medical equipment bag tags..

we just recently flew and some airlines are now requesting that you take food out of your bags as you go through TSA.

Get your son to watch YouTube Videos on what goes on when going through TSA, it may help with some anxiety . also write him a social story on what will happen when at an airport and while in the air ..

We have used TSA Cares on three different round trips. It is easy to sign up, but it is executed differently at each airport.

Call the number on the above website ~72 hours before your initial flight. They will take down all pertinent information for your entire trip.

We live outside of Philadelphia and have found the Philly airport to be the most organized out of all of our encounters. They send an email with information about 36 hours out. It includes a phone number to contact the Passenger Support Specialist on duty. We are instructed to contact them once we have checked our bags. The PSS meets us just in front of the checkpoint and escorts us through. All three times the PSS was a rock star and did great w/ our son.

Our return trips have been from Los Angeles (LAX), Nashville, and Cincinnati. None of them contacted us ahead of time, something I expected after Philly and now understand is unusual. If you don't have contact information, the TSA Cares instructions are to approach the nearest TSA employee and request a Passenger Support Specialist.

LAX was the most problematic by far. When we requested assistance they sent us back to the airline desk (the only airport that included the airline in the process). They then had to contact someone who came and assisted us. In Nashville and Cincinnati, it was as easy as asking for help and them finding the right person to assist.

In all cases, they made sure that the actual screeners were aware that our son is being assisted and that we went through the process quickly.

You don't have to contact the airline unless you need additional assistance in the airport, or at the gate.