TSA.gov info regarding traveling with medical conditions

[O-Town Body Rock 148]

Here is some info I got directly from TSA.gov regarding flying after surgery. (Sorry if this posted else where.)

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Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions

Traveler Information

TSA Cares is a help line to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions. TSA recommends that passengers call 72 hours ahead of travel for information about what to expect during screening.

Travelers may call TSA Cares toll free at 1-855-787-2227 prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. TSA Cares will serve as an additional, dedicated resource specifically for passengers with disabilities, medical conditions or other circumstances or their loved ones who want to prepare for the screening process prior to flying. Travelers may also request a Passenger Support Specialist ahead of time by calling the TSA Cares hotline at 1-855-787-2227.

The hours of operation for the TSA Cares help line are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. EST and weekends and Holidays 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. EST. Travelers who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to contact TSA Cares or can e-mail TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov.

When a passenger with a disability or medical condition calls TSA Cares, a representative will provide assistance, either with information about screening that is relevant to the passenger’s specific disability or medical condition, or the passenger may be referred to disability experts at TSA.

TSA recommends that passengers call approximately 72 hours ahead of travel so that TSA Cares has the opportunity to coordinate checkpoint support with a TSA Customer Service Manager located at the airport when necessary.

One of the primary goals of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is to provide the highest level of security and customer service to all who pass through our screening checkpoints. Our current policies and procedures focus on ensuring that all passengers, regardless of their personal situations and needs, are treated equally and with the dignity, respect, and courtesy they deserve. Although every person and item must be screened before entering each secure boarding area. All disability-related equipment, aids, and devices are allowed through security checkpoints once cleared through screening, for special assitance or to request a Passenger Support Specialist click here.

What to Expect If a Passenger Needs Medication

Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions

Passengers are allowed to bring medications in pill or other solid form through security screening checkpoints in unlimited amounts, as long as they are screened. TSA does not require passengers to have medications in prescription bottles, but states have individual laws regarding the labeling of prescription medication with which passengers need to comply.

Passengers should inform officers of medications and separate them from other belongings before screening begins. Medication is usually screened by X-ray; however, if a passenger does not want a medication X-rayed, he or she may ask for an inspection instead. This request must be made before screening begins.

The passenger will be responsible for displaying, handling, and repacking the medication if an inspection is requested. If the medication cannot be cleared visually, it will need to be X-rayed and may be subject to additional screening, including explosive trace detection screening.

Internal Medical Devices

Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions

If a passenger has an internal medical device, such as a pacemaker or a defibrillator, it is important for him or her to inform the officer conducting his or her screening before the screening process begins. Passengers can use TSA’s Notification Card to communicate discreetly with security officers. However, showing this card or other medical documentation will not exempt a passenger from additional screening when necessary.

Passengers who have internal medical devices should not be screened by a metal detector and should instead request to be screened by imaging technology or a patdown. While TSA has no evidence that screening by imaging technology will affect such devices, passengers with concerns should contact their physicians.

Medically Necessary liquids

Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions

Medically required liquids, such as baby formula and food, breast milk and medications are allowed in excess of 3.4 ounces in reasonable quantities for the flight. It is not necessary to place medically required liquids in a zip-top bag. However, you must tell the Transportation Security Officer that you have medically necessary liquids at the beginning of the screening checkpoint process. We recommend, but do not require, that medication be labeled to facilitate the security process.

Liquids, gels, and aerosols are screened by X-ray and medically necessary items in excess of 3.4 ounces will receive additional screening. A passenger could be asked to open the liquid or gel for additional screening. TSA will not touch the liquid or gel during this process. If the passenger does not want a liquid, gel, or aerosol X-rayed or opened for additional screening, he or she should inform the officer before screening begins. Additional screening of the passenger and his or her property may be required, which may include a patdown.

Accessories required to keep medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols cool – such as freezer packs or frozen gel packs – are permitted through the screening checkpoint and may be subject to additional screening. These accessories are treated as liquids unless they are frozen solid at the checkpoint. If these accessories are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the same screening as other liquids and gels.

Supplies that are associated with medically necessary liquids and gels – such as IV bags, pumps and syringes – are allowed through a checkpoint once they have been screened by X-ray or inspection. The passenger should declare these items to an officer and separate them from other belongings for screening.

Passengers with Bandages and Dressings

Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions

If a passenger has dressings or bandages used to cover wounds from an injury or surgical procedure, he or she should inform the Transportation Security Officer (TSO) of the location of the dressings and/or bandages and of any need for assistance before screening begins. Passengers can use TSA’s Notification Card to communicate discreetly with security officers. However, showing this card or other medical documentation will not exempt a passenger from additional screening when necessary.

Passengers with dressings or bandages can be screened using imaging technology, metal detector, or a thorough patdown.

Regardless of whether a passenger is screened by a walk-through metal detector, AIT, or a patdown, dressings and/or bandages may require additional screening if the TSO cannot reasonably determine that the area is free of a threat item. The passenger can be screened without removing or unwrapping the dressings or bandage; however Transportation Security Officers are trained to exercise caution if the passenger’s screening requires that the area covered by a bandage or dressing be patted down.

What to Expect If a Passenger Has Difficulty Waiting in Line

Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions

Many airports have lanes specifically for use by passengers with disabilities and medical conditions or those traveling with young children. While passengers still may need to wait in line if they use these lanes, the lines often are much shorter and the wait time generally is less. A passenger can ask to be directed to one of these lanes when checking in with his or her airline or once he or she has reached the general line used by passengers. Use of these lanes is not limited to passengers who have physical disabilities. Passengers with cognitive and psychological disabilities that make it difficult to wait in line are also allowed to use these lanes.

If the airport or checkpoint does not have a lane set aside for passengers with disabilities or families, or a passenger does not want to use that lane, any eligible passenger who has difficulty standing can request to move to the front of any line and be accompanied by his or her traveling companions. This request can be made for any disability or medical condition that makes waiting and standing difficult, including cognitive and psychological conditions. However, not every security line area is managed by TSA personnel and the airport authority, or the airlines, may be overseeing the line.

A passenger should inform the personnel overseeing the line that he or she may have difficulty standing or waiting in line due to a disability or medical condition before entering the line. Passengers can use TSA’s Notification Card to communicate discreetly with security officers. However, showing this card or other medical documentation will not exempt a passenger from additional screening.

Mobility Impairments

Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions

Most airlines provide accommodations to persons with disabilities who have difficulty walking through the airport—usually in the form of a wheelchair and wheelchair attendant. Please contact your airline for more information about wheelchair assistance as TSA does not provide this service.

If a passenger has difficulty walking or standing and uses a walker, cane, crutches, or other mobility aid, the way his or her screening will be conducted depends on his or her level of ability. The passenger should inform a security officer of his or her level of ability to walk or stand independently before the screening process begins. Passengers can use TSA’s Notification Card to communicate discreetly with security officers. However, showing this card or other medical documentation will not exempt a passenger from additional screening when necessary.

Passengers can be screened using imaging technology only if they can stand still with their arms above their heads for 5-7 seconds without the support of a person or device. Similarly, passengers can be screened using walk-through metal detectors only if they can walk through without the support of another person.

A passenger can request to be screened while seated if he or she cannot walk or stand during screening. If a passenger cannot or chooses not to be screened by imaging technology or a walk-through metal detector, the passenger will be screened using a thorough patdown procedure instead. A patdown procedure also is used to resolve any alarms of a metal detector or anomalies identified by imaging technology.

In addition to screening the passenger, the passenger’s walker, crutch, cane, or other device must undergo X-ray screening, unless it cannot fit through the X-ray. If an item cannot fit through the X-ray, or the passenger cannot be separated from the item, it must be inspected by an officer. Please tell the officer if you need to be immediately reunited with the device after it is screened by X-ray.

Wheelchairs and Scooters

Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions

Most airlines provide accommodations to persons with disabilities who have difficulty walking through the airport—usually in the form of a wheelchair and wheelchair attendant. Please contact your airline for more information about wheelchair assistance as TSA does not provide this service.

The screening process for a passenger who uses a wheelchair or scooter is determined by a passenger’s ability to stand and walk. A passenger can be screened without standing, walking, or being required to transfer out of a wheelchair or scooter; however, a passenger should inform a security officer of his or her ability before the screening begins.

Passengers who can neither stand nor walk will be screened by a thorough patdown while they remain seated.

Passengers who can stand but cannot walk will be asked to stand near their wheelchair or scooter and will be screened using a thorough patdown.

Passengers in wheelchairs or scooters who can walk may be able to be screened using a metal detector or imaging technology.

A patdown procedure is used to resolve any alarms of a metal detector or anomalies identified by imaging technology.

Regardless of how the passenger is screened, the passenger’s wheelchair or scooter will be inspected, including the seat cushions and any non-removable pouches or fanny packs. It will also be tested for traces of explosives, and any removable pouches will be required to undergo X-ray screening.

3-1-1 for Carry-ons

When processing through a screening checkpoint, each traveler is allowed one bag in order to limit the total volume of liquids, aerosols and gels. Consolidating products into one bag and X-raying them separately from the carry-on bag enables security officers to quickly clear all items.

3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce (100ml) bottle or less (by volume); 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3.4 ounce (100ml) container size is a security measure.

Be prepared. Each time TSA searches a carry-on it slows down the line. Practicing 3-1-1 will ensure a faster and easier checkpoint experience.

3-1-1 is for short trips. If in doubt, consider putting your liquids in checked luggage.

Declare larger liquids. Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint. Officers may need to open these items to conduct additional screening.

[JeanZ_RN 378]

Excellent info, thanks.

[WorldTraveler 79]

Very helpful information; thanks so much! I was worried about getting all my meds through TSA screening!

[elenasal 44]

Thank you for this post!

[O-Town Body Rock 148]

Im considering bringing back some B-12 injections so I had to see what TSA says about medication.

[WorldTraveler 79]

Im considering bringing back some B-12 injections so I had to see what TSA says about medication.

Hola, O-Town,

I'm definitely bringing back B-12 injections, pain meds and probably thyroid and allergy meds. I'm worried about pain meds...will they give us enough? I surely cannot ask Kaiser for them (anti-pain med nuts). I hope we get enough that we will need and we can take them over the border and through TSA.

Anyone know?