Co-Cure:NOTICE:New Department of Transportation Regulations for Passengers Using

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Fri, 23 May 2008 00:48:22 -0400

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NOTICE: New Department of Transportation Regulations for Passengers

Using Oxygen Devices on Airplanes [uS]

 

New Department of Transportation Regulations for Passengers Using Oxygen

Devices on Airplanes

 

On May 13, 2008, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) published a

final rule regarding traveling on airlines with devices, including ventilators,

respirators, continuous positive pressure (CPAP) machines and portable oxygen

concentrators (POC). The rule, which has wide sweeping implications for

travelers with lung diseases who require oxygen, will go into effect on May 13,

2009. The Department of Transportation says the one-year period is necessary

for the airlines to implement these changes. Always check with your airline

when booking travel to understand how and when these rules are being

implemented.

 

Requirements U.S. airlines worldwide and foreign airlines on flights that

depart or arrive in the U.S. will be required to allow travelers who use POCs

to carry them on board for use during the flight as long as devices have been

tested and labeled as meeting Federal Airline Administration (FAA)

requirements and the device can be stowed safely.

 

Communicating the Need to Use a Respiratory Assistive Device Airlines are

required to inform passengers, through the reservation process, who express a

desire to use a device, including a POC, the following information to help

travelers prepare for their trip:

 

* Any weight or size limits for devices to ensure they can be accommodated

in the aircraft cabin.

* Any labeling requirements to permit use on board (In a future rule, the

FAA may require device manufacturers to label devices if they are FAA approved

and therefore permitted on aircrafts).

* Any requirements for advance check Airlines may require travelers to

notify the airline up to 48 hours in advance if the traveler wishes to use a

device on a domestic or international flight.

* Airlines may also require one hour advance checkfor flights. However,

airlines may not deny boarding on a connecting flight because of this

additional

hour requirement.

* Any requirements about contacting the airline regarding the maximum flight

duration and battery capacity requirements, and

* The airline may require travelers to provide a statement from a physician

(medical certificate) stating that the passenger requires the use of a POC

under this rule. Other devices may require a physician statement only if there

is reasonable doubt that the passenger can complete the flight safely without

requiring extraordinary medical assistance during the flight.

 

In the event the travel has connecting or codesharing flights, airlines must

also inform travelers of any requirements of the other airlines or direct

the passenger to contact that airline directly.

 

Batteries The airlines may require travelers to bring an " adequate number "

of fully charged batteries required to operate their POC or other device for

at least 150 percent of the expected maximum flight duration.

 

That time period is defined as the total duration of the flight from the

departure gate to arrival gate, as well as adding in additional time for wind

and weather conditions, traffic delays, instrument approach and possible missed

approach at destination, as well as any other conditions that may delay

arrival at the gate. The only exception to this requirement is if travelers

contract directly with the airline to have the airline supply oxygen during the

flight. If travelers contract directly with the airline, they are not required

to have batteries that can operate their device for 150 percent of the time

required. For more information regarding battery requirements, please visit

the DOT's website at safetravel.dot.gov.

 

Airlines are not required to allow travelers to plug in their devices nor

are airlines required to provide priority seating. However, the Department of

Transportation encourages the airlines to permit passengers to plug in their

devices where the service is reliable.

 

Airlines may deny boarding on the basis of safety if the passenger does not

have the requisite number of batteries or the batteries are not properly

packaged. If this does occur, the airline must provide the individual traveler

a

written statement on why the airline refused to provide transportation to the

traveler within 10 days of the incident.

 

Airline Supplied Oxygen The Department of Transportation has not yet decided

whether to require airlines to provide free inflight medical oxygen to

passengers. The Department instead announced it will soon seek additional

comments

about the cost of carrier supplied oxygen. The American Lung Association

will submit comments on behalf of travelers requiring oxygen.

 

For more information:

 

safetravel.dot.gov

 

_www.faa.gov_ (http://www.faa.gov) Date Created: 5/13/2008 7:25:03 AM

 

 

 

 

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