Vent, batteries and flying :)

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

Since so many people asked for this, I thought I'd just post it to the

lists. Hope that was ok. This is what I gathered in my quest with

America West Airlines:

**batteries can be brought on board and used if they comply with the Air

r Access Act of 1986 and DOT regulations 14 CFR 382.41 ( and 49 CFR

173.159 (d). I also quoted 49 CFR 175.10 (14) regarding incubators being

allowed with non-spillable batteries. I compared it to a ventilator. Go to

http://www.access.gpo.gov/ecfr/ to look up the regs. I called and got the

specs of the battery as well as the tests it passed in writing from

Panasonic and presented it to America West. If you have a Panasonic battery

and want to talk to the head man in charge of batteries, his name is

Monahan, or monahanc@... The regs go on about how to

store batteries (wheelchair and otherwise) and all that sort of stuff.

Would be useful dealing with the sometime idiot baggage handlers who tell

you the battery has to be this that and the other.

**another problem I had was the airline telling me couldn't use the

vent during take-off or landing. Yea, right! I researched the regs and

found electronic devices CAN be used during take off and landings if they

have passed certain tests. The LTV1000 has. I got that in writing from

Pulmonetic. The regs that covers that is 14 CFR 91.21 and 14 CFR 121.306.

They both say the same thing. They just apply to different situations.

The reg is sort of vague, but when I called the FAA, the guy told me the

tests the equipment had to pass. That's what I have a fax of from

Pulmonetic.

**the biggest thing I learned is that the airline meant well, they were just

very poorly trained!! This type of problem had to be escalated to the

executive level. I cc'd my first letter to the CEO of the company as well

as customer relations, and a few others I can't remember. They all had to

do with passengers or customer relations. I got the names on the America

West website. The letter also went to the DOT as that's the only way to get

the complaint in the statistics of how many complaints against an airline.

I got an answer from them right away. That address is Dept of

Transportation, Aviation Consumer Protection Division C-75, 400 7th Street

SW, Washington DC 20590. You have 45 days after the incidience to write.

**there is a complaint resolutions official (CRO) on duty someplace in the

airline on every shift every day. They are the ones who are supposed to

know about this stuff and can make command decisions on the spot. Of course

we all know that we never go anywhere without weeks and months of notice if

we can help it! Be sure to document names/times/dates at every level so

if you have to write a letter, you will be more credible. Be nice, but

firm. As for booking travel, in addition to telling the agent, I would also

submit the info ahead of time so those in charge can document in the

computer it's OK for you to travel with the stuff.

**I found at the airport on Southwest they inspected the battery to make

sure it was in good shape. Coming home from Chicago they didn't want me to

use it until I said I had to. The pilot overheard and told them it was no

problem. They didn't even inspect the battery. The point is, bring

documentation but I don't think those who actually work the airport are that

sure of things. I think a good BSer can get on board no problem.

I can't think of anything else. Seems like such little info, but it sure

took me long enough to gather it! I hope it was helpful and if anyone

needs anything else, please e me.

Sue & Jack-worn out parents to the greatest kids on earth in Las Vegas, NV-

11 & 10-Both w/Leigh's Disease (?), MR (mild), g-tube,

w/fundo, larynotracheomalacia, trach, vent 24/7. Visit us!

http://u2.lvcm.com/jscb