Travelling with my SCS
 

Can you lovely people advise me what will happen at the airports in the usa. I have my card saying i have an scs and letter from my consultant so what should i say to people before i go through scanners??
today i am in college and would like to update that the Mark cushion which arrived the other day is so far doing a great job as these college seats are not made for people with our problems!!

How I did it
 

When I got up to the guy who looks at my ticket, in the security line, I start by telling him I can't get a regular screening as I have a medical implant. Then after I take my shoes off and stick all my stuff in the bins prior to going through Xray, I walk up to the Xray walkthough machine and then refuse to go through the Xray, telling them I can't as I have a medical implant and show them my card. I also make sure to tell them I can't be "wanded" either. What they do is have me stand in the body scanner (smile as you're getting your picture taken:D) and then they sometimes take me aside and do a pat down. Make sure you allow extra time to go through security as it does add about 10-15 mins. to do it this way. Another time all I got was a pat down, no body scanner, so I think it depends upon the airport. Just make sure you give them an explanation of why you're refusing to walk through the normal Xray machine and they'll have an alternative for you. Seems it's no big deal these days. Good luck!

Fiona it sounds all straightforward then.

I will be heading to London in the middle of March with my husband and daughter to visit my son who lives there. So I too will have to do the same.
Sounds like they are used to these things anyway, as a lot of people would have pacemakers and other implants that Im sure cant be put through the scanners.

Hope Jenna its smooth sailing for you when you get going!!! BON VOYAGE:hug:

Jackie :)

irljenn, I have traveled with a wrist brace with metal in it for 8 years. I refuse to take it off because of the pain. I am always taken aside and wanded, swabbed and patted down before I can clear security. It really isn't that big of a deal. I try to wear clothing that doesn't have a lot of metal in it (like a skirt, dress or yoga pants), but I always cringe when the underwire in my bra sets the beeper off. Hope you have a great trip, Lisa

Wonderful advice!
 

Great tips everyone! I haven't traveled via airplane yet and all this information was very helpful.

Thanks,

Rhonda

Hi Jenna
 

I was issued very nice credit card sized cards from each of my manufacturer and my surgeon identifying me as a spinal stim implant bearer. I carry them in my wallet all of the time [so I had best never lose my wallet], but the idea is that I thusly have the data should I be in a travelling circumstance. Also, our dear Smae provided a link, oh where is it, probably in Rae's left pocket with the lint:D:D:D:D, for a medical alert bracelet company which does a nice effective inexpensive job of producing a bracelet for you to use in case you should ever be incapacitated :eek:and cannot pull out the precious ID cards regarding your implant.:winner_first_h4h:

I need to get one of those.
Travel comfortably and safely,:Heart::Dancing-Chilli::Dancing-Chilli::Dancing-Chilli:
Mark56:hug:z

oh YES!
 

I ALWAYS carry my PSYCHO-delic 'lint' with me!!

http://dl9.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...nemhp4tc96.gif.....and the airport peeps don't seem to mind.... :)

Yes, that bracelet ID thread was a good one....
I'll find it..... hold on.....

ahh! here it is
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread131635.html

I too have one of those place 'credit card' cards that I have in my purse ....I cant wait to use it in the airport:D I have it on me all the time too.....

I also purchased one of the medical bracelets with my details on both sides, detailing the implant, Dr's name, No MRI's and phone numbers. It is NEVER taken off my hand, told to wear it on my left wrist, as apparently that is where the emergency services look first if you are in an accident etc. Better to be safe than sorry;)

I have one of those little card things too. I decided to put mine in my wallet ON TOP of my driver's license since if there was an emergency they medical people will find it before they find my i.d. I also wear one of those plastic RSD bracelet all the time. I wish there was one of those for SCS. Lisa

Good Idea Lisa
 

Yep, a Good Idea!!
Mark56:I-Agree::You-Rock::Good-Post::)

thank you all for taking the time to respond! and thank you for the advise of giving myself extra time would not have thought of that!!

my only worry is i have been keen track of my charging of my unit and there is no way i will get through the journey with out charging up once. as i have said before i must charge everyday for at least 1.5 - 2 hours, i am afraid i will frighten a few passengers if they see my unit blue wires and all hanging from what look like a very suspicious device!! now i know i can just sit in my seat but with the beeping and me fixing it to me i am afraid i may be jumped on!! if i new how i would post pictures to show you what it looks like all hooked up but i think you all know what i mean!! any suggestions on how not to end up frightening a plane load of people!!

love to all!!

Wow
 

Gee Jenna,
I never thought of it that way.....I see your point! Hmmmm

Other than to say......if possible, try to time it to where you would'nt have to charge up in a setting such as that......
Is there a way you could run your unit's 'amplitude' down a bit lower on that day or during the flight, so your battery wouldn't need charged up as usual....maybe it could buy you a bit more time until you got into a more private setting to where you wouldn't have to feel so inhibited?
I certainly understand, especially with these times we live in.......

I wear baggy clothes alot these days........for comfort.....but more than that...I've been wearing a lumbar belt around my painful lower back and don't want to 'advertise' it ...... also don't like the feeling of it next to my skin, so I put it on OVER a t-shirt and then I wear an oversized hoody-type thing that I zip up halfway, so it hides the belt.
Perhaps you could wear such a hoody or something similar......it has big pockets and that's where I stuff my SCS charger in if I'm up and about while charging.

Otherwise, I just do my best to make the atmosphere as 'light' as possible to the people around me - either by joking about my 'bionic buzzer'.......but if the 'humor tactic' isn't appropriate in certain situations, then just come right out and explain it point blank to whomever it may concern....... In the airplane setting, maybe just mention it to the flight attendent and see what she has to say about it.....so that the people in your area are aware of what's going on....
I'm sure they get passengers with certain similar needs all the time......

I wonder how they handle passengers who have to carry oxygen tanks? :confused: Or if that is even allowed on planes??

This is a good point you bring up!
Rae
:hug::grouphug::hug:

Best Laid Plans
 

Hi Jenna!!

Rae brings up good points and questions. Having travelled SO MUCH in my prior career and toward the end of it, being SO incapacitated we would have to make special wheelchair arrangements and the like, all of which was put together by making calls to the airline on which I would ride. Thus, my thought for you is "Be in touch now with your air carrier. Tell them of your plight and the need for in flight recharging of your SCS unit, all of which could be greatly assisted by letters from your doctor and company rep to have in hand to show the air carrier personnel when you show up to board."

I have found airline carriers to be most sympathetic when they would handle me. In your case, it would be even more of a containment issue for them to help assure calm on the aircraft if they "bumped" you up to business class or first class so fewer people would observe your efforts to recharge; furthermore, there you will often find the travellers keep pretty much head in their computers and such so they probably would not notice you at all.

So, there you have it from a WELL experienced traveller pre-SCS, contact the airline and talk over your needs so they may both be prepared and treat you well.

That oughta work,
BIG :hug:z,
Mark56:)

VERY well put Monsieur Mark~ :Bow:

Very well said indeed

:hug:

thanking you all for your advice.
i have my scs braclet, letter from consultant and i intend to contact my airline this week.. that would be nice to be bumped up to first class to avoid freaking passengers out with my beeping unit and bright blue wires hanging out of my charger!!
tonight i am not in the humour of sitting charging ( meal out with hubby and few glasses of vino) so i asked hubby to bring over my unit which says i am 1 bar away from no power ( 12 hours since i last charged) left in unit but my hand held unit says i am at 3 out of 5 bars!! which one is right hand held unit or the charger?? i thought both should be the same!! yet another question for the rebellious scs user!! either way tonight the bold teenager has decided since i have no kids home and a few glasses of vino that i am not going to charge so what will happen???

yesterday i spoke with my sis who i am going out to and explained how excited i am about the trip but at the same time letting her know that i am not able for going out too much and hope she understood that i had to charge up every night and allthe other lovey stuff and by the end of the call she sounded totally freaked and i can only image what her bionic sister will be doing on her visit!! will i be an embarrassement with my crutch or walking stick (yet to decide which i will bring)

God im sorry today/tonight not sounding great maybe i am over thinking this whole trip but all of a sudden i am scared to step outside my comfort zone!
yes we are all made see a shrink before scs maybe we should be given the option to see someone after!!

ok good night all and sorry for going on .. just nervous i guess!!

One good thing about siblings is that they always love you. My family accepts me just the way I am, and we laugh about things and my brother does call me bionic! Go and enjoy yourself, and your time with your sister. We are all self-concious(sp?) about our little personal things- like your charger, but remember that you don't ever notice other peoples' handicaps for the most part, nor will they notice your charger. Take your cane so that you can beat on people who get in your way (lol), but please go and enjoy yourself! Lisa

Lisa!
 

Indeed! You speak my language!!

:ROTFLMAO::ROTFLMAO:

thank you lisa and your right families do accept you even if you are bionic!! her friends have all organised a big paddys day party in my honour which is so nice of them to delay there annual party with my sister until i get there.

i think it will have to be the cane i can use it to point my way to FIRST CLASS!! thinking i will wear the charging unit through the airport so i can guarantee the upgrade to first class!!!

new day today charger attached now and happy to say unit did not die over night but going to be sitting here for a few hours ( i so hate charging)

hope you all have a lovely saturday!

Hey Jenna....
 

Yes, it must be a hassle having to charge every day.....but I suppose we adjust to whatever is necessary. The way I see it....I would have spent that amount of time every day curled up in a ball wishing/praying the pain would go away.......

I wonder......I'm not sure exactly how your unit works....but one thing I found out with mine was that it uses up aLOT more battery juice if I have more than one program running (amped up..) meaning.....I make sure all the other settings are turned down to zero. I usually use program #1 set at around '4'.......before I was savy to this, I would have program 2 set at around '6'....program 3 set at around '7'....etc......what this does is it puts all that extra demand on the battery by having the other settings set so high, EVEN if I'm not using those programs....
So, if I decide I want to use program 2, then I turn program 1 all the way down to zero and then amp up #2.

This came as a surprise to me and instead of having to charge up every 3rd day....I can go almost a week now before charging.
But, not all SCS's run the same way. Maybe this wouldn't be the case with yours.
Also, I was told not to let the battery run down too low, or it will lessen the life of the battery significantly. Did they say this to you?
Maybe yours is different......but that is one of the biggest emphasis put on my instructions regarding charging. Mine suggests charging when it gets down to half tank.

Just curious what your instructions indicate on yours.

You must be getting excited about the trip! I hope you aren't feeling anxious about it anymore! Lisa is so right - you need to ENJOY this from every aspect! Besides, I'm sure that you'll feel good about traveling after you've gone thru it this first time. You just aren't quite sure what to expect since you haven't done this yet........but I'm pretty sure it'll be a breeze.

So anxious to hear how it goes!

Rae
:hug::grouphug::hug:

Charging Now
 

Yep, the monitor said I was down to 2/3 so here I am. I am so curious about your charging unit, Jenna, and that it has blue wire dangling as you charge. This unit I have is basically a small disk battery unit which I activate, then it beeps until centered on my skin over the implanted unit whereupon it quiets. I leave it sitting there about 3/4 hour and I am back to full charge. No wires.

I realize each of our units vary, and yours was a unit wholly new to us, but the thing about wires was new. Even so, talking to the airline, they should be able to accomodate your need for recharging, perhaps in private, and perhaps even in the galley. The electrical plug ins at seatside, may be able to do the trick, you just need to verify this with the airline.

Family and friends alike are most likely to be thrilled to see YOU much more so than that they will be curious about the bionics. Frankly, for me with a remote I keep in my pocket and adjust from time to time, it has become a matter of curiosity and then joy on the part of the viewer as they become fully aware and informed of your medical miracle. I don't think any Frankenstein stygma should either precede you for follow you. Mainly, warmth, acceptance, and thrill for you that you are up your own twos [even using a cane].

Take care of yourself. The temptation will be to overdo. If you begin to feel fatigued or increased pain it may be time to reat a bit. Now the thing about shopping malls.... no two ladies I know are able to resist going to the shopping malls for a pleasant time taking in the fashion. When I do go, I find them overwhelming from a time on feet perspective, so either take my own wheelchair or borrow one from the information kiosk located in every mall I have ever seen. You may be self conscious about being in a chair, but SO WHAT. It will aid you in making it through such a fun engagemet without overdoing.

Above all in your trip avoid the temptation to OVERDO. If you manage this way, you will all around have a more fun time.

Pretty soon you will be hooking your seat belt, attaching your wings and it will be wheels up! Your Adventure will begin.... and all will go well for you since you have prepared so well in advance.

:hug:z
Mark56

i've noticed that every airport is different. it used to be in minneapolis they would have me go through the employee entrance and i'd get the pat down. now, i just go through normally but stop at the metal detectors. they see this all the time, all you have to do is show them the id card and they know what to do. it's pretty routine for them, just not for us.

as far as charging goes, i also wear baggy clothes and can wear my charger w/o any wires hanging out. i normally don't have to charge in public though. easier in the winter than summer i'd imagine. i just got my rechargeable stim in oct. previously, i had the non chargeable - much less hassle (if you don't mind a surgery ever couple years).

HI all
can you advise in america are you told to shut down your unit while flying??
my rep told me today that i would not be able to have it turned on. this is really concerning me as i cannot image getting through this journey without it

j

Jenna I dont know much about travelling with the SCS as I havent done it yet myself, well not until Friday....but just wondering.....Did you Rep maybe think that for say takeoff and landing, like they generally do when you have laptops, iphones etc.... I cant imagine that it would interefere with the plane once airbound. Im sure they are well used to people travelling with all sorts of medical implants....its sound odd that you wouldnt be able to use it while travelling on the plane, sure isnt that the whole idea to have some relief!!! doesnt make much sense, but as I say I dont know for definite...hopefully someone else will be able to advise you better ok

Jackie:hug:

I do believe my medtronic rep told me to turn it off during landing and takeoff. but once they say we can turn on electrical devices then you are good. i have to have mind during the flight too. that'd suck!

Turn it off?
 

I can't imagine that Jenna! At the most it would be a take off and landing thing, but then you could just turn its amplitude down very low so the signal is weak then ramp it up once airborne. The signals running within our bodies should not be radio frequencies.... besides which since this technology is an outgrowth of pacemakers for hearts, can you imagine someone who has not control over their pacemaker [no one does] being told, turn that thing off? Not hardly.

For me the only radio frequency issue is the very use of my remote to modulate the nerve signal or change programs. The rest of it is internal to the human nervous system. Can you imagine the pilot yelling back "y'all stop your neuro functions until we are airborne, ya hear?" Matter of fact, I think the plane would crash since that would apply to the crew neuro functions as well.

This just doesn't sound like a practical instruction at all. I'll have to investigate.

:hug:z
Mark56

thank you all so much for your responses i actually think you are all correct as what you are saying makes so much more sense. You have no idea how your posts have helped calm me this evening i really was thinking of cancelling it all as how in gods name would i survive the journey without it. in my 12 weeks since getting the scs it has been on 24/7 and not once has the power off button been pressed. well the airline are due to get back to me in the next few days so i guess hopefully this will turn out better. I had to send the airline pics of my unit yesterday which i thought was a bit funny . hoping my lovely scary blue wires will get me bumped to first class!!

PPS
Jackie i am 100% sure rep meant the whole journey my consultant was a bit shocked at this info also so hopefully it turns out just for take off and landing.

i hope you have a wonderful weekend jackie and happy paddy's day to all!

Hey there....
 

........I wish there were a bigger 'Heart' I could post to show how much I care :o :Heart:
I see that you are certainly going thru a bit of stress and I'm so sorry for this!
Like Mark said, think of the heart pacemaker patients.....
What I've been told is that our SCS units are technically considered "DME" (durable medical equipment).....that is how most insurance companies recognize them.....at least that's the 'category' they have been placed under. Seems a bit odd I know, but there should be guidelines and protocol and I'm sure this will all fall into place and make sense to everyone involved.
SCS's (in general) have been around since the 1960's, so they are nothing 'new'.....of course yours falls in to a category of it's own and you are breaking some new ground per se.......
There should be a manual of sorts that comes with these units which describe exactly what types of frequency and technicalities our units put out. Even our cell phone booklets have fine print in the manuals explaining these issues which seem to be in another 'language' to most of us.

Also, you should have the appropriate identification (via ID card or papers from doctor and/or manufacturer) stating what this medical device is that you have installed in you.

I feel certain that the airlines will handle this (as the others here have stated) as they see aLOT of medical doo dads that alot of folks live with.
I hope you can rest easy on this and just trust it will be ok.
I know airports are intimidating, but once you get seated this first time around, this will alleviate the uneasiness and 'fear of the unknown' that you are facing.
I only wish you have better support from the team that is supposed to be backing you up and help you achieve the goal it is meant to do.......to gain a quality of life! Just try to do your best to keep the communication smooth and be honest about your feelings and I would like to assume that your consultants and Reps would want to do whatever it takes to put this in a good light.........Good Lord, if not for the sake of YOU (which is certainly priority!!)....but for the namesake of this product and who they represent!

I'm certainly lifting this up in prayer for things to be handled smoothly and that all parties involved will feel at ease and everyone fulfill their duty in making this a success.......
I believe this can happen, despite there has been some rocky ground along the way.
Just try to play it cool ok.....don't sweat it.
I'm sittin on the edge of my seat here.....I want this to work out so much!
We're here for you always!

Caring and Caring somemore!
Rae
:hug::grouphug::hug:

just returned from trip
 

Went to Georgia to visit dad. Did NOT have to turn off SCS remotes at all while in flight...in fact had to ramp them up a bit when several of those "fellow passengers" tried to drag luggage in to put into the overhead compartments, rather than checking their bags, and I got knocked quite badly several times as they squeezed by with them.

The only problem I had is that since I asked for wheelchair assistance between terminals, they changed my seat assignments on the plane at the last minute and I ended up sitting in a bulkhead row (which I hate...no room in seat in front of you for purses etc. to go under, the tray table is in the armrest, narrower seats, etc.), and on top of that they separated my husband and I into two different parts of the plane. So I'd suggest if anyone needs wheelchair assistance try to get up to the desk before boarding and let them know if you don't want to be moved. They assume that if you're in a wheelchair you want/need to be as close to the front of the plane as possible but I just tell them that I'm able to walk to the seat on the plane it's just the hustling/rushing about through the terminals that I can't do and would probably mean we'd miss out flight.

It was great seeing my dad and I think the SCS remotes really helped. I did have to take breakthrough meds. the whole vacation, however.

I go in next Monday for my EMG to see if the arm numbness/upper back shoulder pain is coming from pinched nerves in my arms rather than from my cervical SCS being not high enough.

Hope everyone is doing well and sorry haven't been on in a while. Took a lot out of me me preparing for going to see my dad, and now the unpacking, laundry, etc. starts. Makes me wonder if vacation is worth all the hassle sometimes:eek: Sure was good to feel somewhat normal for a while, traveling with the " general public" in cattle cars :-)

Thanks for your update on travelling Fiona!
 

Yea! Proof positive that you used your units without flight disruption! What a testimony, and that you at least "sort of" felt back to normality in being ABLE to travel!!!:You-Rock::Dancing-Chilli::Dancing-Chilli:

Here is hope and prayer in the meantime that your EMG will be helpful, fully disgnostic as to your needs, and that, if anything, the doc will be led to the means to help you. I remember among my many surgeries, the doc dellivering the news about which he was sorry that the nerve in my right arm was dying. This was not a cervical issue; but, rather a result of nerve entrapment in my wrist even after two surgeries after the wreck. That was sobering...... Then we were sent to a different surgeon, a top notch hand specialist [the guy the doctors go to for help] and he did the third surgery on my right wrist/hand and, well, I can still type, drive, eat [oh, I like that eating part] and hold hands with my wife, so life is good. The interesting part is now my left hand is stronger than my right and I have previously been right hand dominant.

Why the long illustration???? Because for you I have HOPE that all will be well, all will be well........ and in the end all manner of things will be well.

Caring lots Fiona!
Mark56:hug:Z

hi all
got an email today from the airline i am travelling with. As advised before they wanted me to supply pictures etc of the unit so i gave them all the details as well as my reps phone number and web address and phone number for company.

today they have asked me if it is a "remote control radio device" and then state if it is i will not be able to have it on board plane or in the hold.

can anyone advise on this?

Perhaps the Nevro site can help
 

Hi Jenna- Looking at Nevro's own SCS webpage as located here http://www.nevro.com/international/nevro-scs/system an illustration is found regarding the implanted device and methodology. Yes there is a remote control, and probably yes, if it is as mine- the signal is between the Nevro device and the remote via infrared signal and must be in close proximity even to establish communication; surely a greatly reduced likelihood of signals interruption via any aircraft in flight.

Given the MANY times I have flown both on commercial and private jets at altitudes up to 41,000 feet, never have I been required to leave an infrared remote control for my computer behind on the ground. Never has a company hestiated when a laser pointer has been in a briefcase. Never has a cell phone been confiscated because it could develop a radio signal [and MUCH MORE LIKELY TO DO SO than an SCS infrared remote control].

Golly once on a private jet at altitude, I needed to let my advance team on the ground know I was running behind schedule. I pulled out my [old technology] Palm device, deployed the antenna, got a signal next to the window, and sent my message, even receiving a reply. Moral of the story, the instruments were not interfered with and our flight was safe.

This almost makes me regret suggesting contacting the airline. Were I you, I would focus on the recharger, which likely does not emit a radio signal.... your rep should be able to answer that question [or the Nevro website may get you to someone who can]. Here I was thinking this was much ado about dangling wires that could make passengers leery.

My recharger is a magnetic recharger similar to some toothbrushes which set in cradles on the counter not touching electrical leads. Mine does emit a beeping sound to allow centering the recharger on the SCS implant, and I imagine an uninformed airline staff could be Horrifically Reactive if they saw me pull the recharger out of my bag, turn it on, causing a light to glow and the beep to emit until it settles on top of the SCS implant. THAT I figured would be a difficulty for airline passengers and employees. I don't have a clue how yours recharges. Couldn't even find it on their site.

What do you think?
CARING LOTS:grouphug:
Mark56

thanks mark for responding. sent text message to my rep and the email and she just contacted me now by phone ( 23.15pm my time) and she is very kindly going to contact the airline for me in the morning and if required have engineers speak to the airline. so problem will hopefully be sorted and I will be allowed to fly. definitely going to tell them less in future as i think they thought i could interfere with airline electrics ! anyway for now hopefully disaster is have been avoided!! HOPEFULLY! but does look like i will have to have my unit completely powered down for the journey which is not good:mad:

Jenna!!
 

Gosh what a blinking palava you are having to go through. I just cant believe it!!

I left Ireland on Friday and when we went up to the security I said to the guy handing out the trays that I had a medical implant. Now at this stage I did have my 'remote controller' my programmer, in my hand to turn off the stim. He called over a lady. She looked at me and I told her I had a medical implant, explained what that entailed...and she said, 'ok so whats that in your hand?' I explained it was a remote control controller etc , so I turned off my stim and put the controller into the tray along with all my other possessions. Then she told me to come around past the scanner. She then did a body search and said ' thats fine thank you' and off I went.

Now coming back from London on Sunday evening was a bit different.

I came up to the scanner again and there was a lady at the trays. I leaned in to speak with her, not wanting everyone to hear my business, and said that I had a medical implant and couldnt use the scanner. She looked at me rather oddly... I had my card(which I might add I didnt have to use in Dublin) and said, look its all on there, where it explains no MRI's Diathermy etc....so she looked very puzzled. So she called to a man, I reckon a manager. She said ' this lady has some kind of thing in her back' and handed him the card. He looked more puzzled than she did. So she asked if the programmer could go through the scanner, I told her yes!....then I was beckoned around by the scanner by a lovely young girl. In the meantime the manager is looking at the card and then approached me. He said 'can I use the metal detector':eek: I said WELL NO!!! I said cant you see it says on the card not to etc...now there is a line on it that does say IF a metal detector is necessary then use it swiftly, but I said NO it cant be used. Afterall Ive just had a problem with the battery and didnt want any more hassle all because of a metal detector. So anyway the young girl proceded to ask me if I was in pain and to tell her if she was hurting me. The manager said, we will do a frisk and if we are not happy we will have to do a more thorough one:eek:in private!! I just stood there with my arms out........thinking AS IF:D So she did her 'thing' and yep I was cleared. They then checked my cardigan which I had taken off along with my scarf.

I was so surprised to think that these people have NEVER come across anyone in my situation, even a pacemaker Im sure has somethings that arent to be used, ie scanners, metal detectors!! I dunno!!

When I was on the planes on both journeys I just turned my stim down to low, didnt pass any remark to any crew staff that I had anything different to anyone else. I will say though that on take off and landing my stim did increase somewhat:D with the gravity so I would suggest if anyone else is travelling with the stimulation like most of us have , to reduce the power a bit unless you want to be 'uprooted' from your seat at take off and landing!!!

Jenna it does sound as if the airline are making a mountain out of a mole hill, then again I suppose if you bring attention to yourself you stand to be questioned endlessly!...... I cant imagine that if you had just gone ahead with what you were doing before contacting the airline that there wouldnt have been a problem. I read earlier that you said you were worried about charging while the other passengers are around you, SO WHAT!!!! its no big deal really. What do diabetics do when they need insulin, or others that need medication, if everyone was feeling that they dont want people to see them or whatever the plane would be full of passengers moving all over the place.
I think that you should have just gone about your business and said nothing. When you are seating its only the people around you on your row and across that can really see anything so I wouldnt be too worried. Plus on these long haul flights you generally get pillows and blankets so you can always put your charger on and put it up under the blanket to conceal it...no big deal at all.

I do hope that the airline is understandable and that they dont start making a big fuss. As Mark said there are lots of other MORE technical stuff around. Sure I could put my IPHONE on Airplane mode while up in the air and it didnt matter, plus I didnt turn my stim off at all and we still got there safely!

Hope this clears up some of your worries. I know it was only over the water for me but its the same in all airports. So dont worry too much please. I hope you have a fantastic time I really do and your daughter too!

Take care and BON VOYAGE if I dont get to talk to you beforehand.

Bye for now
Jackie:hug:

Mea Culpa
 

Oh the WOE, for it was I who suggested contacting the airline to confirm about charging the device and whatnot!:thud::thud::thud::thud::thud::thud::thud: :thud::thud::o:o

Sorry I did not keep my yap:Talkative: shut:Bang-Head::icon_redface:
Live and learn, I guess,
Mark56:o:

P.S. Travel safely and with minimal hassle dear Jenna!!!!

Hi All!!

jackie i am shocked that they gave you problems at security i would have thought off all places they would know what to do!! i was advised by my rep even people with hip replacements cannot go through these machines so what do they do to those people!!

Well all has turned out fine for me except i have yet to pack !

The rep contacted the airline for me as this morning as it was looking like my unit and me were not going to be allowed near the plane!!

Anyway this afternoon they confirmed i could fly and have my devise turned on and all airlines i am flying with have being notified so i will not have to go through this on my return! I am allowed to have my devise on but i am not allowed to charge up on the plane so will have to find a way to do this or shut myself down for an hour or two. If my machine is switched off it takes a few hours for the therapy to wear off so i should be fine.

please do not worry Mark, we had know idea what a can of worms we were opening!! but we live and learn and as my rep says less is more with these guys!

and now i have one last question after reading jackieys post the remote control can be scanned but can the power unit that charges us up be scanned? if you dont know the answer i will email the rep in the morning.

When i come back from the usa i will be another year older although i think the last few days have added a few grey hairs!! i will send you guys a post from the usa to let you all know i managed to survive this trip and i promise all will run smoothly from here on out!!

Just put the charging unit in your purse
 

Or even in your additional carryon for the overhead. Remember not to stretch to put it up in the overhead..... ask someone else to assist you.

If you charging unit was anything like mine, from Boston Scientific, it would consist of a cradle and a battery unit with a control and light on it, not to different from having an extra laptop computer battery and cord...... so if it is in the bag, then it should scan well. If you have to place it in the trays by itself for the security folks to have a look see, then so be it; however it is just a battery and charging cradle with wire that runs to a plug.

OH, ANOTHER THING last I remembered, wiring was different as between this side of the pond and yours, so you could need a converter plug in case they fitted your unit with an Irish standard plug wire for connecting to the wall outlet....... Years ago, I studied in the continent [stood on Irish soil for a while as they refueled the aircraft] and had to take along a converter for my electrical plug as U.S. standard was said not to fit Euro standards of the time. I have no idea whether that is still an issue, but thought to bring it up.

Maybe I better stop stirring the pot......
Nuff said,
:hug:Z
Mark56:)

Hey Now!
 

Mark! You do NOT 'stir the pot' !! :rolleyes:

You a FULL of wonderful wisdom! Very much so! And very much appreciated!
When we all put our heads together, it really makes for a good team effort in working thru these issues!

We value EVERYTHING you share! It's wonderful to have several different viewpoints coming in from different angles!

Rae
:hug::grouphug::hug:

Jenna yes ur controller can also go through along with your charger. My rep had told me this before. The only thing not allowed is yourself !! I'm sure all will be fine. I was thinking that maybe you wouldn't need to recharge anyway on the plane if you recharge fully before going. Doesn't your unit last almost a day. How long is your trip? Good luck with the packing.

Jackie :hug:

Mark

I love u and all the info you give me so Never stop!! :Heart: yes we have different power but have sorted that part and have the right connections for it.

Thanks Rae and Jackiey also for all the info! Jackiey in flights its 23 hours and that does not include going to and from the airport so probably 4 hours on top of that !

now it 8am irish time so gone to pack !! see you all from the other side of the pond where i will write all my messages with a USA accent!!

love to all!!:grouphug:

PS sorry for all the stupid questions guess i am stressed out!!:sorry: