Traveling Tales

Airline Oxygen

Barbara Bennett flew to Las Vegas on Delta Air- lines recently and paid $400 to use airline oxygen roundtrip. A few minutes before boarding her return flight to Tampa, she was told there was no oxygen available after all and the airline supplied a room, breakfast and concentrator rental until the next day. When she returned the next morning, Barbara was informed the oxygen had still not arrived and she would have to spend another night in Las Vegas. She wanted to share her story to make sure everyone should be prepared for mishaps when you travel!

Despite a few glitches, airline travel has never been easier for oxygen users with the FAA acceptance of the five portable oxygen concentrators (POC) currently on the market – AirSep’s FreeStyle and LifeStyle; Sequal’s Eclipse; Inogen One from Inogen; and the Evergo from Respironics. A recent survey of airlines showed that just two are charging for their medical clearance to allow you to bring your POC onboard. Alaska Airlines requires a fee of $50. (They also have a “nominal” fee for supplying oxygen during a flight from a minimum of $125 up to $350, and that is just one way!) Delta charges a $25 non- refundable medical screening fee for each passenger’s itinerary. Itinerary changes will require rescreening and an additional $25. United Airlines still will not allow any of the POCs to be used on their flights. Each airline has their own specific rules, so be sure you know what they are – well in advance of your flight. (It is a good idea to print them out from their website and carry them with you along with an extra plug to share an electrical outlet.) Talk to your oxygen supplier about the availability of trying out one of the POCs before you travel.

Travel with the SeaPuffers!

There is still time to sign up for the Mexican Riviera Cruise that leaves March 16 from San Diego and the Alaska cruise from Seattle on the Fourth of July. Visit www.seapuffers.com or call Pam at 1-877-473-2726 for more information.