Tim is flying cross country, three planes, several hours and will need to "eat" along the way. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips for dealing with the TSA when bringing a liquid diet along for the ride. He's on Jevity through the tube, can't swallow at all, and will need at least six cans with him on the flight.

Thanks,
Susan

I just get a note from our Dr explaining that Kris needs to take cans of Liquid Ensure with him on the flight. This is a medical supplement. I have never had any issues.
Tammy

Going thru TSA can be a real pain! Most agents are nice and will understand but once in a while there always is one who has to go above and beyond. I always tell them I have a feeding tube prior to going thru the body scanner or any pat downs. I would suggest having a doctors note saying specifically what he needs to carry for medical reasons. Allow some extra time as the agents will have to test the cans individually. I would pack the formula carefully in double ziplock baggies in his checked suitcase and only carry on what he needs for the time he is traveling. If theres time, the medical supply company can even ship him a case of his formula to the location of where he will be staying to help avoid hauling all those cans.

Have a great trip

I even took lotion with me after my bad burns. Have the pharmacist print labels and put one on each can. It gets you through security, even my toothpaste.

Thanks for the replies. Christine, when you say they check all of the cans, do you mean they open each one?

I've printed the TSA rules, a TSA notification card and am getting a letter from his doctor.

Tim waited until the last minute (no surprise ) so he's going to check the rest of the food. American Airlines may let the bag fly free if it only contains medically required formula. He's leaving from a small regional airport where the airline and TSA reps tend to be nice; they never know who's friends with their mom on Facebook!

Susan

They will ask you if you can open them. Tell them NO. Then they will swab each can and put the test swabs into a machine that tests for chemicals. When you reach the area where you put your items in the bins to get xrayed, tell the TSA agent that your husband has cans of medically necessary items liquids and a feeding tube. Just dont forget to say the formula cans are medically necessary. Those 2 words go a long way with TSA.

Before going to the airport, try to pack all the formula and liquids he will carry-on board in one small bag within another larger bag of his other carry-on items. This will make it much easier to pull out the one bag and place it in a seperate bin. Dont forget to take along a couple bottles of water to flush to tube. Buying water in the airport is very expensive and its always cold not room temperature like what most patients use for their tubes.

Since I travel frequently, I actually carry a doctors note allowing me to take water right thru the screening area. Sometimes those lines can be a very long wait. I cant wait an hour or more for a sip of water when my mouth and throat become so dry I can barely whisper. Ive only had to pull out the note twice when the medically necessary phrase wasnt good enough. To me, I find this a bit ridiculous when the agents can clearly see I have health issues when Im missing half of my lower jaw.

Dont forget to pack any of the feeding accessories right with the formula. I suggest taking a hand towel to help in case of a spill. Planes can get bumpy and accidents can easily happen during a feeding. The small hand towel can also be used to drape over the syringe during the feeding process so your husband doesnt have an audience when he tries to do a feeding.

It sounds to me like you have this all under control, Susan. Smaller airports tend to be easier to get thru. You're absolutely right, the power of social media!

Safe travels

Wow, I never imagined that having a feeding tube would make it so difficult. We haven't travelled anywhere since John's diagnosis, mainly because he can't get travel insurance. I have thought about going to somewhere nearby but I just couldn't face lugging all the formula around (he used to take 6 boxes a day).

Follow-up: It helped flying in and out of smaller airports. Arrived early. Asked at the American Airlines counter about checking the bag for free and it wasn't a problem. At the counter, they said Tim could even have an extra carry on so long as it was medical stuff. It took a long time to make it through security. Every can was checked for explosives and every surface and item in the carry on was carefully checked. His pat-down on the way back should have been preceded with dinner and a movie ;-). But all the TSA were polite and professional. Tim had a note from a doctor, the blue card you can print from the TSA site stating that his jaw is metal and he's on a feeding tube.

Thanks to everyone for the advice!

Thanks for posting a follow up! Im glad you were so well prepared and got thru it without much trouble.

I always arrive extra early too. I already know they will check every single item I bring so I am ready. I didnt know about being able to have an extra carry on for things like this. Thanks for passing this info along

I didn't notice this post until today, but the TSA has an informative web page, including for medical conditions, that may be helpful for future reference.

http://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures