I am traveling this week to visit my son in DC. He has previously used a nebulizer for a medical condition that has flared in the last couple of weeks. I will be taking his nebulizer to him in a carry-on.

I know from a search of old threads that if you have a doctor's note/prescription for this kind of thing, TSA must allow it, but what if the person for whom the note/rx is written is NOT the one carrying it? Obviously the doctor's note will be for my son, but I will be the one travelling with the machine. I am hopeful that a simple explanation of the situation will be all that is required and I will allow extra time at the airport in case there is an issue and I need to "escalate" by calling in supervisors.

Can anyone offer additional advice or experience? Many thanks!

They should not give you any issues about the nebulizer. I don't see them even asking for a prescription.

My fear is that they won't know what it is and think it's some sort of incendiary gizmo. Not a bright lot, the TSA, although I will say that I have never had any real problems with them at MCO.

Just trying to cover my bases. It's an expensive machine, and I don't want to abandon it at the airport or spend hours trying to explain it. I want to be as prepared as possible.

Call the local TSA office and ask them how to handle it. A nebulizer is not an usual item and I'm sure the TSA has seen theese things before.

We see them all the time ... shouldn't be a problem.

Dear Oneofthosepeopleyoulovetohate -

IdontlovetohateYOU! Thanks - I appreciate your reassurance.

Kelley

We see them all the time so no worries there. The quickest way to get through security with one is to remove it from your bag and send it through in it's own bin (just like a laptop). You can put it on a paper towel on a plastic bag if you want to.

Thanks for the tip myrgirl. Sounds like I shouldn't have any trouble.

Please do report back on what happened. You should never leave us in suspense. It's the TSA you are dealing with.

Indeed. It would be your bad luck to get the TSO with the IQ of an eggplant.

I fly in two days, so I'll report back as soon as I can. I feel some measure of reassurance from the TSA posters here, and as I mentioned upthread, I've not had any issues with TSA here at MCO (there's no icon for knock on wood, but if there were, it would be inserted here.

Still, as you say, it's always possible to get someone who's having a bad day that could make things difficult. I'll be armed with my doctor's note and hope for the best!

I have flown in and out of DC and MCO with mine both in checked and carry on with zero trouble not even a question. If the folks at MCO did not have a problem then no one else should as they seem to be the most PITA of any airport I have traveled through.

Maybe it's just my day to be contrarian, but of the airports I frequent, MCO is, these days, typically lowest or close to the lowest for hassle factor.
Usually there's just the single ID check, and although everyone's MMV, MCO is usually quick which correlates to painless. (The STASI experience on the DL airside terminal monorail at MCO is not quick, but it's still painless). Although I hardly ever get to pass security at the most mentioned airports, EWR, LAX, DEN, BWI, IAD, ATL; In my little circle, TPA, BUF, JAX, ROC and even GNV almost always provide more hassle than MCO currently does.
And; DCA less of a hassle than MCO? Surely you jest.

My two children have asthma and we travel with a nebulizer all the time. We've never had the TSA take a second look at it. If you're concerned, take it out of your carry-on luggage and put it in a tray so they can have a good look.

As others have said, I don't think you'll have an issue. I'm sure they see them more than you think.

Just got through and am at the gate. Absolutely no problems. I put the machine and the albuterol in a separate bin. Got no notice at all. ^

Easy breezy.