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Featured Article 
By Robert C. Huber Originally appeared in the June 2007 issue of The Phoenix magazine. Anyone who has taken at least one flight during their lifetime usually returns home with stories, opinions and a list of things they would do differently for their next terrestrial experience. Even ’Äúrookie’Äù flyers soon grasp that the actual flight, typically at 30,000 ft. above the clouds and out of the path of most feathered friends, is only a minor component of the overall voyage in our modern age. Nevertheless, savvy travelers have learned from their collective experiences that planning, anticipation and flexibility are frequently the keys to keeping your adventure as manageable as possible. I have been flying for 40 years and have exceeded an estimated two million miles, which is still a drop in the aeronautical bucket compared to most pilots and flight attendants. I have spent months and seemingly years of my life standing in lines, sitting on hard airline seats and eating airplane’Äúfood.’Äù | |
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On at least two occasions, I admit exceeding the speed limit, dashing to and from airports in rental cars, shuttles and taxis where horns have replaced English as the birth language of the drivers. Although most of my travels have been confined to North America, I must acknowledge that flying across oceans and continents is a separate reality series and best left to others to tell of their global adventures. Over the years, I have been interviewed frequently by many publications including USA Today as one of the millions of ’ÄúRoad Warriors’Äù for observations and opinions ranging from how to get the best tickets, reducing stress while on the road and even learning to first tolerate and now appreciate ’Äúe-tickets.’Äù I have flown to and from Los Angeles or Chicago in the same day just for a business lunch, completed numerous ’Äúcircle’Äù (better renamed as ’Äúcircus’Äù) trips, conducted a series of meetings in different cities the same day much like a presidential candidate and often returned home literally weeks later to find a stack of American Express charges waiting for me from trips which I had just completed. As everyone over 25 knows, modern travel and life-on-the-road has changed dramatically over the years and become exceedingly more complex, especially during the past decade. The days of leisurely airport check-ins without being scrutinized by an impatient T.S.A. official, a bomb-sniffing dog or endless threat-level announcements are probably gone forever. If only I had clients who could dispatch their private jets to pick me up! During the past 35 years, my busy travel excursions have been modified to incorporate the challenges posed and mandated by my daily battle and nearly 20 surgeries associated with Crohn’Äôs disease (CD). Remaining flexible while ’Äústaying in control’Äù have often been opposing objectives in my personal and business life. Nevertheless, I have been able to continue a busy travel schedule and have only cancelled a handful of trips due to my chronic illness. Through medication, diet, yoga, medical advice and persistent self-education, I have been able to successfully manage my disease perhaps 75% of the time. In hindsight, this success is undoubtedly remarkable as I remember my ’Äúdeer in the headlights’Äù phase soon after my first and unexpected surgery over 35 years ago. About 18 months ago, my battle with what I would characterize as my ’Äúsecond disease’Äù (fistulizing CD), became progressively worse. I could barely work, travel or even write a letter; although I was taking enough pain medication to kill a horse, elephant or other large mammal. Finally, to seek relief, my gastroenterologist referred me to the Mayo Clinic and we both knew that would probably result in ostomy surgery. The prediction was unfortunately correct and I had to ’Äúnegotiate’Äù with my esteemed surgeon to leave the clinic to make just one more business trip prior to multiple surgeries. A few days later and within hours of my return, I was in the clinic and then off to the Mayo Hospital and joined the ranks of the ’ÄúOstomate Corps.’Äù As my surgical and medical staff will attest, many of my questions throughout the entire pre-surgery and recuperation process focused on traveling. After all, traveling has always been a major component of my business as a marketer, developer, trainer, consultant and professional speaker. Since my Crohn’Äôs was not miraculously cured by surgery, my ostomy would be another layer of complexity in my life for which I had only a limited amount of information. As was the case during my ’Äúpre-ostomy’Äù life, I knew I would have to accumulate a new knowledge base and develop a personalized travel game plan. First, although considered by some as an ’Äúostomy rookie,’Äù my previous learned disease management that had been successful about 75% of the time over the past 30 years, has only been successful perhaps 25% of the time. Second, even though I utilize the Internet as a primary research tool, I found only a few paragraphs of published information specific to traveling with an ostomy. Third, while conducting my first presentation, ’ÄúTraveling With An Ostomy,’Äù at a local UOAA support group meeting (complete with suitcases, travel items, ostomy supplies and free door prizes to all attendees courtesy of many ostomy suppliers), I found only a few attendees had traveled since their ostomy surgery. At least I can now understand what I characterize as the ’Äúostomy comfort zone’Äù ’Äì an ostomate’Äôs own home and bathroom. Fourth, although I have carried medications and supplies for years, I have come to the realization that my ’Äúcritical’Äù ostomy supplies (i.e., barriers, pouches, etc.) are more important than any of my medications. In the rare instances when I needed a prescription or medical supplies while on the road, I could usually find a 24-hour Wal-Mart and obtain the item within a few hours (since I intentionally have all my domestic prescriptions on file with the same pharmacy). So it was quite surprising that ostomy products are exceedingly proprietary, not interchangeable and vendor products are not sold on a retail basis in most cities. Instead, items must be shipped, weekdays only, and primarily to homes ’Äì all distinct disadvantages to the ostomy traveler. I have subsequently elected to pre-purchase and carry a two-week minimum supply whenever I travel (even though I do not purchase any supplies via prescription). Planning for my first trip as an ostomate was more traumatic than I had originally anticipated. As part of a business trip, I had to fly across the country, stay for a few days with friends and then a few more days at a hotel. I spent weeks planning, making lists, ordering supplies, reviewing all the T.S.A. regulations, packing and re-packing. I felt I could not afford to forget any ostomy supplies that I needed (not that I would since I have always used lists to pack). The planning and lists paid off and my inaugural trip as an ostomate went well. Upgrading to first class on my cross-country flights was a confidence booster and assured shorter lines to the rest room when needed. My good friends provided me with my own bathroom and positive encouragement during my visit which proved invaluable to my ’Äúre-traveling’Äù transition. The hotel actually had wide bathroom counters for all my usual items, ostomy supplies and lists. Four months later, I have taken five business trips and 16 flights, which is more than most Americans fly in several years. Obviously, my confidence level has risen, similar to renting a different car each trip and just driving away with my focus primarily on operating the radio. To increase your comfort level and reduce stress when traveling through our airline system, I have included some timely background information, veteran travel tips, special ostomate suggestions and website links for your consideration as you plan your next trip. After all, the ’ÄúRoad Warrior’Äù mantra is ’ÄúTraveling informed is traveling smart!’Äù Airport Management ’Ä¢ The Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.) is responsible for the safety of all aircraft and airports and reports to the U.S. Department of Transportation. ’Ä¢ The Transportation Security Administration (T.S.A.) is responsible for the screening of all aircraft passengers and reports to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Formerly, each airline was responsible for screening of its own passengers. ’Ä¢ Airlines are composed of ’Äúprimary’Äù and ’Äúsecondary’Äù (i.e., regional, commuter) carriers which are responsible to the F.A.A. for safety and passenger rights issues. ’Ä¢ Security at airports is coordinated by the T.S.A., federal and local law enforcement agencies (i.e., state, county, municipal police, private security contractors, etc.). Airport Screening ’Ä¢ The threat level when you leave for a trip may not be the same when you attempt to return. If the threat level has risen to ’Äúsevere’Äù during your trip and/or aircraft are grounded by the F.A.A. or president, you may be delayed in boarding an aircraft for several days. Renting a car to drive home and/or be forced to stay in a hotel or with friends may be your only options. ’Ä¢ If screened by hand, you may inform the T.S.A. officer that you have a medical condition which requires extra care or sensitivity. In addition, you may ask the T.S.A. officer to screen you in private and avoid hitting a sensitive area of your body (see website). ’Ä¢ The limit of one carry-on and one personal item does not apply to medical supplies used by a person with a disability (see website). Medical documentation about your medical condition can be presented to a T.S.A. officer to help inform them of your situation, but it will not exempt you from the security screening process (see website). Airline Reservations ’Ä¢ Your name must match all travel documents and photo identification exactly. The days of using a friend’Äôs or spouse’Äôs ticket are long gone. ’Ä¢ Avoid taking the last flight of the day, especially on regional or commuter airlines, to avoid weather delays, being bumped or lost luggage. ’Ä¢ Reserve aisle seats close to a rest room whenever possible. Consider the last row a priority position to the rest room and in the ’Äúcoffee aroma’Äù zone. Travel Documents ’Ä¢ Pack from a list. If your luggage is ever lost (forever), a written list may be invaluable when filing a claim. ’Ä¢ Colored luggage straps provide you with easy luggage identification, especially on baggage claim carousels, and may also prevent others from walking away with your luggage (i.e. either by error or intentionally). ’Ä¢ Carry photo identification (i.e., government approved) in order to check luggage and board an aircraft in the U.S. A passport is highly recommended. ’Ä¢ Carry copies of all travel documents (i.e., tickets, e-tickets), and pertinent medical records in your carry-on luggage (e.g., physicians, medical conditions, drug allergies, relatives, recent medical reports, list of all prescription medications, list of all over-the counter medications, ostomy surgery and/or medical report, ostomy medical supply list, pharmacy medication descriptions and side effects, etc.). It is recommended that these be carried in a red pocket folder for easy reference and/or medical emergencies. ’Ä¢ Go to the bank at least one day before your trip in case of unanticipated ATM card problems. ’Ä¢ Always carry a hidden $50 or $100 bill for travel emergencies. ’Ä¢ Always take something to read and be sure to include a business card in your eyeglass case (i.e., for identification in case it is left on board an aircraft). ’Ä¢ Carry a list of ostomy manufacturers and suppliers and The Phoenix magazine which lists UOAA support groups that can help locate supplies while on the road. Carry-On Luggage ’Ä¢ No liquids or gels can be carried in any container that has a capacity exceeding three ounces - regardless of the volume of the liquid inside the container. ’Ä¢ The liquid containers must all fit in a single ’Äú1 quart’Äù Zip Lock¬Æ type bag (i.e., in carry-on luggage). ’Ä¢ Only one Zip Lock¬Æ type bag per passenger is permitted (i.e., in carry-on luggage). ’Ä¢ The T.S.A. is permitting liquid medications in excess of three ounces for ’ÄúTravelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions,’Äù but they must be kept separate from the quart-size bag and must be declared to a T.S.A. officer (see website). ’Ä¢ Carry-on items are restricted to two items by most airlines (i.e., attachˆ© case, purse, bag, etc. plus one other item). These items are subject to specific sizes which vary according to airline (call airline and/or check their website). ’Ä¢ Regional (or commuter) airlines often require carry-on items be restricted to one bag and secondary bags are loaded into the cargo area. Checked Luggage ’Ä¢ Checked items are restricted to two items by most airlines at no additional charge. These items are subject to specific sizes and weight limits which vary according to airline. Overweight items are often assessed at $50 per bag. Note that skycaps check bag weights less often than ticket counter personnel. Call airline and/or check their website for more information. ’Ä¢ If in doubt, weigh your luggage on your bathroom scale to be sure it is less than 50 lbs. ’Ä¢ Regional or commuter airlines sometimes do not transport checked bags until the next flight which may not be until the following day due to total aircraft weight restrictions. Medications and Ostomy Supplies ’Ä¢ All ’Äúcritical’Äù prescription medications should be carried on your person and in prescription bottles (if possible) for reference by T.S.A. officials if questioned. Carry enough medication necessary for your entire trip in case your luggage is permanently lost. ’Ä¢ In case of security related delays, it is recommended that you bring enough ’Äúcritical’Äù medications and/or ostomy supplies to last at least a week beyond your scheduled return. ’Ä¢ Some regional or commuter aircraft often do not include a rest room or a rest room sink. If in doubt, check with your airline as to facilities provided on the type of scheduled aircraft. ’Ä¢ Carry at least one gallon-size Zip Lock¬Æ type bag on all flights. Aside from recent reports of aircraft sitting on runways for six hours, I have encountered two occasions in 40 years when all the rest rooms on cross-country flights were supposedly ’Äúbacked up.’Äù ’Ä¢ Carry a partial roll of toilet paper, disposable wipes, washcloth, paper towels, small plastic garbage bags, etc. ’Äì they don’Äôt weigh much and could prove invaluable for ostomates. ’Ä¢ Change our pouching system the day before traveling to manage any unforeseen problems while still at home. ’Ä¢ Pack an empty water bottle in your carry-on luggage (i.e., for fill-up within the secured area). Jet lag and dehydration are most frequently caused by the 10% humidity environment common on most flights. Caffeine, soft drinks, and alcohol only add to dehydration, whereas water and walking once an hour are better solutions. At The Airport ’Ä¢ Carry a bottle of water and small food items on board for consumption during the flight as needed (purchased inside the airport). ’Ä¢ Pack or purchase small food items (e.g., peanut butter crackers) in case flights are extended due to delayed takeoffs or landings or food is not provided on board. ’Ä¢ Ginger candy, available at many airport candy stores, usually settles an upset stomach quickly. Most bars or lounges serve ginger ale as an alternative. ’Ä¢ If in doubt, use the airport rest room (i.e., rather than waiting until you get on board) in case of delays in takeoffs (sometimes hours on the runway). During The Flight ’Ä¢ Drink a glass of water at least once per hour. Save your personal bottle of water for extended flights or delays. ’Ä¢ Stand for at least a minute every hour to promote circulation and reduce leg cramping. ’Ä¢ If you have an immediate need to use the rest room and there is a line, politely ask a flight attendant to use the first class rest room or discreetly tell the person at the front of the line that you have had surgery and need the rest room next. Most people will acquiesce. Part of this article were edited for space. To see the full article, you can buy the June 2007 back issue. For more ostomy travel tips, resource and information, see Robert Huber's Website. | ||