What are the TSA guidelines for traveling with medical devices. How can passengers with special needs get assistance at LAX. What are the procedures for lost items and filing claims at Los Angeles International Airport.
Traveling with Medical Devices at LAX
When flying through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), passengers often have questions about traveling with medical devices. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has specific guidelines to ensure both security and passenger comfort.
CPAP Machines and Respiratory Devices
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines and other respiratory devices like nebulizers, BiPAPs, and APAPs are allowed on board but require special screening procedures. Here’s what you need to know:
- Remove the device from its carrying case for X-ray screening
- Facemasks and tubing can remain in the case
- Consider using a clear plastic bag for the device during screening
Are there any exceptions to these rules? Generally, no. All respiratory devices must undergo screening to ensure passenger safety.
Medications and Liquids
Traveling with medications requires some preparation. The TSA allows medically necessary liquids, medications, and creams in excess of the standard 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) limit in carry-on bags. To facilitate the screening process:
- Clearly label all medications
- Remove them from your carry-on for separate screening
- Inform TSA officers of any liquid medications exceeding the standard limit
Can you bring prescription medications in your checked luggage? While it’s allowed, it’s generally recommended to keep medications in your carry-on to ensure access during your flight and in case of lost luggage.
Service Animals and Screening Procedures
Travelers with service animals can expect a straightforward screening process at LAX. The TSA has established guidelines to ensure both the safety of all passengers and the comfort of those traveling with service animals.
Screening Process for Service Animals
When going through security with a service animal:
- You and your service animal will pass through a walk-through metal detector together or separately
- If you opt out of the Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) or metal detector, you’ll undergo a pat-down
- Additional screening may be required if the metal detector alarms
Do service animals need to wear special identification? While it’s not required by the TSA, having your service animal wear an identifying vest or harness can help facilitate the screening process.
Special Considerations for Service Animals
The TSA understands the unique needs of travelers with service animals:
- You will not be separated from your service animal during screening
- Service animal equipment (collars, harnesses, vests) will be screened but doesn’t need to be removed
- If you need to relieve your service animal, you can request to move to the front of the line upon returning to security
- Medications for service animals must go through X-ray or inspection screening
Is there a limit to the number of service animals allowed per passenger? While the TSA doesn’t specify a limit, airlines may have their own policies, so it’s best to check with your carrier before flying.
Special Assistance for Travelers at LAX
LAX and the TSA are committed to providing assistance to travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, or other special circumstances. The TSA Cares program is a valuable resource for passengers needing extra help during the security screening process.
TSA Cares Helpline
For personalized assistance, travelers can contact TSA Cares:
- Call (855) 787-2227
- Submit an online form through the TSA website
- Contact at least 72 hours before your flight for the best service
What types of assistance can TSA Cares provide? The helpline can offer guidance on screening policies, procedures, and what to expect at security checkpoints. They can also arrange for a Passenger Support Specialist to assist you at the airport if needed.
Navigating Security with Medical Devices
Travelers with internal or external medical devices, such as pacemakers or metal implants, may have concerns about passing through security. The TSA has procedures in place to accommodate these passengers while maintaining security standards.
Screening Procedures for Medical Devices
If you have a medical device:
- Inform the TSA officer about your device before screening begins
- Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) is recommended and can reduce the need for pat-downs
- Avoid walk-through metal detectors if you have an internal medical device like a pacemaker
- You may opt for a pat-down screening instead of AIT or metal detectors
Should you carry documentation about your medical device? While not required, having a doctor’s note or medical device card can be helpful if questions arise during screening.
Face Mask Requirements at LAX
As of 2024, face mask requirements at airports have evolved. However, it’s important to note that policies can change rapidly based on public health guidelines. Currently, the TSA has provisions for those who cannot safely wear a mask:
- Children under 2 years old are exempt
- Individuals with disabilities that prevent mask-wearing are exempt
- Exemptions exist for those who cannot safely wear a mask due to workplace health and safety guidelines
How can travelers demonstrate their exemption status? While there’s no official documentation required, having a doctor’s note explaining your condition can be helpful in case of questions.
REAL ID Requirements for Air Travel
The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. This has implications for air travelers at LAX and other U.S. airports.
Understanding REAL ID
Key points about REAL ID:
- REAL ID-compliant identification is required for domestic air travel
- TSA cannot accept non-compliant IDs for official purposes
- The deadline for REAL ID compliance has been extended several times
What forms of ID are acceptable if you don’t have a REAL ID? Passports, passport cards, and certain other federal IDs are still accepted for domestic air travel.
Lost and Found at LAX
Losing an item at a busy airport like LAX can be stressful, but there are procedures in place to help recover lost belongings.
Recovering Lost Items
If you’ve lost an item at LAX:
- For items left at security checkpoints, contact TSA’s lost and found
- For items lost elsewhere in the airport, contact the LAX lost and found office
- Provide as much detail as possible about the lost item and where it might have been left
How long does LAX keep lost items? The retention period can vary, but generally, items are kept for at least 30 days before being disposed of or donated.
Filing Claims for Lost or Damaged Items
In the unfortunate event that your property is lost or damaged during the screening process at LAX, or if you’re injured during screening, you have the right to file a claim with the TSA.
Claim Filing Process
To file a claim:
- Gather all relevant documentation (receipts, photos of damage, medical reports)
- Visit the TSA’s claim website or contact their claims management branch
- Submit your claim within the specified timeframe (usually 2 years from the incident)
Are all screening-related claims handled by TSA? Not always. Some airports use private screening companies, in which case the claim process may differ slightly.
Navigating airport security and procedures at a major hub like LAX can be challenging, especially for travelers with special needs or medical considerations. By understanding TSA guidelines, utilizing available assistance programs, and knowing your rights regarding lost items and claims, you can ensure a smoother travel experience. Remember to always check for the most up-to-date information before your flight, as policies and procedures can change. Safe travels!
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Am I allowed to carry my CPAP machine onboard the plane, do I have to remove it from my carry-on?
A nebulizer, CPAP, BiPAP and APAP must be removed from its carrying case and undergo X-ray screening. Facemasks and tubing may remain in the case. You may provide a clear plastic bag to place the device through the X-ray.
I am traveling with medication, are there any requirements I should be aware of?
All passenger items must undergo security screening. It is recommended that medication be clearly labeled to facilitate the screening process.
You may bring medically necessary liquids, medications and creams in excess of 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in your carry-on bag. Remove them from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings.
I have a service animal, what type of screening should I expect?
You and your service dog/animal will be screened by a walk-through metal detector. You may walk through together or you may lead the animal through separately on a leash.
If you opt not to be screened by the Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), or a walk-through metal detector (WTMD), you will undergo a pat-down.
If the metal detector alarms, you and your service dog/animal will undergo additional screening, including a pat-down.
During the additional screening, do not make contact with the dog/animal (other than holding the leash) until a TSA officer has completed inspection of your dog/animal. TSA will not separate you from your service animal. If you have concerns about your screening, you can ask to speak with a supervisor or passenger support specialist at any point during the process.
Service dog/animal collars, harnesses, leashes, backpacks, vests and other items are subject to security screening. Items that are necessary to maintain control of the service dog/animal or indicate that the service dog/animal is on duty do not require removal to be screened.
If you need to relieve your service dog and must exit the security checkpoint, you and the service dog will need to go through the screening process again. You may request to move to the front of the line upon your return.
Medication for service animals must go through X-ray or inspection screening. Please separate medications and inform the TSA officer that you carry these items for your service dog.
I need special assistance during screening, whom can I contact before arriving to the airport?
TSA Cares is a helpline that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process.
Contact us 72 hours prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. You may call (855) 787-2227 or submit an online form.
What are the procedures if I have an internal or external medical device, such as a pacemaker or metal implant?
Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) can facilitate your screening and reduces the likelihood of a pat-down. Inform the TSA officer that you have an artificial knee, hip, other metal implant or a pacemaker, defibrillator or other internal medical device. You should not be screened by a walk-through metal detector if you have an internal medical device such as a pacemaker. Consult with your physician prior to flying.
If you choose to not be screened through the Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), or a walk-through metal detector (WTMD), you will undergo a pat-down screening.
Face Masks
TSA has made provisions for those that cannot safely wear a mask. Travelers under the age of 2 years old, those with a disability who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask for reasons related to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and those for whom a mask would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty as determined by relevant workplace safety guidelines or federal regulations are exempt from the face mask requirement.
Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits federal agencies, like TSA, from accepting licenses and identification cards for official purposes from states that do not meet these standards. Learn about REAL ID or read the FAQ.
How do I recover a lost item left at the airport?
Contact lost and found to locate items left at the security checkpoint. For items left elsewhere in the airport, please contact the airport authority.
I have a missing or damaged item. How do I file a claim?
You may file a claim if you are injured or your property is lost or damaged during the screening process. Screening at certain airports is performed by private companies and not TSA.
What information should I provide on the claim?
Provide as much detail as possible including receipts, appraisals and flight information to avoid delays. Contact your airline for lost or missing baggage.
What is the status of my claim?
Please allow up to six months to fully investigate your claim. Claims that require investigation by law enforcement require additional processing time.
All claims are investigated thoroughly and the final decision to approve a claim rests with TSA. If your claim is approved, you will receive a letter and form to complete regarding settlement agreement and/or payment methods. You can check the status of your claim at any time.
How do I retrieve a prohibited item that was removed from my baggage?
There are no provisions for returning prohibited items removed from checked baggage. Passengers should contact their airline with further questions about possible hazardous materials.
Is Breast Milk, Formula and Juice exempt from the 3-1-1 liquids rule?
Formula, breast milk, juice in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings. You do not need to travel with your child to bring breast milk. Breast milk and formula are considered medically necessary liquids. This also applies to breast milk pumping equipment (regardless of presence of breast milk).
Ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs and other accessories required to cool formula, breast milk and juice – regardless of the presence of breast milk – are allowed in carry-on. If these accessories are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the same screening as described above. You may also bring gel or liquid-filled teethers, canned, jarred and processed baby food in carry-on baggage. These items may be subject to additional screening.
May I pack food in my carry-on or checked bag?
Yes, you may pack food in your carry-on or checked bag, but remember all food must undergo x-ray screening. Foods that are liquids, gels, or aerosols must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule. TSA officers make the final decision on whether certain items are permitted into the secured areas of the airport.
What is the 3-1-1 liquids rule?
Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and lotion.
What happens if TSA determines I am traveling with an item that is deemed hazardous material?
If hazardous materials are found in a passenger’s checked baggage, those items are brought to the attention of the airline with which the passenger is booked. Once the airline determines whether the item is permitted or prohibited, TSA officers accept the airline’s determination.
What is the policy on powders? Are they allowed?
Starting June 30, 2018, if you are traveling from an international last-point-of-departure to the U.S., powder-based substances in carry-on baggage greater than 350mL or 12 oz. may require additional screening at the central checkpoint. Powder-like substances over 12 oz. or 350mL in carry-on that cannot be resolved at the central checkpoint will not be allowed onto the cabin of the aircraft and will be disposed of.
For your convenience, place powders in your checked bag.
The measures have already been implemented at U.S. airports nationwide to identify and prevent potentially dangerous items from being brought aboard the aircraft. There are no changes to what is allowed in carry-on baggage at U.S. airport checkpoints.
How do I apply for TSA PreCheck®?
It takes five minutes to submit an online application and schedule an in-person appointment that includes a background check and fingerprinting at an enrollment center. Please note, legitimate online registration for TSA PreCheck® can begin at tsa.gov/precheck or be accomplished at tsaenrollmentbyidemia.tsa.dhs.gov. Any website that claims to allow consumers to register for TSA PreCheck® that does not end in “.gov” is not an official TSA PreCheck® website. Consumers who are applying for TSA PreCheck® for the first time cannot pay the enrollment or application fee online, they must complete their application and pay in-person at a TSA enrollment center. First time applicants are not asked to provide payment information online. The application fee for TSA PreCheck® is $78 for 5 years.
Before you apply, we recommend that you review the various DHS trusted traveler programs, such as the TSA PreCheck® Application Program, Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements and determine the best program for you.
How do I update my personal information for my TSA PreCheck® membership?
If you are a member of the TSA PreCheck® Application Program, you may call (855) 347-8371 weekdays, between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET, to make changes to your name, address, or other information contained in your records. You may also submit your inquiry online. You will be provided information regarding documentation needed to process the change.
If you change your name and do not update your TSA PreCheck® membership to match the new details, you will not be able to use your TSA PreCheck® benefits when traveling until the name change process is completed.
I am having trouble with my Global Entry Program membership, whom do I contact?
If you have questions or concerns about your Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI membership, you may visit the Trusted Traveler Program website or contact Customs and Border Protection at (877) 227-5511 or by email.
I am traveling with my family; can they also use the TSA PreCheck® lane?
Children 12 and under may accompany an enrolled parent or guardian in the TSA PreCheck lanes without restriction. Children 13-17 may join enrolled adults in the dedicated lanes when traveling on the same reservation and if the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the child’s boarding pass.
Children 17 and under who will be traveling alone or without a TSA PreCheck-eligible adult must apply for TSA PreCheck to have access to expedited screening. Please note, adults using gate passes to accompany children traveling alone will be directed to standard screening as gate passes are excluded from TSA PreCheck benefits. This applies even if the gate pass holder has enrolled in TSA PreCheck. The adult will not be permitted to join the child in the TSA PreCheck lane.
I forgot my KTN. How do I find it?
If you are a member of the TSA PreCheck® Application Program, look up your KTN online.
If you are a member of another trusted traveler program, such as Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, you may review your respective trusted traveler card or log on to the Trusted Traveler Program website to obtain your PASSID, which is your KTN.
If your TSA PreCheck® benefits come through employment-based programs such as HME, TWIC®, or DoD, please visit these respective links for additional information: HME, TWIC®, DoD
If you still are having trouble locating your TSA PreCheck® KTN please submit an online form or call us (866) 289-9673. Representatives are available 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET weekdays; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends/holidays.
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Ways to Improve a Weak Cell Phone Signal
The world today is more connected and constantly online than ever before. The rise of the 4G cellular network has made mobile phones the primary access point for users not only for communication but also for a range of everyday business, news and entertainment needs. More than 80% of Russians have smartphones, and 47% of them say they cannot live without their devices.
In this environment, continuous service is key. The last thing a smartphone user wants to put up with is a weak cell phone signal. But weak, inconsistent, or poor-quality signals can occur for a number of reasons. Inclement weather, interference from building materials or terrain, distance to the nearest cell tower, or network congestion can all contribute to signal degradation. Here we look at some simple ways to compensate for a weak cell phone signal.
1. Check battery status
Start with the basics. The lower your phone’s battery level, the harder it is for it to find a signal. Mobile devices are generally set to save as much power as practical and will use less power to receive a signal when they are low on power. This may result in poor signal quality.
Making sure your phone is charged should be a priority. There are some easy ways to save energy for longer, for example:
- Use Bluetooth or NFC only when absolutely necessary
- Decrease screen brightness
- Keep phone firmware up to date
- Disable push notifications
- Make sure there are no apps running unnecessarily in the background
9000 2 Portable charger for phone is useful for charging your phone while traveling.
2. Check your device settings
Another major source of cell phone signal problems can be phone settings. There are several factors you’ll want to check, depending on the type of device you have.
If you are not receiving data service, make sure your phone is not in flight mode and that its data service is activated. Make sure your phone’s data and time matches your current time zone. Inconsistencies in this parameter may cause malfunctions.
Make sure your voice and data are set to receive signals from the correct generation network (3G, 4G, or 5G) for the strongest signal in your area. Make sure all updates from your carrier are installed. Another option is to reset all phone settings and reboot it.
If they are not the problem, your SIM card may be physically damaged or incorrectly installed. Removing the battery, wiping the SIM card with a soft dry towel, and then replacing the battery may solve this problem.
If none of these measures solve your signal problem, it’s time to look elsewhere.
3. Check for objects that may be interfering
There are some types of interference that you can’t do anything about other than physically change your location, such as interference from terrain or building materials. One source of interference that you can eliminate is electronic devices.
This is usually rare and unpleasant, but it does happen. Cell phone signals are basically radio waves transmitted over a specific frequency band. Electromagnetic waves generated by electrical devices can sometimes occur at frequencies that interfere with cellular communications, often because the cell phone cannot decide which signal to use to transmit data packets.
This can happen with WiFi signal transmitters. It is not uncommon for data transfers or text messaging to slow down when home Wi-Fi is on. The easiest solution is to either disable WiFi, or even better, just run your phone’s data through a WiFi router.
If your home is cluttered with other electrical devices, especially smart IoT devices, they can be sources of interference. To avoid this problem, you might want to consider cleaning up as much of the clutter as possible, in at least one or two rooms in your home.
4. Internet and communication amplifier for your home or car
The most reliable and easiest way to compensate for a poor quality signal is to buy an Internet amplifier.
Cellular signal boosters combine three main components:
- Antenna outside the building, used to receive an external signal from the nearest cell tower .
- Cellular booster that amplifies both the received signal and your own device’s communication with the tower.
- Indoor antenna that distributes amplified signal in your home or car.
Coordinated with patented digital technology, these elements work together to amplify the incoming signal by up to 32 times. The enhanced signal ensures you have a reliable service for everything from calls and text messages to data transfers. Booster works with any carrier, giving you flexibility and reliable service.
There are several possible options to choose a quality 4G signal amplifier in Sterlitamak. Luckily, it’s an economical and easy to use tool, and there’s likely to be a booster that will fit your space or fit your car.
If you would like to use cell phone signal amplification technology to improve signal strength in your home office or on the go, Ys-System professionals will be happy to speak with you and recommend the best possible solution for your needs. Contact us today and enjoy cellular services at its best.
Smartphone has poor signal reception? Your SIM card was hacked by scammers
How the scheme works
Scammers can get access to the mobile number of any Russian without trying to steal the smartphone itself. It is enough to achieve a reissue of the SIM card and get a duplicate, Vladimir Ulyanov, head of the analytical center of the security company Zecurion, told Gazeta.Ru.
According to him, there are two main options for implementing this scheme.
“The first is the misleading of an employee of a communication salon with forged, but plausible documents, and precisely originals, not copies. The second is through an accomplice in a communication salon who is aware of the deception and accepts completely low-quality documents, for example, an allegedly issued power of attorney, ”said the information security specialist.
If criminals want to steal the number of a specific person, they can resort to forging a passport, Ivan Samoylenko, managing partner of B&C Agency, told Gazeta. Ru.
“The fraudster will come to the salon and introduce himself with your name, say that the phone has been lost, and does not want to change the number. The employee will offer to draw up a document with a request to duplicate the SIM card, after which the fraudster will receive the number he needs, ”he explained.
The database will contain the full name, series and number, without a photo, and in a fake passport everything will match except for the photo. There will be a person on it who will come to the communication salon.
Samoilenko stated that simultaneously with the number, authorization codes for mobile banking, mail and social media accounts become available to the criminal.
Group-IB, an information security company, told Gazeta.Ru that lately scammers have been deliberately choosing their future victims.
“That is why information about personal data is in great demand – “leaks” from telecom operators and banks,” the company explained.
How to identify a hack
According to Vladimir Ulyanov from Zecurion, the loss of the signal and the inability to restore it by turning airplane mode on and off or rebooting the smartphone is a clear sign that the SIM card has been hacked.
“This will not be a weak signal or no reception in certain parts of the location due to poor coverage. Cellular communication stops working completely – neither calls, nor SMS messages, nor the Internet are possible, ”he described.
The expert clarified that when reissued, the victim’s SIM card becomes inoperative. Only contacts with phone numbers saved in memory will remain on it, and for the telecom operator it is marked as invalid, Ulyanov specified.
Ivan Samoylenko from B&C Agency added that you can also find out about the receipt of a duplicate by criminals through a telecom operator. Before disconnecting the SIM card, the victim’s phone number receives an SMS message about such an action, the specialist assured.
What a scammer can do
A scammer will receive all SMS messages that are intended for this number, Ulyanov stated.
“With the help of this SIM card, you can do anything: register in new services and recover the password for those social networks and services that the victim has already used,” the expert noted.
According to him, in social networks, a phone number is enough to intercept access. However, Ulyanov is sure that the interception of the number itself is not the most critical thing for the victim.
“Where more dangerous is that the SIM card gives access to the victim’s email,” he explained.
Even more accounts are linked to e-mail, and the use of two-factor authentication means that an attacker may not be able to capture both e-mail and mobile phone number.
“However, under these conditions, an attacker can also gain access to the email account. As a result, the criminal will be able to bypass any two-factor authentication and gain access to the victim’s profile in any service,” the specialist warned.
How to block fraudsters’ access to all social networks and services
First of all, you should contact your mobile operator in order to block a new, reissued SIM card with the victim’s number, advised Vladimir Ulyanov.
“This will prevent attackers from carrying out further criminal activities,” Zecurion said.
The next steps are to contact law enforcement agencies and contact banks where there are accounts and cards.
According to Ulyanov, lately there has been a nuance of communication with credit institutions among clients – everyone is used to the fact that you can contact the bank through a mobile application, but this will not always work out with an intercepted SIM card.
“There is a chance that the application will work on the victim’s smartphone even with the SIM card disabled. In this case, it is worth checking whether the money is debited from the accounts. If suspicious transactions are noticed, then we immediately contact the bank and block the accounts,” the specialist said.
When contacting the operator, it is worth finding out who, when and on what grounds issued the second SIM card, Ivan Samoylenko considered. According to him, this information will help when applying to law enforcement agencies with a statement about a crime.
Ulyanov advised Russians not to neglect visiting a bank branch. Going to the branch is an inconvenient way for regular operations, but it is extremely important and reliable with such a high threat of hacking, he explained.
After resolving issues with the telecom operator and banks, it is necessary to check all other accounts, Ulyanov warned.
“There will be a lot of trouble – now changing the password is required for all accounts in social networks and online services. We go through all our profiles and accounts. Even if this or that account does not yet cause suspicion, you should still change the combination. Under such conditions, precaution makes sense,” he concluded.
How to avoid such hacking
Ivan Samoylenko from B&C Agency added that there is an option to exclude this smartphone hacking scenario.
“You can issue an official ban on card recovery by proxy – this way you will know for sure that no one with scans of your documents will come to the operator’s office and issue a SIM card,” he said.
Group-IB experts noted that the whole danger of hacking comes from the employees of telecom operators.
“We believe it would be appropriate to add more control and bureaucracy to the process of reissuing a SIM card, since the procedure is far from ordinary. Conditionally: to limit the number of offices where it is possible to do this, ”the experts specified.
The information security company strongly recommended that Russians contact their telecom operator and amend the contract so that the SIM card can only be reissued in person and only in a specific office.
“In this case, even if an attacker gets a scan of the passport and forges a power of attorney, he will not be able to reissue the SIM card and use it to access mobile banking,” Group-IB explained.