HOW SHOULD YOU FLY WITH A MAGNAWAVE MACHINE, LIKE THE SEMI OR THE MAIA?
Flying with a MagnaWave machine varies from machine to machine. Several MagnaWave devices like the Semi machine, the Maia Traveler and the Maia All Terrain machine, in many instances, certainly with the Maia Traveler and the Semi, can be carried on with no problem. They can be stored above in the baggage area of the aircraft. In many aircraft, larger aircraft 737 and above, Mr. Ziemer says the Maia All Terrain can also be carried on and stored above and that he’s done so for years.
FLYING WITH A MAGNAWAVE MACHINE LIKE THE MAXX, HOW SHOULD YOU DO IT?
When flying with a MagnaWave Maxx machine it’s too large to be carefully and comfortably stowed as a carry-on, on the aircraft. What we typically recommend is that you take devices like the Maxx through TSA and check it at the gate. We typically tell them it’s a veterinary device or a medical device and it’s fragile that we want to handle it in that fashion. Take it through TSA, once you get to the gate check it at the gate and request that you receive it back when you reach your next destination, so it doesn’t get put in with the rest of the luggage.
The biggest issue has to do with the wheels. Very often the luggage is not handled as delicately as many of us would like. If it falls or it’s dropped, and it lands on a wheel it can break a wheel or bend the axle. That’s the primary issue when you’re carrying the Maxx. You could have an issue if you check it as luggage. Sometimes people will put it in a box then check it as baggage and it’s somewhat protected inside the box.
The other devices could be checked as baggage as well, the Semi and the Maia Traveler. But we recommend when possible you carry it on. Typically, we put the coils and any attachments in luggage and do those separate, so it’s a little less to handle as you’re carrying it.
FLYING WITH A MAGNAWAVE MACHINE LIKE THE PULSE PRO, HOW SHOULD YOU DO IT?
The Pulse Pro can be carried on. You can carry the Pulse Pro on and stow it above. Then you’re in good shape, it’s not an issue. It could slow down your trip through TSA a little bit because they may want to look at it, but that’s all you have to worry about. Take the device through TSA, check it at the gate if you want to do that, and you’re good with the Pulse Pro.
FLYING WITH A MAGNAWAVE MACHINE WHAT ABOUT TSA?
When we first started TSA was an issue. People would go to check through TSA and when they x-ray MagnaWave machines they could look like a bomb. They have capacitors and electrodes in them and a bunch of wiring, so if somebody doesn’t know what they’re looking at they’re going to ask questions and swab it down. Generally, you may be delayed somewhat in TSA if they do want to check it, but now they’ve seen enough of these devices that it’s not really an issue.
SHIPPING A MAGNAWAVE MACHINE, HOW SHOULD I PACKAGE IT?
Some people put the Pulse Pro in a suitcase then check it is as baggage because it’s too big at that point to carry on. That’s something to consider when you are carrying the devices to ship. When you’re shipping them, you don’t have to necessarily package them up like fine delicate electronics.
THINGS TO DO WHEN SHIPPING A MAGNAWAVE DEVICE:
- You do want to pack them enough that they’re secure in the box and they have some type of packing around them.
- You don’t want to put it in a box that it fits exactly perfectly, although you could do that with the Maxx and the Maia All Terrain.
- The primary thing is the wheels, so if you put them in a box that it fits comfortably and it’s in there and it’s easy enough for you to handle then if it does fall the box will protect the wheels enough that they will not break.
- Boxing is not required to ship them, but that’s the way to do it if you’re shipping UPS or FedEx.
- You’ll see cases like this shipped unboxed, but with the wheels it’s better to put them in some type of box with protective covering around them.
There you have it, that’s how you travel with MagnaWave machines. Going through TSA is really not a problem, put the coils in a suitcase and ship that separate, or ship that as luggage then carry the machine on or check it at the gate and request that it’s given back to you. You might want to make sure that you have a brochure or something with you that describes what the machine is so when you call it delicate veterinary equipment or medical equipment you’ve got something that shows what it is so that that you can have it handled in in that fashion. Happy travels!