Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Company Policy; Human Factors; Procedure
Approximately 30 minutes after takeoff; the #1 Flight Attendant called me to notify me that the passenger with the seat assignment XX had a portable oxygen generator. None of us knew this until then. The Flight Attendant checked that the passenger had enough batteries to last for the flight. I also instructed him to check if the device was approved for inflight; which it was. I have no idea if the gate agent forgot to tell us about the oxygen generator or if the passenger smuggled it in. But this is not the first time this has happened to me. With more and more handicapped passengers traveling it would be a good time to remind the gate agents to be vigilant and notify the crew about oxygen generators and lithium batteries in the cabin.
B737 Captain reported undocumented Hazmat transported by passenger carrying a portable oxygen generator. Gate Agent did not notify flight or cabin crew before gate departure. Flight crew was not provided NOTOC prior to pushback.