Wow- be careful when flying with CPAP

So, Me and the husband just made a flight. Our seats were a few rows apart, him in front of me. I kept my machine with me, in the overhead bin. Anyway, when we get ready to deplane,
I can see my husband with a Resmed bag in his hand. OH NO, not mine. I'm calling out his name, but through all the noise he can't hear me. He thinks he has mine. Thank goodness, I saw what happened. So- put a luggage tag on your machine bag WITH a phone # and keep it in your sight. I noticed quite a few Resmed bags in the airport.

Good to know.
I'll be flying cross-country soon. I'll be sure to keep an eye on it.
I tend to be a bit paranoid and very distrustful of others in situations like that.

Luggage tags inside and out; plus brightly colored ribbons or yarn decor up top.
Your bags should STAND OUT from the others.
Thieves go for black or brown bags, because they all look similar enough to get carried off without notice.
I would consider garish paint jobs--not fashionable, but identifiable from a distance.
If your bags look clownish, you can smile easier.

Yeah, after the rental period is done for my machine I will see about having my name embroidered on to the bag.

I got one of those luggage tags from our sponsor that says 'MEDICAL EQUIPMENT". Hoping it might discourage some punk for mistaking it for a computer case and stealing it. I saw several Resmed cases and not one had a visible tag on it at the airport.

Easiest and cheapest way I've found - I use contrasting colored duct tape.

My colors are Neon blue and Blaze Orange. For my PAP bag, I take the tape and tape it to it self so I don't gum up my bag with the adhesive then wrap it around the handles etc... I'll put a strip of blue and a strip of orange side by side on the handle. For my own bags I don't care I just put the tape right on the back sides and bottom. For my large suit cases I do this to all the handles and will usually have a strip directly on the fabric of the bag it self. I haven't had any problems with it coming off and my bag stands out rather well. You can get any colors you like or prints etc. Find something that jumps out or is very vibrant. I like to pic two contrasting options because it makes your bag even more unique and lessens the chance that you have some one with the same idea grabbing your bag. If you go with a "Bandanna or fabric of some kind" Make sure you don't just tie it to your bag but that you sew it or use some other technique like a strong zip tie to make it so a baggage handler doesn't take one look at it and go "Oh Ya! Free bandanna" I learned this the hard way.

When it comes to my equipment "Carry on" the second we land I'm watching the locations I placed my stuff out of the corner of my eye like a hawk. Soon as I see people stand up I actively watch were I placed my belongings and don't take my eyes off that area till my bags are in my possession. I generally try my best to keep my stuff as close to my own seat as I can to make this less of an issue but, sometimes you have to put your stuff in locations that are far removed from your seat.

I also have a special tag on my PAP Bag that marks it as medical equipment. This helps when I get on the plane "sometimes they want me to check stuff" They don't think It will fit but I know it does. I show them the tag and they stop trying to convince me.

For those of you traveling I wish you all safe trips and stress free experiences.

Take care!

Gryphon

Cardsfan wrote: So- put a luggage tag on your machine bag WITH a phone # and keep it in your sight.

Always, always put tags on - no matter whether checked or carry-on, whether medical or not, Always, always.

chunkyfrog wrote:Luggage tags inside and out

Always, always inside and out and your destination (flight itinerary) wouldn't hurt - when luggage gets lost airline staff will open to look for identifying info and think about should the outside tags come off for whatever reason. Always, always "Luggage tags inside and out" - no matter whether checked or carry-on, Always, always, whether medical or not.

Gryphon wrote:Easiest and cheapest way I've found - I use contrasting colored duct tape.

My colors are Neon blue and Blaze Orange.

Good idea. Now 600,000 people who read cpaptalk will start doing it. Your game is up.

Just wrap it with crime scene tape, tie a pretty bow in it. Jim

Cardsfan wrote:So, Me and the husband just made a flight. Our seats were a few rows apart, him in front of me. I kept my machine with me, in the overhead bin. Anyway, when we get ready to deplane,
I can see my husband with a Resmed bag in his hand. OH NO, not mine. I'm calling out his name, but through all the noise he can't hear me. He thinks he has mine.

so, what you're saying is "watch out for Cardsfan's husband if on a flight"?

PR- Exactly. I can't watch him 24/7.

Cardsfan wrote:PR- Exactly. I can't watch him 24/7.

it might help if you posted a "WANTED" or "CAUTION" photo

tag it as Human Organs?

Oh wait, don't do that unless you like frisky TSA agents