2014 policy on flying with distilled water?
2014 policy on flying with distilled water?
I've been searching around and I can't really find a current, up-to-date policy on flying with distilled water.
I'm going to Vegas soon for 4 nights and won't have a car, nor do I know if there will be a grocery store near my hotel on the strip (I doubt it), so I want to travel with my distilled water. I found the PAP Flask (http://pur-sleep.com/shop/pap-flask-64.html) which looks like what I need to get the distilled water through TSA, but the disclaimer on the bottle does not cite any TSA law or policy that you could refer the TSA agent to if they give you trouble about it. Also, how do they know you didn't put something you shouldn't have in a bottle labeled medically necessary distilled water? It's not like it is a sealed bottle. I highly doubt they are allowed to just take your word for it. It seems like something that would depend more on how nice the TSA agent is you are dealing with. I'd much prefer to be able to cite TSA policy if given a hard time.
So does anyone know the current policy on distilled water? Do I need to get a prescription from my doctor stating it is medically necessary and I can carry more than 3.4 ounces of it? Any recent experiences with this anyone would like to share?
Thanks
I'm going to Vegas soon for 4 nights and won't have a car, nor do I know if there will be a grocery store near my hotel on the strip (I doubt it), so I want to travel with my distilled water. I found the PAP Flask (http://pur-sleep.com/shop/pap-flask-64.html) which looks like what I need to get the distilled water through TSA, but the disclaimer on the bottle does not cite any TSA law or policy that you could refer the TSA agent to if they give you trouble about it. Also, how do they know you didn't put something you shouldn't have in a bottle labeled medically necessary distilled water? It's not like it is a sealed bottle. I highly doubt they are allowed to just take your word for it. It seems like something that would depend more on how nice the TSA agent is you are dealing with. I'd much prefer to be able to cite TSA policy if given a hard time.
So does anyone know the current policy on distilled water? Do I need to get a prescription from my doctor stating it is medically necessary and I can carry more than 3.4 ounces of it? Any recent experiences with this anyone would like to share?
Thanks
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Re: 2014 policy on flying with distilled water?
If you are doing carry-on, TSA might not allow it on without a prescription and it being sealed. Even with a prescription or Dr's note they might not allow it. Depends on the person you get at the TSA checkpoint.
If you are checking luggage, just toss it in there.
You can use bottled or tap water. Distilled is just recommended. I'd do bottled over tap, but then again most bottled water is just tap
If you are checking luggage, just toss it in there.
You can use bottled or tap water. Distilled is just recommended. I'd do bottled over tap, but then again most bottled water is just tap
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Re: 2014 policy on flying with distilled water?
For four nights I'd risk bottled water but check google maps for a pharmacy near your hotel, there are lots in Vegas. Even get your cab to stop at one on the way from the airport.
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Re: 2014 policy on flying with distilled water?
I agree with Jeff. Just buy a bottle of water once you are through security... it's not going to hurt to use it for a few days. It's not worth the risk of taking it through.
I have a friend who bought an antique telescoping walking stick at a silent auction and recently took it with her on a trip. TSA agents were huddled around her.... there was a knife concealed in the stick that she knew nothing about. She lost the stick, and is still waiting to hear from Homeland Security about what the consequences will be.
I have a friend who bought an antique telescoping walking stick at a silent auction and recently took it with her on a trip. TSA agents were huddled around her.... there was a knife concealed in the stick that she knew nothing about. She lost the stick, and is still waiting to hear from Homeland Security about what the consequences will be.
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Re: 2014 policy on flying with distilled water?
What about my other accessories? Should I check those instead of carry on? I'll leave my mask and tube in the carry-on, but I have a surge protector that is in my CPAP bag, as well as this thing (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0034CHMRU). I think maybe I should try and check as much as I can as I don't want to get in a pissing contest with TSA about what is/isn't part of my CPAP supplies and what can/cannot go on the plane. Thanks for the ideas.
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Re: 2014 policy on flying with distilled water?
I too am a frugal traveler, and as much as it galls me to pay premium for packaged tap water, I would rather that than hassle with the TSA (tho the suggestion of finding a pharmacy or grocery on the way TO the hotel is an excellent and likely economically sound one). As others have said distilled is a recommendation, not a hard and fast rule, and four days is not long enough to do damage to the machine. Relax and enjoy your trip!
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Re: 2014 policy on flying with distilled water?
Do not check your equipment; if your bag is lost or delayed you will be spending a night or more without it! Take it through security; it's allowed as medical equipment if labeled as such, but you can't fill extra space with anything else. Look on the carry case for a medical equipment tag... mine came with such a tag that my DME had put on it, it has a space for your personal ID as well. All you have to do is open the bag; you might have to take it out of the bag like you do with a laptop. If you don't have a medical equipment tag on your bag, I have a template for one that you can print out. It's not in a form that I can post here, but if you can't find one, PM me and I will send it to you.
Oh... it's allowed as an extra carryon bag beyond the airline's carryon allowance.
Oh... it's allowed as an extra carryon bag beyond the airline's carryon allowance.
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Re: 2014 policy on flying with distilled water?
Call the hotel and ask if they will provide a bottle of distilled water for you. Never hurts to ask.
It's easily found though both on and off the strip though.
It's easily found though both on and off the strip though.
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Re: 2014 policy on flying with distilled water?
Thank you for your answers to our member. As far as Vegas, YES, there are both CVS Pharmacy and a Walgreen's right on the strip, so you can buy the distilled water there.
I am going to Scottsdale, AZ in November for 1 week and was not going to bother bringing my machine at all. Does this medical equipment count as a
carry-on if I have another carry-on? I am not sure if it came with a Medical Tag. Can I find a Tag online?
I am going to Scottsdale, AZ in November for 1 week and was not going to bother bringing my machine at all. Does this medical equipment count as a
carry-on if I have another carry-on? I am not sure if it came with a Medical Tag. Can I find a Tag online?
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Re: 2014 policy on flying with distilled water?
Resmed have a letter you can use on their site
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Re: 2014 policy on flying with distilled water?
Thanks, I will look on the ResMed website.
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Re: 2014 policy on flying with distilled water?
First,never ever check medical equipment - that includes prescriptions - always carry-on w/you. Does NOT count against your carry-on AND - AND NO Medical Tag is required, period.
Tho you should always have a name tag on every bag. There are paper name tags are normally available at the check-in counter.
As for where distilled is covered it is covered under "liquids" but there are exceptions for medical use. Those interpretations will vary by airport location, threat level of the day, and the mood of the TSA screener.
You have many many choices - here is an excellent one...
I would put some in my carry on - too much and TSA will raise questions. IF you need more and don't trust the hotel put more in your checked luggage but always have some in carry-on in case your luggage doesn't go where you are going.
Some have already recommended going without or using tap or bottled water. A 16 oz bottle should last 3 days or so.
You should check with your airline if you have specific questions as they are the ones who can limit or charge for carry-ons; those rules can/do change over time.
But distilled water is considered a liquid.
Tho you should always have a name tag on every bag. There are paper name tags are normally available at the check-in counter.
As for where distilled is covered it is covered under "liquids" but there are exceptions for medical use. Those interpretations will vary by airport location, threat level of the day, and the mood of the TSA screener.
You have many many choices - here is an excellent one...
You can put distilled water in a soda bottle if you choose. Sure label it somehow - they can/will test it with litmus paper if it is more than 3 oz. I use a 16oz. bottle.Pugsy wrote:Call the hotel and ask if they will provide a bottle of distilled water for you. Never hurts to ask.
It's easily found though both on and off the strip though.
I would put some in my carry on - too much and TSA will raise questions. IF you need more and don't trust the hotel put more in your checked luggage but always have some in carry-on in case your luggage doesn't go where you are going.
Some have already recommended going without or using tap or bottled water. A 16 oz bottle should last 3 days or so.
Anything needed to use your medical equipment can be put in your exempt carry-on. Just do not try to put in toothpaste, socks, underwear, or anything that is not used for this equipment or they just might say it is no longer "exempt". You are allowed another carry-on for those items.the block wrote:What about my other accessories? Should I check those instead of carry on? I'll leave my mask and tube in the carry-on, but I have a surge protector that is in my CPAP bag, as well as this thing
You should check with your airline if you have specific questions as they are the ones who can limit or charge for carry-ons; those rules can/do change over time.
But distilled water is considered a liquid.
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Re: 2014 policy on flying with distilled water?
When traveling, a duplicate tag should be on the inside of each bag.
Some of those baggage handlers act like garbage haulers.
Some of those baggage handlers act like garbage haulers.
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Re: 2014 policy on flying with distilled water?
Here is another idea...
When I travel I put a 500 ml bottle of distilled water in my checked baggage, inside a gallon zip loc bag. This gives me something to start with and is a small enough amount to not raise concerns.
I fill my humidifier tank with about 150 ml each night. In the morning I dump the water to avoid any accidents from the cleaning staff.
On a short trip I can go for 3 days just on what I have brought with me. On a longer trip I mix something like half distilled and half bottled or tap water. This gives me 6 days to find another source of distilled water. If I only plan to be gone a couple of days past my 6 days I can cut the mix back to 1/3 distilled and 2/3 other and end up not needing any additional distilled water.
When I travel I put a 500 ml bottle of distilled water in my checked baggage, inside a gallon zip loc bag. This gives me something to start with and is a small enough amount to not raise concerns.
I fill my humidifier tank with about 150 ml each night. In the morning I dump the water to avoid any accidents from the cleaning staff.
On a short trip I can go for 3 days just on what I have brought with me. On a longer trip I mix something like half distilled and half bottled or tap water. This gives me 6 days to find another source of distilled water. If I only plan to be gone a couple of days past my 6 days I can cut the mix back to 1/3 distilled and 2/3 other and end up not needing any additional distilled water.
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Re: 2014 policy on flying with distilled water?
Luthie, it can be carried on as an addition to your carryon allowance...look at your bag to see if it has a Medical Tag; if not go here and print one out: http://www.medids.com/free-id.php#.U7S-rTwg9joLuthie2006 wrote: I am going to Scottsdale, AZ in November for 1 week and was not going to bother bringing my machine at all. Does this medical equipment count as a
carry-on if I have another carry-on? I am not sure if it came with a Medical Tag. Can I find a Tag online?
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