TSA and CPAPs

Anyone else been asked by TSA agents at airports to take their CPAP out of its case for x-ray? No idea what more they expect to see and it's far from consistent. Not happening in Europe, just the US in my experience.

Only once was I asked to remove it from the case when going through x ray. Other times I just unzipped the case and laid it open and it went through in the case.

englandsf wrote:Anyone else been asked by TSA agents at airports to take their CPAP out of its case for x-ray? No idea what more they expect to see and it's far from consistent. Not happening in Europe, just the US in my experience.

We flew twice last year, from Pennsylvania to England in May, then Pennsylvania to Fort Lauderdale in December. My machine and accessories are in zip top plastic bags so it's easy to see what's inside if they wanted to check, and a tag on the CPAP travel bag identifying it as medical equipment. It went through the TSA checkpoint untouched. No problems either time, either direction.

It has probably been about 2 years since I was asked to remove my cpap machine from it's case. If you fly a lot it is probably worth getting "pre-check" $80 for 5 years of quick airport security.

RomeinDNVR wrote:It has probably been about 2 years since I was asked to remove my cpap machine from it's case. If you fly a lot it is probably worth getting "pre-check" $80 for 5 years of quick airport security.

Ah, forgot to mention that I have TSA pre-check. Could be why.

RomeinDNVR wrote:It has probably been about 2 years since I was asked to remove my cpap machine from it's case. If you fly a lot it is probably worth getting "pre-check" $80 for 5 years of quick airport security.

After about a 12 year travel hiatus I've taken 6 flights in the past few months (moving my daughter to another state to start medical school). I have not been asked to open my CPAP case even once.

OFF TOPIC stuff:

I have been getting Pre-Check every time I buy a ticket, but I have NO idea why I get the pre-check designation! My daughter tells me it's my "magic" credit card that I pay an annual fee for, (obtained to accrue travel points that hopefully will make future trips to see her less expensive). Since I'm rather out of touch on travel stuff, could that be why I'm getting the Pre Check designation?

I have had to open my suitcase a few times because I carry a solid bar of Himalayan salt (the size of a bar of soap)which I use for an antiperspirant. That seems to flummox some of the security machines. But this most recent round trip I sailed through all the security things without any problem carrying the same stuff as always.

My daughter gifted me with a newfangled carry-on with 4 swivel wheels and I want to know where this has been all my life??? I can cram a whole lot in there, and slip my CPAP case over the handle making it SO easy to get through the airports now--pushing it on 4 wheels instead of dragging the weight on 2. On one recent trip I had to check that bag because I had another carry on (long story) and I sorely missed it as a de-facto luggage cart. My arms were all torn up from the non-wheeled bags slipping down my shoulders.

Janknitz wrote:I have been getting Pre-Check every time I buy a ticket, but I have NO idea why I get the pre-check designation!

Must be something random some how. I get the Pre Check thing also and have never applied for it when I fly to Vegas to see my daughter and grandson. It's about half the time I guess that I will see the Pre Check thing on the boarding pass.
My grandson had it in July this year and I know his mom hasn't bought it for him. He only flies once a year to come see me and this was the first time he was old enough to travel solo.

So I got a gate pass to sit with him until the plane left for his return trip home.
I didn't get Pre Check and took forever to get through security and he sailed through Pre Check in 3 minutes. They were unusually slow that day.

I don't fly enough to get me to spend the $80 though. I figure I can wait in line or wait at the gate...still waiting no matter where it is.
And if sometimes they want to gift me with Pre Check...that's just an added bonus.

A tip for germophobes: you can ask the inspector to use fresh gloves.
--even if you are not a germophobe.

Most, if not all, security personnel seem to be familiar with CPAP machine, I was happy to discover. I did bring a 1 liter supply of distilled water they wanted to "test," but OK, no problem.

My Dreamstation does have "medical device" written on the label on the bottom, if it becomes necessary to show that, and it's a good idea to bring along a copy of your prescription as an added measure to ensure everything goes smoothly.

For the last year or so, when I've flown in Canada I've been asked to put the cpap in a bin by itself for scanning. Occasionally they will swab it for explosives as well. When I asked about it, I was told that the cpap was an electronic device and treated the same as a computer.

I went to Mexico on April. I had to go through security twice on the way down and 3 times on the way back. In each case, I opened the bag and placed it in a tub. The machine itself was inside ziplock bags. Nobody cared about the machine. No idea what would happen if the bag went through closed. They did look over my mini laptop in two locations, complete with swabs. And that was open as well.

On my trip to the UK in April I put my APAP in my carry on back pack and had it in a plastic bag. I removed it from the backpack for all the bag security checks in Brisbane, Dubai, Heathrow and in reverse order. No issues at all as CPAP machines are recognised by all customs staff. They just want to x-ray it to be sure it's not a threat and I am happy to comply.

Security procedures are changed often to keep the bad guys off guard - just go with it. Many are at the discretion of the personnel and may be due to mood swings.

xxyzx wrote:show them the luggage tag and medical letter and tell them to hand inspect it only

That should get you a personal interview in the back room

A medical tag is NOT required on cpap equipment. You can pack it in any type of luggage but to be exempt only exempt things can be inside ie. cpap, meds, medical supplies, etc. If you don't need the exemption then you can mix things in.

My experience is quite inconsistent. Just be ready to take it out (and put it away again) if asked.

Note that in one airport (San Juan, PR), they actually have a sign that specifically mentions CPAP!

xxyzx wrote:just cause its not required does not mean it is not a good idea to have the tag

A luggage tag is required cuz its a good idea to have your contact info, inside AND outside. It does not have to be a medical tag, so no one needs to get nervous and run out to buy one, it is not needed. I have never seen a TSA reg that requires a medical letter. The airline may ask for one if you want to use it during flight, then again they may not. But its always a good idea to contact your carrier if you want to use anything electronic during flight.