Travel with CPAP

I am frequent flyer with American Airlines, and just started on CPAP. I tried to follow the advice listed on this forum that I could take a carry-on bag, a computer bag AND a CPAP machine. I was told that the ADA said that the CPAP machine did not "count" as an additional personal item. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. American, at least, has a very strict "Two per customer" rule and would not allow me to carry this all on board. My advise, unless you are only going to be out a day or so is to check your luggage.

petew7257 wrote:I am frequent flyer with American Airlines...,I was told that the ADA said that the CPAP machine did not "count" as an additional personal item. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. American, at least, has a very strict "Two per customer" rule and would not allow me to carry this all on board.

From the AA.COM website:

www.AA.com wrote:Carry-On Assistive Devices - Canes, walkers, CPAP machines and other assistive devices capable of being collapsed small enough to fit into approved overhead and under seat stowage areas are welcome and do not count toward your carry-on item limit. They must be small enough to be stowed in such a manner as not to protrude into any seating row floorspace or main aisle. Items such as seat cushions, detachable control boxes, armrests or footrests may also be carried on board with you.

Unfortunately as you have learned, the airline rules and the Gate Agents knowledge of those rules are two drastically different things.

Print out THIS PAGE FROM THE AA.COM WEBSITE next time you travel.

I'm going to be flying to San Fransisco in June.Do I need any kind of paper work to go with my CPAP? When I first got it the Dr. gave me a sheet that said what it was & to give it to gate people if I flew.But that's been several years ago.

Petew, AA needs to hear of this. They establish policies and expect their gate agents to carry them out. If you do not have the gate agent's name, write to AA and tell them of the airport, the exact gate number and flight number as well as the time of the incident. They should be able to determine who was on duty at that time and 'remind' them of company policies.

You could also indicate that you intend to file a complaint with TSA if you do not receive a satisfactory response form AA. That might help to get their attention, since the gate agent clearly violated bot their own regulations as well as Federal law.

Good luck!

Racefan, I always take a copy of my prescription and a letter of medical necessity from my doctor, as well as a copy of the TSA regualtions governing cpaps and carry on limits. I have only had to use them once, but it's cheap insurance, and those documents were what got me and my cpap on board the flight.

Never, EVER check your cpap. ALWAYS carry it on. Check something else if you must, but not your lifeline.

Good luck! (I'd say enjoy your trip but flying is no fun these days!)

Bookbear wrote:Never, EVER check your cpap. ALWAYS carry it on. Check somethign else if you must, but not your lifeline.

In addition, if you travel on small commuter flights, where larger carry-ons get taken from you and stowed in the luggage compartment, make sure that your CPAP is in a small enough carry-on that it never has to leave your possession. I learned my lesson the hard way after having a machine broken.

I now travel with the small PB420E inside a small carry-on along with luggage (and a laptop). TSA hasn't pulled me aside yet when I carry it this way. Before, when I had the CPAP in its own case, TSA would, as often as not, pull me aside to inspect the CPAP machine.

Bookbear wrote:Racefan, I always take a copy of my prescription and a letter of medical necessity from my doctor, as well as a copy of the TSA regualtions governing cpaps and carry on limits. I have only had to use them once, but it's cheap insurance, and those documents were what got me and my cpap on board the flight.

Never, EVER check your cpap. ALWAYS carry it on. Check something else if you must, but not your lifeline.

Good luck! (I'd say enjoy your trip but flying is no fun these days!)

____Where do I get a copy of the TSA regs?_____________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP, Prescription

Racefan:

This is one:
http://www.tsa.dhs.gov/travelers/airtra ... /cpap.shtm

Here is another:
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publicat ... sabled.htm

Note that both documents specifically list CPAP machines as assistive devices, and that as such, they are allowed on board as carry-ons and do NOT count toward the limit of carry on items imposed by airlines.

"Assistive devices do not count against any limit on the number of pieces of carry-on baggage. Wheelchairs (including collapsible battery-powered wheelchairs) and other assistive devices have priority for in-cabin storage space (including in closets) over other passengers’ items brought on board at the same airport, if the passenger with a disability chooses to preboard."

The whole law is quite long, but the part you want to print out is 382.41 paragraph D, The whole document is available here:
http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/14cfr.pdf

Last year the security people in U.K. told me I could only take one bag and had to ship the other 2 OR I could put them all into ONE bag and that would be fine - except , of course, they didn't fit. It didn't seem to matter what size the bag was, unless I could get everything into one bag I had to ship the balance in baggage. So I went back out again and found the VIP entry and talked to someone there - NO problem, NO need for one bigger bag purchase (my other option), but he did phone someone to confirm the policy - maybe we can just ask them to do that. Have just come through security at LA & wondered if they would have complied with that request had it been necessary.