I am taking a trip in a few months and decided to check with the airline on their policy for medical devices. This is the answer I received:
Dear Rose, Thank you for contacting AirTran Airways. The CPAP machine will count as one of your carry on items. Either you personal or carry on just depending on the dimensions. If you have any other questions please let me know.Sincerely,
Kevin Paden
Airtran Airways
As you can imagine, I'm not very happy about this. Any suggestions on a way to get them to reconsider?
Airline says CPAP will be carry on
Sorry, guess I wasn't clear enough in my post. Yes, I am definitly planning on carrying it on. There is no way I would check it. However, I also need to take my laptop and purse. Since I am only allowed one carry on and one personal item (purse), I have one too many.dnelms wrote:I guess you are upset about it counting as carry-on as opposed to having to carry it on. Personally, I am not letting that machine out of my sight on trips. I do not trust an airline to take car of a machine like that. I would carry it on and be happy.
I guess that is my only option, but it will be a heavy bag and probably not easy to get in the overhead bin. I have joint and muscle problems that make things like that very difficult.DogFace wrote:How about getting a carry-on bag that's big enough for your CPAP gear and your laptop?
I had read some posts on here about people who took their CPAPs on flights and they were not counted as carry on. I wondered why this airline wouldn't do the same. Oh well, I'll just have to find a way to deal with it.
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP
I just got back from a trip to vegas with my CPAP, you also want to allow extra time for the security check, because they WILL pull you aside and test the machine for chemical traces. (bomb residue check)
How much time you need for this really depends on how busy you expect the airport to be. It took about 5 minutes both at SFO (san francisco) and Vegas airports, but the security check wasn't very crowded either.
How much time you need for this really depends on how busy you expect the airport to be. It took about 5 minutes both at SFO (san francisco) and Vegas airports, but the security check wasn't very crowded either.
The airline may be violating FAA regulations! The date on the link to the document is 2003. I would email this department: airconsumer@ost.dot.gov or airconsumer@dot.gov
SEE PAGE 9 which states:
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/382short.pdf
§ 382.41 Stowage of personal
equipment.
(a) All stowage of qualified individuals
with a disability wheelchairs and other
equipment covered by this Part in aircraft
cabins shall be in accordance with 14 CFR
121.589 and 14 CFR 121.285(c) or 14 CFR
135.87, as applicable.
(b) Carriers shall permit qualified
individuals with a disability using personal
ventilators/respirators to bring their
equipment, including non-spillable batteries
that meet the requirements of 49 CFR
173.159(d) and any applicable FAA safety
regulations, on board the aircraft and use it.
(c) Carriers shall permit qualified
individuals with a disability to stow canes and
other assistive devices on board the aircraft in
close proximity to their seats, consistent with
the requirements of FAA safety regulations
for carry-on items.
(d) Carriers shall not, in implementing their
carry-on baggage policies, count toward a
limit on carry-on items any assistive device
brought into the cabin by a qualified
individual with a disability.
SEE PAGE 9 which states:
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/382short.pdf
§ 382.41 Stowage of personal
equipment.
(a) All stowage of qualified individuals
with a disability wheelchairs and other
equipment covered by this Part in aircraft
cabins shall be in accordance with 14 CFR
121.589 and 14 CFR 121.285(c) or 14 CFR
135.87, as applicable.
(b) Carriers shall permit qualified
individuals with a disability using personal
ventilators/respirators to bring their
equipment, including non-spillable batteries
that meet the requirements of 49 CFR
173.159(d) and any applicable FAA safety
regulations, on board the aircraft and use it.
(c) Carriers shall permit qualified
individuals with a disability to stow canes and
other assistive devices on board the aircraft in
close proximity to their seats, consistent with
the requirements of FAA safety regulations
for carry-on items.
(d) Carriers shall not, in implementing their
carry-on baggage policies, count toward a
limit on carry-on items any assistive device
brought into the cabin by a qualified
individual with a disability.
Rich,
It seems in reading this that the FAA means a ventilator/respirator for use ON BOARD. The other devices such as wheelchair or cane are a necessity for entering and exiting the airplane cabin. It opens up another can of worms which I saw discussed some time back about whether or not one would want Sleep Apnea to be considered a disability.
I would say it's just best to carry it on (of course) and make do the best you can regarding any other carry ons. Remember also, carry on bags are subject to weight and size requirements so it may not work to load a cpap, laptop and a purse in one bag.
Now of course, I could be totally wrong, but that's my take on that rule. I would love to see an entire list printed on acceptable free medical carry-on vs. what must be counted.
Mary
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP
It seems in reading this that the FAA means a ventilator/respirator for use ON BOARD. The other devices such as wheelchair or cane are a necessity for entering and exiting the airplane cabin. It opens up another can of worms which I saw discussed some time back about whether or not one would want Sleep Apnea to be considered a disability.
I would say it's just best to carry it on (of course) and make do the best you can regarding any other carry ons. Remember also, carry on bags are subject to weight and size requirements so it may not work to load a cpap, laptop and a purse in one bag.
Now of course, I could be totally wrong, but that's my take on that rule. I would love to see an entire list printed on acceptable free medical carry-on vs. what must be counted.
Mary
_________________
CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP
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That's great Alpha! I was trying to find something for Rose like that. Do you have a copy of that letter or a link that can be referenced and printed out to take? That would be a great tool to have.
Mary
Mary
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girlsaylor
- Posts: 140
- Joined: Tue Dec 19, 2006 12:00 pm
joint pain and accommodation
Rose-
I also have joint pain from arthritis, as well as fibromyalgia. I have found I am just too tuckered out to walk through airports with a cane, purse strapped across my chest, pulling my luggage, with a carry-on bag on top. The pain is excruciating for me, with failing joints and an artificial hip. If your dignity doesn't suffer too badly, do what I do. I always request handicap assistance. Once I check my checked bags, the airport provides wheelchair transport or a golf-cart, depending on the particular airport. They will transport you and your purse, laptop, and carry-on medical equipment from luggage check-in to your airline gate area. They will help you with your laptop and carry-on. It allows me to fly independent of friends and family. Takes the pain out of carrying all my stuff with me. They will assist you as much as needed in boarding and deplaning, putting you on before the other passengers, along with unaccompanied children and other persons with disabilities. Generally you board and deplane with first-class or separately after them and before coach.
When I have to change planes, here's the drill. When making a reservation, if online, always indicate you need handicap accommodation. Then confirm it when you arrive at the airport with your particular airline. That gives them plenty of time to work it out if the accommodation request was not processed. When you change planes, they will provide a wheelchair or a golfcart type scooter, with attendant, to take you to your next gate. I always remind the steward/ess on the plane that I need accommodation when we land. And I always confirm with them the arrival status of my connecting flight. They will wheel you to your next gate with your carry on bag(s) on your lap or at your feet, in plain sight at all times. Some airlines have 'holding areas' for persons requiring assistance, and move them in batches, several at a time. I have never missed a connecting flight when using this service, as they work really hard to make sure you are on your flight, on time, and safely. Believe me, it is well worth the indignity, if one has that, to ride the mile-plus trek through some of those large international airports. They will stop for bathroom trips if you need it. Don't be shy! That's the beauty of the ADA, the rules are there for us. And, they will not ask you for anything written from your doc to use the service. Just present yourself as needing accommodation. Works!
girlsaylor
I also have joint pain from arthritis, as well as fibromyalgia. I have found I am just too tuckered out to walk through airports with a cane, purse strapped across my chest, pulling my luggage, with a carry-on bag on top. The pain is excruciating for me, with failing joints and an artificial hip. If your dignity doesn't suffer too badly, do what I do. I always request handicap assistance. Once I check my checked bags, the airport provides wheelchair transport or a golf-cart, depending on the particular airport. They will transport you and your purse, laptop, and carry-on medical equipment from luggage check-in to your airline gate area. They will help you with your laptop and carry-on. It allows me to fly independent of friends and family. Takes the pain out of carrying all my stuff with me. They will assist you as much as needed in boarding and deplaning, putting you on before the other passengers, along with unaccompanied children and other persons with disabilities. Generally you board and deplane with first-class or separately after them and before coach.
When I have to change planes, here's the drill. When making a reservation, if online, always indicate you need handicap accommodation. Then confirm it when you arrive at the airport with your particular airline. That gives them plenty of time to work it out if the accommodation request was not processed. When you change planes, they will provide a wheelchair or a golfcart type scooter, with attendant, to take you to your next gate. I always remind the steward/ess on the plane that I need accommodation when we land. And I always confirm with them the arrival status of my connecting flight. They will wheel you to your next gate with your carry on bag(s) on your lap or at your feet, in plain sight at all times. Some airlines have 'holding areas' for persons requiring assistance, and move them in batches, several at a time. I have never missed a connecting flight when using this service, as they work really hard to make sure you are on your flight, on time, and safely. Believe me, it is well worth the indignity, if one has that, to ride the mile-plus trek through some of those large international airports. They will stop for bathroom trips if you need it. Don't be shy! That's the beauty of the ADA, the rules are there for us. And, they will not ask you for anything written from your doc to use the service. Just present yourself as needing accommodation. Works!
girlsaylor
viewtopic.php?t=3142&highlight=faa and
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/20011029.htm and
viewtopic/t17374/A-few-travel-questions.html
there are a few others
the second link is really good to print out and put in your carry case. It againist FAA rules.
This is my experience with AirTran. They only asked me once about how many carry ons I had. Don't think they will notice.
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/20011029.htm and
viewtopic/t17374/A-few-travel-questions.html
there are a few others
the second link is really good to print out and put in your carry case. It againist FAA rules.
This is my experience with AirTran. They only asked me once about how many carry ons I had. Don't think they will notice.
Thanks so much alpha1340. This is just what I need to plead my case with the airline.alpha1340 wrote:viewtopic.php?t=3142&highlight=faa and
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/20011029.htm and
viewtopic/t17374/A-few-travel-questions.html
there are a few others
the second link is really good to print out and put in your carry case. It againist FAA rules.
This is my experience with AirTran. They only asked me once about how many carry ons I had. Don't think they will notice.
I'll let you know what there response is.
Rose
Re: joint pain and accommodation
Thanks for the suggestion, but I would not be comfortable asking for this type of assistance. I have arthritis and Sjogren's Syndrome, both of which cause me a lot of pain at times, but I can still do most things for myself . My sister will be traveling with me and I'm sure she will help me if necessary.girlsaylor wrote:Rose-
I also have joint pain from arthritis, as well as fibromyalgia. I have found I am just too tuckered out to walk through airports with a cane, purse strapped across my chest, pulling my luggage, with a carry-on bag on top. The pain is excruciating for me, with failing joints and an artificial hip. If your dignity doesn't suffer too badly, do what I do. I always request handicap assistance.
girlsaylor
Rose