Airline security search of my cpap machine

[robbieh]

Here is the address:

http://cgi.ebay.com/MEDICAL-EQUIP-ID-TA ... dZViewItem

[geoDoug]

Here is the address:

http://cgi.ebay.com/MEDICAL-EQUIP-ID-TA ... dZViewItem

Oooh! Thanks for the hint. cpap.com said they won't charge me until the product ships, since it's on backorder right now. I paid $17, when you include shipping, so this is a heck of a lot cheaper. (Not to mention the fact that I'm traveling next month and have no idea when cpap.com is going to get them in!)

Doug.

[Guest]

So everyone knows that it can take a little extra time to get through security, allow for it. I've been taken out of line for additional checks for years, nothing to get upset about.

[Refugee]

I'm a Federal Air Marshal so I travel every day with my CPAP. Fortunately I don't normally go through security like the rest of you (thought I'd rub that in ). The only time I do is when I go international. Then I have to go through security at the international airport as the local police hold all our law enforcement equipment for us since we can't carry it in foreign countries. I've gone through security 5 times recently at London Heathrow and not one time did they take my machine out of my carry on bag and swab it. They did swab my laptop a couple days ago though.

[ScottH]

I travel frequently for business as well. Tomorrow is my first trip since starting therapy, SEA to LAS. Next week: another trip. SEA to ONT. I'll let you know.

[JZ]

geoDoug,

So the medical equipment travel tags are on back order at cpap.com? That must be because I ordered the last one in stock. Someone mentioned them about a week ago, and I just had to have one for my upcoming vacation. I was very excited when I got it two days later (I lead a very dull life - lol). Yes, yes, I paid the 7 dollars shipping for a 10 dollar item. I knew it was crazy, but like I said I wasn't going to rest until I got one.

This will be my first time to travel with my cpap. I really appreciate all the helpful information people have been posting about air travel and cpap.

Janna

[ScottH]

Arrived in LAS just fine. The TSA agent asked me to open the case and send it through separate like my laptop, and they swabbed it and returned it. Piece of cake.

Now if I can just find some distilled water without withering in the 105 degree heat!

[coldnose]

ScottH Said: Now if I can just find some distilled water without withering in the 105 degree heat!

ScottH,

I had my sleep doctor write a prescription for distilled water for my XPAP, then went to my local pharmacy and asked them to fill it. What my pharmacy did with my concurrence was give me two empty 16 oz. bottles with prescription labels for distilled water which I fill myself. Since it is prescribed it is exempt from the normal carry-on limit. This was suggested in an earlier thread. So, far I've travelled twice with the bottles and TSA has not questioned them. I figure if they do, they can just keep them as with my pharmacy I can always get more. These two bottles last me a week on travel, thus I don't have to worry about finding distilled water or using bottled water as some have suggested.

I hope this helps,

---gary

[JPZeller]

I work in the Sears Tower. I think I heard somewhere it could be a terrorist target.

I travel frequently. I don't especially LIKE standing in long lines, but I imagine being burned alive would be far worse.

I am thrilled that TSA is on the job, even if they aren't perfect.

And, yes, I can very well see how a CPAP box could be a cover for an explosive.

Maybe all this angst about a little inconvenience is one of the reasons the Bad Guys don't like us.

[geoDoug]

I had my sleep doctor write a prescription for distilled water for my XPAP, then went to my local pharmacy and asked them to fill it. What my pharmacy did with my concurrence was give me two empty 16 oz. bottles with prescription labels for distilled water which I fill myself.

I called my sleep clinic and asked for an Rx for distilled water. I got a little pushback from the woman at the sleep clinic at first. ("You can get that anywhere...") She eventually saw my point and I just got my Rx for two gallons of distilled water---which is what I asked for and is way more than I need. My plan is to take it to the pharmacy tomorrow and talk to the pharmacist about the size bottles they have.

Doug.

[ChinaRider]

Hey now.... Just took a trip from Phoenix to Vegas and back. Both airports knew exactly what the unit was. They only asked me to show them the humidifier tank to ensure there was no liquid in it. Even though I did not have the sticker mentioned earlier in the thread the M-Series travel case did not count against my carry on allowance. Not sure if it matters but travel was through the southwest terminal. I'm about to order the medical sign just to be safe since I will need to start traveling for work soon.

[sleepyred]

Went through Atlanta - no problem. Just had to take off shoes and belt. Newark - they took my cpap aside and swabbed the outside and immediately gave it back. Funny though - out of 6 bags a party of 5 had to check - they picked my family's dirty clothes bag to search. I had the letter "we've checked this bag". Only thing medal in it was was my belt - I did not want to have to take it off again so I packed it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sleepyred

[Nuts]

I live in the UK - England

My CPAP has been with me to Ireland, Russia, Poland, Morocco, Egypt (many times), Belgium, France, Spain, Bahrain

So far, the only airport to show any interest in the machine was Warsaw, Poland and I think the security officer was just bored and looking for someone to talk with.

My major problem is that with the restriction on hand luggage size, I can either take my cameras on board or my CPAP.

Last time (to Morocco & back) the CPAP went in the suitcase in the hold -fortunately it survived.

Now I have to invest a small fortune in a smaller machine, so it takes less space in my case.

[higgy]

Just got back from a biz trip. I went through the screen the first time with case open and in a tub, they xrayed it and I went on my way. I had to go out of the secure area and went back through the line. I did exactly the same thing and this time they swabbed it, the same TSA agents. I asked why they did the swab and they said they did this on cpaps.

I asked him why he did not swab the machine the first time 5 minutes prior, and he just looked at me and walked off.

TSA=thousands standing around

[Jefe]

Last time I traveled, we put in my fiancee's luggage, well padded with clothes. No issues.

My bag was searched coming & going, and I didn't have a CPAP then!