Travel with CPAP

[Reidan]

Next week I will be taking my first airplane flight since I started CPAP treatment. I will be away from home for 4 nights so I want to take the CPAP with me. I never sleep well in hotel rooms so I am hoping that this will give me some relief.

My wife has taken her CPAP with us on vacation, but that has always been traveling by car. My machine came with a travel case, but it is not a nice padded case like the one that came with my wifes machine. I thought about using my large suitcase and putting the CPAP case inside of it with clothes around it to cushion it and protect it. Any one else have any good suggestions on how to protect the hardware?

Also, with all of the new flight rules and regulations, does someone have a good FAQ for CPAP fliers. I do not travel for business very often, less than once per year. Do not want them to X-Ray the bag and think that the CPAP is a bomb! Do I need to put a tag on the outside of the bag?

[Perchancetodream]

Carry your machine in its case on board with you. You will have to take it out of the case when you go through TSA security (just like a laptop). The airlines allow you to carry it on in addition to your standard carry-on allowance.

We traveled overseas in September with our machines and masks without any problem. Although unneeded, we carried a copy of the Rx with us. Hotels throughout England and in NYC were most helpful in providing extension cords, etc.

Susan

Here is a link to the TSA guide: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... index.shtm

[differentdave]

Your x-pap might be labeled as being a medical device, locate that sticker prior to travel just in case, if it does not have speak with your dme. Pack all xpap (and other medicines/medical equipment) into a large enough sized carry on. The additional bag or weight will not count against you in terms of luggage count or weight total.
Never check xpap or other devices, checked luggage gets lost daily, carry on is much safer in term of not get lost and getting banged around.

I would bring copy of dme info, copy of script (just in case) and also leave a copy of this info with someone trustworthy back home.
On a unrelated travel note:
Make a list of all credit/debit card data (bank, number, customer service number, as well as copies of all travel docs to be left with same trustworthy person) Great to have just in case I once had passport stolen, when I was able to fax copies of tickets and passport if expedited the matter greatly.

[Jeb]

Do not assume that your CPAP bag will not be counted as a carry-on. Sometimes it is counted and sometimes it is not. Depends on the airline, the gate agent, etc.

I mostly carry-on my machine, but have packed it snugly in checked luggage as well. I travel quite frequently and have not had any issues carrying on or packing in checked luggage. However, just as the previous poster pointed out, checked bags can get lost.

I have never felt the need to bring my prescription or a copy of the TSA regulations. There are so many of us "users" out there traveling that a machine doesn't hardly raise eyebrows anymore.

If you are carrying on, you will more often than not be asked to step aside and have your machine checked. At this point, its not because TSA hasn't seen these machines before. It just makes sense. Lately, I have found that I do not get pulled off to the side as frequently as I used to.

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

[RAINSUX]

Well, no way would I check it. Carry it on. I have not had a problem with this, and it has always been considered an extra carry on. You can call the airline ahead of time if you want to be sure.

Take a long (12-15 ft) extension cord with you. Sometimes the outlet is on the other side of the bed.

I just use tap water when I'm not at home, and it has worked just fine.

Sam

[Rusty!]

I find travel w/CPAP (since August) to be amazing easy. No one has ever counted it as a carry-on; I laugh now when I think about the need for a sticker or a prescription. All TSA screeners have required that it be removed from the bag and placed in a bin ... goes w/out saying that you cannot travel or transport with water inside. I use bottled water with no problems yet. This morning, I had the TSA yell CPAP before I even made it to the X-ray. August / September, they were always swabbing the machine for explosives. The last couple of months it has only gotten swabbed once in many flights.

I had a x-ray screener keep it under for longer than usual recently, so I asked what was up (was there something suspicious, etc.). He said he had never seen the inside of an Auto A-Flex and was admiring the technology.

I have noticed many more of these since carrying one, and have had folks say they knew they should be carrying or using one but weren't.

It IS a pain to remove shoes, CPAP, CPAP bag, computer, computer bag, carry on, liquids, and coat (5 or 6 bins). Airports that have FlyClear or registered traveler gates have been most helpful in sorting the gear.

I DO travel with Pur-Sleep and a pad as the concentrated hotel smell is not something I care to sniff. I also clean the filter when returning.

Thanks to those on the site whose stories have encouraged me to fly with mine. It's not a problem.

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

[Bookbear]

Reidan, your cpap CANNOT be counted as part of your carry on allowance, under Federal law and TSA regulations. All US airlines must adhere to TSA regulations in that respect. They may choose not to allow you to USE the cpap on board, but it cannot be counted as extra baggage or as part of the carry on allowance. Foreign airlines are a different kettle of fish.

Here are links to the relevant TSA documents:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... index.shtm
Note that cpaps are specifically listed as 'assistive devices'

http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publicat ... bilityAids
The section on handling assistive devices

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422 ... 382.41.htm
Note especially Section 382.41 section d

You might print these pages and tuck them into a purse or bag so in case you are challenged, you can quickly provide documentation to a gate agent or cabin crew member who is ignorant of the law.

I travel often for business. I have only been challenged twice on the carry on limits, most recently last month. As soon as I said that I had the relevant TSA memos and a copy of the Air Carrier Access Act, I was waved through.

Most often, staff and employees are polite and helpful. Only rarely do you get one who wants to make an issue of their authority.

Never EVER check your cpap. Luggage is not handled gently, and your equipment is not meant to be dropped, kicked, flung, or knocked about. It is not something that could easily be replaced on the road. And the $200 limit of liability that most airlines have on reimbursement for lost luggage wouldn't replace your unit.

Happy traveling!

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

[greyhound]

These answers assume you're travelling in the US. If you're going to be returning from London, you're only allowed one carry-on on the return flight. They don't allow an extra CPAP carry-on. By contrast, I haven't had any problems returning from France or Japan.

So, if you're traveling internationally, double check with the airports in which you'll be going through security.

[billbolton]

If you're going to be returning from London, you're only allowed one carry-on on the return flight.

You can carry on an extra item if its medical equipment. It's advisable to tell the "special handling" group of the airline you are flying with in advance.

Cheers,

Bill

[Guest]

You can carry on an extra item if its medical equipment. It's advisable to tell the "special handling" group of the airline you are flying with in advance.

Cheers,

Bill

That's not my experience. Heathrow and Gatwick allow only one carry-on. Medical equipment, I was told, is not an exception.

[billbolton]

That's not my experience. Heathrow and Gatwick allow only one carry-on. Medical equipment, I was told, is not an exception.

Did you discuss with the airline you were flying with in advance?

Cheers,

Bill

[Reidan]

Thanks for all of the excellent advice. I think I will "borrow" my wifes padded case and take it with me as a carry-on. Her ResMed is an older model and is larger than mine so I know it will fit with room to spare. Would rather have the extra padding to protect it from bumps caused by turbulance and other passengers bags in the overhead.

I will be flying from Atlanta to Los Angeles First Class on a Delta 777. Have been told that these planes have good overhead storage. My company allows me to fly first class as I am a big guy. And being 6'4", I am both tall and wide!! So I tell them I need the extra room to be comfortable. To date this will be my longest flight yet. I plan on fasting before the flight and not eating or drinking during the flight to avoid having to fit into a bathroom on the plane.