Bad experience flying

Rusty! · Post by **Rusty!** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:22 am

Yesterday, as my flight home began boarding, the gate agent took my ticket and, as I started down the jetway, he stopped my and said that I had to check a bag since I had three carryons. One my carry ons is a CPAP, and I informed the agent that one of my carryons was a medical device. He then insisted that if I didn't want to check the medical device that I was required to check another bag and only carry on two. I told the gate agent that I understood that flight rules do not count the medical device as a carryon. Then, in front of the crowd boarding the plane, he asked "What kind of medical device is it?" I told him it was a respirator, which he didn't seem to understand - I then told him that it enabled me to breathe. He then allowed me to continue onto the plane. I know I could have stepped out of line and asked for a supervisor, but I didn't want to create further delays to board. I do carry a prescription for this device just in case it is needed.
I fly USAirways nearly weekly, and this have never been an issue - the gate attendents who ask why I have a third carry on are respectful and sensitive in their approach.
To be confronted in this way and talking to me loudly over a crowed about my personal medical needs in front of a large group of people is totally unacceptible to me. I'm all for limiting carry ons and following the rules, but this guy was way out of line. I have complained and will let you know their response.

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 10:16 am

There always got to be one! Shame, most seem to be understanding and do not cause any problems but when you encounter that one it makes the whole trip difficult.

Jerry

Bookbear · Post by **Bookbear** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 10:51 am

Contact US Airways. Stress that your goal is not to get the agent in trouble but only to be sure that all gate agents know the TSA regulations about medical equipment not counting as carry-ons.

lifeartist59 · Post by **lifeartist59** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:21 pm

I found your experience interesting. I am facing a dilemma for a trip we booked recently. I understand that the carry on allowance for American airlines does not include medical equipment. But I am traveling abroad, and the tour company ( its an escorted motorcoach tour) says that the machine must be my one carry on allowance. I really feel concerned since I need to also have several perscription medicines in the carry on and the size is just what the carrying case for my machine measures. I don't really know how to fit the meds in too. I am considering taking a break from the cpap since the trip is only 8 days and I am dx mild to moderate apnea. I have struggled with the machine and used it every night except two nights of the past 10 months when I stayed in a historic hotel where there was no available outlet. I did miss a night when I was sick too, but other than that stayed with it. I wonder if it would be such a bad thing to just not bring it, I must take the medicines with me. Now reading your post, I and again concerned about the airlines too.

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:52 pm

I have reached a point that I think if I did not have it I could not get any sleep. Don't think I could go 8 days without sleep. Lately if I nod off I wake myself up every ten or fifteen minutes gasping for air. I'm glad for those of you that can still go with out CPAP but this is why I have a back-up machine and emergency power.

Jerry

goose · Post by **goose** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 8:34 pm

You may want to contact the motorcoach tour company and explain the situation. You may also want to check laws in the countries that you are touring to see if they are similar to the TSA reg's that don't count medical equipment as a carry on. If they have similar laws, also explain that to the tour operator. Also be sure to have a copy of your prescription available.

Like 6ptStar, I have a very difficult time sleeping without the machine anymore, so I know I couldn't do without mine for 8 days. I also have meds that I need to take daily, so that would be a dilemma for me. I think I'd try to find a larger carry on bag that would contain the xPAP and the meds....

Good luck -- let us know what happens....
take care
cheers
goose

lifeartist59 · Post by **lifeartist59** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 10:43 pm

Thanks for the ideas. I have already checked with the motorcoach tour company and they were where I found out that the machine had to count for my one carryon. The carryon size limitation is exactly what my carrying case for the machine and its humidifier measure, so a bigger case would be a risk that they would not allow me to have it. I can sleep without it okay, I never had symptoms of the apnea from the start so that is not a problem. I am sure I will experience tiredness due to jet lag anyway. From what I have read, the country of Ireland is behind on recognising apnea (this is from a group located in Ireland that is trying to educate people on the condition) so I am guessing that I won't have much luck with any laws on it but it is worth a try. I would just take the machine ans stuff everything around it but I really worry about it getting damaged if I cram other things in the case with it. Thanks again for the help!

kennethryan · Post by **kennethryan** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 10:49 pm

Can you take the blower and leave the humidifier home? If the climate there is as damp as I've heard, maybe a humidifier isn't needed?

lifeartist59 · Post by **lifeartist59** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 10:49 pm

Thanks for the idea Ken, I will check that out! I noticed 6ptstar mentioned a battery backup. I have thought about that for home since we dropped power this week with an ice storm. My resources for info is really this board since my dme handed me off to a calling company that did not answer my questions and just said the generic "yeah, its hard to get used to the machine" so I asked them not to call me except every 6 months to check on filters and masks. Is there a way to create a battery back up for any machine or do you buy a whole new machine? Thanks again for the help!

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): DME, Power

Bearded_One · Post by **Bearded_One** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:23 am

I agree with leaving the humidifier at home.

Is this one of those motor coach tours where the luggage goes under the bus; you put it on in th morning and take it off at night? Where you can watch the driver and maybe a porter taking it on and off? This is much different than checked luggage on an aircraft.

On motor coach tours, there is very little room for carry ons. You are expected to only carry on whatever you may need during the day; such as a purse or camera bag, and maybe a few small purchases made during the day. EVERYTHING else, including CPAP, goes in the bottom of the bus.

Rusty! · Post by **Rusty!** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:47 pm

On behalf of US Airways and the entire Customer Relations team, please accept my sincere apology for the difficulties you experienced upon checking in for your flight. Your concerns regarding the inconsistent enforcement of our carry-on baggage policy have been thoroughly documented and your comments have been shared with the appropriate management teams to help us improve our service.

To convey my apologies for the embarrassment this incident has caused, I have authorized one Electronic Air Check Plus Voucher towards a graduated discount on a future US Airways flight. The E-ACP must be redeemed one year from the date of this letter. In addition, please take a moment to read the terms and conditions below to receive the full benefit of this compensation. When you are ready to make your future travel arrangements, please call our Reservations Department.

We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you on a future US Airways flight.

Sincerely,
US Airways Customer Relations
Corporate Office

Bookbear · Post by **Bookbear** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:58 pm

Hey, hey! It worked! Congrats, Rusty. And who knows, perhaps your complaint will have saved some other cpap'ers from problems at the boarding gate in the future.

I carry three things with my boarding pass/ticket: 1. copy of my Rx, 2. copy of letter of medical necessity from my doc, 3. copy of TSA regs printed from their own web site that specifically lists cpaps as being exempt form the carry on limits. Only had to pull them out once, but I was glad I had them.

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:21 am

[quote="lifeartist59"]I found your experience interesting. I am facing a dilemma for a trip we booked recently. I understand that the carry on allowance for American airlines does not include medical equipment. But I am traveling abroad, and the tour company ( its an escorted motorcoach tour) says that the machine must be my one carry on allowance. I really feel concerned since I need to also have several perscription medicines in the carry on and the size is just what the carrying case for my machine measures. I don't really know how to fit the meds in too. I am considering taking a break from the cpap since the trip is only 8 days and I am dx mild to moderate apnea. I have struggled with the machine and used it every night except two nights of the past 10 months when I stayed in a historic hotel where there was no available outlet. I did miss a night when I was sick too, but other than that stayed with it. I wonder if it would be such a bad thing to just not bring it, I must take the medicines with me. Now reading your post, I and again concerned about the airlines too.

Jere · Post by **Jere** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:17 pm

WOW - I should have been more vocal when USAir did exactly the same thing to me flying out of Tampa a few weeks ago. The gate agent started to insist that I could not carry on my CPAP since I already had 2 carry-ons. I told him it was a medical device and exempt and just turned around and kept walking down the jetway. That was the last I heard about it.

If I have to check a bag, I now pack my cpap in its padded bag in my suitcase (making sure it is carefully secured). Several trips later and no problems. Risky - I know, but it avoids having to unpack the machine at security and arguing with the gate agents It is becoming a royal pain to travel. Sux.

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Bad experience flying

Bad experience flying

interesting flight occurance

response

Their reply - a "non apology" apology

Re: interesting flight occurance

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Avg. AHI .4

Mask

Mask

Mask	Humidifier