air travel and cpap

[fordjx4000]

hi i will be traveling on an airplane in march with my cpap machine
do i need any letters or medical id tags etc...
in order to travel with my machine
will the airport xray machine damage my cpap
when it goes though it ?
i am traveling from seattle WA to las vagas nv
thank you in advance
fordjx4000

[dtsm]

There are numerous threads that discuss this. Cpap is fairly common and you won't have any problems with TSA. It's a free carry on item. Do a search to read detail comments and experiences.

[davelikesbeer]

hi i will be traveling on an airplane in march with my cpap machine
do i need any letters or medical id tags etc...

No.

in order to travel with my machine
will the airport xray machine damage my cpap
when it goes though it ?

No.

You will be able to carry on your CPAP (and you should *never* check it in) without it counting as a carry on item assuming everything in the bag is CPAP related.

You have the right to ask the TSA to change their gloves if they want to inspect it.

Truth is, these days, most TSA agents know what a CPAP machine is and won't bother it any more than they would a laptop.

[Slartybartfast]

hi i will be traveling on an airplane in march with my cpap machine
do i need any letters or medical id tags etc...
in order to travel with my machine
will the airport xray machine damage my cpap
when it goes though it ?
i am traveling from seattle WA to las vagas nv
thank you in advance
fordjx4000

No, the x-ray/microwave, whatever, won't hurt the machine.

I make a similar round trip (southern CA to SEA) monthly, and have for years. I no longer carry my CPAP, but TSA usually wants the blower unit out of the case in the tray for x-ray. Place it in a zip lock plastic bag, then put it in your case. Then when you get up to the x-ray line, just whip it out, drop it in the tray with your shoes and place the case on the belt. If you just do that, you won't pique the screener's interest, they won't touch it, and you go on your merry way. My experience has beent hat sometimes they inspect CPAPs sometimes they don't. Last time I came through SEA, the Vogon guard was walking up the line saying "Everything out on the belt. Laptops, CPAPs, all electronic devices."

"Resistance is Useless!!!" (She didn't say that last part, but if you read the book you'd understand why I call them Vogons).

But if you're proactive and put it in the tray on the belt yourself, you can save yourself time going through the ordeal.

And if they want to run you throught the microwave, just say "opt out" and they'll give you a quick pat down. I enjoy doing that, because sometimes the agent is really pissy (I win), and sometimes they're very nice and chatty, even apologetic, during the procedure (we both win). "Rage against the machine," and all that.

[msla]

During my patdown last year the agent asked about sleep apnea and the machine. He commented about his sleep and snoring. I suggested that he contact his PCP and ask is a sleep study was needed.

[xenablue]

Put everythng you need for CPAP in your CPAP bag - extension cord, wipes, extra mask stuff, extra hose - whatever you need - just don't include NON-CPAP items in that bag.

TSA MAY decide to inspect your CPAP contents, so it's a good idea to put each item in a separate ziplock bag and request they put on new gloves to do so.

I've never had my CPAP bag inspected, just run through the x-ray, but I still ziplock everything.

Never check it as baggage - CPAP can be taken as extra carry-on as an essential medical item and should never leave your presence.

Enjoy your trip.

Cheers,
xena

[Kairosgrammy]

Shouldn't be a problem. I carried my cpap in its case the first time I flew. Hated the cpap by the time I got to where I was going. I now pack mine. I pay for the extra suitcase and just pack a lot of stuff around it to cushion it. I've never had a problem doing that.

hi i will be traveling on an airplane in march with my cpap machine
do i need any letters or medical id tags etc...
in order to travel with my machine
will the airport xray machine damage my cpap
when it goes though it ?
i am traveling from seattle WA to las vagas nv
thank you in advance
fordjx4000

[msla]

I also carry a copy of the perscription, just incase something is needed when I reach my destination. Pack a spare mask and hose in your checked bag. They could come in handy.

[soundersfootballclub]

No, they don't even ask you to take it out of the bag in SEA. I just came back the other day from a trip outta here.

[pianochick]

Since the CPAP is considered a medical device, you can carry it on board, along with 1 suitcase and 1 personal bag. You don't need to pay to check an additional suitcase. Of course, fellow passengers may give you the evil eye as you are boarding since you will be carrying 3 items, but just smile sweetly and get to that first available overhead bin as quickly as possible!

[Kairosgrammy]

Sorry, I had to chuckle. I pack mine in my luggage (have without a problem) cuz I can't stand being incumbered but I can well imagine other's reactions.

Of course, fellow passengers may give you the evil eye as you are boarding since you will be carrying 3 items, but just smile sweetly and get to that first available overhead bin as quickly as possible!

[davelikesbeer]

I also carry a copy of the perscription, just incase something is needed when I reach my destination. Pack a spare mask and hose in your checked bag. They could come in handy.

I've seen people state this many times. What you should do right now is scan your prescription and save it to Google Docs so you never have to worry about it again. I have my diagnostic sleep study results, titration sleep study results, and my prescription all scanned in.

To xenablue, I've only traveled a few of times with my CPAP and totally understand where you are coming from. I absolutely hated carrying it. I usually have a laptop backpack on, and the shoulder strap for my CPAP case would constantly slide over the backpack strap and off my shoulder. Even so, I still would not consider checking it as I've had my bags delayed several times, even on direct flights.

[Kairosgrammy]

I must be a very blessed human being. The only time my luggage hasn't made it with me is on a greyhound bus. Nasty. Busses just don't seem so clean, perhaps its the exhaust, and all I wanted to do was take a shower and put on clean clothes. No such luck.

Even so, I still would not consider checking it as I've had my bags delayed several times, even on direct flights.