Traveling to US

[Jex]

Hi everyone,

I've done some searching on the forum but found nothing that would clarify my doubts.

The question is this:

I'll be traveling to US soon. Based on the airplane I'll be traveling on I found out that all seats provide 110V outlets. Also checking the web I found out that the PR System One is FAA approved.

Now the problems show up.

Contacting the airline to communicate I'll be traveling with the CPAP I received two weird news:

1) They said that the only approved devices are those from REMStar.
2) They said that the seats DO NOT have the outlet and those that have are not guaranteed to work so I should bring batteries with me.

I' found some posts talking about batteries (that I do not have and do not plan to buy as I travel very little and see no point in buying it to use once a year.
While talking to my doctor he said that the airline MUST provide the outlet but if I do not insist they tend to force the user to bring the battery. He also mentioned another patient that always needs to fight the company about this issue.

What I would like to know is if I the airlines companies MUST provide such outlets for medical use (I suppose CPAP are in this category) even if the to do that need to change my seat. I also would like to know what information is correct about the PR System One. The third and last question is if I need to bring an extension, if so how big, or outlets near the bed are common.

By the way, do I need to be know anything else regarding traveling with a CPAP specially to US ? (Like customs or anything else)

Thanks in advance,
JEx

[BlackSpinner]

While talking to my doctor he said that the airline MUST provide the outlet but if I do not insist they tend to force the user to bring the battery. He also mentioned another patient that always needs to fight the company about this issue.

Your doctor is wrong. Those outlets are not really designed for that use. There is no guarantee they will work at your seat. At any time the flight crew can override all those rules if they feel the safety of the aircraft or passengers are involved - you are hooking into the airplane's electrical system, the one that keeps the planes instruments going.

[khauser]

REMStar is a brand name ... I believe all PR System One xPAP machines are "REMStar" machines.

As for the airline rules, I imagine it depends in part on the carrier, but I don't have any facts and am going to avoid guessing.

[123.Shawn T.W.]

The PR is a RemStar ... RemStar is like a Chevy, and Philips Respironices like GM ...

No idea about the plane thing ... I don't fly anymore ... I'd either get a day flight, or skip it if the outlet didn't work ...

Most hotels here have outlets near the bed ... But you may have to unplug a bedside light or clock ... A power strip that you brought would allow everything to be plugged in, if that is important to you.

[JohnBFisher]

For a lot of information about the best seats to meet your needs, you will want to peruse:

http://www.seatguru.com/

There's often issues with the power that comes from airplane. Those issues can include a higher frequency than what's normal. There can also be lower or higher voltage than anticipated. As a result, many airlines specifically restrict devices such as oxygen concentrators, ventilators and CPAP type devices from using the airplane power. That being said, the staff on the airline may or may not take notice of you using that power. Even if the airline allows the use of such devices, if the staff says "no go" then they have the final say in the matter. Period.

I also agree that your doctor was wrong. Since the flight touches down in the US, it must follow FAA rules, which do NOT require the airline to provide power. In fact, the FAA rules allow the airline to make its own rules concerning use of the power provided on the airline. For example, they are free to make a blanket statement that the power may not be used for various purposes (ventilators, oxygen concentrators and CPAP type devices). The FAA rules note that hose devices may not be counted as a carry on item. So if you are allowed on carry on bag and you have one carry on bag plus a CPAP device you can carry on both of them.

Also, the Phillips Respironics System One unit is a REMstar unit. So, it would qualify even under the airline rules.

All that being said, I just don't sleep during a transatlantic flight. I crash when I arrive and assume that first day will be wasted getting rest.

P.S. Be certain to bring a plug adapter. Your unit will work on 110V, but your default plug may not work with US plugs.

Hope that helps.

[Julie]

And even if you get a seat with an outlet arranged, it's quite possible that your seat will be changed between flights (drove me crazy last time I flew!).

[Guest]

kauser, you right, It should be RESMED not REMStar, sorry.

JohnBFisher, that's where I got the information regarding my plane. As for the adapter, the machine was bought in US, so I do not need it (at least not for the CPAP, and for the charges one is already on the list.

Julie, I do not understand what you said about the seat being changed. Having the seat chosen in advance means nothing ?

BlackSpinner, I'm almost sure the system the feeds those outlets is not the same one that powers the airplane equipment. This would be a huge security breach.

To all, seems everyone agrees that the info my doctor gave me is wrong. So I will disregard it. My doubt was if there is some regulation on this subject and looks like there isn't.

Thanks all for the answers.

[pbriggs]

Hello, I do travel very frequently and here is some advise for travel in or into the US.

Airport security - they see these machines every day - never had a question ever - I do carry a copy of my prescription as a just in case to show that it is medically necessary. In the security screening area - I put the xPAP in a separate tray and open the bag so they can visually see what it is as it enters the scanner. If they decide to hand check and swab it - just ask for a new swab - they do not have to use one but does not hurt to ask - and yes they have the right to inspect ALL bags - even medical devices.

Carry on - I will not check my device under any conditions - never had a problem for my roll bag with computer and carry bag with xPAP - again they see these every day. First time I traveled with mine i was surprised to how many of then I could see in the airport - never noticed them before I had one...

For international travel - I have found that in business class, depending on the airline, they let me plug in. I fly to Germany typically and get a mix of Germany style plugs and US style plugs based on were the airline is from. Sitting in standard seating I have never had a plug to use. So option is to sleep without or stay awake as others do, or you can rent a battery.

Here is one option to rent - http://www.thebatterygeeks.com/Battery- ... s-s/85.htm, just google CPAP battery rental and you will get several.

I carry a power strip when I travel, nothing big, just a 1 meter cord with 3 outlets that can handle the current - just in case I want to plug in the cell and the xPAP and clock at the same time next to the bed --- you will find outlets are not overally many in a room, but I have always found one close enough to the bed to use as most, if not all, hotels in the US have an alarm clock in the room next to the bed.

Good Luck
Paul

[ironhands]

All that being said, I just don't sleep during a transatlantic flight. I crash when I arrive

Nice choice of words

[JohnBFisher]

All that being said, I just don't sleep during a transatlantic flight. I crash when I arrive

Nice choice of words

Hmmm... Perhaps not the best possible phrasing!

Ah well, we all need a little humor to get us through the day. My problem is that I'm so full of it (humor, that is) that I'm punny and I don't even know it!

[Julie]

Hi - I went to Australia in May (from Canada - 2 flts here connecting to LA then Melbourne), and both coming and going my seat had been changed (x 2-3) and only by arguing hard did I get what I wanted, though not the actual same seat or row.

[RandyJ]

I never bother with cpap during transatlantic flights either... for the brief hour or two I might nap during a flight of 8 hours or less, I do okay with my head elevated a bit. (I don't wake up gasping for breath like I would sleeping in my own bed without cpap.) The seats in Business Class go flat to make a bed but I'll leave it tilted at 45 degrees more or less.

In Business Class there is almost always an outlet (110) at the seat, but you could always end up in the odd seat where the outlet doesn't work.

If I were flying Coach (Economy) I wouldn't expect there to be an outlet, or even want to fool around with having a cpap in my lap and a person right next to me, or possibly on both sides.

[Space Oddity]

The PR is a RemStar ... RemStar is like a Chevy, and Philips Respironices like GM ...

OMG! Government Motors. Sure glad I went with ResMed!

[123.Shawn T.W.]

The PR is a RemStar ... RemStar is like a Chevy, and Philips Respironices like GM ...

OMG! Government Motors. Sure glad I went with ResMed!

I said "like" ... At least PR is made in USA ...

BTW ... Did you know what OMG! really stands for? ? ? Obama Must Go!

[BlackSpinner]

BTW ... Did you know what OMG! really stands for? ? ? Obama Must Go!

What, don't they have bathrooms in the white house?