Air Travel

[KenM]

Going to be flying cross county in a couple weeks.
No, do not travel by air very often and this is first time with BiPAP machine

I have the Medical Identification Luggage Tag
Printed out a copy of the ResMed Travel Compliance Letter

Anything else I need to do?

Not checking luggage. Carry on, laptop, and BiPAP

[chunkyfrog]

Dress comfortably, rest up ahead of time, and plan to face adversity like the wisest person you know.

[D.H.]

I assume that you're flying "Cross Country!"

Remember to take your CPAP in the original bag. That bag should be large enough to accommodate the machine, the humidifier, the electric cord, an extension cord (in case there's no socket near the bed) the hose, and the mask. Do not check it in.

Good idea to stop in Walmart where you land and pick up distilled water (if you're using the humidifier).

Also, very important: Create a dedicated packing list for you CPAP ahead of time (and keep a copy in your CPAP bag)! This is not only good for vacations (of all types), it's good in case of an emergency hospitalization, especially if somebody else needs to retrieve your CPAP. If you travel internationally (or think you might), add the needed adapter(s) to your packing list.

[Cardsfan]

I've flown many times with my machine. Never had any problems, get right through security checks. The TSA makes the rules, and the airlines in the US have to obey them. http://www.tsa.gov
Being medical equipment, it does not count against your carry on allotment. It can NOT be separated from you. And you can carry on a "reasonable amount of distilled water" for your medical needs. I just use whatever water comes out of the faucet.
Put a luggage tag on it with your Phone #. And don't sit next to my husband, last trip, he tried to walk off with someone else's machine by mistake, same Resmed bag.
It will go thru the x-ray machine at check point.

[KenM]

yea, COUNTRY!
stupid fat fingers

Don't plan on checking anything in and still have the original PAP bag under my bed.

Put mask, hose and humidifier tank in zip-lock baggie?

I am NOT traveling with liquids of ANY kind.
Anything I need, like distilled water, shaving cream, toothpaste etc I'll buy after I arrive.
Visiting family so its not like I'll need a lot of things.
Plus traveling with my 2 sisters and 3 kidlets

[LSAT]

I assume that you are flying "Cross Country!".
Remember to take your CPAP in the original bag. That bag should be large enough to accommodate the machine, the humidifier, the electric cord, an extension cord (in case there's no socket near the bed) the hose, and the mask. Do not check it in.

Good idea to stop in Walmart where you land and pick up distilled water (if you're using the humidifier).

Also, very important: Create a dedicated packing list for you CPAP ahead of time (and keep a copy in your CPAP bag)! This is not only good for vacations (of all types), it's good in case of an emergency hospitalization, especially if somebody else needs to retrieve your CPAP. If you travel internationally (or think you might), add the needed adapter(s) to your packing list.

What makes you assume that? Could it be because the OP said that?

[nanwilson]

I assume that you are flying "Cross Country!".
Remember to take your CPAP in the original bag. That bag should be large enough to accommodate the machine, the humidifier, the electric cord, an extension cord (in case there's no socket near the bed) the hose, and the mask. Do not check it in.

Good idea to stop in Walmart where you land and pick up distilled water (if you're using the humidifier).

Also, very important: Create a dedicated packing list for you CPAP ahead of time (and keep a copy in your CPAP bag)! This is not only good for vacations (of all types), it's good in case of an emergency hospitalization, especially if somebody else needs to retrieve your CPAP. If you travel internationally (or think you might), add the needed adapter(s) to your packing list.

What makes you assume that? Could it be because the OP said that?

==========

read the OP again

he said he was flying cross counTy NOT cross countRy

: YOU had better read it again, the OP corrected his error a post or two down..... I think YOU are in ERROR again He said COUNTRY in the correction, you blew it again Google Doctor.

[KenM]

This thread is full of reading comprehension failure

and full of my own writing failure too, not making things clear.

I mean really, who would throw away the carry case the PAP machine came in? of course I'll be using it.
ziplock bags to keep TSA cooties off my stuff.
NOT CHECKING BAGS! (third time I'll say that)

[palerider]

This thread is full of reading comprehension failure

and full of my own writing failure too, not making things clear.

I mean really, who would throw away the carry case the PAP machine came in? of course I'll be using it.
ziplock bags to keep TSA cooties off my stuff.
NOT CHECKING BAGS! (third time I'll say that)

yeah, so far, Chunkyfrog has got the most accurate and appropriate answer.

[KenM]

yeah, so far, Chunkyfrog has got the most accurate and appropriate answer.

True that.
Will be in Fresno (sisters house) at 5pm after a 2.5hr drive out of the mountains
Leave there at 3am to drive to SFO
Planning for the morning commute traffic.
Arrive at RIC at 9pm
Loooooooong day with a 10yr old and 5yr old twins

Being well rested will be the challenge

[Pugsy]

The 10 yr old won't likely be much trouble unless he/she fights with the twins. Now the 5 yrs olds might be another story.
Maybe take and extra "nerve" pill of your choice.

As far as the cpap stuff goes it's likely to be a non issue. Airline personnel and the TSA agents are all pretty much familiar with cpap stuff.
I have never had an airline employee ask to see inside the bag, they just say "cpap" and I say and that's it.
Now TSA agents are a different story. I have had some ask me to take the stuff out of the bag & put it in a bin and some just have said "unzip it and leave it open and run it through the x-ray". I guess it depends on their mood for the day.

I don't mess with the distilled water until I reach my destination. It's just that much more weight and I am already pretty much tapped out with the weight as it is between my purse full of crap and the cpap bag. Not to mention the potential hassle with TSA over the small amount of water.

[Gryphon]

Sounds like you know what your doing.

I'll second the suggestions of others.

Little plastic bags to keep germs from getting on your stuff if they go over board with their inspection.
Don't check your cpap - (Your not going to so that's good.)
Pack it all in the original bag with company name on the outside - (Your doing that also.)

Make sure you have letter of medical necessity from your doctor. Pack that with your cpap. - (If you don't have this I wouldn't worry much about it.)
Also doesn't hurt to have copies of your script and settings written down on paper encase something happens and you need to show a medical person at your destination that you have all your settings so they can set you up with a loaner if heaven forbid something happens to your machine during the trip. I'd keep one copy on you and one with your cpap.

Other then what your already doing, it sounds like your all ready.

I wish you safe travels and a happy trip when you get to where your going.

Gryphon

[JohnO]

Arrive at RIC at 9pm

Good advice so far. I just flew home from Richmond on Wednesday. Nice little airport.

I've been traveling regularly in the US with my CPAP machine for nearly 5 years now. In all that time, I've had TSA once ask me to open the zipper to let them see inside the CPAP carrying case. I opened the zipper, said it was a medical device, and they waved me through without any further fuss. I have also had 3 gate agents try to tell me I had too many bags. I just pointed to it and said the magic words, "medical device," and never even slowed down as I went past the boarding pass scanner.

So, based on my experiences, there is a better than 99% chance no one will bat an eye at your CPAP.

Also, while you -are- allowed a small amount of water, I never bring any. I don't want to have yet another possible reason to MAYBE get slowed down at TSA. When I'm traveling, I want to move as quickly and carefree as possible.

John

[palerider]

Also, while you -are- allowed a small amount of water, I never bring any. I don't want to have yet another possible reason to MAYBE get slowed down at TSA. When I'm traveling, I want to move as quickly and carefree as possible.

plus, water's heavy!

[Guest]

I always bring enuff distilled for about 3 days. I have had times when no distilled was available at my destination so that gives me time to shop around. My carry-on is on wheels so weight is not a factor PLUS I don't have to spend 4$ after the check point for drinking water.

Another option is to carry an empty bottle thru the check point that you can put water in. The are always bathrooms and/or water fountains after the check points and empty bottles are allowed.