My travel experience

[lburton]

Hey all,

Just got back from Columbus, OH and this was the first trip I took with my CPAP going along for the ride. I made sure I had the Resmed letter, and a letter from my Sleep Center, as well as the TSA docs and I found that flying from Laguardia and Columbus, things went pretty smooth. I told the checkpoint security that I had a CPAP, and after putting my shoes back on went aside with them as they examined the machine. They were all very professional, and polite. The lady at the checkpoint in CMH could tell this was the first flight, and offered suggestions to keep a close eye on it at all checkpoints.

I must say, I was very pleased about the entire trip. well, except for the bomb scare at the Red Roof Inn that I was staying at... I was damned certain the cleaning crew had found my CPAP and freaked out, but it turns out strange packages had been found abandoned in multiple areas of the city on the same day, but all were found to be inert. (Thank the powers that be...)

Good to be back,

-Lee

[HeatherN]

I am glad your trip went so well. I had to chuckle at the cleaning crew thinking your CPAP was a bomb.

[geoDoug]

I just returned from an air travel experience that was good. Just in case, beforehand, I printed out the TSA and DOT letters and made sure I had my prescription with me. Turns out I didn't need them. I flew round trip from San Jose, CA (Mineta - SJC) to Ontario, CA (ONT).

In San Jose, they just pulled me aside and didn't even do the white swab thingy. Out of curiosity, I asked the guy if he's seen a CPAP machine. His answer? "I see at least 10 a day." Ontario was just as good. They pulled me aside and did the little white swab thing, but didn't hassle me at all.

Doug.

[DreamStalker]

Wow ... 10 a day!

Make a few assumptions and start multiplying the numbers and that adds up to a whole lot of people being treated for OSA. Make a few more assumptions and start multipliying more numbers and you get a whole lot more people with OSA.

[skjansen]

I travelled to Scotland several weeks ago and interestingly enough the only places I was stopped and "swabbed" were in the US. Scotland just ran the CPAP machine through security as did the Amsterdam airport. I did however fly out of Scotland only about 4-6 hours before the Glasgow car bombing so things may have changed regarding security issues after I flew out.