New DOT regs for CPAP . . . on airlines

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Tue May 13, 2008 9:22 am

Due to a long URL, I have used this one and ask that you click on the article dated May 13, 2008.

http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=22542

The article begins as follows:

"New Department of Transportation Regulations for Passengers Using Oxygen Devices on Airplanes

On May 13, 2008, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) published a final rule regarding traveling on airlines with devices, including ventilators, respirators, continuous positive pressure (CPAP) machines and portable oxygen concentrators (POC). The rule, which has wide sweeping implications for travelers with lung diseases who require oxygen, will go into effect on May 13, 2009. The Department of Transportation says the one-year period is necessary for the airlines to implement these changes. Always check with your airline when booking travel to understand how and when these rules are being implemented."

BarryKaraoke · Post by **BarryKaraoke** » Tue May 13, 2008 9:54 am

gasp wrote:Due to a long URL,

Here is a small one direct to the article: http://tinyurl.com/56js2c

deglorious · Post by **deglorious** » Tue May 13, 2008 9:57 am

Does this mean that we will need batteries even if we are just transporting our cpap? I don't travel anywhere I'll need to use it overnight (at least not in the near future).

Deglorious

CentralScrutinizer · Post by **CentralScrutinizer** » Tue May 13, 2008 10:22 am

Looks like it's just going to confuse things.

I can see someone denying you permission to board a flight because you don't have any batteries... even though you may have no intention of using the CPAP during the flight, but do want to bring the CPAP with you as carry on... I think it would really mean that if you were trying to carry your CPAP on as a 'third' bag, etc... you would have to show them you needed it (Doctor signed letter) and you had the batteries to power it for 150% of the flight duration, etc... Now, I have no idea how they would even know how much power the device would consume during operation and/or how would they know if you had enough battery to last 150% of the flight duration?

If you just want to carry it on within your normal carry on limit... I suspect none of this even applies to you.

_________________

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

Pineapple · Post by **Pineapple** » Tue May 13, 2008 10:30 am

Batteries
The airlines may require travelers to bring an “adequate number” of fully charged batteries required to operate their POC or other device for at least 150 percent of the expected maximum flight duration.

I belive this only pertains if you plan to use your CPAP during the flight.

Reading the artical, the new rules are to address the issue of using CPAP and other oxygen devices IMO. Without a link to the exact ruling (am I missing it) it's hard to tell. I do see the possiblity of this ruling being misinterperated to make it harder for those of us who only transport our CPAPs. Alright, I'm alittle paranoid.

cflame1 · Post by **cflame1** » Tue May 13, 2008 4:26 pm

I'm a little paranoid as well... but I guess that I'll find out soon enough... taking a short trip on Saturday out of the country.

deglorious · Post by **deglorious** » Wed May 14, 2008 4:55 pm

The rules don't go into effect until May 2009, but what about this battery requirement. If we say we're not using it on board and don't have batteries, will they make us put it underneath with the rest of the baggage.?? Is medical equipment taken on board only allowed if its going to be used on board? Maybe I should start a new thread?

Deglorious

SleepIsHell · Post by **SleepIsHell** » Wed May 14, 2008 5:23 pm

This has nothing to do with Devices that will not be used during the flight. I think this battery requirement is only for devices that are meant to be used In-Flight. If we want to just carry our CPAP machines, this Battery requirement doesn't apply to us.

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Wed May 14, 2008 8:45 pm

deglorious wrote:The rules don't go into effect until May 2009, but what about this battery requirement. If we say we're not using it on board and don't have batteries, will they make us put it underneath with the rest of the baggage.?? Is medical equipment taken on board only allowed if its going to be used on board? Maybe I should start a new thread?

Deglorious

I think your discussion is applicable to this thread.

People take their laptops on board with them even if they don't use them and it's accepted by airlines. People don't have to prove that their laptop battery is charged and will work for the expected amount of flight time. : ) Anyway, I believe what the policy is getting at is that if you intend to use it, you have to provide power - this limits liability to the airline company. Also, the policy is to take the equipment on board as an extra and necessary baggage - which would indicate the user may need to use it if it becomes medically necessary.

I don't believe we should be able to carry it on as an uncounted baggage if we don't intend to use it.

momadams · Post by **momadams** » Wed May 14, 2008 9:22 pm

But it's not an oxygen device...
Shari

billbolton · Post by **billbolton** » Wed May 14, 2008 11:12 pm

gasp wrote:People take their laptops on board with them even if they don't use them and it's accepted by airlines.

They are accepted in the US only within normal carry-on limits! That's a big difference from CPAP equipment in the US.

gasp wrote:Also, the policy is to take the equipment on board as an extra and necessary baggage - which would indicate the user may need to use it if it becomes medically necessary.

An interesting point, especially in view of the 150% of flight time battery requirement. The line of bureacratic thinking could well go...

If you take it in the cabin, you may need to use it if the flight is delayed (say, several hours sitting in the aircraft on an appron/taxiway, as has happened on occasions)

Therefore you need to be able to power it

Therefore you need to carry batteries if you want the "extra item" of carry on!

Cheers,

Bill

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Thu May 15, 2008 4:26 pm

My comment about laptops was tongue in cheek - not meant as a serious argument. I should be more clear.

Anyway, interesting response all around.

roster · Post by **roster** » Thu May 15, 2008 5:26 pm

gasp wrote:............

I don't believe we should be able to carry it on as an uncounted baggage if we don't intend to use it.
..........

You can easily make several arguments out of this, but I don't want to take a two-hour flight and have to check my cpap. Then arrive at the destination airport at 11:00 p.m and find out they lost my machine. Next step, I check into the hotel at midnight and have no cpap. This would be well beyond unpleasant for me. Please be reasonable and allow us to carry on an extra bag for our non-battery operated cpaps!

Pineapple · Post by **Pineapple** » Fri May 16, 2008 8:42 am

My last trip to Phoenix, my luggage was AWOL for 2 days. Boy am I glad I didn't check my CPAP.

xyz · Post by **xyz** » Fri May 16, 2008 2:01 pm

gasp
> I don't believe we should be able to carry it on as an uncounted baggage if we don't intend to use it.

You need to read the news articles that say the lost bagggage rate is higher than ever and climbing. Not having your medical-related gear when you arrive could be bad for your health.

bb
> If you take it in the cabin, you may need to use it if the flight is delayed
> Therefore you need to be able to power it
> Therefore you need to carry batteries if you want the "extra item" of carry on

So every SA patient everywhere in the world who boards any flight to anywhere should carry batteries, even though they don't plan to use them onboard -- just in case? Nonsense.

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New DOT regs for CPAP . . . on airlines

New DOT regs for CPAP . . . on airlines

Re: New DOT regs for CPAP . . . on airlines