TSA problems on my vacation

[Tcamillemars]

When I flew out of Denver (my maiden flight with my cpap) there were no problems. I took it out of the case, and set it on top in the bin. As soon as the screener saw it, she yelled "CPAP" and a polite young man took it, changed his gloves automatically, screened it, and returned it to me. However, on the return flight from Las Vegas it was a different story. I carry my cpap in the bag it came in and then I take it and my laptop and put them in a bigger bag. I opened this bag, put my computer separate from the bag, and took my cpap out and placed the plastic bag in the bin. This time the screener yelled "bag check" and a very rude young man picked up my cpap and carried over to a table. I took my computer and put it back in my bag and put on my shoes, grabbed my purse and followed him. I set the bag with the computer under the table. He started to open the plastic bag and I said as politely as I could, "Could you change your gloves please" He developed "attitude". Ran the pad over every square in of my machine looking for explosives. He handed it back to me and said he had to run the cpap bag back through screening. I was busy putting it back in the plastic bag, and when I reached down for the bag with the computer it was gone. I panicked and ran over to screening, and the same rude man started lecturing me on keeping track of my stuff. I didn't leave it on the screening machine. Nobody was around where he tested the cpap, and I didn't pay attention when he picked up the cpap to rerun it through screening. Somebody picked it up. Another TSA agent offered to help me by taking me to lost and found but it wasn't there. He turned around and asked if that was it coming through the xray machine now? Yes it was. And the computer was zipped up in the bag. If I had left it there, it would have still been in the bin separate from the bag. So, either it walked over there, or Mr. Rude TSA picked up both bags thinking "I'll show her for making me change gloves. I'll take her other bag and hide it, and after she panics I'll send it though the screener. I didn't expect this kind of junior high behavior from somebody who the nation trusts with our security. I wish I had his name. I was furious that he would deliberately hide my bag and cause me to think it was stolen. I know I didn't forget it. My daughter insists I had it with me. I'd call TSA but with my luck they'd put me on the no fly list. Denver has a separate screening line for people with medical devices or liquid medication. They all knew what a cpap was and were kind and courteous. I expected the same in Las Vegas but instead he tried to play "keep away with my stuff." Moral of the story, have a companion help keep track of your stuff while you fuss with the cpap.

[dwh]

Oh No! I am flying out of Vegas mid June, My cpap and I will keep an eye out for your rude TSA agent!

[timbalionguy]

I don't trust TSA for my security. They don't make me feel safe.

Living in Nevada, and having occasional business in 'Vegas, I fly through there about once a year. They have policies relationg to checked baggage I have never encountered elsewhere.

I also occasionally run into TSA folks sportin' a 'tude, even before 9/11.

CPAP will probably go in checked baggage next time I fly. I will go to great lengths to avoid conflicts with screeners who have a chip on their shoulder, including risking losing my machine in baggage for a day.

Besides, CPAP machines are supposed to blow up-- your airway, that is

[Kiralynx]

It's not fun to hear about such juvenile behavior.

I haven't yet flown with CPAP, and I'm not looking forward to it. I follow a very strict diet for medical reasons -- I cannot purchase something to eat in the secure area, and nothing the airlines carry as snacks is safe for me. (No sugar, no starch, no artificial flavorings, no grains, no potatoes, just for starters.)

Since the TSA, travel has been... exceedingly difficult. In fact, I haven't flown since 2007 because of it.

We've driven everywhere, but if the drive is more than 3-4 days, it gets difficult. No, I'm definitely not looking forward to a trip where I must fly, and get myself, my cane, my CPAP, my laptop computer, my camera, AND my safe food through the TSA line. Oh, and let's not forget that shoes must now be placed directly on the beltway instead of in a bin. Shoes in your carry-on aren't supposed to have to be dug out and placed on the beltway, but it's happening, if you read the comments to the 5.14.09 entry at http://www.tsa.gov/blog/.

I know there are polite TSAs out there -- people have reported meeting them. Just wish I would.

[hobbs]

"I also occasionally run into TSA folks sportin' a 'tude, even before 9/11."

Really?

[Kiralynx]

I also occasionally run into TSA folks sportin' a 'tude, even before 9/11.

<blink> That's kind of interesting, since although there was airport security, TSA didn't exist before 9/11!

CPAP will probably go in checked baggage next time I fly. I will go to great lengths to avoid conflicts with screeners who have a chip on their shoulder, including risking losing my machine in baggage for a day.

I've packed my safe food (for the most part) in my checked luggage, only to arrive and find that the snap-top plastic boxes have been crushed, and the first thing I have to do is go buy boxes, and remove the torn plastic from my food. Besides, I have to carry a 24 hour supply of food with me, in case, as happened in 2004, my flight's arrival time is delayed by that much. No way I'm going to risk having airline baggage handlers crush my Bipap Auto SV the way they do my extra food!

Besides, CPAP machines are supposed to blow up-- your airway, that is

[momadams]

Don't put CPAP in checked luggage.

And DO call TSA about the incident. They need to know- else how can they fix it?

Shari

[Billy6]

I just throw it in my carryon, and on my last 12 times through screening, my bag wasnt opened once. I'm not big on lugging it around in its oversized carrying case or taking it out to display it

[BlackSpinner]

CPAP will probably go in checked baggage next time I fly.

NO NO NO don't do this unless you want to spend a nite or two without it or maybe lose it all together. And they won't cover the replacements costs.

Baggage gets THROWN into and out of the hold. It is perched on top of a cart that races thru the airport taking sharp corners and sometimes bounces luggage onto the tarmac and with luck it won't be run over!! I work for an airline company - we have a very short time to move baggage. Nothing important or breakable should ever be packed. Many times when I have flown, even as a paying passenger, my luggage arrived the next day. Once it arrived before me when it went on another plane and mine broke down and never took off and we were put up in a hotel for a day.

Always fly with all your medications and your electronics and one days change of clothes in your carry on baggage.

[Kiralynx]

Always fly with all your medications and your electronics and one days change of clothes in your carry on baggage.

Any ideas for getting safe, home-prepared food past the <bleeping> TSA?

[BlackSpinner]

Any ideas for getting safe, home-prepared food past the <bleeping> TSA?

Yes that is the bummer. Can you have dry food? They seem most concerned with liquids. I have had no problems with 6 granola bars and a bag of nuts & dried fruit. Ok I work for an airline but that is no reason to eat the food they serve unless I end up in first class and it doesn't help me through the screening either. The attendants will give you hot water to add to anything you might want to eat.


Last trip I horribly embarrassed my daughter because I had forgotten to take my embroidery scissors out of my knitting bag, she was mortified I was pulled aside to have my bag inspected.

[araminta]

Always fly with all your medications and your electronics and one days change of clothes in your carry on baggage.

Any ideas for getting safe, home-prepared food past the <bleeping> TSA?

I fly often, and have always brought my own food. Now that i am borderline diabetic, I carry even more food in the side pocket of my wheely bag: whole wheat pita, pop-up cans of tuna, almonds, aged cheese, etc.

[lktnky]

Both times I've had to go thru the Las Vegas airport all I got was 'attitude.' They're unprofessional, to say the least.
The first time I thought it might have been time for the nasty girl to go home & it'd been a long shift. Last week I got the same disgusting crabbiness and there was no excuse for it.

[BleepingBeauty]

Any ideas for getting safe, home-prepared food past the <bleeping> TSA?

Hey! I resemble that remark!

[bonjour]

I fly often, and have always brought my own food. Now that i am borderline diabetic, I carry even more food in the side pocket of my wheely bag: whole wheat pita, pop-up cans of tuna, almonds, aged cheese, etc.

Sorry, I was bit by the borderline diabetic myth. You can only be as borderline diabetic as you can be borderline pregnant.
Aorry, soapbox mode off.