TSA rules changed??

[gasparama]

Somewhere I read that durable medical equipment (i.e. CPAP in its case) now counts as a carry on bag. Is that so? If I can carry it on with my purse and my one piece of luggage, then I won't have to check anything. Does anyone know?

[Bons]

The TSA website doesn't say that, but individual airlines might be setting their own carry-on limitations. Check with the airline you'll be traveling with.

[Blrfl]

Carry-on limitations are set by the airlines. The TSA has a limit on the number of items it will screen, but medical gadgets don't count toward it.

--Mark

[Bons]

Amtrak still allows them without counting against carry on limits, and they have outlets in the seats to plug them in. When I travel back and forth to visit my daughter, my doctor writes me a letter of necessity to get an empty seat beside me because of my PLMs. I'm considered a danger to anyone stuck next to me (I've been known to beat and try to choke my husband while sleeping - tempted when not sleeping ). I had a conductor question it once, but he told me in the morning that he then realized it was indeed a safety issue for other passengers, after walking through the car a few times during the night. Lets me board ahead of everyone else, too!

[Hose_Head]

Carry-on limitations are set by the airlines. The TSA has a limit on the number of items it will screen, but medical gadgets don't count toward it.

--Mark

Actually, this is covered by US Federal law; airlines have to follow the law.

Look here: 14 CFR Section 382.41

And here: http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/rules/20011029.htm

I don't know if these rules have been changed (the links I've provided are old ones, but post 911).

[Air Force Retired]

Last month I flew on United and before my flight to Alabama from California I called united and they said a CPAP (In it's carrying case) was not counted as carryon baggage. To be safe, I would contact your carrier before going to the airport. They usually have a contact phone number on their website.

[sleepyb]

You definitely want to carry on your machine just like your laptop. Actually they prefer that you do. My brother-in-law works as a baggage handler. You don't want them anywhere near your machine! . Anyway, I have only had one bad experience with my machine and the airline security. The day after I got the machine I had to travel. Being new to this I was very shy about having the machine with me and having others see that I had OSA. While I was waiting for the machine to be sniffed etc. to make sure it wasn't a bomb, the lady yelled "Who has the CPAP machine?" Thought I'd just about die. That was the only time that ever happened though.

[PST]

I think Hose_Head is right about this. It used to be just an airline rule, but now there is a federal regulation on the subject. There is a useful web site where most federal regulations can be found, http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html, and it claims to be current to November 8. Under 14 CFR section 382.121(b), airlines are instructed:

In implementing your carry-on baggage policies, you must not count assistive devices (including the kinds of items listed in paragraph (a) of this section) toward a limit on carry-on baggage.

CPAP is not one of the items listed in paragraph (a), but the definition of "assistive device" seems broad enough to include it:

Assistive device means any piece of equipment that assists a passenger with a disability to cope with the effects of his or her disability. Such devices are intended to assist a passenger with a disability to hear, see, communicate, maneuver, or perform other functions of daily life, and may include medical devices and medications.

For what it's worth, I travel frequently and no one has ever even looked sideways at me for the extra medical equipment bag. I am careful not to carry an orange or an extra pair of clean socks in it. Medical equipment only.

[drj130]

The only flying I've been doing lately has be on Aeroflot, and I've never had a problem with taking my machine on the plane. They see it, slap an approved carry on sticker on it and away I go. To prevent any chance of damage to my case, I picked up a hard case that can carry everything I need in it. In one of my other posts viewtopic/t57231/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=55 ... 62#p520562 I put in about my case and what I can carry in it. Glad that I did get the case because while taking a taxi, when we stopped and they opened the back, it fell out and (my suitcase fell on top of it) and hit the ground hard. Without that case, my machine would have been broken.

David

[xenablue]

I agree with someone who said the airlines had restrictions, not TSA.

In August, I had a real problem getting my cooler on a plane as a non-carry-on counted item - they were adamant about me checking it - I was more adamant about keeping it with me. The cooler is soft and is 3" tall, 4" wide x 5"long and held diabetic and other meds which needed to be kept cool.

Before I fly again, will be checking directly with the airlines and if they won't let me bring essential medical equipment on board or make me count it as carry-on, I shall be calling other airlines.

All the airlines have their own policy on medical equipment/supplies - some are very friendly, others are obscure enough that it's impossible to know what they will and won't allow.

I, like most other people, presume that the TSA rules cover the airlines.... this is just not so. Do your homework before causing a scene like I did LOL>

Cheers,
Xenablue

[chunkyfrog]

Xena: If I were you, I'd seriously send a detailed letter to the CEO of that airline.
Sometimes you need to shake the TOP of the tree to get the best fruit.

[xenablue]

Good idea ChunkyFrog - gonna do some research shortly.
Thanks and cheers,
xena

[The Texan]

I have found that most times it is not the airlines, but the airlines station agent for that airport. We had trouble with American at Tampa and Delta at Salt Lake City and in both cases found that the station agent, their speakeze for the airport manager for that airline, was not following established company rules, but had decided on their own, that they knew better than the company. In both cases, we received a written apology and a authorization for a free flight, equal to the one we filed the complaint about. Yes, by all means, write a very detailed letter to the VP of customer service, but be nice as honey will get more than vinegar ever will.
Bob

[jbenenson]

I haven't flown since I started using my APAP machine, but I do know this: federal law trumps any policy that the airline(s) might have. If the TSA says that a CPAP machine is allowed they cannot violate that law. When I travel I will be carrying a letter from ResMed that says that the machine is compliant with TSA regulations and a copy of the applicable TSA rule(s).

Here is the text from the TSA page http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... /cpap.shtm ...

"Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machines

CPAPs are allowed through security checkpoints once they have undergone screening. [ ]

Passengers will be required to take their CPAP machine out of its carrying case and place the device in a bin for x-ray screening. Facemasks and tubing can remain in the carrying case.

In addition to x-ray inspection of your CPAP machine, a visual and physical inspection, and Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) sampling will be required."

You have rights; exercise them!

[howkim]

As of last Sunday when I flew, my CPAP didn't count. I was questioned by someone in a uniform as I was getting into the line to go through security, as I had 3 bags looped over my shoulders (purse, computer and CPAP). However, when I told her that it was my CPAP, she let me through with no other comment.