Advice on flying for the first time with Cpap machine

[Daisy004]

So we have booked a weeks vacation for Disney in May and we are flying down to Orlando from Houston International ( United Airlines). This will be my first time flying and I plan to take my Cpap machine with me. Im guessing I should NOT pack it in my suitcase and take it carry on with me instead. Are the airlines familiar with it?? Do I need a letter from my doctor? Im nervouse enough flying as it is...lol Any advice on what you personally did would be welcome..it will be bad enough hauling stuff for the 4 yr old. Im thinking I should buy a backpack for the kids stuff that way I can have the backpack on and the cpap over my shoulder. I will be hauling a stroller too. The 10 yr old will have his own roll on. OMG Im stressing already... oh..also...do you think it will be safe enough to leave the machine in the hotel room? I hate the fact that the maids clean the room and leave the door wide open, I kinda guess I will have to I dont plan on shlepping it round the magic kingdon with me... do you take any extra suplies with you also?? HELP!! lol

[LSAT]

There is no problem with carrying on a CPAP. The TSA people know what they are. You are allowed this carry on in addition to your regular carry on. Pack the CPAP in it's original case. Do not check it with your luggage...it WILL get damaged.

In the hotel, I would pack it up. Don't leave it on the table. Take an extra mask insert and an extension cord....you never know where the outlets are.

[Daisy004]

LSAT thank you....is it free to carry on or do I have to pay for it do you know??

[Chuck Connors]

Daisy004, hope you have a great time on your trip. Don't ever check your CPAP machine, lest you end up with a damaged and non-functioning machine as once happened to me. It's a carry-on. Also, since it's medical equipment, it doesn't count toward the typical two (2) item carry-on limit most airlines impose. -Chuck-

[Daisy004]

Thank you chuck....so I dont need a letter from the doctor or anything no?

[JO'M]

It's free, if you do a search, there have been threads on this subject previously which include the link to the appropriate legistlation. I think it's American with Disabilities, but I'm not postive.

[ughwhatname]

So we have booked a weeks vacation for Disney in May and we are flying down to Orlando from Houston International ( United Airlines). This will be my first time flying and I plan to take my Cpap machine with me. Im guessing I should NOT pack it in my suitcase and take it carry on with me instead. Are the airlines familiar with it?? Do I need a letter from my doctor? Im nervouse enough flying as it is...lol Any advice on what you personally did would be welcome..it will be bad enough hauling stuff for the 4 yr old. Im thinking I should buy a backpack for the kids stuff that way I can have the backpack on and the cpap over my shoulder. I will be hauling a stroller too. The 10 yr old will have his own roll on. OMG Im stressing already... oh..also...do you think it will be safe enough to leave the machine in the hotel room? I hate the fact that the maids clean the room and leave the door wide open, I kinda guess I will have to I dont plan on shlepping it round the magic kingdon with me... do you take any extra suplies with you also?? HELP!! lol

Last month, I took my first trip with cpap in tow. No issues at all. I took a copy of my prescription with me just in case, but didn't need it. I flew into and out of four airports with TSA not even batting an eye. Absolutely carry it on and it doesn't count toward your carry on limit. I left mine in the hotel with no problem, though you may want to be sure to empty the humidifier as a precaution in case it gets bumped off the nightstand. Bring an extension cord, too, just in case.

I was using a travel machine with no heated tube. To prevent rainout, I set it on the turned over small trash can in the room. The bed was too tall to put it on the floor. I just made sure to move it before I left the room for the day.

[Grand-PAP]

Hi Daisy,

I have flown many times with the VPAP.

In case you don't know, you are allowed to carry it onboard and it does NOT count as a carry-on item and at no additional cost. Personally, I do not even put it in the overhead compartment. It is small enough to comfortably and safely fit under the seat in front of you.

I don't think any documentation is required, but I have a copy of my Rx in the bag.

Regarding extras, since it will fit in the bag, I carry an extra hose in the bag and an extra mask in my checked bag.

I have never had an instance when a screener questioned my bag, but keep in mind if the TSA agent wants to inspect the CPAP, you are allowed to ask him/her to use a new pair of gloves.

Yes, with the same insecurity as you, I do leave my machine in the room; however, I at least put in a drawer.

[Daisy004]

Thank you all for the replys....I feel so much better now about taking it now. I hate flying at the best of times but its going to be better than the 16 hour drive we did last year. Hoping I will have more energy this year at Disney too to keep up with the kids! Thanks again everyone for putting my mind at ease, I just dont know what I would do if you guys werent there..you are all amazing. hugssss to you all. D.

[JO'M]

One tip- put your components in separate ziploc bags that way TSA may just look at it without taking them out of the bags.

[Suzjohnson]

I had a TSA agent at a small, regional airport ask that I remove everything from the small case I use for only CPAP equipment and prescriptions and they ran everything through the scanner. I told her it was medical equipment but she insisted so I complied. More than aggravating but didn't want to cause a scene or hold up the line. Taking your prescription is good as you never know when you might need to locate a replacement item. I agree with the ziploc bags suggestion! Have done this since having to unpack everything.

Suz

[chunkyfrog]

Cpap case should ONLY carry cpap items; that way it complies with TSA regs.
Your prescription should be carried separately, in the event of loss or theft.
My case to the travel machine looks too much like a video bag,
so I'm worried about leaving it all packed up in the room.
--Maybe I'll just lock it in the car. (we'll be driving)

[jencat824]

Daisy,

When I flew to Florida in 2010 I carried mine on, as everyone here is saying, and since it is considered a 'no count' carry on being medical equipment. I used the extra space for a few packed items, such as panties & bras, rolled up in the corners. My aunt was an Air Force nurse so she taught me to pack using every spare corner, hene why I used the extra space. Not sure how TSA would view this, since no one opened my CPAP case, perhaps someone here knows about this. Since you are flying with small children, you might want to use the 'corner spaces' for some of their small items, in zip-lock bags.

I would second the idea of taking an extention cord, and also add that a small 3 way plug and a small flashlight would be helpful. Most hotel rooms don't have very many outlets and having a mini-strip plug like this helps if you have to decide on whether to have your cell phone charging or have the alarm clock plugged in with your CPAP. I keep my extension cord, 3 way plug & a small flashlight in my CPAP bag all the time, ready for travel.

Have a great trip!
Jen

Edit: Oops - since Frog pointed out not putting other items in the bag, to comply with TSA regs, I would pack the other items like the ext cord, 3way plug & flashlight in another bag & forget using the space for bras & panties. Sorry, Frog has a good point.

[JDS74]

My travel pack in my original CPAP bag consists of the following:

The blower, packed in a large ziplock bag
The hose
The mask, packed separately in a ziplock
Extra SD cards (10) because Encore doesn't play well with wave data for multiple days
My folding hose support device in its own bag
An extension cord with a 3-way end.
Finally, an ID card attached (with a zip tie so its permanent) to the bag displaying a Medical Alert symbol and identifying the bag as containing medical equipment. I printed my own double sided and had it laminated so it cannot tear or become damaged.

There is nothing in there that is not CPAP related.

This all fits snugly in the PRS1 bag.

Since packing this way, I've never had any problems. My first trip, the TSA person just wanted me to open the bag before sending it through the scanner so they could see the contents. They didn't touch anything.

To deal with getting multiple days of wave data, I change the SD card each day and note the date on the card.
Then, when I get home, I change the system date to correspond with each card and load them in order
Change date - load data - change date - load data until all days are loaded.

This way Encore accepts and stores all of the Wave data.

[BlackSpinner]

What the others said!

But! Make a list of ALL your equipment for packing!

1) EMPTY HUMIDIFIER!!!
2) machine
3) humidifier
4) hose
5) mask
6) wipes / liners
7) extension cord/power bar
extra mask (optional)
9) prescription

Put everything in their own zip lock baggies

If it is a busy flight, get on first by boarding with the people "with kids and those needing help" That way you will know for sure everything will be on board with you. To do this make sure the medical tags are fully visible. If you are boarding last the flight staff have every right to insist that excess hand luggage goes into the hold. Their judgement on safety over rules everything else.