traveling with the bipap machine

elbo · Post by **elbo** » Sun May 07, 2006 7:48 pm

Hi:
I have a respironics bipap pro 2 machine. I have never traveled with it. I am planning to fly domestically in 2 weeks. Has anyone had any problems traveling with a machine? Do I need a note from the doctor in case they have any questions? I am planning on bringing it on board along with my carry on. I hope I am not going to have any problems. Thank you in advance for your help.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Sun May 07, 2006 8:05 pm

I had a friend recently fly from the US to Australia with a Bipap S/T I had bought.

To get to Aust they did 1 hop internally in the US (to SFO) then the international leg. They carried the Bipap S/T on board.

This person was an OSA patient so had a letter from their doctor stating this and also contacted the airline ahead of schedule.

IIRC the law says you can carry the unit onboard and it is *not* treated as part of you baggage allowance.

I believe most large US airports are familiar with xPAP gear.

Do make 200% certain you emptied the Heated Humidifier before packing it

Good luck

DSM

Hagrid · Post by **Hagrid** » Sun May 07, 2006 8:42 pm

Although I have not yet had to travel with my machine (just got it on Friday) my counterpart on the East Coast travels with his every week and has never had an issue in the year he has lugged it with him.

FWIW most major airports will have seen them before... Just to be uber careful, plan on getting to the security line a few minuted earlier than normal.

I fly pretty much weekly as well and will just arrive a bit earlier juuuust in case.

Good luck!

CharlesJ · Post by **CharlesJ** » Mon May 08, 2006 10:43 am

Hello!

You should have NO problem. Last week I flew to Newark with it and in just a few hours I'm off to Detroit. I've been addicted to this machine since last August and although I don't travel much at all (these past two weeks are really unusual) I have flown perhaps five times with it and never had question #1. I strapped it to the back of my bike one time and toured Tennessee with a friend! CPAPs travel well!

Chuck

Barnaby · Post by **Barnaby** » Mon May 08, 2006 11:10 am

I just returned from round trip flight on Delta from Palm Beach to Atlanta and changed planes to San Diego. Took a 10 day cruise to Mexico...no one even looked in the carry on bag...it is something they see often...an know what it is.

elbo · Post by **elbo** » Mon May 08, 2006 6:17 pm

DSM.
What is IIRC? Is there a link describing this rule that says that something like a bipap machine is not to be included in the limit for carry ons? Thank you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon May 08, 2006 6:39 pm

elbo,

Sorry, AFAIK that is web shorcut language for 'If I Recall Correctly'.

(AFAIK=As Far As I KNow )

DSM

puffing billy · Post by **puffing billy** » Tue May 09, 2006 5:10 am

I flew American Airlines Boston to London Heathrow recently and with my APAP and they didnt even make me open the bag.
I am due to fly the same route with Virgin Atlantic and I rang them and they wanted to know the make, model and if it was battery powered.
Regarding the carry on allowance they said they would turn a blind eye to extra medical equipment.
Incidently those of you who fly infrequently the European airlines are now limiting the carry on to one item maximum 6kg (13lbs).
Also American Airlines charge you $25 for each piece of luggage over 50lbs with a limit of 70lbs.

Billy

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