Hard Cases are available

[CROWPAT]

I read some posts about hard cases that are ATA approved to carry our CPAPs, etc. and did some checking. ATA approved hard cases are available from Americase in Texas. They can build them to any size or configuration you want. (I'm a customer and have nothing to do with the company.)

Call them at 800-972-2737 and ask for Don.

Pat

[z754103]

This is great and useful information, thanks!

[ldemmery]

I'd be interested in knowing what the cost is?

Lynne

[-SWS]

They have a web site:
http://www.americase.com/

Also here are some hard luggage links on eBay:
http://search.ebay.com/hard-luggage_W0Q ... Q20luggage

[Amigo]

I bought mine over a year ago when the TSA was creating hassles over xPAP's with opaque components. People were being "forced" to check their equipment at the last minute, and many did not survive the trip.

This hard-sided, wheeled case, which is tailored (internal very dense foam) for my Respironics Pro II and attached humidifier, is a dream. It is sized so that it will pass carry-on size requirements for the overhead bins, but is more than sturdy enough to be checked if the TSA agent or the airline has a hissy fit.

I have traveled with it several times, and, so far, it has always been in the overhead compartment. With the latest batch of travel restrictions, and probably more to follow, at least I'm now prepared if it ever does need to travel as checked baggage.

I received excellent service from this company, and cannot recommend them highly enough:

http://www.casesbyskb.com/

[Amigo]

I also meant to say that I paid approximately $150.00, including shipping.

[wolftracker]

one inch foam or one inch dices??

and it looks like the small with foam is closer to 175 not including shipping

if i am reading the web page right

[Amigo]

This link shows the case I purchased:

http://www.casesbyskb.com/skinjectionmolded.htm

You can buy the foam separately, and do it yourself, or have them custom fit the interior with the density of foam you select here:

http://www.casesbyskb.com/Case%20Selector.htm

I chose the custom fit giving them the H x W x L (and weight) measurements of my Respironics Pro II with integrated humidifier, and chose the foam density for delicate electronics like a Laptop.

They did a super job, and I'm very satisfied with the results. It looks as though prices may have increased slightly, but I still believe the price is well under $200.00, for the custom fit, and under $150.00, for the "do it yourself" foam packing.

[Snoozin' Bluezzz]

It looks so "GEAR"!

I guess I would prefer something a little less attention getting. Something that looks like an old American Tourister brief case or a little like a hard sided train case. The other one that we have a link to looks like it contains something expensive. Whatever happened to flying under the radar with things - looking a little understated and discreet?

I wonder if anyone has turned up such a thing.

David

[wolftracker]

is not when you are rolling it through the air port as carry on
but if you have to gate check it to be put under the plane

the heavy case would protech the xpap while the less harden
cases my not

my .02
wolf

[Snoozin' Bluezzz]

is not when you are rolling it through the air port as carry on
but if you have to gate check it to be put under the plane

the heavy case would protech the xpap while the less harden
cases my not

my .02
wolf

I don't disagree but a hardened case shouldn't have to look like it's carrying a anti-tank missle or $2000 worth of camera gear. IMO, either one makes it a target for theft.

David

[Amigo]

is not when you are rolling it through the air port as carry on
but if you have to gate check it to be put under the plane

the heavy case would protech the xpap while the less harden
cases my not

my .02
wolf

I don't disagree but a hardened case shouldn't have to look like it's carrying a anti-tank missle or $2000 worth of camera gear. IMO, either one makes it a target for theft.

David

I certainly agree that the case is very obviously meant to protect something valuable, and, therefore, is probably a strong theft target. However, I had to weigh that option against the likelihood of it arriving in pieces (if it isn't stolen...lol) should I have to check it.

Until someone makes something as "hardened" that doesn't look it, I'll just keep hoping that I can put it in the overhead bin.

[ladytonya]

There are hard, molded cases that are made to carry musical instruments that don't look like it's carrying some huge military state secret or expensive equipment. I'm thinking that my little resmed S8 with humidifier, hose, and mask would probably easily fit in a small trumpet case. Someone would just need to figure out a way to get the molded foam that comes in those cases to work with CPAP. I bet it could be done, and the cases can be quite attractive. I play clarinet and saxophone and have these cases for both. Some people call them flight bags, sometimes they're hard gig bags. Someone who really knows what they're doing could probably mod one in to a nice, hard case that could be checked. Just search for musical instrument cases on E-Bay or Google and you'll see what I'm talking about.

[z754103]

I apologize if these are a dumb question but I can't quite visualise the whole case.

Should we get something that's moulded around our CPAP machine, to fit its shape? Did yours come in its own separate compartment, or was the case just a shell around a CPAP shaped foam hole?

What did you do about the things like hose, mask, etc, did you have a separate, unmolded compartment for that?

Would it work to get something that could double as a carry-on, so that I could put some additional hand lugguage in there (books, sweater etc), and hold the whole CPAP set up. That way I can check it in safely if it's taken away from me at the gate but still only have 1 item to carry on, if they let me bring it with me.

[MandoJohnny]

There are hard, molded cases that are made to carry musical instruments that don't look like it's carrying some huge military state secret or expensive equipment.

Musical instruments are attractive theft targets also, perhaps more so since they are likely easier to fence that specialized equipment. I think the best bet would be to buy a generic piece of inexpensive hard sided luggage and cut foam rubber inserts out for it.