Airline security search of my cpap machine

shippy · Post by **shippy** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:06 pm

I flew last week on business from California to Savannah Ga. I told the security people at the airport (in California) i was carrying on a cpap machine and no problem as they seemed to know what it was and they just ran it through the x-ray machine without even taking out of its case. But on the return trip from Georgia (Savannah Hilton Head Airport) i told them it was a cpap machine and they did not seem to know what it was, they ran it through the x-ray machine then they made me come with them to a different area where they took it out of its case and swabbed the power supply, examined all the parts, took the main machine back to the x-ray machine and ex-rayed it again swabbed it and made me re-pack it. The whole inspection took about ten minutes and was a bit annoying and somewhat embarrassing. I guess it depends on where you go as to what they do as far as security is concerned. I did have a note with me from my sleep doc that it was medical equipment i was carrying but i never showed it to anyone, not sure that it would have helped anyways.

Dale

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:15 pm

Two suggestions I have seen elsewhere for traveling with CPAP: (1) Through cpap.com you can get a bag tag that explains what a CPAP is and that it qualifies as a life-sustaining medical device that doesn't count toward your carry-on baggage allotment; and (2) if you take the unit out of the bag before you go through security (place it in a separate bin as you would a laptop computer) you can often avoid being pulled aside and swabbed. Good luck!

Brookbank · Post by **Brookbank** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:40 pm

I have taken one trip with mine. Set aside and swabbed in Chicago, LA and Maui.

THey all knew what it was but explained that the airlines are concerned that explosives could easily be smuggled in the device.

I did meet some nice people in the CPAP line though.

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:49 pm

I think this "global war on terror" has about played itself out. I'm all for just going back to how things were and being an adult and realizing that living is fatal.....I'll be glad when Bushworld is over!

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:41 pm

AMEN, JeffH! Down w/Bushworld! Down w/the "Patriot" Act!

higgy · Post by **higgy** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:03 am

hear hear

oldvaham · Post by **oldvaham** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 7:29 am

Recently went from Washington DC to San Francisco. I put my CPAP bag on the table for x-ray and the TSA guard yelled out CPAP to a co-worker. Actually she yelled out several times as I waited on the other side of the metal detector for a guard to come over and physically inspect the bag. Finally, I went over to small group of three that were chatting away and asked for the inspection. Well, the guard knew all about it and swabbed it down for gunpowder residue and such, (too bad, no such luck). And, I'm on my way.

Same thing happened on the return trip except that the San Francisco TSA reps were more aware, diligent and efficient. I had documents from my doctor, TSA Hq about medical equipment and airlines; but, nobody even asked. They all knew about XPAP hardware.

Ken

seamonkey21 · Post by **seamonkey21** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 7:51 am

all the TSA knuckleheads I have run into know exactly what a CPAP is, but even though it gets sent through the x-ray machine they still swab it for explosives EVERY time i go through - usually while I see an old grandmother or handicapped person getting the 3rd degree as well.

ugh. the effectiveness of their techniques leaves something to be desired.

[quote="shippy"]I flew last week on business from California to Savannah Ga. I told the security people at the airport (in California) i was carrying on a cpap machine and no problem as they seemed to know what it was and they just ran it through the x-ray machine without even taking out of its case. But on the return trip from Georgia (Savannah Hilton Head Airport) i told them it was a cpap machine and they did not seem to know what it was, they ran it through the x-ray machine then they made me come with them to a different area where they took it out of its case and swabbed the power supply, examined all the parts, took the main machine back to the x-ray machine and ex-rayed it again swabbed it and made me re-pack it. The whole inspection took about ten minutes and was a bit annoying and somewhat embarrassing. I guess it depends on where you go as to what they do as far as security is concerned. I did have a note with me from my sleep doc that it was medical equipment i was carrying but i never showed it to anyone, not sure that it would have helped anyways.

Dale

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 8:04 am

JeffH wrote:I think this "global war on terror" has about played itself out. I'm all for just going back to how things were and being an adult and realizing that living is fatal.....I'll be glad when Bushworld is over!

Don't think that we will ever see it go bact to the way it was, at least not in this lifetime.
There are people out there who want to kill us (because we don't think like them)and now they have the means of doing it. The Israeli's are dealing with it much better than us because they are not taking the political corectness route. In Israel you't get profiled and you get cheked BEFORE you get to the air terminal.
We saw what happened at the El Al terminal in California. US authorities stood around and the Israeli security guys shot the terrorist.

skjansen · Post by **skjansen** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 8:17 am

I travel frequently and I get stopped EVERYTIME regardless of the airport. They have to take the machine and swab it. One time when I wanted to limit the bags I was taking on I put my machine in my carry on and was delighted when they opened my carryon and proceeded not only to drag the CPAP out but also were able to show everyone nearby my undies. It was terribly embarrassing and it infuriates me that we are being targeted. I am a blond haired blue eyed middle aged woman who could not look further from a terrorist.

What can you do though???? The security guard said I could check it if I did not like their procedures. Oh yes, that is the solution. They are absolutely clueless.

_________________

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girlsaylor · Post by **girlsaylor** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:39 am

Oh my, this is gonna make it even worse for me. As it is now, the airlines can't seem to understand what a walking cane is, and they have alot of problems examining and re-xraying them. Then, I've been subjected to the additional total public patdown every time I fly since 9-11, due to my artificial hip. Now, I not only have to keep an eye on my purse and cane, as well as a carry-on bag on the conveyor belt, during the patdown, I will have to suffer the undignified patdown with the additional stress of not being able to monitor their handling of my bipap! Theft on airline conveyor belts is not unheard of, and it's getting harder and harder for those enduring the 'patdown' to get their things returned to them or at least removed from the next 10 passengers coming through. This is a real issue for me. I'm more concerned about some sicko grabbing my xpap machine off the belt during my patdown and rewiring it with something explosive than the danger my artificial hip presents to the other passengers.

Maybe they'll start having us sickies report 8 hours early to get it all done soon? Of course, that would be problematic, as then the next shift would come on and want to feel me up and down all over again with that wand!

girlsaylor

Sergey45 · Post by **Sergey45** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:49 am

Anonymous wrote:Two suggestions I have seen elsewhere for traveling with CPAP: (1) Through cpap.com you can get a bag tag that explains what

Guest!
Thanks for tag suggestion from cpap.com. It could be very useful.
I have traveled only once with my CPAP. It was no problem in Newark NJ and Orlando FL. However considering overall qualifications of TSA people everything is possible.
Thanks.
Sergey.
----------------------
http://www.sleepapneasymptom.medgrip.com/cpap_mask.html

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:54 am

oceanpearl wrote:
JeffH wrote:I think this "global war on terror" has about played itself out. I'm all for just going back to how things were and being an adult and realizing that living is fatal.....I'll be glad when Bushworld is over!
Don't think that we will ever see it go bact to the way it was, at least not in this lifetime.
There are people out there who want to kill us (because we don't think like them)and now they have the means of doing it. The Israeli's are dealing with it much better than us because they are not taking the political corectness route. In Israel you't get profiled and you get cheked BEFORE you get to the air terminal.
We saw what happened at the El Al terminal in California. US authorities stood around and the Israeli security guys shot the terrorist.

Been drinking their kool-aid I see.

There are people that want to kill us because we won't leave them the #$%^ alone.

Also, until we quit supporting Israel AT ANY COST like we do now, we are going to be targets.

mikester · Post by **mikester** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 11:53 am

JeffH wrote:Been drinking their kool-aid I see.

There are people that want to kill us because we won't leave them the #$%^ alone.

Also, until we quit supporting Israel AT ANY COST like we do now, we are going to be targets.

And that's what public discourse has come to these days - anyone who disagrees with the liberals is "drinking the kool aid". I wish I had a dollar for every time a liberal used that exact phrase. Then again, if it was coming from a liberal, it's probably MY dollar to begin with.

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:11 pm

And conservatives are hiding behind the coat tails of their chick$#% chickenhawk president saying "protect me, protect me" like the cowards they are.

Airline security search of my cpap machine

Airline security search of my cpap machine

Travel with CPAP

Re: Airline security search of my cpap machine

what about multiple medical conditions and screening?

Mask

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Machine	Mask

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