CPAP and Travel

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 9:07 am

The airlines only allow one carry on. Does that mean that they count medical equipment as the carry on? Will I be allowed to bring my personal carry on and my CPAP on board or would one piece have to be checked in? Thanks. Do they make exceptions?

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 9:11 am

Medical equipment, such as a CPAP, does NOT count as a carryon. I travel quite a bit and have had no problems with either having it counted OR getting it through security.

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 9:23 am

Sorry, but I forgot to ask. Are special tags or markings required?

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 10:39 am

Nope. All you have to do is say it's medical equipment. I use the carrying case for my 420E and that's it.

This therapy WORKS!!

sinclaj · Post by **sinclaj** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 11:43 am

I travel a lot, and while I have only had my CPAP for about 2 months, have taken 5 air trips with it.

I had 1 problem in NY and LaGuardia. The IDIOT TSA security Nazi argued with me that it was an Oxygen generator, which can't be taken on the plane .

When I tried to explain that it was a CPAP (or machine to help me sleep) and that an oxygen generator would not has an inch wide hose, he said I was questioning his authority and violating federal law by causing trouble at a security checkpoint. He then took me by the arm and led me to the "official" room (where they keep the thumb screws and testical electodes). The guy running the place basically told the first guy he was an idiot, and let me go.

From now on I am carrying a picture of the machine and a description from CPAP.COM to eliminate any problems.

But, in all fairness... I think that guy was new and REALLY into his power. As widespread as OSA is, I can't see this happening very often.

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 2:59 pm

Did they use the electrodes ? I would have jump started him right out the door. Idiots

Justme · Post by **Justme** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 4:20 pm

I take my c/pap on the plane with me, but it still is a pain to carry! Between the machine and my laptop, I feel overloaded. They told me not to check it in my luggage, but I wonder if anyone has and does it really matter?

NeurosurgeryNP · Post by **NeurosurgeryNP** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 5:23 pm

Don't EVER check it as luggage.

1. It may not make it with you.
2. It is sensitive medical equiptment and if you have ever seen baggage handlers are work,...Need I say more?

I just came back from a trip yesterday and did not have one single problem with carrying it with me - either by TSA ot by JetBlue. Actually, I had been asked to changed seats on the the first flight, I always sit in the rear of the plane so I am guaranteed space for my carry on and CPAP. And, that it actually satys near me. ANyway, I was asked to change to row 2 on the way there and I told her that I would be glad to, but I needed to make sure that my cpap stayed with me, as well as my carry on as it had my meds in it, and she actually let me pre-board the plane so I could make sure that it was with me. I was a little nervous as it was my first time traveling with my cpap, but had no problem at all!

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 5:35 pm

Well I'll confess. I've checked my cpap, packed with my clothes more than once. To UK a few times. All over the states. It was a resmed Spirit. No big deal and not carrying it on board was nice. I now have a 420e. I check it also. Just ticks me off seeing all the stuff folks need in the cabin. Huge rollaways, laptops, briefs. When they hit major turbulance, and someday they will , that stuff will be deadly. Then they will sue the airline.

Jeb · Post by **Jeb** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 5:45 pm

I recently went to Japan on a business trip and did not feel like carrying on my CPAP machine. I just made sure I packed it in my checked luggage amongst my clothes really well. It made it to Japan and back with no issues.

NeurosurgeryNP · Post by **NeurosurgeryNP** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 6:16 pm

Brave Folks!

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Fri Apr 22, 2005 6:29 pm

I've flown with my 420E 7 times this year so far. I also have a small, square rollon for my clothes, and a satchel or smaller satchel for my business stuff, frequently used meds, gum etc. EVERYTHING goes on the plane with me. I can get my rollon in the overhead on everything but the Regional Jets and then I check it gateside. I've put the CPAP in the overhead lately on the smaller planes, but generally keep it under the seat in front of me on the larger planes. Also inside it is my Dreamfoam lumbar support which mushes down quite well in the little space available in the PB bag, along with the humidifier, mask, hose/s, extension cord, suction hook to hold the hose, my bottle of nasal spray, a book or two, and anything else that will fit. This weekend should be a real test of my packing abilities in the same bag, as the DME gave me a Remstar Choice CPAP until they get a replacement for my screwed up 420E. And it is about 3 times bigger and heavier.

no problem with Security, except them asking what was in the bag. Some occasional security checks (they wand the machine ))) but when I say it's medical equipment they just say,Oh, okay.

I can usually put everything on top of the roll-on to go from gate to gate, don't have to stop for baggage claim, never have to worry about anything getting lost. And the roll-on is red so it doesn't look like everyone else's.

I have the carrying strap on the bag as short as I can get it and then pass it through the pull out handle of the roll-on, then back over the sides of the handle. Fits pretty securely that way. Then the satchel on top of that or over my shoulder. Very easy to slip off when I get to my seat, too.

Janelle, the Frequent Flyer
With 8 more planned flights for the year.

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 12:27 am

I travel all the time. I started out carrying it and my briefcase and laptop and did not have trouble on the big planes but on the comuters it just did not fit and they try to make me check it. I argue and they end up putting it in the pilots bin.

However after many of these trips it became a real pain to lug and I started putting it in a hard suitcase surrounded by my clothes and it works just fine and is much easier on me. This is every other week at least and no problems. I figure it gets more abuse as a carryon. If they lose it, well I get a new machine. Insurance on a bag is up to $1700 dollars.

VickiZsPlease · Post by **VickiZsPlease** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 2:59 am

Here is the definitive link for Department of Transportation info. on carry on medical equipment for air travelers.

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

Vicki

gailzee · Post by **gailzee** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 9:01 am

Good Points on Travel:
One extra thing I carry, is a copy of the scrip, a doctor's letter, and copies from the brochure on what exactly all the equipment is. The TSA's are underpaid people who could care less. They'll jack you around for a nail file or nail clippers, but allow GOD only knows what to slip thru.
I even carry a noise sound machine, they never know what that is, never bothered me with that either.

I use insulin so I have needles, lancets, SHARP STUFF. I put it on the very top of my carry on's, and tell them before they even put it thru the camera. Never had a problem....

Saying this, now I will probably get frisked, but that may not be a bad thing!

Yes, at LAG, JFK and Newark one would have problems, been there......

Stephen wrote:The airlines only allow one carry on. Does that mean that they count medical equipment as the carry on? Will I be allowed to bring my personal carry on and my CPAP on board or would one piece have to be checked in? Thanks. Do they make exceptions?

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Re: CPAP and Travel