TSA

[joeholler]

I am starting to travel regularly on business. They are X-raying my machine every time. It's hard enough to get my shoes off. I have to sit down. Bad legs. It's becoming a pain in the ass. Is is safe to check, or do they drag it out of the checked bag and X-ray it anyway? Any suggestions.

Sincerely,

Joe

[Suz-E-Q]

You will get a lot of opinions on this, most will say don't even think of putting your lifeline in a checked bag. What if it breaks? what if it is lost? That would be horrible. I am with them, not a risk I think I'll take.

But you are absolutely right. It is a pain in the arse. So when I travel (at least 1x/month typically 2x/month) it is unload the CPAP and put in a tray, take out the computer put in tray, shoes off, jacket off, etc. Then on the other side collect everything and get your shoes back on....I do not wear shoes I must tie anymore.

Here's the funny part, I used to absolutely detest flying, it was so grueling and exhausting. But now with the machine it isn't nearly as awful as it was even though the machine adds extra work to the screening process.

So I'd rather have the extra trouble and have the energy!

Hang in there....

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP, Travel

[MartiniLover]

Mine froze in the hold.

Broke.

750 dollars later I was ok.

Risk?

Lots!

[DragonFire]

I travel across the Atlantic at least once per month.
Often Continental let me use the machine in flight (I have an inverter) and I get better sleep while flying.
Additionally at least once every two or three months they delay my luggage for at least 12/24 hours (more often coming back from Europe rather than going to). I cannot sleep well withouth therapy. As a result I always bring my machine along. I also pack it in clear plastic bags so when I have to put into the bins where everybody elses put their shoes, direct contact is prevented. Often when they need to "sniff" for explosives they do not remove it from the clear plastic. TSA now appears to well recognize those machines.
I Europe they do not even want me to take it out from the bag (most of the time). Additionally, being medical equipment it does not count againts baggage allowance.

Hope it helps

FS

[Babette]

Hey Joe, maybe this will make it easier:

I have to take off shoes, take out the cpap, put carry on and cpap on conveyor, with shoes, jewelry, purse, coat, etc. AND THEN DEAL WITH MY BLIND AND DEAF FATHER AND HIS GEAR.

9 times out of ten we get flagged as terrorists since we end up making such a commotion and get to do an extra sit down.

This is life. Try to find ways to accept it.

1) Wear slip on shoes. Ties are really no joy to anyone, particularly if there is nowhere left to sit down and tie the shoes.

2) Wear no watches, jewelry, or belts. Slows you down. I only do this now when I'm flying solo.

3) If you don't have to carry on anything but your CPAP - DON'T. Check everything you can, carry your CPAP.

4) Pre-pack your cpap so it's ready to pop out of it's case. Don't pack things on top of it. That's what the little extra pocket is for. Disconnect it from all it's electrical cords so it's easy to pop in and out of the case. Start unzipping while in line. The bag. Not your trousers.

5) Keep breathing and be thankful you'll keep breathing once you reach your destination.

Cheers,
Babs

[Pilot_Ron]

If you think having to get your equipment checked out every time sucks. I had a hip replacement when I was 21 years old (16 years ago). EVERY time I travel I set off the metal detector, and have to be patted sown. So not only do I have the stuff that everybody else goe through, I have to be taken to the side and frisked like a criminal. It's so much worse when traveling long distances and changing planes. Just thought you would like to know, cause it could be a lot worse!

[Babette]

Hey Ron, maybe you should get a big tatto on your hip that says "MEDICAL DEVICE"? At least it would give your patters a laugh...

You poor thing... There really ought to be some sort of thing you could do, like a medical alert tag or something.

Cheers,
B.

[KansasRT]

I have an arm with 30 screws and 3 plates and I set off the alarms everytime. I get the extra pat down. I guess that the 10 inch kieloid scar on both sides of my arm isn't enough to prove to them that I have had surgery. One Person made me call the hospital to prove it.

[Captain_Midnight]

Check the machine with luggage? Not me.

I'm agreeing with those (including the manufacturers) who suggest taking the machine on board w you. For starters, your checked bag might get...um...misdirected, and not catch up w you for a few days. Also, who knows what kinds of banging around it might get.

I have everything in large ziplock bags, and the machine is double- bagged. As a poster above mentions, the bins are unsanitary, so after I send the machine through the x-ray, I toss the outer-most bag.

The machines come w handy carrying cases, but I put that into a small backpack. I prefer not to advertise that I have a med device.

Yes, it's almost always given an extra screening, and I do not mind the inconvenience in the least. The TSA folks are just dong their jobs, and it's an important one.

Hope this is useful - -

- - Tom

[lawdognellie]

I travel several times a month and travel with my CPAP, 2 quart size bags full of liquid meds AND a service dog. Talk about fun getting through screening. I always wear socks and slip on shoes so I don't have to bend down and avoid wearing a jacket if at all possible (but I also live in California)

Sarah

[tlc95066]

Happy Holidays to all! I just returned from our everyother year christmas trip to Tulsa, OK. All of the TSA folks that we ran into were great. As a matter of fact on our return trip, the TSA agent who swabed by machice was also a fellow hose head. He actually had a great tip that i thought i would pass along. He recommended putting your XPAP machine in a clear plastic bag of some sort to protect it from all the wonderful germs that are present in the bins, plastic drapes and the inside screening machines.

I had never really given it much though, but I will be taking his advise and looking for a zippered clear travel bag for my XPAP. I thanked him profusely!

As have told my daughter, nieces and nephews ... would you lick the bottoms of your shoes? I think not! Spoken like a true germaphobe!

Happy Travels!
Teri