Finally! CPAP rates near laptops with signs in airports!

roster · Post by **roster** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:07 am

Stolen from another thread:

rooster wrote:........... two of my four sleep docs were recently on an hour-long local TV health program. One of them said she has seen at the airport a sign that says:

"Take your laptop out of its case for inspection."

and underneath it another sign stating:

"Take your cpap out of its case for inspection."

Anyone else seen this?

Pineapple wrote:That is exactly what is printed on the sign in the airport here a home. It was written with big black marker on the sign in Phoenix. Perhaps the TSA is getting tried of complaints that their agents are needlessly harassing CPAP patients

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:08 am

Nice! I'm flying to Illinois in June and haven't looked forward to taking my machine. I'll keep an eye out for signs.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:14 am

Damn! Just when I was getting used to quietly letting my PB420E go through undetected.

sburke91 · Post by **sburke91** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 3:35 pm

I've been travelling a lot lately, and they've done a residue test on my machine EVERY time I go though security. I've reached the point where I put my machine in a bin behind all my other stuff so they can pull it and do the test while I'm putting my laptop away, putting my shoes on, etc.

On the upside, the TSA folks have been exceptionally nice about it every time.

trice54 · Post by **trice54** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 6:50 pm

I recently flew from Toronto to Houston, and checked the airline's website ahead of time and it said that CPAP machines are to be removed from their cases for inspection. I didn;t notice any signs at the airports, though. When I was going thru security in Toronto I asked if I needed to take my CPAP machine out and they said no. On my departure from Houston, I asked the same thing and they said I needed to take it out, and the guy swabbed it.
The only problem I had was that the plane going down was a small one, and even though allowed to take 2 carryons thru the gate, they were taking the larger of the carryons to stow in the baggage area of the plane. I had my CPAP in one of those small carryon size suitcases. I fussed about giving it over to be thrown into the baggage hold, saying it was fragile medical equipment. The attendant agreed to put it in her closet on the plane.
Trice

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:45 pm

trice54 wrote:.......The attendant agreed to put it in her closet on the plane.

The attendant made a good choice. I'm glad you fussed!

GreenIce · Post by **GreenIce** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:02 pm

I was in Hawaii last month (5th March) for seminar, the sign was at the airport. When the officer inspect my backpack, he just took my APAP and seems to know what CPAP is. He ask me for permission to inspect. I said "Of course by all means". He took, do the test and the result was negative. I am not too surprised.

Grump · Post by **Grump** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:11 pm

I flew from Seattle to Orlando and back last week. Didn't notice any signs, but have read postings here indicating that the TSA expects that the CPAP be removed from it's case. They did the residue test in Seattle but not in Orlando.

This was the first time I've had to travel with the CPAP and am glad it's not something I do more than 3-4 times a year.

_________________

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Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:37 am

Airports still seem to vary in their handling of CPAP: I traveled through 2 major hub airports within 4 days in January, and at one end I was asked to remove the CPAP and place it in the bin (the first time I've had to do this) and there was no residue test; and at another, I was able to keep it in the case while it went through the x-ray. but there WAS a residue check.

Also: on crowded flights, it's useful to remind attendants that it's a medical device (which means it doesn't count towards your total carry-on limit, and you can get help making sure it gets priority over, say, someone's winter coat, if you need to stick it in an overhead bin securely).

mrschwarz · Post by **mrschwarz** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:48 pm

I travel 3 weeks per month. My machine is inspected virtually all the time. Like a previous poster, I have a sequence that I put my things through the scanner. The CPAP is in the last tub so everything passes through before they stop the conveyor.

norm · Post by **norm** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:11 pm

I also travel frequently--TSA protocol is to always inspect the machine, to do one of those dab things that test for residue. I always take my machine out and place it in a bin, often with my shoes and cell phone. I find that when the lines are backed up, they often don't notice the machine at all, even though it is out of its case. When they do check the machine, it adds a few to five minutes to my time with TSA. I have also found that almost all TSA people know what the CPAP machine is and some will engage in my conversation about its effectiveness.

Hose_Head · Post by **Hose_Head** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:33 pm

I'm confused by all of this.

Exactly what is it that they are looking for in a CPAP that they consider could be a risk.

Exactly what/where are they swabbing? Surface? humidifier tank? Hose? Mask?

Did any of you ask that they use clean gloves?

zorrro13 · Post by **zorrro13** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:42 am

[quote="Hose_Head"]I'm confused by all of this.

Exactly what is it that they are looking for in a CPAP that they consider could be a risk.

BOMB

GreenIce · Post by **GreenIce** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:08 am

Hose_Head wrote:I'm confused by all of this.

Exactly what is it that they are looking for in a CPAP that they consider could be a risk.

Like zorrro13 said, a BOMB or any potential weapon(s).

Hose_Head wrote: Exactly what/where are they swabbing? Surface? humidifier tank? Hose? Mask?

Swabbing only done on APAP, he took a small round cloth (I think) swab on the four sides (surface) of the APAP. He put the cloth into a detector, the monitor shows some color bar charts and that's it. Did not touch mask, hose and power adapter.

Hose_Head wrote: Did any of you ask that they use clean gloves?

Did not think of that, is a long queue behind. A little swabbing won't dirty my APAP.

BarbarainCT · Post by **BarbarainCT** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:03 pm

Here's my experience:

JFK - Jet Blue - you need to bring it out for inspection.

JFK - American - no signs, no questions, it was in my carry-on.

London Eurostar - I mentioned that I had a CPAP but they didn't ask to visually inspect it but did acknowledge seeing it in the X-Ray.

Paris - CDG - American - no signs, no questions, I mentioned that it was there and they acknowledged seeing it.

I carry my CPAP in my carry-on in a jumbo plastic bag which protects it from their not quite sanitary bins. I want to be able to handle my baggage myself and a third item leaves me struggling a bit. Also, the ADA act does not apply outside the US. I have a replacement knee and they seem more interested in that than my CPAP.

I do find it interesting that two different locations in the same airport (JFK) handle the process differently.

Barbara

Mask	Humidifier

Additional Comments: Pursleep, Padacheek, Regenesis™ Pillow, Neti Pot, Travel Buddy hose hanger

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Armini about every other week for travel.

Finally! CPAP rates near laptops with signs in airports!

Finally! CPAP rates near laptops with signs in airports!

'Sniffed' EVERY time