Air travel

[cybermom53]

I've only been using CPAP for six days and I'm flying on Wednesday. Is there anything I should know about traveling through airport security? Can I still take my usual carry-on bag and purse?

[JohnBFisher]

I've only been using CPAP for six days and I'm flying on Wednesday. Is there anything I should know about traveling through airport security? Can I still take my usual carry-on bag and purse?

Yup. Your CPAP does NOT count against your carry on limits. The security screeners should have no problem. You probably won't be asked by the airline personnel. If they do ask, just let them know politely that it is a medical device (a CPAP unit). Most of them understand what it is and that it is an exception to the normal rules. Because I sometimes travel internationally, I purchased the luggage tag for CPAP systems from https://www.cpap.com:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/medica ... pment.html

But it's not normally needed.

[tillymarigold]

Yes, you can, although I usually find that it's too much trouble to worry about my carry-on, clear plastic baggie, purse, coat, shoes, *and* CPAP, so I usually skip either the carry-on or purse. (Don't put anything non-medical in the CPAP bag, but other medical things like your contact lens case are okay.)

You will have to remove the CPAP from its bag and put it in a separate bin the way you would with a laptop. They may also take it and swab it. You have the right to ask them to change their gloves before touching it although honestly I never have.

I've flown through a dozen or more airports with it and only had a problem in one of them (Orlando).

[Jay K]

You may want to build an extra 10-15 minutes in your plans at the airport as TSA (which knows well about CPAP machines) often will run an explosives test on the equipment (although I am finding it is more likely at certain airports than at others). Other than that it should be straightforward.

[cybermom53]

Thanks everyone. Travel was fine. They did pull me aside and swab it both flying out Omaha and San Antonio. But it wasn't a problem.

[Hose_Head]

I've only been using CPAP for six days and I'm flying on Wednesday. Is there anything I should know about traveling through airport security? Can I still take my usual carry-on bag and purse?

Yup. Your CPAP does NOT count against your carry on limits. The security screeners should have no problem. You probably won't be asked by the airline personnel. If they do ask, just let them know politely that it is a medical device (a CPAP unit). Most of them understand what it is and that it is an exception to the normal rules. Because I sometimes travel internationally, I purchased the luggage tag for CPAP systems from https://www.cpap.com:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/medica ... pment.html

But it's not normally needed.

All of the above is correct. HOWEVER, it only applies to flights on US carriers, and possibly, only within the USA. There may be other countries that follow the US rules re CPAP, but I'm not aware of any. In Canada, your CPAP counts as part of of your carry on luggage and limits.

As for most things, it pays to check with your carrier in advance.

[Jay K]

I recently flew on a flight within South Africa on British Airways (although it was one of those situations where although the ticket said British Airways and the airplane was labeled as such, the flight was operated by a South African airline). The flight attendant initially was insistent that one of my carry ons would have to be checked and initially wouldn't even listen (literally) when I said it was medical equipment. When I repeated the third or fourth time (with my voice raising with each repetition) that it was medical equipment for sleep apnea, she responded (in substance) "Oh, it's medical equipment, no problem.""

I got the distinct impression that that particular airline was following the same policy as is enforced in the U.S. Whether that reflected a South African law or regulation, or, simply airline policy, I don't know.

[LinkC]

Allow me to add that your CPAP bag does not count as a carry-on if it contains ONLY CPAP equipment/supplies. If you co-mingle items, they are within the rules to count it.

Also, if you're on a small plane that's nearly full, overhead storage gets slim. You can ask at the gate for "pre-boarding" because of your medical equipment. That way you get on and have plenty of room to stow it over your seat. I've asked twice and got it both times.

[glfredrick]

I've flown with mine multiple times within the USA, and have had it inspected a number of times, rejected none.

I also pack water and cleaning soap in the kit with the CPAP machine. Becasue the water is larger than the allowed 1 oz (it is a 16 oz water bottle that I've marked with label tape "CPAP -- Distilled H2O for Machine Use". I've had to allow the bottle to be sampled (they dip a strip). It too has passed every time. I've had the most problem with the container of soap for cleaning. On that, they INSIST on it being 1 oz or less, so I just found a small bottle with a secure top and carry it. It too is marked with label tape. The labels -- as professional as you can make them -- seem to help for some reason, and after having to run my machine without water a few times, I now ALWAYS carry a 2 night supply of distilled water with me when I travel.

BTW, I use Planet dishwashing soap for cleaning my equipment (I also use a vinegar rinse once per week). I love that the Planet soap is all natural and does a great job with no perfumes. My soft parts remain in good conditon for 6-9 months, and the hard parts indefinitely (my current Quatro is 2 years old and still clear as new).
http://www.planetinc.com/udl.htm

[Davidwnc]

Allow me to add that your CPAP bag does not count as a carry-on if it contains ONLY CPAP equipment/supplies. If you co-mingle items, they are within the rules to count it.

That is true if your flight is originating in the US. In other countries it may not be true - be sure to check the airport/airline you are using.

[scamp]

No problem for me traveling from US to Canada and England and taking on board an extra bag ( a camera case/day pack) that has all my cpap stuff + camera + ipod + headphones + snacks. One person who was checking the cpap actually complimented me on my bag. I always asked to pre-board -- just to make sure I'd get space in the overhead compartment for my equipment. And my request was always accommodated without hesitation.

[JohnBFisher]

... I also pack water ...

Excellent suggestions. However, unless the tap water where you are traveling is particularly awful, you can just use that instead. Just be certain to dump, rinse and refill it every night before use. That should eliminate any buildup of minerals within the humidifier tank. It's also easier.

And if the water is awful, then when you land purchase some bottled drinking water (preferably a brand that uses reverse osmosis). That eliminates most of the minerals, though the manufacturers add some minerals back into the water to make it "taste" better. But that can be a better option than packing water, if the local tap water is objectionable.

[potholerepairman]

Kinda off topic, but make sure you take out your tubing on your machine if its a travel cpap(zzz-pap I used) that you don't use all the time as the tubing gets real stiff if you take it out right before bed at a hotel.To be really cheap, in an airport bring an empty water bottle for domestic flights and fill it up from the water fountain after you go thru security.