Traveling

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
gailzee
Posts: 454
Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2005 11:35 am

Traveling

Post by gailzee » Thu Feb 03, 2005 7:35 pm

I have the 420E, good for travel. Does everyone carry everything as a carry on, the hose, humidifier, the whole 9 yards? I wouldn't dare put it thru checked luggage?

??
Txs........any tips for airplane?

chrisp
Posts: 1142
Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2004 3:51 pm
Location: somewhere in Texas

Post by chrisp » Thu Feb 03, 2005 7:41 pm

I ve gone both ways; checked, carry on. Depends how lucky I feel. Now days you need to check them at the AC door with the RJs. They just dont have much room. If I dont want to carry another bag I'll check it. Or carry it and put it in the bag later.

Cheers,

Chris

Janelle

Post by Janelle » Fri Feb 04, 2005 1:42 am

I take mine carryon. There is plenty of room in the 420 bag for everything, including humidifier. It does not count toward your carryon limit. Do not let them insist you check it in at the plane door. You want it with you at all times. Think what would happen if it got broken while they were loading or unloading it and you couldn't use it at your destination.

Nickzim
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2005 2:11 am
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe

Carry on >>

Post by Nickzim » Fri Feb 04, 2005 4:07 am

Hi Guys,
I have two F&P HCE221's, one at the side of my bed and one i use just for travelling and emergencies - so people who know these know that they are not the smallest cpap's. But it is all contained in the one bag for travelling, machine, hose and mask.

Please someone can correct if i am wrong here.
I was once questioned at check in regarding my cpap bag and was told that only one piece of hand luggage was allowed. I questioned this persons decision/view and was fully vindicated as i was (and have been since then) told that a cpap is now classed as an 'essential' piece of medical equipment and can be carried on and does not effect your hand luggage allowance.
In short you can carry on two bags of hand luggage including your cpap.

I'm sure several American Airlines may give you a hard time, (they did me when i was over there) but stick to your guns and even argue the point.
I never have a problem flying from Zim to and around Europe in this respect.

Happy cpap'ing

Guest

Post by Guest » Fri Feb 04, 2005 7:54 am

Wow , carry on luggage is one of my problem areas. Not mine , others.
I have no problem with cpap as carry on. Its those that want to take a rolling bag their purse or briefcase, pc AND their cpap( they bundle them together so they look like 1 bag). These people need to learn to travel lighter. Check the big bags. The cabin is no place for them. Ever see what those big bags do when they fly thru the cabin. Ouch. How about when you need to get out FAST and they are strewn about . You're dead honey. Now try to get all that stuff on a RJ.
I personally use a soft sided cooler for mine. Six pack size. It has a hard liner inside to prevent it from being crushed. I dont mind checking it at the door of the a/c. Its probably safer than inside with all that junk people carry aboard.

I took a neighbor flying yesterday in my aircraft. We boarded, closed the doors and I showed him how to put the seatbelt on (like we need instructions to do that, But its a federal regulation [law] so I did). He asked why he needed a seatbelt. I explained how things can suddenly change while flying . like being upset. Things tend to fly about if they arent tied down, including people. And it might save his life in a sudden stop just like as in a car. He was an insurance man of all things. Why do I need a seatbelt..LOL....Why do I need insurance? . Put those big heavy roller bags below where they belong.

Thats my rant on carry on luggage.

glassgal
Posts: 200
Joined: Thu Jan 27, 2005 9:46 pm
Location: Southern California, USA

cpap carryon

Post by glassgal » Fri Feb 04, 2005 2:43 pm

Hello all,

I flew to Hawaii a couple of days ago, and made a point of having a note from my doctor, a copy of my prescription, and copies of the relevant TSA and FAA (United States airport security and Federal Aviation Administration) in my CPAP bag. Thanks to all the travellers who have posted on this topic previously! I also spoke to the folks at check in and at the gate, at a time when they were not mobbed, and explained the machine and it's use. NO ONE hassled me at all, in fact they preboarded us so that there would be room in the overhead bin for my machine. Our seat assignments were in the front of the aircraft for the mainland to Honolulu leg, and the flight had originated in Reno, NV. We boarded at Orange County Airport everyone at Aloha Airlines was wonderful and helpful. No one even asked for my notes or prescriptions, or to turn it on and make sure that it works. The security screening was uneventful also. A piece of cake.

I HAVE had an experience of rainout here in the islands. It has been raining a LOT here, so the humidity is very high, and it is cooler than usual. There is no heat in the condo where we are staying -- that is the norm over here -- it usually doesn't get this cold! The temps are ranging from low 60's at night to mid to high 70's (F) during the day. I had to turn my machine off every few hours the first night and raise the headgear and hose to get the water to run back into the humidifier tank. I guess I'm in for a Aussie heated hose. I did turn the humidifier down last night and that helped some. Otherwise I am still sleeping and feeling better every day!

Glassgal signing off from Alohaland!

Jane

Janelle

Post by Janelle » Fri Feb 04, 2005 6:22 pm

Try turning down the humidity and put the unit and humidifier on the floor next to your bed. I don't think there would be anyway you would get rainout that way.

glassgal
Posts: 200
Joined: Thu Jan 27, 2005 9:46 pm
Location: Southern California, USA

Post by glassgal » Fri Feb 04, 2005 10:32 pm

Hi Janelle,

I have had it on the floor since I arrived, but turning down the humidity helped with the rainout. I tried emptying the hose with the machine on, but my pressure is high enough that the water would not run down hill (pressure is 14)! I will try the lowered humidity -- it worked pretty good last night.

Thanks for the input!

Aloha,

Jane

User avatar
rock and roll
Posts: 1222
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2004 7:30 pm
Location: Texas

Post by rock and roll » Fri Feb 04, 2005 11:41 pm

I disagree with the guest above. I am a road warrier. I have my cpap, can't check that. I have a laptop, can.t check that, I have a briefcase that contains items that would put me out of business if lost or destoyed as well as medicine I NEED so I can't check that. I can't learn to travel lighter untill the airlines are better at handling it. They have had to replace three pieces of luggage the pasty year and I can't even recount how many over the years. Airlines stink at customer service, most should have "we care less" as their slogan.

User avatar
rock and roll
Posts: 1222
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2004 7:30 pm
Location: Texas

Post by rock and roll » Fri Feb 04, 2005 11:42 pm

I disagree with the guest above. I am a road warrier. I have my cpap, can't check that. I have a laptop, can.t check that, I have a briefcase that contains items that would put me out of business if lost or destoyed as well as medicine I NEED so I can't check that. I can't learn to travel lighter untill the airlines are better at handling it. They have had to replace three pieces of luggage the pasty year and I can't even recount how many over the years. Airlines stink at customer service, most should have "we care less" as their slogan.