Airline Regulations FYI

[kem377306]

I have flown numerous times with my CPAP in my carryon luggage. I always take it apart for security checks, etc. I am flying somewhere tomorrow and went on the airline's website (United) to check on their size limits for carry ons and discovered some interesting things. Did you know that certain CPAP machines (most of the newer ones, call the airlines to check your machine model, they have list) do NOT have to be in your carry on...in other words, you can carry it on WITHOUT it counting towards your carry on bags!! The same holds true for prescription medications and umbrellas and a 'reasonable' amount of reading material. I'd check airline to airline, just in case, but to me, this gives me a LOT more packing room since I am only checking one bag and am going away for a month! Just thought I'd pass this along as I've seen posts here advising to make sure you don't check your CPAP but to pack it in your carry on, but never one that said to just carry it on and not have it count towards your carry on limit!

~Katie

[drj130]

I've flown many times to Russia and never once had an issue taking my machine and a carry-on inside the plane. The airline that I've always flown on to Russia was Aeroflot. Great service and friendly people. The fun was with the security check points IN Russia and trying to explain to them what the machine was. Most Russians don't speak english. Hand gestures and noises work great. lol

[JohnBFisher]

Actually, if the airline flight lands and allows passengers to embark or disembark in a US airport, then your xPAP device is NEVER counted as carry on luggage. That's the rules for ALL airlines within the US. And I recommend ALWAYS carrying your xPAP device onto the plane. Here's some travel tips on the CPAP.com website:

https://www.cpap.com/DisplayNewsletter/ ... CPAP-Users

Specifically about carry on luggage it notes:

It does not count towards your carry on bag total since it is medical equipment. There is also much less of a chance of your CPAP machine being lost or damaged. Be sure to include your contact info inside the CPAP bag just in case it gets lost or stolen.

[Pachyderm's Nose]

Recently flew St. Paul, MN to Ft. Myers, FL and back and you can carry your cpap as an extra free bag, So I had my carry on in the overhead, a small bag with books under the seat, and my cpap bag in the overhead. It made things a lot easier, especially when my wife had my carry on full of seashells on the trip home.

[Pachyderm's Nose]

Recently flew St. Paul, MN to Ft. Myers, FL and back and you can carry your cpap as an extra free bag, So I had my carry on in the overhead, a small bag with books under the seat, and my cpap bag in the overhead. It made things a lot easier, especially when my wife had my carry on full of seashells on the trip home.

I did print and laminate a label for it indicating it was medically necessary equipment.

[drj130]

I did print and laminate a label for it indicating it was medically necessary equipment.

I've a letter from my doctor saying that same thing that I take with me as well as one of those cards.

[DeadlySleep]

I did print and laminate a label for it indicating it was medically necessary equipment.

I've a letter from my doctor saying that same thing that I take with me as well as one of those cards.

Have you every had to use it?

It seems CPAP machines have become "Ho-hum" for security personnel. There are so many being carried onto flights for so long that they have just become another item to screen.

The same also for airline personnel including flight attendants. They expect to have several on every flight and know they are not counted against the luggage count.

[drj130]

Have you every had to use it?
It seems CPAP machines have become "Ho-hum" for security personnel. There are so many being carried onto flights for so long that they have just become another item to screen.
The same also for airline personnel including flight attendants. They expect to have several on every flight and know they are not counted against the luggage count.

I did have to use the letter once at the checkout counter. They tried like mad to get me to either get me to check it in, or put it inside my checked bag. Needless to say, it stayed with me the whole time.

[JohnBFisher]

I did print and laminate a label for it indicating it was medically necessary equipment.

I've a letter from my doctor saying that same thing that I take with me as well as one of those cards.

Have you every had to use it? ...

You are spot on that it's "ho hum" to most TSA and airline personnel. I've not needed my prescription / tag for more than 20 years!!! Sometimes you run into a nut job, but they can be pretty readily persuaded to correct thinking.

[JamesW6175]

Just got back from a trip from Austin Tx to Cedar Rapids Iowa, had my CPAP machine in a gallon plastic bag, same with the humidifier. Never had any problems or questions from the TSA people or carrying it on as medical equipment. Got a CPAP medical I'd tag on the outside of the carrying case.