Interesting experience with CPAP at the Airport

CodeThought · Post by **CodeThought** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:38 am

Hello,

I'm a new member to this forum but I've been using CPAP therapy for over 3 years.

I was just travelling with my CPAP and had something happen that I wanted to share here and see if anyone else had this happen. I travelled from my home in Seattle to San Francisco. At both security points - when going to SFO and coming back to Seatac - I was stopped by TSA. My CPAP was taken, and the TSA personnel inspected it with their "probe" device. At SFO they even went so far as to call out; "We have a breathing machine here! Need a check!"

I've travelled with my CPAP a LOT and NEVER had this happen. In the past it's always been; "Can you open that please? Oh, the breathing machine.. ok go ahead."

What the heck is going on? Have CPAP devices become some sort of turbo coke-spoon that I'm not aware of?

MandoJohnny · Post by **MandoJohnny** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 1:16 am

Up until last week, I was traveling every week on business with my CPAP. A new TSA rule took effect about two months ago, that requires all CPAPs to go through the bomb-sniffer machine. Apparently, it is possible for a terrorist to turn a CPAP machine into a bomb using plastic explosive and do it in such a way that the X-ray could not detect it.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:16 am

I would guess that if the 'nasties' of the world were to shape plastique into the shape of a blower in a standard cpap, they would have a powerful enough device to do nasty damage.

I would have no problem passing my own S8 or PB420 thru a scanner.

A friend recently (3 months ago) carried a Bipap S/T on flights from Seattle to SFO to Australia, for me. They had the biggest hastles at SFO where the international airline staff were too inexperienced to know what a cpap was & what their own airline rules were. But it got here & as onboard carryon baggage. (just a shame it was not as wonderful a device as the price I paid for it).

DSM

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 7:21 am

Thanks for the information. I appreciate it.

roadwarrior · Post by **roadwarrior** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:38 am

Geez this is old stuff indeed. I knew from the start that my CPAP machine would be of interest. As a frequent business flyer I've come to understand how to make things work quickly and efficiently. I approach the line. As soon as I see a TSA agent near the entry of the Xray machine I get their attention and hand them the machine telling them "this is a CPaP". They take it and call out to another "need a check"......I go through the line quickly and easily, grab my shoes, belt and laptop at the other end. Slip my shoes on with my belt, and head over to join the agent patiently (and appreciably) waiting for my attendance at the booth where they are to test it. It takes them all of a minute, they thank me and send me on my way.....NO biggie.....this is just the way it is and frankly HAS been this entire last year......it's not NEW..........this happens at every airport I've been from Omaha to the West Coast.........

mousetater · Post by **mousetater** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:51 am

I had the same experience in Houston and Seattle. In both airports I was impressed that they did not walk away to test my machine until I had collected my other articles and could accompany them to the testing station. Not once did my equipment leave my sight, or was any farther away then arm's length. Given the price of this equipment, that gave me quite a bit of peace of mind.

CodeThought · Post by **CodeThought** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 10:31 am

I appreciate all of your replies. Sorry if this is "old news" or anything to that effect. I did google search for the past few weeks before posting here, but nothing turned up.

Again, thanks. Seems like a nice bunch to chat with..

TerryB · Post by **TerryB** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:37 am

Good Timing!
Planning on a vacation trip to PA early next month and good to have the procedure in mind.

TerryB

bsil · Post by **bsil** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:57 am

Timing is Everything! I'm actually off to the airport in 2 hours. Thanks for the heads up. This is the 1st time that I'm traveling with my machine.
I'll let you all know how Chicago O'Hare and Charleston, South Carolina handle the "breathing machine".
Thanks again,
Barb

CodeThought · Post by **CodeThought** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:18 pm

mousetater wrote:I had the same experience in Houston and Seattle. In both airports I was impressed that they did not walk away to test my machine until I had collected my other articles and could accompany them to the testing station. Not once did my equipment leave my site, or was any farther away then arm's length. Given the price of this equipment, that gave me quite a bit of peace of mind.

Actually that didn't happen with me at SFO tho it did at Seatac - they did the test right next to me. At SFO the machine never left my sight but they did take it to a table about 15 feet away from me.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:32 pm

mousetater wrote:I had the same experience in Houston and Seattle. In both airports I was impressed that they did not walk away to test my machine until I had collected my other articles and could accompany them to the testing station. Not once did my equipment leave my site, or was any farther away then arm's length. Given the price of this equipment, that gave me quite a bit of peace of mind.

They just want you to be in the blast if it went off. Jim

mousetater · Post by **mousetater** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:45 pm

Possibly true. I hadn't thought about that. <smile>

Lyn · Post by **Lyn** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:01 pm

roadwarrior wrote:Geez this is old stuff indeed. I knew from the start that my CPAP machine would be of interest. As a frequent business flyer I've come to understand how to make things work quickly and efficiently. I approach the line. As soon as I see a TSA agent near the entry of the Xray machine I get their attention and hand them the machine telling them "this is a CPaP". They take it and call out to another "need a check"......I go through the line quickly and easily, grab my shoes, belt and laptop at the other end. Slip my shoes on with my belt, and head over to join the agent patiently (and appreciably) waiting for my attendance at the booth where they are to test it. It takes them all of a minute, they thank me and send me on my way.....NO biggie.....this is just the way it is and frankly HAS been this entire last year......it's not NEW..........this happens at every airport I've been from Omaha to the West Coast.........

Went to Las Vegas for 2 weeks this spring to visit my brother. At Omaha they quickly checked for explosives when it came out of the xray conveyor (I barely had my shoes back on befor they were done) & in Vegas they didn't touch it or even ask about it.

Lyn

najames · Post by **najames** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 6:09 pm

I have used CPAP for a very long time. Ever since they started scanning I have always watched and noticed the same thing, same procedure.

1. They stop and look at it in the x-ray machine
2. Then they start squinting at it
3. Then they point and discuss it
4. They usually pull me aside and open the bag
4. Then they ask me what it is, which I always respond "It's a breathing machine"

Then they say, uhhh, ok, thanks, you can go now. I have offered to take it out for them, but have never actually been taken up on it.

I wouldn't put it in with a lot of stuff would be embarassing if taken out and strewn all over a table in front of everyone. javascript:emoticon(':oops:')

CPAP Guy · Post by **CPAP Guy** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 7:25 pm

I am a professional pilot and travel through security everyday. I find this needless harassment. I have had to stop carrying my machine instead of taking the delays and questions from crewmembers of why my bag is being searched everytime I go through security. They can tell with out searching it what it is and that it does not contain explosives. It is just another form of harassment from a group of overpaid flunkies.