Travel with CPAP - Letters, Equipment ID Tags

In the post I started about humidification in the Caribbean, it was brought up that they had a letter (and provided link to letter) from Resmed stating the safety of their particular model. They were also going to bring a copy of their prescription and invoice. All very good pieces of supporting reference material.

viewtopic/t37158/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=37 ... 15#p324957

I have bought the Medical Equipment ID tag from CPAP.COM, however, myself and another individual are now looking if their is any reference letters from Respironics, Puritan Bennett and other manufacturers?

I have traveled the world with my cpap, and I have never had a problem.
Europe, Asia no problem.

The only issue I have had is in the good ole USA.
I have had several at the airport tell me I had to many bags.
I just reply "Don't make me go all ADA on you" anf they let me pass.

I just flew, prior to the holidays, within the USA. I did have a Medical ID tag on my Auto PAP bag. At the security checkpoint, I was required to send it on through then they completely swabbed it with a cloth. I just made dang sure I really cleaned it afterwards myself from the handling.

I just got back from a week long trip to Las Vegas -- I had no trouble at all with my CPAP, including going through airport security. The TSA agent in Las Vegas was even cheerful when she swabbed it.

I have been traveling with my CPAP for over 14 years and I have never had any problems carrying it anywhere. I don't have any tags or carry any documents for my CPAP/apnea other than an entry on my Medic-Alert tag.

Bearded_One wrote:I just got back from a week long trip to Las Vegas -- I had no trouble at all with my CPAP, including going through airport security. The TSA agent in Las Vegas was even cheerful when she swabbed it.....

Just curious, any reason why you don't check it in.

georgepds wrote:

Bearded_One wrote:I just got back from a week long trip to Las Vegas -- I had no trouble at all with my CPAP, including going through airport security. The TSA agent in Las Vegas was even cheerful when she swabbed it.....

Just curious, any reason why you don't check it in.

Because you don't want the airline to lose it. Duh....

It's medical equipment. They HAVE to let you carry it on. TSA rules.

I've had bags delayed and even lost entirely. I would never check an expensive piece of necessary medical equipment.

Just put a tag on it and call it good. You don't need all those supporting documents. It's overkill, but if it makes you feel better to bring them, do it. But no one will ask to see them.

Cheers,
B.

georgepds wrote:

Bearded_One wrote:I just got back from a week long trip to Las Vegas -- I had no trouble at all with my CPAP, including going through airport security. The TSA agent in Las Vegas was even cheerful when she swabbed it.....

Just curious, any reason why you don't check it in.

you ever watch those people load/unload baggage ??

going to disney world, we had a brand new stroller, watched from the plane as a short woman tried 3 times to throw it onto one of those trucks that pulls the baggage carts. our brand new stroller then had wheels that resembled the grizzwalds wobbly wheels on the station wagon in national lampoons vacation (the original), a broken handle, and several bends, scratches, etc. and ripped the material. when i alerted a flight attendant, she just said, submit a claim and see what happens.

coming back from disney world, they left our luggage out on the tarmac in pouring rain, SOAKED EVERYTHING. ruined several things. all the airline said was have your clothes dry cleaned and submit a bill. OKAY, yeah right, im gonna dry clean shorts and t-shirts they wouldnt pay for any of the ruined items we bought at disney world.

and this was all DELTA.

NO WAY I WOULD CHECK A CPAP.

ya know, after writing this, im thinking it may be a good idea to scotch guard the carry case for my cpap. just in case.

Babette wrote:It's medical equipment. They HAVE to let you carry it on. TSA rules.

TSA rules do not take precedence over air safety filght regulations, so airlines dont "HAVE to" under all circumstances.

Cheers,

Bill

billbolton wrote:

Babette wrote:It's medical equipment. They HAVE to let you carry it on. TSA rules.

TSA rules do not take precedence over air safety filght regulations, so airlines dont "HAVE to" under all circumstances.

Cheers,

Bill

Bill, please help me understand how a small carryon item would affect flight safety, as opposed to that item being checked. My husband is a retired AF cargo pilot and he doesn't think this small an item would have any affect on flight safety. It's the same small weight regardless of where it sits on the plane and it's not heavy enough to affect equilibrium if it's in an overhead bin. We're just completely flumoxed by your comment, please explain.

Last week, going through Ft. Lauderdale's security, the woman hollared out, "CPAP check!", and a gloved guy, who I had just watched handling some work boots on the conveyor belt, came over to get my APAP. I was too tired to raise a fuss.

Bev

As long as they are just handling the machine, I am not fussy about their gloves or swab.

I carried disinfecting wipes in my bag that I cleaned it afterwards .. no biggie. After reading the forums, I was prepared.

AuntieNae wrote:I carried disinfecting wipes in my bag that I cleaned it afterwards .. no biggie. After reading the forums, I was prepared.

Yes good thing to keep with you on a trip. I am not sure about all the rules and regs, other than the CPAP.COM Medical Equipment ID tag states that the TSA says it is acceptable Carry On. They don't provide a regulation number or anything.

There is a post in our Collective Wisdom that has a link to the statement...I am too tired this evening to hunt for it

Hi Fredman,

In most airports the TSA screeners are quite used to cpap devices and it's no problem. I have heard of problems in small, out-of-the-way airports and some Caribbean countries. So I prefer to take a copy of prescription or letter with me. Have never needed it yet but I'd hate to lose my cpap from not having such with me

Mindy