CPAP and TSA Security Checkpoint

Hi all - I have never had a problem navigating through security while traveling with CPAP. Everyone I have enountered from here to Asia has been very accommodating (maybe i have been lucky). But leaving Orlando this morning, I asked the TSA agent to put new gloves on, and she acted like I was asking her to give mer her firstborn. She said that the gloves she had on were the "only ones." BULL........ and when I pressed her, she said she wouldn't touch the machine. So I watched while she ran the wand over it, and I picked it up and left. I was thinking of looking for a supervisor and registering a complaint, but I did not do it. Even after I saw another agent putting on new gloves, which I know are always readily available. I think my biggest fear was being put on some list and being delayed every time through security, as I know some who have made complaints and never get through smoothly any more.

I have read many comments on this forum about varying experiences with TSA, but I really was surprised by her reaction. This is the only time anyone has every been less than happy to change gloves. One would think they would be happy to help curb the spread of disease.......Should I have complained? Anyone have any suggestions?

You might consider posting anonymously to the TSA blog at

http://www.tsa.gov/blog/

and ask them what the problem was. Although they're worrying about the fact that Britney Spears was allowed through security with a Big Gulp in her hands, instead of being made to dispose of it like the rest of us mere mortals.

I would have asked to see the supervisor...Some TSA folks are fine but like everywhere else, they get bad moods or power crazy ...

Like you, I would always ask for new gloves and a new swab. But it depends on the place. Mine was swabbed at Pittsburgh and New Orleans, you say they put the wand over yours.... so they have rules on how to do this but it is down differently at each airport.

IMHO TSA is big joke. They are putting a checkmark in the box that says we tried to keep the terrorists out.

If I was a terrorist I would take the bomb with me right up the check point and set it off there, more people are lined up there than any other place in the airport.,

People should be screened at the front of the airport entrance after that they can be scattered anywhere.

Oh well, don't get me started ON TSA, they have good and bad, you got a bad one or maybe she was on a bad day,......

MCO is the only airport I've ever had a problem at, also. The TSA agent there didn't believe me that my itty-bitty machine was the whole machine and he made me take my CPAP bag apart looking for the rest of it.

I've had no problems in Albuquerque, Barcelona, Chicago O'Hare, LAX, London Gatwick, Manchester NH, Manchester UK, Midlands UK, National (Washington DC), Newark, Ontario (California), Pittsburgh, Raleigh-Durham NC ... just Orlando.

You are all now on "The List". We will be watching you. Have a nice day.

If this is your first encounter with a Floridiot consider yourself lucky .The graduation rate in very close to the bottom, year in year out.Kinda surprised he didn't pick his nose in front of you.I wouldn't play with the tsa they seem to work a lot harder than most civil servants so they are most likely very edgy and have lots of authority over you being put on the list.I do think most all of em do a heck of a job but like others say with too much power you get idiots with too much power.

You can go online and file a report. I have done this twice- one time I did get follow up, and once I heard nothing. I think it depends on the supervisor, just like with everything else. I have flown from Denver many times, and they have always been absolutely wonderful there. In Paris, I didn't even have to open the bag at all. In Las Vegas I had unbelievable hassles, and in Atlanta an agent picked up my machine and casually "tossed" it into another bin. I guess they think we have some kind of conspiracy to smuggle something on board inside the machines.

Thanks all, I did go to the TSA website, put in my "comments," and requested a reply. We'll see what happens. If I end up on the no-fly list, we'll know why.

It is funny that, internationally, many times the machine goes right through with no attention paid to it at all (including Korea and some parts of the Middle East).

I think she was on a power trip and maybe also having a really bad day. Not supposed to be my problem.

You all are great. Thx again.

tillymarigold wrote:MCO is the only airport I've ever had a problem at, also. The TSA agent there didn't believe me that my itty-bitty machine was the whole machine and he made me take my CPAP bag apart looking for the rest of it.

I've had no problems in Albuquerque, Barcelona, Chicago O'Hare, LAX, London Gatwick, Manchester NH, Manchester UK, Midlands UK, National (Washington DC), Newark, Ontario (California), Pittsburgh, Raleigh-Durham NC ... just Orlando.

I had problems at Boston/Logan - but then again, I was flying through there shortly after 9/11.

You said Orlando right? I just got back from there. Floridians sure do a fine job of living up to their reputation.

This is a bit off topic. I had a weird experience in the 1980's with security in Saudi Arabia over a Norelco electric razor. I was leaving Saudi Arabia on my way to Switzerland. The security guy was carrying an M-16 and I was carrying a camera bag and an attache case. There was a walk-through metal detector but no x-ray, it was all hand inspection.

He had me open the main part of my camera bag, he took a look inside it and slid it to the other end of the table (I could have had anything in that bag and he wouldn't have known it). He opened my attache case and picked up my electric razor; it appeared that he had never seen one before and he had no idea what it was. He looked it over and pressed the button that made it pop open for cleaning -- he scattered whisker bits everywhere over his uniform and table.

He seemed to be a bit miffed when he tossed my razor back into my case, flopped the cover down, slid it to the end of the table, and shoved my ticket into my hand. I smiled at him and said Insha'Allah,which is Arabic for "as God wills it" -- it can also mean "s**t happens".

Well, surprisingly, I received a response from TSA about the agent who refused to change her gloves to check my CPAP:. Here it is:

Dear Sir (Oh Well, my name is Pat, I guess that's a common mistake):

I am saddened to learn of your unfortunate experience.

TSA is committed to exercise professional courtesy as we carry out our mission. I will direct the matter as you have described so we can look into this incident and address your concerns. I sincerely appreciate you bringing this matter to our attention.

Gloves are supposed to be changed when they become deteriorated or soiled. Also, they are supposed to be changed on the request of a traveler. We have H1N1 protocols in place to reduce the exposure to ourselves and the traveling public. Gloves are one of the components to prevent spread of disease, from the traveler to the Officer or the other way. The Officer should have either called for another Officer to perform the test on your CPAP or have gotten new gloves.

If you are not satisfied with the actions displayed by a TSA Officer, I strongly encourage you to report such matters immediately to a TSA Supervisor or Security Manager. Although I am cognizant of a traveler’s time constraints, I cannot stress the importance of having your incident addressed immediately.

Again, we apologize that you incurred this unfortunate experience. I assure you that this matter will be addressed as we continue working to exceed your expectations.

-------I didn't ask for a supervisor because I was afraid of revenge by the agent. Won't be afraid if it happens again.... thanks all for your suggestions, I never would have known to go to the website. You all are grreat.

I traveled a short trip for the first time with my CPAP.

Oakland / Long Beach
TSA has to hand inspect my CPAP and swab it.

Long Beach / Oakland
TSA not only has to hand inspect my CPAP and swab it, but he also takes out my CPAP without the humidifier, and runs that through the x-ray by itself, and he also has to plug it in. When I said this was the "first time" such extensive measures were taken for my CPAP, he said nothing.

I am experienced enough to NOT be one of those jerk-wads that arrives to airports late just to pressure everybody around my to rush around and act out, just because I was too "pre-occupied" to get to the airport on time, so the extra 5 minutes meant 5 less minutes I could tinker with my iPhone waiting to board the plane.

I'm a frequent traveler and I have never had a problem with TSA and my CPAP. I unplug the hose and mask and put those in my suitcase. That way I don't have to worry about anything getting bacteria. The suitcase always goes through with no problem. They do always have to swab my machine, but they don't even touch it and a fresh swab is used every time. It's basically a cloth pad that they touch to several parts of your machine, then they scan the cloth for traces of explosives. They have to use a fresh swab each time to get acurate results. You just have to make sure your hose and mask are separate, then take your CPAP out of it's case and put it in it's own bin. If you put your CPAP through first, they will be done swabbing it by the time you get your shoes and jacket back on.

Here's hoping that your future travels are more pleasant!

I agree, my hose and accessories are always in my checked luggage. They haven't always put a fresh swab on , but I request it now. And yes, putting the CPAP through first assures that it will be done by the time my shoes, jacket, laptop, carryon and handbag get through. I have it down to a science. My only issue was the gloves, and next time I will insist on new gloves or speak to a supervisor. Just got back from another trip to Korea, and now I'm leaving again on Thanksgiving (back to Orlando, where the TSA grinch lives ) Thanks again all, for your support.