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If you do a web search for "flight cases" you will get about a dozen companies who make custom flight cases for electronic equipment. I can't give you a recommendation on any of them. The one outfit I knew about went out of business last year, but there are plenty more out there.

Thanks for all the feedback.
Regarding cases, a very good case manufacturer is "PELI" we use them at work to transport our products which retail about $60,000 each. Is this a good enough recomendation?

Billy

For that sum I could afford to get a CPAP machine and store it in most of the locations I freqrently travel to

Comfort gel mask has gel in it. Anyone know if these are not allowed on board the airplane? TSA said that gel insoles for shoes are prohibited, so maybe the gel in the mask has the same problem?

emechip wrote:Comfort gel mask has gel in it. Anyone know if these are not allowed on board the airplane? TSA said that gel insoles for shoes are prohibited, so maybe the gel in the mask has the same problem?

oh my goodness, I never thought of that! I have one of those.

That gel mask might be something to get a letter of medical necessity for, just to be safe.

I just flew with my CPAP today on American Commuter, St. Louis to Atlanta. It was interesting. They were announcing the new rules constantly on the PA in the terminal. But I went through with my CPAP, no problem. They didn't even do the "bomb-sniffing wand" thing on it like they had been doing on CPAPs for months. I guess they dropped that because they have too much else to worry about. Also, according to the announcements on the PA, all aerosol products are also banned from carry on, which I had not heard before. This is real Catch-22, because technically aerosols are not suppose to be in checked baggage either. I had an asthma inhaler in my CPAP case and I thought I was going to have to give it up. But it went through the X-ray and they didn't say anything about it.

MandoJohnny wrote:...My guess is that if we have to routinely check CPAPs, we will have to start buying ATA cases for them. My guess is it would cost in the $200 - $300 range for something the size of a CPAP.

Not quite. Check out this site:

http://www.casesbyskb.com/

SKB makes an "ATA" wheeled "carry on" with a specialized foam interior that will also stand up to being put through checked luggage. It cost me less than $150.00, including shipping, for one that holds my Respironics Pro II and integrated humidifier.

Thanks, very helpful. Please would you mind letting us know which model(s) you went for? And did you get something customised or just a case that holds the equipment? (i.e. do we need something where the machine fits exactly into the foam holder or anything like that?)

ATA cases: http://www.rockhardcases.com/ATA.htm

Keep an open mind...

I've used cases like this (not this exact one)
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wt ... I=FUTP1015

A sturdy (as in, you can STAND on it) case with a customizeable foam insert. I've used one particular case to transport my radio controlled aircraft radio, as well as an X-Ray flourescence spectrometer (by changing the foam inserts). Even a $65 case can be extremely durable.

I contacted the Canadian Air Transporation Security Agency and asked about CPAP and travel.

I actually got a response back: I thought I'd share.

Dear Ms. Demmery:

On behalf of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), we wish to thank you for your email of August 21, 2006, regarding the transportation of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine in your carry-on baggage.

CATSA plays an integral role in the Government of Canada’s air security initiative. Our mission is to protect the public by securing critical elements of the air transportation system, including the screening of passengers and their belongings. Our mandate is to deliver a consistent, effective and highly professional service that is set at or above the standards established by federal regulations.

Transport Canada (TC) regulates what items may or may not be transported in carry-on and checked baggage within Canada. This item should not pose a problem in either carry-on or checked baggage, as long as it only contains electronic components and not any items categorized as dangerous goods by Transport Canada:

(http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/comme ... g/menu.htm).

If you should decide to include this item in your carry-on baggage, we recommend presenting the screening officers with documentation of your medical condition that necessitates this type of item. Please include any other manual or documentation that could facilitate the risk assessment of this item. Furthermore, please allot extra time for the screening of your belongings in order to avoid any delays.

Once again, thank you for your e-mail,

CATSA Client Relations

I hope this helps those canadians travelling.

Lynne

Interesting. Thanks Lynne.

France

Someone posted earlier saying they were concerned that the bans on gels and shoe inserts may be applied to gel masks. I did Boston, Heathrow and Singapore over the past 10 days (went through Heathrow twice) and everything was fine, gel mask, machine and all. The UK and Singapore airport security staff respond to doctors note and letters, so if in doubt, please carry these!

However, the UK airlines and airport security folk were all adament that if the carry on itself doesn't meet their size requirements, we wouldn't be allowed on board, regardless of what the contents are. ie. if you can't pack your machine into something of their required size, then you don't get to fly with your machine. They suggested if I coudn't fit everything into the correct sized case, I just have to avoid flying into or out of the UK. BTW the UK is thinking of enforcing weight limits as well (which my CPAP machine and set up would exceed).

Would be glad to hear about other people's experiences.