TSA and CPAPs

Holden4th wrote:I'm happy to comply with all security measures. The alternative doesn't bear thinking about.

Agreed and you would think everyone would be happy to be safe, right?

Sheepish wrote:But for good measure, as I mentioned earlier, it's a good idea to bring along a copy of your prescription as added insurance to help everything go smoothly.

As mentioned earlier TSA does not care about your prescription. The only time you may need it is if you plan to use cpap during flight, if so its always better to contact your air carrier to find out what their policy is regarding use during flight.

TSA could care less as long as it doesn't blow up the plane or hide any weapons used during flight they have done their job.

Carrying a copy of your Rx and a' Letter of Medical Necessity' from your doc is a good idea (I keep copies in my luggage and my travel wallet)... not for TSA, but for the airline gate agent who tries to put my cpap in the baggage hold. Since I fly Southwest all the time for business, I also have a copy of the DOT and TSA regs covering cpaps as carry on, along with the SWA's policy from their respective web sites. I've only had to use it twice in the 12 years since I was diagnosed, but I've seen the way they handle luggage... literally throwing a small bag off the jetway to someone below on the ground who may or may not catch it.

Bookbear wrote:I've seen the way they handle luggage... literally throwing a small bag off the jetway to someone below on the ground who may or may not catch it.

Not only that, for me the biggest reason I carry-on things- like the cpap, meds, toothbrush, change of underwear (clothes), etc. is for when your checked luggage travels a diff route than you do. The only way to make sure things are there when you land is to carry them on the plane.

IOW if you want to sleep after you land, take your meds, (those things are exempt from the carry-on limit in the US) etc. carry those things on the plane with you.

Bookbear wrote:Carrying a copy of your Rx and a' Letter of Medical Necessity' from your doc is a good idea (I keep copies in my luggage and my travel wallet)... not for TSA, but for the airline gate agent who tries to put my cpap in the baggage hold. Since I fly Southwest all the time for business, I also have a copy of the DOT and TSA regs covering cpaps as carry on, along with the SWA's policy from their respective web sites. I've only had to use it twice in the 12 years since I was diagnosed, but I've seen the way they handle luggage... literally throwing a small bag off the jetway to someone below on the ground who may or may not catch it.

Good point. It only happened once in my various travels this summer that I was asked for my precription, but it sure made things easier. The CPAP machine is carry on, no arguments, less hassle.