Travel - CPAP in checked baggage?

ColoZZZ · Post by **ColoZZZ** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:06 pm

Does anyone know of any reasons that a well padded CPAP shouldn't be sent with checked baggage? I've got to travel next week and really don't want to carry it on...

Other than the possibility that one may be separated for a night from their baggage...

Thanks,

-Andy

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 6:26 pm

My fear would be the loss of the checked luggage. If there was some way to guarantee that your checked luggage would always make it to the same destination as you do then it might be safe to check a CPAP machine. Airlines seem to be losing more bags every year.

Good luck.

Susan

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 8:02 pm

I've NEVER put my cpap in checked baggage. It is always with me when I travel. I'm not willing to go thru hell in case the airlines decide todays my day in the barrel.

JeffH

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 8:03 pm

suitcases are thrown, dropped off moving baggage carriers at high speed, bouncing on the pavement and go to destinations unknown, etc.

But the overriding reason is that most carriers will not insure/reimburse for loss or damage to anything electrical in the suitcase.

teach · Post by **teach** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 8:19 pm

I traveled to Philadelphia last year and had cpap machine in my check in suitcase. I had no problems.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 8:43 pm

My cpap states specifically in the owner's manual that it is NEVER to be checked. The manual says it is not intended to survive that kind of abuse. It must be carried on.

It is a free extra carry on. You have to take it out of the box and put it in the grey bin just like a laptop--but the security people will know what it is. No worries.

Don't risk checking it. It is too expensive/valuable.

jen

goose · Post by **goose** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:24 pm

What JeffH said!!!!
Is the next chamber the one with the bullet???

It's a "freebie" when you carry it on -- doesn't count as a carry on, so I can't think of any reason to put it in jeopardy.....

Remember that Samsonite commercial where the gorillas were the baggage handlers??? I've seen them at the airport handling my bags......
Nope not me!!!!!

Good luck
cheers
goose

Roadie · Post by **Roadie** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:45 pm

I travel a lot, and the airlines have never lost one of my bags, well at least not permanently. In the last 12 years of around 40 flights a year my checked bags have been delayed for at least one night only twice. In all that time I have never had any problems with carry on bags.

The chances of problems with checked bags really is pretty small, but it does exist. You are an adult, you are free to make your own choices.

When I travel I always carry my CPAP machine on myself. The idea that I would check it is anathema to me. Loss or damage to my machine would mean at least one or more nights of no sleep. I did that for years before my diagnosis, it is not something I want to return to.

Roadie

tlc95066 · Post by **tlc95066** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 11:04 am

I have traveled multiple times with my APAP and have always carried it on with me. Yes it is a little bit of a pain, but better that than not having my machine.

Last Aug. we travelled to the east coast for vacation and all of our checked luggage was "misplaced" by the carrier. Most of our luggage we received with in 24 hours. However, my daughters bag. which had all of her clothes, toiltries etc., didn't make it to our destination for 3 1/2 days. Had that been my checked APAP I would have been totally screwed.

Just my 2 cents... carry it on with you.
Teri

Craig-Tx · Post by **Craig-Tx** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 10:43 pm

My dad took a salmon fishing trip in Alaska. On his return flights, his luggage was lost. It took about a month for them to return his suitcase. Unfortunately the cooler with about 50 lbs of fresh dry packed wild alaskan salmon was never found... I suspect a baggage handler is still eating well.

I ALWAYS hand carry my CPAP.

MartiniLover · Post by **MartiniLover** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 5:00 pm

The machine riding in the hold of the plane where it is not pressurized, get mighty cold.

I had packed my BiPap, and checked it many times until last January when arriving at my destination I plugged it in that night, and and it never ran properly again.

I noticed it was still cold after five hours after getting off the plane. I put the blame on it being cold when I plugged it in. I can't verify that, just my opinion.

It only had 4200 hours on it. My DME wanted a 1000 dollars to send it in for repair, and wanted to rent me a replacement.

Yeah, right!

I purchased out of pocket a new one and now hand carry it, along with a brief case with my computer in it, and a small carry on with necessary items.

i did not buy my new one from them.

I have to go through special hand inspection because of having artificial joints in both legs. It is a pain when traveling alone to watch your stuff, be hand searched and all the stuff it takes to fly, but IS WORTH IT.

CARRY IT ON BOARD WITH YOU!

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): bipap, DME

alnhwrd · Post by **alnhwrd** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:14 pm

According to an article in NY Times Travel, the airlines lost 1 of every 138 pieces of checked luggage in the first nine months of 2007. So as long as you are one of the 138 you are fine, but hope you are not the one. Remember, they never lose a single piece of carry on!

http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/11/21/bu ... ggage.html

TerryB · Post by **TerryB** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:34 pm

Airport security is a PITA but I don't even want to think about a night without the machine anymore. I used to do lots of internation service travel and was without my bags for weeks at a time once up to 32 days.

It is also worth considering that even one night without the machine just coud be THE NIGHT you wouldn't survive without it.

I'm in the carry it on advice corner.

TerryB

An Airline Pilot · Post by **An Airline Pilot** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:17 pm

The cargo areas are pressurized but they certainly can get very cold.

The mishandled bag rate, currently about 7 per 1000 checked bags, includes lost, delayed and damaged bags. It isn't just lost bags. Very few bags are lost i.e. never returned.

That said... NEVER check your CPAP. The airlines specifically tell you not to check electronics or other high-value items. They will not pay replacement value if the machine is lost or damaged.

rwalther · Post by **rwalther** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:21 pm

I had a speaking engagement in Geneva, and connected through JFK. When I got there ... no bags. The nice lady from SwissAir disappears, and when she came back, she said:

"I have good news and bad news. The good news is that we've found your bags. The bad news is that they're on their way to Johanassburg, South Africa and it will take another 3 days to get them here."

I flew 375,000 air miles last year.

Everything I care about ... gets carried on the plane.

Rusty

Travel - CPAP in checked baggage?

Travel - CPAP in checked baggage?

1 in 138 lost

You just never know ...

Mask

Additional Comments: Equipment isn't correct, S9 ASV w/H5i