Flying with two CPAP's

I plan on flying with two CPAP machines. One for my use and one to give as a donation to a friend.

Can i take them both in separate bags and not have them count towards my carry on allowance?

I could pack them both together in a different bag i suppose but i would ideally like to take both separate.

Anyone have any idea how this would go down with TSA ?

EDIT : Just to add i will be flying alone otherwise i would have given one machine to my wife to carry on.

-UB

My mom works as a TSA trainer. I just tried to call her but she did not answer. She usually calls me back when she is able to. I will post her answer for you after I hear from her.

Well, you are allowed 1 carry-on and 1 personal item, and a cpap machine doesn't count against either of those. You might save yourself some potential hassle by just counting the second one as a carry-on or personal item and then check the rest of your luggage... plus it will be a lot easier to handle at the airport rather than carrying around 4 things.

Why not carefully pack the gift machine and send it UPS?

jdm, have you watched the opening scene of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective?

jdm2857 wrote:Why not carefully pack the gift machine and send it UPS?

shipping to the UK would be over $150 plus i may get customs hassles.

ched03 wrote:My mom works as a TSA trainer. I just tried to call her but she did not answer. She usually calls me back when she is able to. I will post her answer for you after I hear from her.

That is great, thanks for taking the time to do that

No problem, she hasn't called me back yet, but as soon as she does I will ask her.

Customs hassles?

I'd bet you'll get more hassle from Customs by trying to carry TWO in than you will mailing one and carrying one. No experience, just a hunch...

So, I checked with my mom and she and one of her co-workers did not know. She said that you should contact the airline company because they are the people who will be counting your items. TSA just scans and examines the items as they go through security. Sorry I couldn't get a better answer.

ched03 wrote:So, I checked with my mom and she and one of her co-workers did not know. She said that you should contact the airline company because they are the people who will be counting your items. TSA just scans and examines the items as they go through security. Sorry I couldn't get a better answer.

Oh OK, many thanks for checking for me

I traveled with 2. Be prepared to be patted down! I won't do it again. We had 2 s8's in one bag.

Uncle_Bob wrote:Can i take them both in separate bags and not have them count towards my carry on allowance?

As someone has already said, its going to mostly depend on the airline... to which I would add the flight crew as well, especially if its a full flight.

Since the FAA regulations exempting a CPAP from being counted as carry-on are related to healthcare equipment for your personal use, I'd think you might well have a problem if you tried to assert that you needed two CPAP machines.

Cheers,

Bill

TSA is just there to screen items not determine baggage policy. Luggage and carry-on is always dependent on airline policy.

I wouldn't want to struggle with excess bags myself so why not pack it carefully in the checked luggage?

If you insist on carrying I guess you could always say one is in need of repair? But then it would likely count if carried on.

I got the following reply from British Airways Passenger Medical Clearance Unit


You are entitled to carry a maximum of 2 pieces of hand luggage into the cabin, your cpap will count as one piece along with another bag. As the second cpap machine is not for your use you are not permitted to carry this onboard.

So I'll probably pack one carefully in my checked luggage.

Congratulations Bill Bolton you were spot on