TSA rules changed??

jbenenson wrote:I haven't flown since I started using my APAP machine, but I do know this: federal law trumps any policy that the airline(s) might have. If the TSA says that a CPAP machine is allowed they cannot violate that law. When I travel I will be carrying a letter from ResMed that says that the machine is compliant with TSA regulations and a copy of the applicable TSA rule(s).

The TSA only has to do with security within the USA - nothing to do with what goes on the plane . Yes you should be allowed to bring your cpap machine aboard however the airline personnel has the last say and they can pull the safety card any time they think there is too much hand baggage. If you think there is going to be an issue - such as at Xmas, you need to be early and ask for priority boarding due to medical conditions when you get there.

As a frequent traveler (approx. 4 flights a week), I can tell you that any medical device you take with, within reason will be allowed thought the TSA checkpoint and as a carry on and not counted as an additional bag. I know a lot of people say the medical CPAP tags aren't worth the price, but anytime someone has questioned me about my second carry-on or given me that look that they think I should check the second bag, I just make sure the medical device symbol is visible. The gate agents generally don't want to have to read a letter from your doctor. They want to get you and everyone else on that plane and out of their hair.

One thing I can tell you that HAS CHANGED is that the TSA no longer requires EXTRA screening on you xPAP machine. After the TSA agent at one of the airports I go through frequently told me of the change, I looked online and couldn't find any mention of the change in policy. But keep in mind that you still need to take it out of the case/bag, place it in it's own tray/bin, and have it X-RAY'ed. Any additional screening after that point is up to the discretion of the TSA agent doing the XRAY screening. It use to be that they would YELL out "bag check" or "CPAP" and require an additional test where they ran a small cloth over the surface to test for suspicious materials. But as of the last 3 weeks or so, no additional testing has been done on my xPAP.

jbenenson wrote:I haven't flown since I started using my APAP machine, but I do know this: federal law trumps any policy that the airline(s) might have.

You need to keep in mind that immediate Flight Safety issues will always take precedence is there is a flight safety concern.

The flight crew can, and will, make on the spot decisions about what is allowed in the cabin if there is an immediate flight safety issue and any other considerations will be sorted out later.

It doesn't happen often, but it certainly does happen!

Cheers,

Bill

TSA doesn't care if you have 5 carry-on bags just as long as none have explosives or contraband in them (or drinking water for that matter). They leave the rest for the airlines to deal with.

netsweeper wrote: One thing I can tell you that HAS CHANGED [snip] It use to be that they would YELL out "bag check" or "CPAP" and require an additional test where they ran a small cloth over the surface to test for suspicious materials. But as of the last 3 weeks or so, no additional testing has been done on my xPAP.

Good to know. I'm making my monthly flight to Seattle tomorrow evening and I hate holding up the line while they go through their routine.

What Gumby said...

We've been thru this a couple of times now.

TSA allows CPAP thru TSA security checkpoints, period. They cannot and do not dictate carry-on limits. Those are set by the airlines. Barring space limitations, they generally allow one carry-on and one "personal item" (purse, laptop, etc.). However, the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) has deemed that medical equipment does NOT count against the carry-on limit. I keep a copy of the CFR page in my CPAP case, but have never had to use it. Both TSA and the airlines are very familiar with CPAP machines by now, and usually know the rules.

I've never had a problem and here's how:

1. Carry ONLY CPAP-related items in your case.
2. Have a "Medical Equipment" tag on your case. Here's one you can d/l and print yourself.
http://www.sleepguide.com/photo/cpap-me ... ipment-tag
3. At TSA, remove your machine from the case and place in a separate bin.
4. At the gate, tell the agent you have medical equipment that must stay with you and request pre-boarding.. I've never been denied, and it will keep your machine nearby if the overheads fill up.
5. For "red-eye" flights, arrange seating near an outlet AHEAD OF TIME. And use a surge protector. (You will likely be sleeping with your machine on your lap.) The only time I've done this, I sprung for First Class and it was worth every penny.

I flew two weeks ago and they asked permission to swap my machine before both flights. No change in policy that I saw. YMMV.

LinkC wrote:I flew two weeks ago and they asked permission to swap my machine before both flights. No change in policy that I saw. YMMV.

I hoped they swapped it for something good!

I fly worldwide ten months out of the year and I have yet to have any instance where TSA or airline employees had a problem with me carrying my CPAP along with one small carry-on and one personal item for the past 4 years. I have even yet to have to remove it from it's carry case when it goes through the screening machine. In fact, the last three flights I was on last week they didn't even swab the thing or give it a second thought. It was just another thing through the machine. I closed the lid, zipped it up and walked away. Maybe they recognize me by now, like a regular patron at a restaurant LOL.