Does anyone check their CPAP when flying?

I use to live on the road for work, 13 years of flying and never once lost a checked bag. Of course with so much flying I usually did not have a checked bag but a good hundred or so times I did (anything longer than two days). Never once lost a bag or even had a delay.

EVERY employee I have had work for me has had a bag delay of some sort, sometimes days.

Despite never having lost a bag I would never check my cpap. Everything else getting lost would be a major pain but the cpap being lost would mean ruining a trip, business or pleasure.

victormiller wrote:... You're lucky. This has happened to me 3 times -- the most recent in June. United Airlines made me check my carryon (not my APAP) since they said that overhead space was tight. It never arrived at my destination. I finally got it after 36 hours. It had all my changes of clothes and underwear in it, so I had to make do with wearing yesterday's . At least I had my PAP with me.

I have had more than one airline stewardess want me to check my ASV unit. I explain that it's a ventilator and costs about $1,800 (list), they decide something else can move. I don't even mind checking my computer in comparison. Just not my ASV unit.

But in addition to needing more time to board due to coordination problems (due to my neurological issues), I also prefer to board early to be able to get my ASV unit well placed. And yes, I store something under the seat in front to me. I try to be a reasonable passenger.

JohnBFisher wrote: But in addition to needing more time to board due to coordination problems (due to my neurological issues), I also prefer to board early to be able to get my ASV unit well placed. And yes, I store something under the seat in front to me. I try to be a reasonable passenger.

My backpack with my cpap and my laptop fits exactly under the seat after I take out my knitting. It will never fall on my head when leaving the plane. Of course I am 5'2" and my feet fit on the bag.

I put my machine in one of those carry-ons w/wheels then I have room for my meds and power strips even distilled water. I strap my laptop on top of that bag with a bungee cord. That way I don't have to carry them. Any clothes, food, toothbrush, etc. go into my backpack.

But wheels are the key when traveling. Well wheels and bungee cords.

Ok I count 2 people on here that have managed to put it in checked luggage with no issues. Thanks for sharing. For this trip I'm going to put my laptop in my Resmed bag and not risk it. The rest of you have managed to put the fear of G-d into me.

soundersfootballclub wrote:Ok I count 2 people on here that have managed to put it in checked luggage with no issues. Thanks for sharing. For this trip I'm going to put my laptop in my Resmed bag and not risk it. The rest of you have managed to put the fear of G-d into me.

The best of luck to you. Have a safe trip and do keep us posted.

I thought this might have done better as a poll and I hate polls.

ps. get some bungees and/or ask for help.

I have MS and severe Degenerative Disk Disease. So to say I have a back problem is an understatement. Still, I would no more think of checking my cpap than I would my purse containing my credit cards and cash. No way on earth. I got a nice new suitcase a year ago. To look at it now, you'd think I'd had it at least 10 years!

As I sit waiting for the other passengers to board, I often watch the baggage people (mis)handle luggage. Bags are often literally thrown onto the conveyor belt. Sometimes they miss they conveyor. I see bags fall off of the conveyor or cart onto the tarmac. Once I saw a bag fall off a cart and get run over by the wheels of the next cart in the baggage train. It's simply not worth the risk to me. But then, I'm generally risk-averse. Others like to live more dangerously.

DreamLady wrote:As I sit waiting for the other passengers to board, I often watch the baggage people (mis)handle luggage. Bags are often literally thrown onto the conveyor belt. Sometimes they miss they conveyor. I see bags fall off of the conveyor or cart onto the tarmac. Once I saw a bag fall off a cart and get run over by the wheels of the next cart in the baggage train. It's simply not worth the risk to me. But then, I'm generally risk-averse. Others like to live more dangerously.

I see the same stuff. No way would I check my CPAP, ever. If they insist on taking my CPAP off the plane, I'll accompany it.

|l

pap4life wrote:No CPAP in checked luggage for me. Baggage smashers are good at ruining equipment like that, besides the checked luggage may not get off at the same destination as you. If you know why you shouldn't place CPAP in checked luggage, why care if someone else does? Why check the power cord differently from the CPAP? I guess I don;t understand your questions.

This is one of the top reasons why I would never subject Darth Vader to the perils of the checked baggage hold.

(Link is w*rk safe)

All of Darth's attachments travel with him and I would rather get fatigued carrying it than spend even one travel night without all of the necessary pieces that make him him.

DaveLP wrote:My cpap goes in my suitcase because my laptop stays with me. No way will I check a laptop unless I have to.

The best way to ensure that your luggage gets off where you do is to insist on non-stops where possible. Some of those will continue on and there's a chance your luggage will too. My suitcase went to Alaska once when I got off at Washington National, but they drove it out to me the next morning.

I miss the days when I had no idea what a CPAP was and still slept well!

Last year my luggage got delayed on a single non-stop flight that had no continuing legs. Basically, the suitcase just didn't make it onto the plane even though they insisted it would. Fortunately the airline had another flight a few hours later and they had the car sent directly to our hotel.

It's funny. Up until then, I'd always packed an extra shirt and undies in my carry on, but only for flights with connections. Now, even in direct flights, I will pack a few things to get me through the night.

In any case, I will never pack my CPAP. It is just too risky. If the airlines break your equipment, they will not pay to have it replaced.

I would like to have a more convenient way to carry it. The case that came with it has a shoulder strap, but that interferes with the shoulder strap of my backpack.

davelikesbeer wrote:Last year my luggage got delayed on a single non-stop flight that had no continuing legs. Basically, the suitcase just didn't make it onto the plane even though they insisted it would. Fortunately the airline had another flight a few hours later and they had the car sent directly to our hotel.

This happened to me twice this year. Once when I went to see my sister during her final illness and once when I went for her funeral. I didn't even have a dress to wear to the funeral home to help my BIL before the funeral. Boy, did I rag on AA that second time!! However my CPAP was with me both times.

My mom flew from Ottawa to Vancouver, but her luggage went to Hong Kong She was visiting us for 2 weeks, then home............her luggage arrived at her house in Ottawa 2 weeks after that. When she received her luggage after being home for 2 weeks, she phoned and told us it had Hong Kong stickers on it, laughed, and said her undies had a good trip to a foreign country. My son has had his luggage lost a dozen times at least...says he's not going to fly with checked in luggage EVER again.

Never! I don't check my meds either. I would be in a world of hurt without either one of them.