CPAPtalk.com

squid13 wrote:

pats wrote:The original message was about travel to Italy. That means at least one flight will leave from a non-TSA airport.

There are non stop flights to Italy from Atlanta, I just checked and Delta has non stop flights to Italy. From what I understand if you fly an American carrier our TSA rules apply.

The country of departure, not the home country of the airline, sets the rules about what can be taken through security and how boarding inspections are done. For example, at one time the UK had tighter carry-on limits than the USA. The UK rules obviously applied when I was going through security at Heathrow, even though my flight was operated by American Airlines.

I beg to differ...

I do travel probably more than most of the people on the forum, say an average of 40 to 50 flights per year.
In the last 10 months I have been using CPAP, I think I took the machine as hand carry twice. Otherwise always in my checked in luggage.
I never had a problem. Of course I am careful when packing and make sure it is well protected in the suitcase (hard casing).
Maybe I am trying my luck. But it's so convenient to have it in the luggage.

I'll be flying within the United States in a few weeks. After reading these responses I'm not sure what I'm going to do. It just seems so much easier to pack it carefully in my overhead luggage. I will be going by myself and one less "suitcase" to be concerned about seems really nice.

2 years ago my checked baggage was not put on the plane because of a temperature/density limit on the weight that the plane could carry. I flew into LA and drove to Palm Springs. The airline gave me an overnight kit that had a tooth brush that had pig bristles, Chinese tooth paste, a comb for my bald head , and a t-shirt. Since there were no under pants, I guess that they thought that I should be "commando." After reading what they add to various items in the food supply in China, I did not use the tooth paste and I did have to pick the bristles out of my mouth after brushing my teeth. They did deliver the bag to my hotel the next day after flying it to PS. That is why I take my PAP with me on board and include a change of underware now.

NO it is not safe to pack in luggage. I carry mine in it carrying case and is is safe. I have flown several time with it. It is determined as necessary medical equipment and they do not count it as carry on luggage. It will be checked however for explosive material which I don't consider a big deal. I hope this is helpful to you. You might check with you local airport procedures and see what they say. I have never had any problems with carrying it on with me.

This thread reminds me.

I am going to be flying (within the US) for the first time since I went on the hose in a couple of weeks.

Our gracious host sells "Medical Equipment" tags to attach to one's bag, just to educate TSA/airline if necessary.

I'm an artsy sort so want to make my own tag and laminate it.

Other than the cite to the FAA regulation allowing me to carry it on and not get dinged for carryon, what would be the most useful information to include on the tag do you think?

tlr wrote:You might check with you local airport procedures and see what they say.

If I were planning to take an XPAP traveling with me, I would check the procedures for each airport on my itinerary, remembering that all USA airports are covered by the TSA and FAA regulations. I would also check the rules for other travel modes that might have carry-on limits, such as buses and trains.

Drowsy Dancer wrote:... Our gracious host sells "Medical Equipment" tags to attach to one's bag, just to educate TSA/airline if necessary.

I'm an artsy sort so want to make my own tag and laminate it.

Other than the cite to the FAA regulation allowing me to carry it on and not get dinged for carryon, what would be the most useful information to include on the tag do you think? ...

In all the years I that I traveled with a xPAP device, I've never had a problem (even in other countries). Of course, I just call my device a "CPAP" device. I don't expect them to understand "ASV unit". They don't know and don't care. If it walks like a duck, and it quacks like a duck. It must be a duck. And I would probably be just the same in their shoes. All they need to know is that it is a "CPAP type device to help me breathe at night".