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+--- Thread: [Equipment] Travel problems (/Thread-Equipment-Travel-problems)
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Travel problems - mxw51 - 07-26-2013
Hello everyone. I am a new hosehead (7 nights). My ResMed S9 I will be flying for our first time next week. I am curious how savvy the TSA is with CPAP machines and how much trouble I can expect when I pass through security. What have other traveler's experience been?
I am assuming that I should carry it on, rather than pack it in checked luggage.
By the way, what do people do when their nose itches at night in a full face mask?
RE: Travel problems - PaulaO2 - 07-26-2013
They are very savvy.
Treat it the same as you would a laptop. Take it out of the bag and put into bin. Mask and hose can remain in bag. They will send it through. They may swab it, they may not.
CPAP counts as a medical device and does not count toward your baggage limit, including carry-on limit.
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Travel_with_CPAP
RE: Travel problems - trish6hundred - 07-26-2013
Hi mxw51,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
What Paula said.
I've not used a full-face mask so I don't know the answer to your question.
Best of luck, I hope your trip goes well.
Hang in there for more responses to your post.
RE: Travel problems - jgjones1972 - 07-26-2013
Itchy nose is a pain with FFM. I try to just ignore it if I can and sometimes it just goes away, but most of the time I end up shutting down, taking the mask off and scratching. Sometimes you can sneak a finger in under the seal and get the job done, but if the seal doesn't re-set right you have to start all over. I do a preliminary rub down of my face before putting the mask on and that seems to help. When I first started PAP I think I had an itch just about every night, it rarely happens now - maybe something you just get used to.
RE: Travel problems - PollCat - 07-26-2013
Having flown for years with a CPAP, TSA has become very understanding and knowledgeable regarding the handling and processing of the machines. However, if you want to see some excitement, try flying with a machine that has a battery back-up in it (like my AEOMed CPAP)! The battery shows up on the scanner as a solid black object.
RE: Travel problems - Homerec130 - 07-27-2013
In all my travels, I have never taken my machine out of the bag. I have a wheeled carry on that I got at my travel folks last year when we went to Disney. I put my machine in that, hoses and mask on top, along with my wife's meds. I also have my extension cord and surge protector. When I go thru scanning I simply put it on the belt like any carry on. BTW it does have a med device tag on the bag which I have tucked inside (don't play that card unless I need it). I have never been asked the question as to what it is.
Paul
RE: Travel problems - EzDzIt - 07-27-2013
As of this time, I'm currently sitting in an Airport waiting for my flight. They asked if I had any liquids which I told them there was a travel shampoo in my Cpap bag; TSA said to just take the liquids out and leave everything in the travel bag and put it through the scanner. No problems! I do carry a copy of the doctors prescription in the bag just in case they want proof for the medical device classification.
RE: Travel problems - PaulaO2 - 07-27-2013
Travel with a CPAP used to be a pain in the arse but they've gotten better at it. On my recent trip to Dallas, they didn't swipe it either time where as before, they set it aside, wiped both sections down, and all that. This time, they barely looked at it. I was told to take it out of the bag, though. The "TSA friendly" laptop bags are cool so I am assuming that since the CPAP bag has nothing else in it, they just scan it like the laptop.
Careful putting other items in the same bag with the CPAP. Not only is there possible issues with leaking, but with the scrutiny on the number of carry-ons, they can declare your CPAP bag non-medical because it has other stuff in it. I doubt a single small bottle of shampoo would matter but you never know. The airlines are getting grouchy.
In the commercial section of this forum is a discussion of a CPAP suitcase. I decided not to get it just yet. I may next year when I go to Portland.
RE: Travel problems - EzDzIt - 07-27-2013
I figured since the bottle of shampoo is specifically to be used for cleaning my equipment and I wanted to keep everything together, shouldn't be a problem. Its still a travel size bottle and as for leaking, not to worry, I have the bottle in its own ziplock bag. Also every component including the mask and hose are in there own ziplock bags; just in case they do want to open the cpap carry bag, everything is protected from dirty hands. If they ask to have any of the components removed, I ask them to "please" put on a fresh pair of gloves before they inspect. As for grouchy, these were probably the most pleasant TSA personnel I've ever met, flying out of Buffalo.
RE: Travel problems - OMyMyOHellYes - 07-29-2013
Any time I've flown in the last year, there was no request to remove the CPAP (S8 Elite at the time) from my bags when going through the "security" theater.
OMyMyOHellYes