Quote:[url=https://myapnea.org/members/Biguglygremlin/posts]Biguglygremlin +0 points · 34 minutes ago Original Poster Sleep Commentator

Yesterday Jetstar Airlines charged me $60 to take my Resmed CPAP onboard their plane.
I was told by my Respiratory Specialist that CPAP machines were classified as medical equipment and were allowed onboard aircraft without charge and numerous doctors and airline staff have told me the same thing since.
I have carried my CPAP onto about 20 Jetstar flights in the past 5 years without any issue or challenge.
I purchased this ticket unaware of any change in policy hence unaware of the need to buy an additional luggage allowance for my CPAP.
I am a Jetstar Club member and I have authorised Jetstar notices via email yet I recieved no notification or warning of this change in policy.
I have since spent ages going round and round their website reading rules and policies etc and eventually did find an obscure and confusing reference to CPAP with a link to Check-In baggage rules but I certainly didn't find any warning of these changes and the impact on regular customers.
So suddenly, after 20 flights, the Jetstar staff members insisted on weighing my CPAP and proceeded to charge me $60 for the machine.
Apparently I had two choices. Check it into baggage or carry it onboard but either way it was going to cost me $60.
Because of there extreme baggage charges once you reach the airport this is, for their previous CPAP customers a form of entrapment. Without adequate warning it is unethical and unconscionable conduct on their part.
When I objected I was told by both attendants that "everybody has a CPAP now" and another staff member was most insistent that "1 in 3 or 4 passengers have CPAP machines" He even explained that I was being unreasonable in my objections because he had seen some couples with a CPAP each! (with righteous vindication on his part)
You all know how I feel about my machine. It is an abominable curse and detestable to the extreme. If I could possibly survive without it, no matter the discomfort or cost I would have tossed it away a very long time ago.
The implication that my machine is some kind of trendy fashion accessory was so ludicrous that I was dumbstruck!
Anyway be warned that Jetstar now charge for CPAP machines.

Quote:Carry-on baggage
There are strict weight and size limits to how much carry-on baggage you can bring on board:

• Economy Starter, Starter Plus and Starter Max passengers: a main item and a small item, with a combined weight of no more than 7kg.
  
• Passengers with a Flex bundle or +3kg carry-on top-up: a main item and a small item with a combined weight of no more than 10kg (+3kg carry-on top-up available, except for bookings to, from or within Vietnam).
  
• Business Class passengers: two main items and a small item adding up to no more than 14kg.
  

Quote:The weight of the following items does not count towards your total checked-baggage weight, and if they are oversized you won’t be charged the oversized item fee.

...
1. Assistive devices – walkers, crutches and travel oxygen
   If you need to use an assistive device such as a walking frame, crutches, CPAP machine, or travel oxygen, you can bring any number of these devices for free as checked baggage.
   

Quote:Electric assistive devices can’t be used on board any Jetstar flights.
...
If you don’t need to use your assistive device during the flight, it’ll be carried as checked baggage at no extra cost, but it will count towards your carry-on baggage allowance.

(05-24-2019, 10:03 AM)Melman Wrote: Jetstar is an Australian discount airline.

(05-24-2019, 01:43 PM)mesenteria Wrote: I'm not saying this dismissively, unsympathetically, or to be contrarian, but any business that deals with sales has the clause in their public policies that prices and policies are subject to change without notice, including while you're in line at security and not able to read your emails for some convenient reason.

I think there may be some civil action if a person on a five hour+ flight, certainly one overseas, isn't permitted/able to use a CPAP device due to the costs imposed by the carrier, but it wouldn't be a sure thing in court; quite the opposite.

Bottom line, Ford can charge USD$200K for a base model F-150 if they want to.  Airlines can charge for all items carried by the client/passenger.  Meals are now extra, as are headsets, visual media devices, and streaming, etc.  If anyone doesn't think ramp fees, marshalling, landing fees, fuel surtaxes, and other costs apart from employees' expenses and per-diems while away from home are not being charged to the customer on these low-margin carriers, that person needs some reality inserted into his/her life.  CPAPs cost fuel, too, and take up room if not tucked under the seat in front of the passenger, meaning less room for all the other people who don't want to check luggage and who need to store theirs alongside yours.