First time flying with CPAP

[ellen1159]

Next weekend I will be taking my first airline flight with my Philips Respironic System 1 (2013 vintage). I don't use the humidifier in warmer weather so I'm just taking the unit, hose, mask and power cords. I have a carrying case but my gear won't take up the entire space, and I'd like to travel with just an onboard bag and my purse. Can I stuff it in my carryon bag or do I need to keep it in the DME-provided carrying case - and does this mean I have to check my carry on bag? Thanks.

[palerider]

Next weekend I will be taking my first airline flight with my Philips Respironic System 1 (2013 vintage). I don't use the humidifier in warmer weather so I'm just taking the unit, hose, mask and power cords. I have a carrying case but my gear won't take up the entire space, and I'd like to travel with just an onboard bag and my purse. Can I stuff it in my carryon bag or do I need to keep it in the DME-provided carrying case - and does this mean I have to check my carry on bag? Thanks.

You can do whatever you want.

If you have the cpap in its own bag, then it doesn't count against your carryon allowance (in the USA), since it's medical equipment.

Just don't ever check it, since you never know where checked luggage is going to go.

[ellen1159]

Do I need a sticker or tag on the case that says "Medical Equipment?"

[ChicagoGranny]

Can I stuff it in my carryon bag or do I need to keep it in the DME-provided carrying case - and does this mean I have to check my carry on bag?

If you stuff it into the carry-on bag, you run the risk that you are told at boarding that the carry-on bag needs to be checked. You could plead you have medical equipment in the bag, but whether that gets it on board with you would remain to be seen.

General advice is to never check your CPAP equipment. You have to decide whether the convenience of traveling with one less bag is worth the risk of having your CPAP equipment checked into the cargo hold.

[ChicagoGranny]

Do I need a sticker or tag on the case that says "Medical Equipment?"

It's not necessary if you carry the equipment in its own bag. So many CPAPs fly these days, airline personnel are used to seeing them. That said, I do like to use the tags.

[ellen1159]

one last question: are there free downloadable printable tags, or do I need to go to a medical supply place and purchase them? Thanks.

[LSAT]

Medical Tag
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3gmFzw ... VBTXc/edit

[jjc155]

I put my cpap in its carrying case, which has a med equipment "luggage" tag on it and then the case goes in the backpack that I use as carry on. It only comes out to go through TSA. Never had an issue from domestic to international to big jets down to cessna caravans.

J-

[Jas_williams]

I am in the UK but fly every other week I keep you cpap in its own bag, and drop it over the handle of my carry on roller bag only one bag to drag arround and no additional space used by the apap.

[Holden4th]

If I fly domestically I put the machine in my carry on backpack along with power supply and mask/hose. The humidifier goes into my checked luggage because I can live without it if I have to.

For long haul international I do the same but carry a HME to act as a humidifier if I know I am going to have to sleep on board. I have never labelled my equipment as medical. Some places want to see the machine (which is OK by me) so I carry it in large ziplock bag along with the mask. The power supply stays in my back pack. Other places have seen so many PAP machines that they just watch them go through the x-ray while it's in my backpack.

[D.H.]

I've flown with to four continents with CPAP. Sometimes, I was asked to take it out of the bag. I was challenged once on Myanmar domestic flight (after I boarded the plane), but I was able to convince them that I needed it and that it was not dangerous. Flying in the more developed world should be less of challenge.

Always carry it with you and in the original bag provided. If you don't put anything else in the bag then it can't be counted against your bag limit. I imagine that "anything else" would not include adapters, extension cords, and your medications.

[smith972]

You can do whatever you want.

If you have the cpap in its own bag, then it doesn't count against your carryon allowance (in the USA), since it's medical equipment.

Just don't ever check it, since you never know where checked luggage is going to go.

I did not know this. I am calling greyhound now...I thought I had to make room for it in my carry on bag. Thanks for the info

[Goofproof]

You can do whatever you want.

If you have the cpap in its own bag, then it doesn't count against your carryon allowance (in the USA), since it's medical equipment.

Just don't ever check it, since you never know where checked luggage is going to go.

I did not know this. I am calling greyhound now...I thought I had to make room for it in my carry on bag. Thanks for the info

I'd pay extra to see a Greyhound take off! Jim