can we talk about airline travel again?

HeatherN · Post by **HeatherN** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:37 pm

Hi all, I know this has been discussed many times before so bare with me. I know that you can carry on the CPAP and you have to take it out for screening. What I am wondering is there a specific tag or something that I need to label the bag with, specifying it as medical equiptment? If so where do I get one? We will be traveling in the next few months with two CPAP machines, one for hubby and one for my nine year old.Thanks.

Bookbear · Post by **Bookbear** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:06 pm

I have a label that I made and printed that has been attached to my cpap's hard shell Pelican case.

I can't seem to attach a file to this message, so if you will PM me an email address, I will email the file to you.

nosbig17 · Post by **nosbig17** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:08 pm

Never heard of a special tag!

On a recent trip a screener told me that soon cpap's would be treated much like laptops, in that they should be removed from their carrying bag by the passenger.

Bookbear · Post by **Bookbear** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:12 pm

CPAP's have had to be removed from their bags before screening (like laptops) for several months now.

The tag does nothing except identify in an official looking way that the case contains medical equipment. The cpap still has to be removed for inspection, but it does seem to help at the gate when the agent wants to say, "Sorry, only two carry-ons". I point to the label and they nod and smile and I walk on board.

bearcatx16 · Post by **bearcatx16** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:14 pm

I have no tag on my Pelican case to identify it as CPAP. I treat it like a laptop and place it in a bin on a clean plastic laundry bag, I always pick up a new one at the hotel. Have had no problems and lately , even at O'hare, it has not been swabbed everytime I have gone through security. I have not even been questioned about having 3 bags.

Blessings

Fred

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP, clean

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:08 pm

No tag REQUIRED, but cpap.com sells one anyway. I think it helps. Go surf them for "tag".

Cheers,
B.

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:50 pm

Believe me when I tell you that the TSA people are very familiar with CPAP"s. On my last flight I counted 4 at one time in the security area.

deglorious · Post by **deglorious** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 3:22 pm

You can also search EBAY--cpap for a medical ID tag...

Deglorious

Craig-Tx · Post by **Craig-Tx** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 3:35 pm

I have taken my CPAP to Indonesia (through Seoul, S. Korea), Turkey (Through Frankfurt, Germany and Chicago) and to a couple of destinations in the US.

So far, I have had no problems. Only one screener in Germany asked me what it was. The rest immediately recognized it. Yes, I have had it swabbed a number of times (Twice on the same trip home), but that was all. And as for the German security, they take it to a whole new level. I had to empty my pockets COMPLETELY. Not just metal. I had only my boarding pass and passport in my shirt pocket and they insisted that I placed them in the bin as well.

Overall, I've never had a problem at airports due to the CPAP.

Rachael · Post by **Rachael** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 4:30 pm

I have no problems traveling with my cpap, but they do swab it every single time, I don't fit the profile I guess. And, it was positive for bomb residue every single time. But then a TSA guy explained that many face and hand creams have glycerine in them, which registers as a bomb. So now I wipe the pap and case down with alcohol wipes befrore I go to the airport.

I also carry a duplicate prescription inside a zip lock, just in case. And, someone here once suggested having your doc write a prescription for a 16oz. bottle of distilled water. My pharmasist made the bottle up for me, with an official lable and everything. I just refill the bottle with distilled water and that way I don't have to go shopping for water when I get where I am going. I carry the distilled water prescription with me too.

billbolton · Post by **billbolton** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:21 pm

Any special tag is entirely optional.... but if it makes you feel better than its worth it!

I've never used any special tagging on my CPAP carry bag in all my air travel around the world and have never had any situation in which I believe having a special tag would have made any difference.

Cheers,

Bill

RichCMH · Post by **RichCMH** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:28 pm

Yes, you need a tag...one that has your name, address and contact phone. Place one inside your bag as well. Just in case you lose the bag or forget it somewhere!

This goes for ALL bags checked and carry-on!

Enjoy your holiday!

-R

HeatherN · Post by **HeatherN** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:35 pm

Thanks everyone! I found that tag on CPAP.com, that was exactly what I was looking for. I am just trying to cover all my bases, it makes me feel better if I am prepared.

onecoknower · Post by **onecoknower** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:31 pm

If you want to be prepared, put a copy of your rx in your bag, too. As well as a copy of the TSA regs on carrying medical equipment (do a search for it on this site).

I've traveled with my cpap alot - always had to take it out, occasionally needed to have it swabbed. Three times the TSA agent commented on it because they either owned one themselves or owned an older machine and liked the size of my resmed.

In fact, the last trip I was on 2 weeks ago, I counted no less than 15 resmed carryon bags exactly like mine as I waited for my connection in OHare.

jabberwock · Post by **jabberwock** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:37 pm

Interesting. I took my APAP on its first flight last month, from Toronto to New York (LGA). I put it on the conveyer in its carry bag which included the mask hose, and an assortment of odds and ends in the extra pocked. It went through the xray machine, out the other side and I walked away with it, both in Toronto and New York. Nobody asked me to open it or remove it, nobody swabbed it... completely ignored it. Interesting.

Bonnie

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Airmini, Medistrom Pilot 24, CMS 60C Pulse Oximeter, ResScan 6

can we talk about airline travel again?

can we talk about airline travel again?

CPAP Tag!