is CPAP machine ok inside my checked bag?

[DeniseR7]

I will be flying to Florida in the near future on Southwest Airlines. I will have enough space to stuff my CPAP machine in my checked luggage. I was wondering if anyone has done this and was it ok? I would like to carry less thru the TSA's check points and I will already have a cell phone and an iPad.

[Janknitz]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Potential damage--they toss those bags around like footballs.

Potential theft--happens ALL the time.

Potential loss--people are often separated from their luggage.

Bad idea!

[LSAT]

The problem is the way luggage is handled...PLUS....luggage is lost very frequently. The CPAP is not counted as your carry on.

[palerider]

I will be flying to Florida in the near future on Southwest Airlines. I will have enough space to stuff my CPAP machine in my checked luggage. I was wondering if anyone has done this and was it ok? I would like to carry less thru the TSA's check points and I will already have a cell phone and an iPad.

as long as you don't mind the very real possibility of your bag being lost, or sent to the wrong city and doing without your cpap for a few days, if you're lucky.

happened to a friend of mine who was ignorant enough to put her cpap in her luggage, it went to sacramento, she couldn't get on the flight with her luggage and ended up in back in dallas for a few days.

had to use one of my spare machines and masks.

she'll NEVER make that mistake again

as LSAT mentioned, cpaps are medical devices and don't count towards your carryon limit... FAA rules.

of course, having yours lost or destroyed in your luggage could be a great excuse to get a new machine

[kurth83]

I didn't know about the FAA rule there, good to know, anyone know if that is common on international flights too?

Personally I would never check a CPAP machine, replacement cost is on me, so I avoid the risk.

[DeniseR7]

I will be flying to Florida in the near future on Southwest Airlines. I will have enough space to stuff my CPAP machine in my checked luggage. I was wondering if anyone has done this and was it ok? I would like to carry less thru the TSA's check points and I will already have a cell phone and an iPad.

as long as you don't mind the very real possibility of your bag being lost, or sent to the wrong city and doing without your cpap for a few days, if you're lucky.

happened to a friend of mine who was ignorant enough to put her cpap in her luggage, it went to sacramento, she couldn't get on the flight with her luggage and ended up in back in dallas for a few days.

had to use one of my spare machines and masks.

she'll NEVER make that mistake again

as LSAT mentioned, cpaps are medical devices and don't count towards your carryon limit... FAA rules.

of course, having yours lost or destroyed in your luggage could be a great excuse to get a new machine

I didn't know it counted as a medical device. I just hate juggling all the electronic gear. but I will carry it on! thanks!

[Thatgirl]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Potential damage--they toss those bags around like footballs.

Potential theft--happens ALL the time.

Potential loss--people are often separated from their luggage.

Bad idea!

Can't agree with this enough!

[englandsf]

Never check anything especially if you need it! I did a complete Round the World trip this summer with my S9, my backpack and a roll aboard - for 43 nights. No issues anywhere on many different airlines. Treating CPAP as a medical device is pretty global. YMMV - we travelled in business class which meant we had plenty of overheads.

[Cardsfan]

It is a TSA rule. It is considered lifesaving medical equipment. All USA airlines have to follow their rules. The airline can not separate you from your machine. www TSA.gov. The TSA can examine it so put your mask in a gallon Baggie Also ask them to put on fresh gloves.

[chunkyfrog]

If you are still not convinced, Google "United Breaks Guitars", and watch the video.
---and then you can check the prices of Taylor guitars.
Your checked cpap might get HURT!

[billbolton]

I didn't know about the FAA rule there, good to know, anyone know if that is common on international flights

The FAA determinations apply to all international flights to and from the USA, but have no currency beyond that.

For international flights which do not involve the USA, you need to ask the airline(s) concerned about their specific policies. From my recent direct experiences - QANTAS, British Airways and Garuda all have reasonable policies regarding xPAP carry-on and use in flight as long as you advise them beforehand

[Okie bipap]

I haven't flown with a cpap machine, but I used to fly with with a nebulizer all the time and I never checked it. I always carried it on the plane. I always used a hard side suitcase with a two in wide cloth strap around it. When I got to Cedar Rapids, one day, the only thing holding my clothes in the suitcase was the cloth strap. I don't know how they managed to do that much damage, but the airline ended up paying for a new suitcase for me. They tied to tell me they didn't damage it, but I guarantee you they would never accept a suitcase in that condition.

[hobbs]

Luggage handlers have been known to break anvils!

[palerider]

If you are still not convinced, Google "United Breaks Guitars", and watch the video.
---and then you can check the prices of Taylor guitars.
Your checked cpap might get HURT!

united was the carrier that sent my friends luggage and cpap to SAC and her back to DFW when denver was getting snowed in around new years.

[BlackSpinner]

My mother's suit case came home with tire tracks on it.