Flying and carryon luggage - with CPAP machine

New to this and wondering how I will handle taking my CPAP on the plane. We fly Allegiant reguLarly between Illinois and our winter home in Arizona. They charge extra even for a carryon. When we fly we usually don't have a carryon or luggage since we are going between homes and don't take clothes etc.

Am I going to have to start paying for at least a carryon now so I can take my CPAP?

Yes.

No- Cpap is considered medical equipment. It can not be charged as a carry on. And , you have the right to have it with you at all times. That is the TSA rules. And it does not count towards your carry on limit.

Our host, https://www.cpap.com Sells luggage tags, (.I have one) that says "this is medical equipment, it can not be stored, it does not count as carry on luggage, it has to stay with the owner, it is life support" or something to that effect".

The info can be found at http://www.tsa.gov. They make the rules, all the airlines must obey them.

You may want to put your mask in a gallon baggie. TSA can open your bags, and handle items. You also may ask them to put on fresh, clean gloves before touching your mask or machine. (Germs)

I fly Allegiant every time I go to Vegas (leaving tomorrow to spend the holidays with family) and the cpap machine won't count as the carry on that you have to pay for....it's free or was the last time I did it last July.
I just got a funny look at the regular baggage check in because it showed no carryon and was asked "cpap?" and I said yes and that was all. They didn't try to charge me for it and I slide it under the seat in front of me anyway.. I don't have any other carry on besides my purse because I just don't want the hassle. So just the cpap and purse...with big bag checked through that I pay for.
Purse and cpap...no charge...at least the last time I flew.

If you can consider another airline, do so.

Oops, I forgot about playing the Medical Equipment card... Sorry about that.

Another solution is to pick up another machine so you have one in each house.

Thanks all. So if I carry on my CPAP as a medical device, do I just carry it in its own case? Or can I put it a something like a backpack?

dooger54 wrote:Thanks all. So if I carry on my CPAP as a medical device, do I just carry it in its own case? Or can I put it a something like a backpack?

You can put it in a backpack if you want to but will have to take it out to go thru the xray machine but can put it in a clear ziploc baggie. They may want to swab it and you can request that they use a clean swab and also request that the agent use clean gloves before touching your machine.