Can I use a duffel bag to carry CPAP on airline?

My duffel bag is 17 inches long by 13 inches by 8 inches.
I will only have the cpap in it.
It is just a inch or 2 bigger than the free carry on size.
And is definetely smaller than the carry on that passengers pay for.
My airline is Alegant airlines
(I lost the original carrying bag)

The cpap fits snugly in the bottom of the duffel bag.
WIll the airport or airline have a issue ?

cpapdude1 wrote:My duffel bag is 17 inches long by 13 inches by 8 inches.
I will only have the cpap in it.
It is just a inch or 2 bigger than the free carry on size.
And is definetely smaller than the carry on that passengers pay for.
My airline is Alegant airlines
(I lost the original carrying bag)

The cpap fits snugly in the bottom of the duffel bag.
WIll the airport or airline have a issue ?

As long as it is just the cpap equipment, then no problem. If they mention it, tell them it is medical equipment and be prepared to show them. You will also need to remove the cpap when you go through security. I put my machine and humidifer in plastic bags, and opened the cpap bag so that everything was visible. Security never touched it, so I just closed the bag and was ready to go with that one. My other stuff, not so lucky. My mini laptop kept setting off alarms. And a bag of almonds too.

To be clear - you're allowed a regular carry-on bag AND a free Cpap stuff bag as long as you tell them what it is... I doubt if they'll care what kind of bag it's in.

Printable Medical Equipment Tag
http://www.sleepguide.com/photo/cpap-me ... ipment-tag

cpapdude1 wrote:My duffel bag is 17 inches long by 13 inches by 8 inches.
I will only have the cpap in it.
It is just a inch or 2 bigger than the free carry on size.
And is definetely smaller than the carry on that passengers pay for.
My airline is Alegant airlines
(I lost the original carrying bag)

The cpap fits snugly in the bottom of the duffel bag.
WIll the airport or airline have a issue ?

If I remember correctly...

Many airlines have a size container at the gate. If your carry on fits in the container, you are good to go. If it doesn't you need to check it.

If you only have your xPAP in the duffel, it really doesn't matter how big the duffel is as long as it fits in the size allowed for carry on.

I addition, since it is medical equipment you also have an additional edge.

Now, if you fill it completely full so it won't fit, you may be asked to check it.

zoocrewphoto wrote:As long as it is just the cpap equipment, then no problem. If they mention it, tell them it is medical equipment and be prepared to show them. You will also need to remove the cpap when you go through security. I put my machine and humidifer in plastic bags, and opened the cpap bag so that everything was visible. Security never touched it, so I just closed the bag and was ready to go with that one. My other stuff, not so lucky. My mini laptop kept setting off alarms. And a bag of almonds too.

What kind of plastic bag? Like a clear gallon size ziploc type so they can see it without having to remove it (unless they need to swab it of course)? What about everything else like tubing and mask? I'd be more concerned about the cleanliness of those than the machine. I guess put all of those things in gallon size ziplocs too?

For the OP, if you'd rather purchase a sturdier tag rather than printing your own, I just ordered this (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010OFVBLM). It's pretty big and thick so should be nice and sturdy as well as conspicuous so it can't be missed. Also, just a note that it most likely won't fit on a zipper (I suppose you could use a key ring if you wanted to), so I just put it on the shoulder strap of my bag.

http://www.tsa.gov is where the correct info. is.
All USA airlines have to follow the TSA rules on medical equipment. The CPAP is medical equipment, exempt from any carry on rules. It does NOT count against your carry on allotment. It can NOT be separated from you. And the size of the duffle bag- as long as the ONLY things in it- are medical equipment- will not be questioned.

TSA can ask you to look inside. And it will go thru x-ray. I've been thru security probably 10 times with my machine in the last 2 yrs. Only 1 time did the TSA ask me to open the case. And I said "please, it's such delicate equipment and sterilized, and lots of little parts, I'd rather not open it". He said "OK".
The TSA sees the provided carry cases all the time and recognize that it's a cpap.

I fly on Allegiant. If you put anything else in the duffle bag- you lose the medical equipment exemption, and it will count as regular luggage. Their luggage rules are STRICT and Enforced.

And Julie is wrong. Allegiant does not allow you a regular carry on bag. They allow you ONE free "Personal Item". (purse, briefcase, tote bag, it has to fit under the seat). You pay for anything
that goes in the overhead. You also pay for any drinks. But your cpap is exempt and can go in the overhead.

So sorry - never heard of Allegiant (don't they follow TSA regs?)

TSA sets the rules for medical equipment- it is not considered luggage. All USA airlines have to follow the TSA rules.

Individual airlines set their luggage rules. Each airlines rules can be different. What is considered a free carry on on SWA, that same piece of luggage will cost me money to carry on Allegiant. You have to go to the individual airline website and read their luggage rules- size and weight restrictions and FEES.

compujas wrote: What kind of plastic bag? Like a clear gallon size ziploc type so they can see it without having to remove it (unless they need to swab it of course)? What about everything else like tubing and mask? I'd be more concerned about the cleanliness of those than the machine. I guess put all of those things in gallon size ziplocs too?

I used the cheap plastic baggies that are gallon size but normally use a twist tie. They were open one side and easily accessible if they wanted to swab anything. Mask was in a baggie too.

I had my liquids in a ziplock quart bag. I put all my batteries (extra laptop, AA, and charger battery) in a gallon ziplock. All my snack food in a gallon ziplock bag. When I got to the conveyor belt, I just opened the cpap bag so that everything was visible. Then I opened my personal bag and put the laptop in a bin and the ziplock bags. That made it fast and easy to load it in the bins and then reload the bag.

My laptop got flagged at two airports. At the first airport, I forgot to remove the laptop which was in the bottom, so they searched that bag. Their machine flagged my bag of almonds and box of chocolates. The security lady was very nice though. She had me open both so that she could confirm they were just food without her touching them. They weren't flagged again since I kept the laptop on top so I would not forget it again.

Strangely, I got flagged twice in the people scanner. Not sure why the first time. The second time, I heard the guy tell the other person to check my left ankle. Hmm? No shoes on. Just my foot and a sock. No idea why my ankle would set it off.

I was worried about being challenged since I had a carry-on, personal item (small duffel bag), AND my cpap bag. And the flights were overbook with limited space. A couple asked for people to gate check their luggage. But not one person questioned my number of luggage.

*You are NOT required to open the cpap bag so the inside items are visible at the TSA security check point. It is better for you if you do not. Why risk having something important, mask, short hose, etc, get lost, or contaminated with germs. Mine goes thru the security checkpoint zipped shut every time, no problem. IF they want to see inside, they will ask.

Another note- Distilled water- for medical reasons- is exempt from the 3-1-1- rule. You can carry on "reasonable amounts" for your medical needs. Just tell the agent is it for your cpap. I don't bother with it, but in case someone was wondering.

Duffel bags are usually not padded, and yours sounds like it is quite a bit larger than your cpap needs.
Lots of banging around is not good.
If I lost my case, I would use a padded backpack, and keep it VERY NEAR .
Nobody separates the frog from her cpap without a fight.
(((Frogs do not fly unless thrown, of course)))

chunkyfrog wrote: (((Frogs do not fly unless thrown, of course)))

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_frog

Cardsfan wrote:*You are NOT required to open the cpap bag so the inside items are visible at the TSA security check point. It is better for you if you do not. Why risk having something important, mask, short hose, etc, get lost, or contaminated with germs. Mine goes thru the security checkpoint zipped shut every time, no problem. IF they want to see inside, they will ask.

Another note- Distilled water- for medical reasons- is exempt from the 3-1-1- rule. You can carry on "reasonable amounts" for your medical needs. Just tell the agent is it for your cpap. I don't bother with it, but in case someone was wondering.

They may not actually follow the rule, but per the TSA

[url]https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures[/url] under Respiratory Equipment wrote:A nebulizer, CPAP, BiPAP and APAP must be removed from its carrying case and undergo X-ray screening. Facemasks and tubing may remain in the case.

You may provide a clear plastic bag to place the device through the X-ray. A TSA officer may need to remove it from the bag to test it for traces of explosives."

I will probably do the same as you though and leave it closed on the belt and make sure the medical equipment tag is plainly visible and leave it until they ask for it to be opened.

As others have stated - You want a bag that can be "Just for your CPAP" and or related items. This way it's exempt, as it's medical equipment. As soon as you have a bag that's bigger then your cpap needs you'll start stuffing non medical items in that bag and then you "Lose the medical exemption" You can't take a normal carry on and stuff your cpap equipment in there and then say the whole bag is free because it has you cpap in it.

I'd try and find a bag with a little padding in it that is small enough to just hold your cpap and or maybe any meds you might be taking. I try to keep my cpap separate from my normal stuff and if I add additional items to the cpap bag it's very sparing and related to my health in someway. I used to keep an extra shirt on top of my machine as extra padding but beyond that your risking them telling you that it's not medical and you'll have to check or pay for the bag.