checking a Cpap machine

[Tandyc]

Not sure if this is the place to post this, but I really need some advice on my DH's c-pap (sleep machine). It is fragile and a necessity, but we have too many carry ons and are hoping to find a way to check it. Anyone have any experience with this?

I thought maybe we could wrap it in bubble wrap and put it in our luggage, but I'm not sure how it would do if it was thrown around.

Thanks for any advice.

BTW we are traveling on 4 seperate planes from Washington state to Florida and back.


Tandyc

 

[labdogs42]

I'll check with my MIL. She took hers on our last trip and I seem to recall that she put it in her checked bag. It arrived just fine, but we did have a direct flight.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I'm going to move this over to the disAbilities board. I'm sure there's more than one helpful person there who can offer you the right answer.

 

[clkelley]

Since it is medical equipment, it does not count against your carry-on limit. You really need to carry it on.

 

[MarthaJr.]

My husband always carries his on. It doesn't count toward your carryon luggage because it is medical equipment. It does, however, take a bit longer to go through security because they really scrutinize this machine. He has a really nice carrying case for his machine and we also put our cameras, cell phone charges and stuff in that bag. Gives us a little extra room in the other bags for other things. Security has never had a problem with this.

 

[RNMOM]

I agree that carrying it on is the safest and recommended. However, I have done both. When I put it in my luggage, I put it in the original travel case which is well padded and then surrounded the case with soft items. I was careful to not put anything hard or sharp in that suitcase like rigid sole shoes or curling irons. It arrived perfectly fine.

I find carrying it on a pain but we usually do that for safety. Now that I use a scooter, I can carry the extra bag easily and my poor DH isn't loaded down so much.

 

[NJBlackBerry]

I would never, ever, check my CPAP machine. If it gets damaged or lost you will be in bad shape. It is not a pain to me - it is a medical necessity.

A friend of mine had his luggage misplaced a few years ago - with his CPAP inside - and he had a miserable vacation.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would never, ever, check my CPAP machine. If it gets damaged or lost you will be in bad shape. It is not a pain to me - it is a medical necessity.

A friend of mine had his luggage misplaced a few years ago - with his CPAP inside - and he had a miserable vacation.

I agree

Medical equipment does not count toward the carryon allowance.
Here's a link to the Transportation Safety Administration page about CPAP.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

As much as DHs cost, I would never check it. It would cost too much to replace.

 

[Lou-Ann]

I agree 100 percent. The value is over $1,000. It is prescribed medical equipment and should not be out of your sight. We always carry my hubby's on with no problems.

 

[bushdianee]

My DM has a Cpap and I always carry hers on. For one thing you never know if you are going to have an unexpected overnight layover. It happened to us last summer. I was sure glad that we had it with us even though we didn't have clean clothes,etc.!

 

[Tandyc]

I knew I'd get the full scoop from you all. Of course it is a medical necessity, but I had no idea this meant it does not count towards your carry ons. Awesome!

You are all so right that a night with out it would be miserable. Not how we want a vacation.

I truly cannot thank you all enough. What a wonderful thing to be able to ask and get great info. Hope I can help someone else as much soon!

Tandyc

 

[MisMikiNikiLynne]

If it is medically necessary then it is not counted towards your bag limit, weather it is carry on or checked luggage (at least with SWA). It can also exclude your bag as overweight, but your bag needs to be marked as such. We never are able stay under the bag limit when we travel with DD as she has many machines that she requires, not to mention formula, briefs, and least we forget clothes! This will be the first year that we are traveling with oxygen so I will let you know how that goes!

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Medical equipment doesn't count towards the bag limit, since it would be discrimination if it did. (If you weren't disabled, you wouldn't need that bag with you.) You should declare it to TSA as medical equipment so they know what it is and all. They are not s'posed to handle it if they open it up to check it out, but will ask you to handle it - this is for your safety (who knows what's on their hands!) and also for their liability (they don't have a clue how to handle medical devices!).

It is not a good idea to check a CPAP machine. If you did, it could break, get stolen, get lost, etc. Definitely take it as carry-on!

 

[cdhheidi]

If it is medically necessary then it is not counted towards your bag limit, weather it is carry on or checked luggage (at least with SWA). It can also exclude your bag as overweight, but your bag needs to be marked as such. We never are able stay under the bag limit when we travel with DD as she has many machines that she requires, not to mention formula, briefs, and least we forget clothes! This will be the first year that we are traveling with oxygen so I will let you know how that goes!

Traveling with oxygen is not fun... if you are flying, SW does not provide it, however if you have a special portable concentor you CAN bring that on board if you have enough batteries for it. We have traveled far too many times with the O2, and have decided that driving is easier. It takes longer, but it ends up being more comfortable for everyone (he uses bipap as well as O2, IV nutrition, GT nutrition, and a few other goodies as well). Prepare ahead if you havn't already... if flying an airline and are planning on having them provide it, make sure they know about it as far ahead as possible, and do double check a week or two ahead, AND the day before. Last time we tried it they messed up and didn't have it there for us and we had to take a later flight after they got some! NOT good arriving in Boston at midnight... shudder!

 

[LauraVV]

Not sure if this is the place to post this, but I really need some advice on my DH's c-pap (sleep machine). It is fragile and a necessity, but we have too many carry ons and are hoping to find a way to check it.

They cannot charge medical equipment as carry on. Just declare it and call the airline. Medical equipment cannot be charged as checked luggage either.

 

[jenn-n-okla]

If it is medically necessary then it is not counted towards your bag limit, weather it is carry on or checked luggage (at least with SWA). It can also exclude your bag as overweight, but your bag needs to be marked as such. We never are able stay under the bag limit when we travel with DD as she has many machines that she requires, not to mention formula, briefs, and least we forget clothes! This will be the first year that we are traveling with oxygen so I will let you know how that goes!

Everyone is right about the medical necc issue. It doesn't count.
You mentioned O2. Are you doing a POC. If so remember you have to get the airline advance notice AND have the physician statement with you. We flew to WDW last summer with my DD age 5 and her Inogen One POC. We used it in the parks as well. Airport secuity was actually easier with her equipment than my DM metal knees as DD had overkill on paperwork needed for her to fly.
I posted some tips on WDW with a POC in the disAbilities threads.

 

[HarbinsMom]

My husband has a CPAP and travels for business on a weekly basis. He has never checked his machine, mainly because he doesn't want to have it damaged. Depending on the airport, he does get hassled during security, to the point of pulling the machine out and having it inspected, but he would never check it. I know it's a hassle, but I wouldn't trust the airlines with it.

 

[SueM in MN]

My husband has a CPAP and travels for business on a weekly basis. He has never checked his machine, mainly because he doesn't want to have it damaged. Depending on the airport, he does get hassled during security, to the point of pulling the machine out and having it inspected, but he would never check it. I know it's a hassle, but I wouldn't trust the airlines with it.

I'm not sure if this was always the case, but when we traveled in October 2007, we noticed signs as we were entering the Security area that said CPAP machines needed to be removed from their cases and declared to the TSA inspectors. They are handled just like computers as far as screening.
Here's a link to the TSA page about CPAP machines.