Spirit, CPAP?

[Keacc]

Has anyone flown Spirit with a CPAP? Do they try to charge you to put it in the overhead? The TSA doesn't include this as a carry-on.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices do not count as carry-on luggage under FAA regulations.

If you are merely transporting your CPAP, there is no issue at all. Spirit Airlines' Contract of Carriage section 6.1.6 spcifically says that customer assistive devices "do not count towards a customer’s carry-on allowance." It must be "properly stowed for ground movement, takeoff and landing," so putting it in the overhead is not just allowed, but necessary if you have a personal item under the seat. Contract of Carriage: http://www.spirit.com/Content/Documents/en-US/Contract_of_Carriage.pdf

If you need to use a CPAP during a flight, then you need to make advance arrangements with Spirit Airlines (scroll down to "Ventilators/Respirators/Nebulizers/CPAPs Acceptance Policy"): https://customersupport.spirit.com/...ing-my-Portable-Oxygen-Concentrator-on-board-

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Has anyone flown Spirit with a CPAP? Do they try to charge you to put it in the overhead? The TSA doesn't include this as a carry-on.

Yes, they do:

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/passengers-cpaps-bipaps-and-apaps

If it wasn't allowed as a carry-on, it would not be allowed through security.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Yes, they do:

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/passengers-cpaps-bipaps-and-apaps

If it wasn't allowed as a carry-on, it would not be allowed through security.

When it comes to bringing items into the aircraft cabin, a carry-on and a medical assistive device are two different things (and a personal item is yet another thing).

A CPAP is allowed, but it's an assistive device. A CPAP is not counted as a carry-on.

On most airlines in the United States, a passenger who needs to bring CPAP is also allowed to bring a carry-on and a personal item without a fee and without exceeding the allowance.

The OP asked about Spirit Airlines, which charges to put a carry-on in an overhead compartment. So it's significant that the CPAP is not considered a carry-on.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

When it comes to bringing items into the aircraft cabin, a carry-on and a medical assistive device are two different things (and a personal item is yet another thing).

A CPAP is allowed, but it's an assistive device. A CPAP is not counted as a carry-on.

On most airlines in the United States, a passenger who needs to bring CPAP is also allowed to bring a carry-on and a personal item without a fee and without exceeding the allowance.

The OP asked about Spirit Airlines, which charges to put a carry-on in an overhead compartment. So it's significant that the CPAP is not considered a carry-on.

I don't know what you are talking about.

The real issue is not whether a medical device is considered a carry-on (of course it is; everything you bring on a plane in the passenger cabin is a carry-on), the issue is will a medical device be counted against your carry-on allowance and will it incur a charge. It will not, on any airline.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I don't know what you are talking about.

Please reread what I wrote. I hope it's pretty clear.

(of course it is; everything you bring on a plane in the passenger cabin is a carry-on)

Actually, the term "carry-on" has a specific meaning when it comes to what you can bring into an aircraft cabin. Airlines usually allow only one carry-on. Spirit Airlines charges for a carry-on.

In addition to a carry-on, you can normally bring on a personal item (such as a purse or computer bag that fits under the seat), assistive devices, and various miscellaneous things such as a coat, a camera, and food for consumption on the plane. These other items are not considered carry-ons.

Saying that a CPAP is a carry-on suggests that a passenger with a CPAP cannot also bring a bag for the overhead compartment (because only one carry-on is allowed). But that's not the case.

 

[stinkpickle]

Please reread what I wrote. I hope it's pretty clear.


Actually, the term "carry-on" has a specific meaning when it comes to what you can bring into an aircraft cabin. Airlines usually allow only one carry-on. Spirit Airlines charges for a carry-on.

In addition to a carry-on, you can normally bring on a personal item (such as a purse or computer bag that fits under the seat), assistive devices, and various miscellaneous things such as a coat, a camera, and food for consumption on the plane. These other items are not considered carry-ons.

Saying that a CPAP is a carry-on suggests that a passenger with a CPAP cannot also bring a bag for the overhead compartment (because only one carry-on is allowed). But that's not the case.

That sounds correct. A buddy of mine travels with a CPAP, and that's how Allegiant handles it.

 

[Pooh2]

Has anyone flown Spirit with a CPAP? Do they try to charge you to put it in the overhead? The TSA doesn't include this as a carry-on.

You need to take the CPAP out of the bag and put it into a bin (as you would with a laptop) to go through security.

We flew recently and the first guy told us no need to take it out, we held up the line had had to have our bags rescreened and take apart. On the return flight, we were ready and it went much smoother.

 

[CPT Tripss]

(of course it is; everything you bring on a plane in the passenger cabin is a carry-on)

My buddy brings his service dog in the passenger cabin. Moose is never a carry-on, he's way too big, he's a walk on.

For OP, charges for a carry-on (item too large to fit under the seat), allows one free personal item (fits under the seat in front of you), charges for a second personal item (even if it fits under the seat with your first personal item, and allows a medical device free in addition.