I've already read the very helpful comments on vacationing without the CPAP machine, and I agree with most of the posters, it's really hard to do without the machine for more than one night.  

However, I'm now really worried after the latest news on attempted bombings of US airlines in the UK.  I'm not sure if anyone's seen the latest restrictions, but basically we're not allowed to take anything onto the airplane other than passport, small purse, keys, medicene that is esseential for the duration of the flight, preferably evertying carried in a see through plastic bag.

Its not clear that we'll be allowed to take the CPAP machine on flights within the US or flights from UK/Europe to US.  

Anyone have any experience in checking the machine in hold baggage? Anyone else needs to travel internationally carrying one of these things?

My doctor's just telling me that I should leave it at home and do without, as she can't really say that it's medically necessary, in that I'll not be able to survive or will die without it.

Would really appreciate any help and experience other users can share, now and going forward, as the new rules are implemented.

Thank you!

First, I would dump that doctor and find one who would write a note that it is medically necessary. That is the dumbest answer from a doctor I have ever heard. If it is not medically necessary, then why did she prescribe it in the first place? And what would it cost her to write you a note that says you need it?

Second, I am a frequent traveler, so I have reviewed the restrictions. The full "no carry on" rules are only for UK/Europe to the US. You can check whatever you want and the checked bag limits have been waived. You could check your CPAP even without a doctor's note. I would bubble wrap it like crazy and take my chances with checking it rather than be without it. Also, my guess is these restrictions are not going to last long. I think they will be relaxed soon, once the security people get a handle on this. It's like the "no fingernail clippers" rule right after 9/11.

The only change to domestic carry on restrictions is "no liquids, including creams" with a few exceptions. This will be no big deal for people with CPAPs.

Anonymous wrote:

I've already read the very helpful comments on vacationing without the CPAP machine, and I agree with most of the posters, it's really hard to do without the machine for more than one night.  

However, I'm now really worried after the latest news on attempted bombings of US airlines in the UK.  I'm not sure if anyone's seen the latest restrictions, but basically we're not allowed to take anything onto the airplane other than passport, small purse, keys, medicene that is esseential for the duration of the flight, preferably evertying carried in a see through plastic bag.

Its not clear that we'll be allowed to take the CPAP machine on flights within the US or flights from UK/Europe to US.  

Anyone have any experience in checking the machine in hold baggage? Anyone else needs to travel internationally carrying one of these things?

My doctor's just telling me that I should leave it at home and do without, as she can't really say that it's medically necessary, in that I'll not be able to survive or will die without it.

Would really appreciate any help and experience other users can share, now and going forward, as the new rules are implemented.

Thank you!

I agree 100% with Mando Johnny............your doctor is a liability to your health. She really does not have a clue about sleep disorders...............and you should tell her.
 If
The latest incident is so fresh that it is hard to figure out what exactly will happen.
If travelling I suggest that you contact the medical office or special handling department of your carrier and discuss the situation. If the equipment can't be brought on board, then there may be a possibillity of coming to a compromise whereby the airline would permit the equipment to be stored with staff bags or similar. I would not recommend allowing cpap equipment to be placed in the hold.

While typing my reply..............I just had a rush of something or other to the brain    If DME's were of any use, surely travellers or holidaymakers with OSA could be facilitated by other DMEs (in the country being visited) with CHEAP short term rental of cpap machines.............to be arranged by the traveller's DME (who would arrange suitable machine and pressure settings etc). Mask and hose could be well wrapped (or allowed as carry on luggage) to keep costs down........Just my tuppence worth......................but a good service at a reasonable cost is always a winner.............maybe the ASAA would like to get involved ??????

I need a rest now...........too many rushes to the brain and all that  

Daniel.


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

Last year I traveled across country, Las Vegas to Ft. Lauderdale, and back 4 times lugging my CPAP maching with me.  I had no problems what so ever.  Medical devices such as the CPAP are run thru the x-ray along with your shoes and other carry-on.  The only concern I had was other travlers shoving their bags into the overhead compartments.  On those crowded flights, the space is limited and some people try to carry their entire wardrobes on the plane!   Gee whiz!  People need to go light! Check as much as you can, carry as little as you have to.

Because I use a consentrator for oxygen, I found a medical suppy place at my destination, prior to my departures, who rented me a consentrator.  All they needed was a copy of the prescription, (faxed by my dr.) then delivered, set it up and went on their merry way.


_________________
"If you are going through hell, keep going."
(Sir Winston Churchill, 1874-1965)

Work like you don't need money, Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching.

I sure hope the restrictions are lifted a little by then!

The way the British Airways site reads concerning medications and such is "prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg diabetic kit)..."  I will give them a call, but it sounds like unless your life depends on it during the flight, the CPAP would have to be checked.  Without a travel CPAP or whatever, I don't think it would even be possible to use during the flight.  Prior to Aug 10 or so, a CPAP would be allowed on board and not count in the number of carry ons allowed.   Help!

I wonder if it is possible to rent one in the UK?  I imagine the problem would be arranging it through a doctor.

My original question was posted out of concern for international travel between the UK/US and Asia/UK/US. Non US airline and security staff are often not familiar with CPAP machines, and will err on the side of caution.  Yes, I've been told that unless my CPAP is something I need to use on the flight to stay alive, I won't be allowed to bring it on.  

So this leaves me with the option of either checking it in the hold, or leaving it at home.

My doctor's view is that going without the CPAP for a few days is fine as I won't die and I'll be fine. (And changing doctors at short notice is easier said than done, esp as I need to travel soon!)  She says I'm in generally good health and she can't see how this is a 'necessity', given I've survived for so long and had a normal life without a CPAP.....

Thanks for the suggestion about contacting each airline - so far I've encountered nothing but bureacracy and my fear is that someone I speak to on the phone will say ok, and then at the gate some security official will take the machine from me.  Also, the airlines are telling me that the decision depends on each airport's authority, on the day itself.  Not helpful.

Does anyone have experience of checking the machine in as hold baggage?  I'm really concerned I can't move this machine between one country and another!

Yes, any kind of ability to rent one in different countries would be totally awesome! I'm half tempted to leave one in a couple of the countries I visit regularly but this would be prohibitively expensive.

I am travelling this weekend within the country so I am hoping that I can take it with me. I am not too comfortable checking it. They handle the freight so rough and it will probably break. I am going to take my chances and try taking it with me. I won't take any water, I'll use the tap water for one night as I get there at midnight.

At least before last Thursday, there seemed to be no question that a CPAP would be allowed on board and not count as part of the luggage restriction.  (If you could bring 2 carry-ons, you could bring 2 plus the CPAP.)  

In checking with British Airways today, I was told that restrictions follow U.S. restrictions - no liquid or gels.  I was told the CPAP would be able to be brought as a carry-on.  Of course, these things are subject to change at any moment, so I would check with the airlines a day or so beforehand.  Perhaps if you find someone to go with you to the airport, if there is trouble getting through security, you could give it to that person to bring home and just go without it for a few days.

My sleep doctor was reviewing cases to consider testifying for someone (he turned it down).  It had to do with hospitals that don't require use of CPAP when it is in your records and CPAP patients who have died of heart attacks without using it.  I figure I went long enough having apneas and not knowing it that a few nights here and there shouldn't hurt.

Before the latest security changes, I traveled to and from England with my cpap as carry on with no problems.  The only time it was hand checked was recently in the midwest.  For safety sake, I carry a doctor's note and the receipt for my machine in the original bag.

Quote:

[quote="Anonymous"]My original question was posted out of concern for international travel between the UK/US and Asia/UK/US. Non US airline and security staff are often not familiar with CPAP machines.

Very untrue.

Security staff and airlines in general are very familiar with cpap..............in fact the only airline that will give you a power point, to use cpap on long haul flights, for free in Economy Class is Qantas (Australia).

Daniel.


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

I traveled from Canada to the USA and back last weekend (AFTER the liquids restrictions) with my CPAP and had no trouble at all.  If I were traveling to the U.K. I would check with the airline, because they were not allowing any carry-on luggage into or out of the U.K., but I suspect there may be exceptions for medical equipment.

Where on earth would anyone get the ridiculous notion that only U.S. airlines know what CPAP machines are?

Well, the countries I travel to include the Philippines, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, Venezuela, Ecuador..... not all the airport security staff in these countries will have heard of sleep apnea.  Quantas, Air France, Virgin may all be fine, but Garuda, Air China, or TAME may not.  And if the airport security staff don't speak or read English well, then I'll have a big problem trying to explain what this machinery is.

The biggest risk is if some guy on the ground, with the airline or airport security, finds it, not sure what it is, and decides its better to ban what he doesn't know than risk a reprimand or problem.  And in countries where individual rights are weaker, corruption is high and people with disabilities are second class citizens, I cannot assume I'll be given the same consideration travelling with my CPAP machine as I do in the US.

Elaine wrote:

At least before last Thursday, there seemed to be no question that a CPAP would be allowed on board and not count as part of the luggage restriction.  (If you could bring 2 carry-ons, you could bring 2 plus the CPAP.)  

In checking with British Airways today, I was told that restrictions follow U.S. restrictions - no liquid or gels.  I was told the CPAP would be able to be brought as a carry-on.  Of course, these things are subject to change at any moment, so I would check with the airlines a day or so beforehand.  Perhaps if you find someone to go with you to the airport, if there is trouble getting through security, you could give it to that person to bring home and just go without it for a few days.

My sleep doctor was reviewing cases to consider testifying for someone (he turned it down).  It had to do with hospitals that don't require use of CPAP when it is in your records and CPAP patients who have died of heart attacks without using it.  I figure I went long enough having apneas and not knowing it that a few nights here and there shouldn't hurt.

When you fly out of the UK you will have to follow UK restrictions.  I think the CPAP machine would be allowed, but I can't be sure. The big problem is the size! Your carryon bag can only be 160cm thick. Here are the current rules:
Each passenger is permitted to carry ONE item of cabin baggage through the airport security search point. The dimensions of this item must not exceed: a maximum length of 45 cm, width of 35 cm and depth of 16 cm (17.7"×13.7"×6.2" approx) (including wheels, handles, side pockets etc.). Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried within the single item of cabin baggage. All items carried by passengers will be x-ray screened.

No liquids of any type are permitted through the airport security search point, other than the following items:

    * Essential medicines in liquid form sufficient and essential for the flight (e.g. diabetic kit), as long as verified as authentic
    * Baby milk and liquid baby food (the contents of each bottle or jar must be tasted by the accompanying passenger).

NOTE: The definition of liquids includes gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures and the contents of pressurised containers, e.g. toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols, etc.

To help their progress through search points, passengers are encouraged not to include items capable of containing liquids (e.g. bottles, flasks, tubes, cans, plastic containers etc.) in their cabin baggage.

All laptops and large electrical items (e.g. large hairdryer) must be removed from the bag and placed in a tray so that such items neither obscure nor are obscured by the bag.

Pushchairs and walking aids are permitted but must be x-ray screened. Wheelchairs are permitted but must be thoroughly searched.

In addition to the above, passengers boarding flights to the USA and items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, will be subjected to secondary search at the gate. Any liquids discovered will be removed from the passenger.

However, this size limit is expected to increase to allow larger bags by the end of September.


_________________
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I just travelled in Canada and returned on Sat. I had abaolutelu no problem at all with my cpap. In Halifax they did swap it and the girsl said, cpap machine? And I said yes. On the way back they didn't even open the case in Calgary. I carried it on both times. I did get a letter from my DME stating that I needed it for medical reasons and that I must take it as a carry on. I didn't have to use the letter but kept it in the bag anyway.

I'm traveling this Friday so I check the FAA site and CPAP is listed as part of what you can bring on.  This is from the FAA site:

All disability-related equipment, aids, and devices continue to be allowed through security checkpoints once cleared through screening.

Disability and medically related items permitted beyond the checkpoint include:

Wheelchairs
  Scooters
 Crutches
 Canes
 
Walkers
 Prosthetic devices
 Casts
 Support braces
 
Support appliances
 Service animals
 Baby apnea monitors
 Orthopedic shoes
 
Exterior medical devices
 Assistive/adaptive equipment
 Augmentation devices
  Ostomy supplies
 
CPAP machines respirators
 Hearing aids
 Cochlear implants
 Tools for wheelchair disassembly/reassembly
 
Personal supplemental oxygen
 CO2 personal oxygen concentrators
 
Tools for prosthetic devices
 Medications and associated supplies
 
Braille note takers
 Slate and stylus
 
All diabetes related medication, equipment, and supplies
 
Any other disability-related equipment and associated supplies
 

Hope this helps!


_________________
Joanne