Great glad to hear that your trip was a breeze.

I had hoped the TSA would use their press conference to announce clarifications on how they will screen PAP devices, but sadly that was not as clearly stated as it might be.

Here is a link to the Assistant Secretary's remarks - http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/National_Press_Club_speech.doc

Here is a link to a new flyer... http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/brochure_travel_sop.pdf  

I will follow up with Persons with disabilities and medical conditions program to see if their revised policy will be applied evenly throughout the system.

It is good to hear that PAP users were able to carry their devices onboard without a problem (even traveling through DC).

I will advise the Forum as soon as I have something to report.


_________________
Executive Director
American Sleep Apnea Association
6856 Eastern Avenue, NW Ste. 203
Washington, DC 20012
202-293-3650

I spoke with Regina Dolan at the Transportation Security Administration Persons with Disabilities and Medical Conditions program and she advised that effective today 12/22/05 a new set of standard operating procedures were implemented that states that CPAP and similiar sleep apnea equipment can be carried onto the aircraft once it is "cleared".  Clearing would involve going through the x-ray machine, or being visually inspected and/or swabbed using explosive trace detection (ETD) screening.  This modification in SOPs should put to rest the question about opaque components in CPAP devices.  

Ms. Dolan advised that it may take a while for the SOPs to be fully disbursed through the field force, so patience may be needed.

If anyone has any problems in the future, please let me know.


_________________
Executive Director
American Sleep Apnea Association
6856 Eastern Avenue, NW Ste. 203
Washington, DC 20012
202-293-3650

Thank you so much for lobbying and advocating for this!  You are going to make travel for us CPAP users easier!  Thanks again! :)


_________________
"You may only be one person to the world, but you may also be the world to one person."

I stopped bringing my CPAP as a "carry-on" this year, only because it was cumbersome to me.  I just packed it well in my checked baggage, with clothes around it to cushion it.  I have not had any damage so far.  But it does make me a bit concened to check something so expensive.  And it adds to the total weight of the bag, which can assume a charge if over 50#.

I have been traveling withmy CPAP since April 2005, this includes about 12 roundtrips but none outside the USA.  Up until January, I was never questioned about the device.  Most times it was opened and then passed without further checking.  Recently, the TSA has advised me that they must swab the device.  They are very carefyul handling the unit and I haven't had any problems at all.

We went on a cruise last fall, and before leaving, I eMAILed the cruise line medical department, telling them I would have a CPAP on board.  They provided me an extension cord and a gallon of distilled water as I requested.  No charge.  


_________________
Jim

I am about to enter a new job where I will be doing extensive over seas travel, much of the time overnight.  Does anyone have experience using a CPAP machine in-flight?  Is there one that is recommended?  One that runs on seat power?  I also need the humidifier.  I am not sure of my cfm requirement, I think it is 40 but I could be way off here.  Thanks in advance!


_________________
Jim

SCM-

 If I have read correctly then the S8 Resmed models are self adjusting for altitude.  I would check with the airline your traveling with to make sure they have power avaliable in the aircraft type that you will be traveling in.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/index.shtm

CPAPs are allowed past security checkpoints.  Of course they will likely screen it manually due to the nature of the device.


_________________
David Taylor
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The comments and opinions I have expressed in this post are mine and may not reflect those of my employeer.

See http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/sop/index.shtm and go to section on laptops and large electronics to see the new rules from the TSA on travel.

This is an article in sleep and health from before new TSA rules

http://sleepandhealth.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=206&catid=32&tid=13

I find that some airports do the swab, however, I came through the Orlando FL airport a couple of weeks ago and they didn't even unzip the case.

Just flew from New York-LaGuardia to Sacramento, CA two weeks ago via ATA and Southwest.  The week before, I took Amtrak to Pennsylvania to visit family.  Amtrak does count the CPAP as a carry-on, unfortunately.

I'm a rather cautious flyer, even though I usually fly three times a year maximum.  The CPAP has made me even more so.  I have a Respironics Remstar M Series, and it arrived in the carry case, mask and all.  So, in the main compartment, I carry the machine, adapter, hose and mask.  (I don't have a battery for it and don't see a need for one right now.)  In the outer pocket, I carry my meds, and - very important - the following documents:

1.  A letter from my pulmonologist, stating what the machine is and what it's used for

2.  A printout of the TSA advisory on CPAPs and their exemption from the carry-on rule, pertinent areas highlighted

3.  A printout from my airline and their ruling on CPAPS, pertinent areas highlighted

4.  The instruction manuals for the CPAP and the humidifier

And just to make sure there's no mistake, the outside carries two tags.  One is a standard luggage tag, and the other is a large handmade needlepointed tag that says "CPAP" on both sides in red on a sapphire-blue background.

TSA just opened the case and swabbed the machine.  No big deal.