kevin_standlee | TSA is Trying to Kill Me

Last night I put on my CPAP mask and started to fall asleep normally. A few minutes later, I was back up, coughing like crazy. I tried again; same result. I then examined my CPAP machine more closely. Although there may be another explanation, I found a whole lot more dust than usual inside the machine, and the rear cover of the air intake dislodged. My luggage (which did have the TSA notice inside) was more rumpled than usual. I suspect that TSA dislodged the rear cover and that a bunch of dust got inside the thing. I replaced the disposable filter (which was filthy and due for its monthly replacement), washed the reusable one, and slept much more easily.

I expect that at least one person reading this is about to tell me, "You shouldn't check your CPAP machine -- always carry it on." Well, I'm already carrying on two pieces of carry-on luggage (including my "personal item" briefcase) on most flights, including my computer, and the stuff is heavy. If you say, "There's an exception for medical equipment," I say, "I'd rather not have to risk the inevitable TSA goon who doesn't know about the exception, won't listen to me quoting regulations, and has the perceived authority to arbitrarily confiscate my goods and imprison me." Checking my CPAP machine and spare laptop are calculated risks, I know.

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FWIW, CPAP is one of the few things you can rely on the TSA goons to know. Paul has one and they've never questioned it. Airlines also legally cannot make you check it, it's considered vital medical equipment.

That's interesting. They've never *questioned* mine, but they almost always take it out and swab it.

One guy did ask a lot of questions, but only because he thinks he may need to start using one.

A couple of times I've heard "Wow, they're getting smaller!"

Oh, they've taken it out of the case before. I think they've swabbed it at least once. But it's caused him less delay than anything else he's carried on, including his (perfectly ordinary) shoes.

I haven't had a problem with shoes; I take them off and put them on the belt, so it doesn't take as long as taking the cpap away to swab it.

I saved some time when I was told that "take laptops out of their bags and put them in a separate bin" really meant "laptops and dvd players."

You've thought it through and made the decision that's right for you, so I wouldn't dream of telling you not to check your CPAP equipment. You're right, it's a calculated risk, but not one that I would have expected to play out this way.

It's scary to think of that dust getting blasted into your lungs! I don't know if slipping the equipment inside a plastic bag would help or not -- they like to do the chemical wipe thing on carry-on CPAP equipment.

Actually, I will start putting it in a plastic bag. The reason dust -- talcum powder, actually -- got into it is that there's a bit of talc inside one of my pieces of luggage left over from a previous mishap. (It seems to be impossible to get rid of every bit of the stuff.) That particular bag, which I've had for more than twenty years now, is on the verge of being thrown away as it is literally falling apart and I'm not sure I have the patience to try and repair it again.

This particular trip was rough on equipment, probably because I did not pack a bunch of clothing around the CPAP and the spare laptop to cushion them in handling. In retrospect, there would have been enough room to pack the CPAP in its carrier bag, which would have helped. For various reasons, I had to take two medium-sized pieces of luggage on this trip, which resulted in neither of them being 100% full, and less-than-full luggage tends to shift more in handling.

Count yourself lucky that you can have two carry-on bags. We're only allowed one since the August 2006 fiasco.

Every time I read a story like this my urge to never travel by air except in case of dire emergency strengthens. I'll start flying again when I can afford First Class tickets and/or they bring back regulation.

gerisullivan, I'm going to assume that you've thought things through and are doing what's best for you.

However, the TSA people don't care how much stuff you have; they don't know whose bag is whose. It's when you get to the gate that the gate agent may not know about the medical exemption. And the worst they will do is make you check something.

Having said that, if you've already checked 2 bags, you may not get to check another.

If I'm going to be working, I have two laptops (one of which I check), and the CPAP; my briefcase; and when I'm concerned that I may be in a bump situation, one change of clothing and my toiletries bag (which includes several days' doses of my various medications). I probably could find some way to redo the way I carry things to carry the CPAP in the computer backpack, but that thing is already too heavy.

Usually when I go up to Oregon, I take one medium-sized piece of luggage. I had to take another bag on this trip to carry a few Christmas presents, the extra computer (because I'd be working up there for a week), and some various bits and pieces that have been waiting around here for a chance to go north without having to pay shipping costs.

Basically, I travel too heavy. It's even worse when I drive. An Astro minivan with a whole bunch of stuff in it, particularly those things that are the wrong shape or weight to go as luggage when I fly, like the larger props for Match Game SF.

Oh, I wasn't criticising your packing; just pointing out that it's not TSA who would care how much stuff you have.

And I do understand packing heavy. I have only one laptop, the CPAP, and a portable dvd player (I can't read on planes), plus assorted small toys and their chargers. They always pull my bag out, because of all the chargers, and to swab the cpap. Oh, and they have to look at the dvd player and swab that.

I'm not saying you should check or not check your cpap as luggage. I'm a lucky person in barely knowing what a cpap is.

But I'll suggest you might want to "check" your cpap before using it in such circumstances in future? (yeah, I know, tiredness after travel and all that and you'll have to weigh the hassle of checking the machine vs coughing and choking, so whatever. And you'll do whatever you want to anyway.)

I've traveled with my mother, and what was suggested to us was that she "gate check" it. It doesn't go down the belt to the bowels of the airport- you carry it to the gate, and it's put under the plane from there. I know that's available on smaller airplanes, but am not at all sure if it's available on larger planes. Less time out of your hands, hand carried to its place in the bowels of the beast.

This only confirms what I already suspected -- that the TSA has yet to reach the high professional standards and competence of the Keystone Kops.

I want protection from the TSA, not by the TSA!

Kevin, I just checked Southwest's web site regarding CPAP devices--they say that it doesn't count toward the carry-on limit. You might want to check whatever airline you're dealing with on that.

I had to find out because I'm flying home next week and have to lug the sucker with me.

I've never had a problem, other than LAX swabbing it for explosive residue, which they've done in my presence.

I did have my PCP write me an order for it, which I carry in my wallet and which I had photo-reduced and laminated then attached to my CPAP case like a luggage tag.

I always carry mine on-board. I've had too many screwups with checked luggage to risk it with my CPAP.

Kevin,

I'm remediated at a nominal 15cm now, but my first scrip was 19/14 on a 1996 BiPAP, so I do understand traveling with that extra load. My travel unit is just the CPAP part of my RemSTAR M-series, which goes 9x6x4(high) and under 2 pounds. The cord, hose and mask feel like they take more cube than the unit! I use an expandible computer backpack, whic has a spare shirt, sox & underbits too.

When I do take a second laptop, I pack it my stowable roller. Then again, I travel very lean, so that roller will last me a week.

Good luck, and may you find no more odd things in your CPAP!

Alive again since '96,
Don

PS. For nasal mask users who are active sleepers, try the Activa mask. Pricey, but I have not had a dislodgement since I started wearing it.

I use an Activa mask myself. I need to get a new set of straps for it, though -- the Velcro is wearing out.

TSA is Trying to Kill Me

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