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+--- Thread: Airplane Cpap Charge (/Thread-Airplane-Cpap-Charge)
Airplane Cpap Charge - genes - 01-29-2013
I have not taken a flight since the airlines started charging for baggage.
My wife and I are going to be taking two round trip flights in the next two months. The first will be American and the second United. We will each probably check one suitcase and have one carry on each plus possibly a carry on computer which makes three. One carry one is my cpap that I keep in a carry on size suitcase. I think we will each have to pay a charge for the suitcase we check in. My understanding is that there is no charge for one carry on each. Is there normally a charge to carry on a cpap also if it is my second carry on or is a medical device free?
GeneS
RE: Airplane Cpap Charge - DocWils - 01-29-2013
You should have a standard form that explains what it is you have and why you have it, and why it should be carried on. I cannot speak for US arlines, but no European airline, including the no frills ones, will charge you then.
RE: Airplane Cpap Charge - PaulaO2 - 01-29-2013
In the US, medical equipment does not count toward your baggage limit. You do not have to pay for it nor be limited to just it.
http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/travelers-disabilities-and-medical-conditions
http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/passengers-cpaps-bipaps-and-apaps
RE: Airplane Cpap Charge - PaulaO2 - 01-29-2013
A form is not required in the US. I do not advocate having one and don't carry one. So if you go ahead of me and you show yours, what am I to do when asked to show mine?
There is, however, a TSA notification card to help keep discussions private.
http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/notification-card
Not jumping on you at all, Wilorg. It's just a sensitive subject to me.
RE: Airplane Cpap Charge - Shastzi - 01-29-2013
Sometimes you get an idiot that thinks the CPAP is a bomb or other such nefarious device.
Best have a note from your doc and a copy of the prescript, just in case you run into a "Col. Flagg" type
at TSA.
RE: Airplane Cpap Charge - Sleepster - 01-29-2013
(01-29-2013, 10:13 PM)Shastzi Wrote: Best have a note from your doc and a copy of the prescript, just in case you run into a "Col. Flagg" type at TSA.
It took a few seconds for me to recall that character.
You're showing us your age, Shastzi.
RE: Airplane Cpap Charge - Shastzi - 01-29-2013
I never claimed I was a teenager, Sleepster. *snerk....giggles!*
RE: Airplane Cpap Charge - genes - 01-29-2013
Thanks for the replys. I should be ready now. It sounds like USA and American policies are a little different but I am flying in the USA.
About 13 years ago we went to Switzerland and really liked it. At that time we didn't carry any special paperwork and had no problem. I used a standard converter to go from European 220 V to USA 115 V and did not have any problem with my USA cpap and found out that it would work on a mountain at higher altitudes.
I see one response is from Florida. Do you know if there is a place around Orlando/Disney that will sell supplies or repair or rent cpap equipment if I have a problem which I do not expect to have.
GeneS
RE: Airplane Cpap Charge - DocWils - 01-30-2013
Genes - the form came into use mostly because of security concerns, not for any other reason. We do a standardised form here from the Lungenliga (and I have to talk to them about revising it because whoever wrote it really didn't speak English) to deal with the Col. Flaggs of the world (and I never said I was a youngster either). I get them all the time, since I travel a lot. I recently encountered one on a trip back from Italy - they raised one helluva stink because of the device, even after seeing the form, and tried to charge me for being overweight in carry on. I called the supervisor over (who spoke German and English - my Italian is pretty weak) and made it clear that this was exempt and they really didn't want to challenge me on this, since Swissair (the predecessor of Swiss Air Lines) helped to draft both the original form and the regs currently in use on Swiss.
A good rule of thumb - whenever you encounter an idiot, wave an official looking piece of paper at them - only the most stupid won't then cave....
Glad you liked Switzerland. I spent a winter once in Hallendale (did I spell it right? It was 1976 so I may no longer know how to spell it) and enjoyed it immensely - Disnyworld was also very interesting, but I was put off by the long line ups for everything.
RE: Airplane Cpap Charge - zimlich - 01-30-2013
I've never had any trouble wearing a backpack and carrying my CPAP. I usually put the CPAP case on the conveyer open and sometime they check the unit for explosive residue. I put the backpack in the overhead and the CPAP under the seat. Never had any trouble. I have Medical tag on the case. You can get them from most online stores, but I don't think that's it's necessary. I've never been asked for a prescription. Most folks now know what they are. Have a good trip,
Mary