# Flying (US domestic) with a CPAP

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-us-domestic-with-a-cpap/424758>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [October 31, 2007, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-us-domestic-with-a-cpap/424758 "2007-10-31T18:50:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-us-domestic-with-a-cpap/424758/1 "2007-10-31T18:50:52Z")

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So I have to fly to Las Vegas for a conference next week. This is the first time I’ve flown since I’ve had my CPAP machine. (Actually, it’s been several years since I’ve flown at all.)

Normally I would pack one carry-on bag and not check any luggage. This has worked OK in the past; I put all my toiletries in a clear plastic bag on top so they’re easy to find if they feel the need.

Yes, I’m paranoid about checking my luggage.

Does anyone have experience flying with a CPAP as carryon? I’m afraid it’ll cause some giant ruckus and delay.

Are there any options if I have to check my luggage? Can you insure it or something?

Thanks much for any suggestions.

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**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-us-domestic-with-a-cpap/424758/2 "2007-10-31T19:08:12Z")

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I never had any problems. I did have it wiped once for the smelling machine.  
The only security to even ask about it was at the airport in Paris.

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**Author:** ![Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sophistry_and_Illusion)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-us-domestic-with-a-cpap/424758/3 "2007-10-31T19:24:58Z")

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My dad flies with one and never has a problem. In fact, I think you get an extra carry-on if it is medical equipment.

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**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-us-domestic-with-a-cpap/424758/4 "2007-10-31T19:36:09Z")

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My wife takes hers everywhere we go. We’ve never had a problem with it. She brings it as carryon and puts some reading material and other stuff in the outside pouch.

Believe me, the airport security people have seen a LOT of them.

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**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-us-domestic-with-a-cpap/424758/5 "2007-10-31T19:39:06Z")

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I’ve been travelling with mine for years, and have never had any problems with it as a carry-on. **Sophistry and Illusion** is correct; a CPAP is considered medical equipment and does not count toward your carry-on allowance. (I generally travel with a shoulder bag and my CPAP, but at least once I have also carried a laptop case.)

I just put the CPAP case on the X-Ray conveyor along with my shoulder bag. Lately they have been almost always hand-inspecting it and usually running over it with the smell-wiper; I was told this is now TSA policy. No one has ever questioned what it was, and in fact I’ve had a few TSA inspectors who use one themselves.

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**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-us-domestic-with-a-cpap/424758/6 "2007-10-31T19:39:23Z")

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See [Disabilities and Medical Conditions | Transportation Security Administration](http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/index.shtm)

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**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-us-domestic-with-a-cpap/424758/7 "2007-10-31T21:24:39Z")

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Terrific, that sounds easy. And an extra allowed carryon is always good. Now I just have to get sample sizes of everything…

Thanks much, everybody!