Originally Posted by
backdoc
Great. So you're saying "don't ask don't tell" basically. I flew long haul during covid and didn't use the machine because of unfiltered mask exhaust air but now that it has opened up to maskless flying again I'd be up for buying an AirMini since you've had no problems with it. I have 3 main residences I travel to and have machines in each, so a "travel machine" would make sense instead of bringing my ResMed AirSense™ 10 each time. You didn't mention class of service, were you using it in Business or Economy? I could see getting away with it curled up in a lie flat with a blanket over my head. Were you just blatant about it?
Most everything is in economy, but this past year I did have HNL-LAX and also LAX-ORD red-eyes in domestic Polaris lie flat. I never throw anything over my head as I tend to run hot as is. (Like I pack a mini USB fan if the plane doesn't have air vents.) I use nasal pillow masks and I do put a face mask over my CPAP mask. (I'm going to be one of those that probably will continue to use face masks on planes as I've only gotten sick once since COVID started and I used to get sinus infections more regularly, especially after travel.) Anyway, I think United flight attendants see it, but don't worry about it or check to see if I'm on a list. (Maybe with those Polaris flights, the face mask obscured the CPAP mask, but there was a hose coming out of it, draped over my body, and running up to the machine on that little ledge/counter near the cubby.)
The AirMini is decent. I don't love the humidification system, but it is better than nothing. And sometimes I struggle with the different masks I have for it, since it has a different connector and Resmed has limited the masks that fit it. (I bought a 3rd party connector but I felt that made it noisier.) I originally started with an S8 and then when I got an S9, but S8 became my travel machine (if it was a short trip, I'd leave the humidifier at home). And then I added the AirMini (I think in 2017). The AirMini is a hair noise, but not by much, and it is very light and small in comparison.
Honestly, if I got called out by a United flight attendant (which I doubt), I would probably say, "Oh my god, I didn't call in for this trip? I'm so sorry, I always call in, but must have forgotten for this one." Cause I did use to always call in. And have now permanently forgotten. If they force me to not use it, good luck to the people around me. My AHI before I got the CPAP was 93.
Originally Posted by
whitewave
I got the other cpaps from secondwind in Chicago (I think. They have a website)..
I got my S9 from secondwindcpap since my insurance was not great then and I liked them. I got the AirMini fairly close to release I think, so there were no used machines, and I was told insurance wouldn't cover a travel machine (and my insurance was still lame.) I keep thinking that I should probably replace my main machine, but it still works, I don't love the new designs, and the improvements are mostly minor.