TSA refused to wear gloves for CPAP device (medical) inspection(Merged threads)
Jan 29, 2008, 6:24 am
#31
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Jan 29, 2008, 8:04 am
#32
Join Date: May 2007
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As far as UA seems to be concerned as long as you can fit one bag in the overhead and one under your seat, you are good to go. They would appear to rather deal with gate checking the straggler's bags when the bins fill up, rather than enforce the rules on the ground.
Jan 29, 2008, 8:33 am
#34
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A CPAP machine is a piece of medical equipment and does not count towards your personal item or carryon limit. See here which says: "The limit of one carry-on and one personal item (purse briefcase or computer case) does not apply to medical supplies, equipment, mobility aids, and/or assistive devices carried by and/or used by a person with a disability."
You will need to remove the CPAP from its carrying case (just like you would with a laptop). You do not need to remove the hoses or mask. The TSA will swab the machine with the ETD pad. For convenience sake, you can put a sticky note on the outside saying "Please use fresh gloves before inspection" because they usually take it immediately off the belt before your get through the WTMD.
You will need to remove the CPAP from its carrying case (just like you would with a laptop). You do not need to remove the hoses or mask. The TSA will swab the machine with the ETD pad. For convenience sake, you can put a sticky note on the outside saying "Please use fresh gloves before inspection" because they usually take it immediately off the belt before your get through the WTMD.
Jan 29, 2008, 9:21 am
#35
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As it seems that most of the OP's concern surrounds security rules, let me move this to our Travel Safety/Security forum for more discussion. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, United forum.
Jan 29, 2008, 9:30 am
#36
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No check for me!
You check it? I would never, ever, ever, check mine. Airlines lose way too much stuff, and if I don't have my machine, then I'm not going to sleep.
And they only inspect the unit itself, and not the mask which is the only place that touches your face. I think most agents wear gloves, so I wouldn't get freaked out about it.
And they only inspect the unit itself, and not the mask which is the only place that touches your face. I think most agents wear gloves, so I wouldn't get freaked out about it.
Jan 29, 2008, 9:52 am
#37
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There are two concurrent threads on CPAP machines and the TSA so we've merged them both for your viewing pleasure.
Thanks.
___________________________
Cholula
Travel Safety/Security Forum Moderator
Thanks.
___________________________
Cholula
Travel Safety/Security Forum Moderator
Jan 29, 2008, 9:54 am
#38
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 11
cpap carryon and use
I always carry mine on - PB travel model with cpaponline battery pack, about the size of a fist. I just choose a window seat and hook it up to the battery pack and have never been questionned, works like a champ, I sleep well, and don't bother anyone with my snoring. I always take the machine only out for inspection, they usually swab it but only about 75% of the time but seemingly always at SeaTac. The machine never touches my face -- only the mask, and they don't ever see that, so the TSA can pick it up and do what they want with it for all I care. I do carry a prescription from my doc stating that I can bring on an extra carryon, but I never have had to show it. Good luck.
Feb 22, 2008, 11:11 am
#39
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 111
You will need to remove the CPAP from its carrying case (just like you would with a laptop). You do not need to remove the hoses or mask. The TSA will swab the machine with the ETD pad. For convenience sake, you can put a sticky note on the outside saying "Please use fresh gloves before inspection" because they usually take it immediately off the belt before your get through the WTMD.
Also I normally leave the humidifer portion in my carryon. That sometimes gets them exicited and call for a bag check. They tell me, "CPAPs must be removed" I point out that the cpap is removed, it's the item in that bin. The water tank, is not a cpap, but feel free to rifle through my carryon.
Feb 22, 2008, 12:32 pm
#40
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: TSA Lead Transportation Security Officer
Posts: 40
TSOs are required to wear gloves when searching property and use new gloves if requested.
If you're truly concerned about hygiene you should also ask them to use a new sample trap or "swab" when your CPAP is checked. The traps are used up to 40 times before being discarded -- sometimes more, and I suspect they are nearly as unsanitary as the gloves considering the cracks and crevices they get into.
If you're truly concerned about hygiene you should also ask them to use a new sample trap or "swab" when your CPAP is checked. The traps are used up to 40 times before being discarded -- sometimes more, and I suspect they are nearly as unsanitary as the gloves considering the cracks and crevices they get into.
Feb 22, 2008, 1:06 pm
#41
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 3
Bad Advice
Folks, please! You have got to start being more aggressive with screeners who refuse to comply with reasonable requests supported by policy. If this was MY medical device, I would have grabbed the device and/or the bag away from the screener and yelled for a supervisor - grabbing the bag or item away from them is the only way to get their attention and it truly drives them absolutely crazy, so be prepared for a fight....
....but if it was MY medical device, and I expected to put any portion of it or its contents in or through my body, rest assured I would maintain total control over where it goes and how it's handled.
Remember your escalation paths at the checkpoint!
1) supervisor
2) duty manager
3) FSD (if on site)
4) your airline's Ground Security Coordinator (GSC)
5) Airport Director's Office (if open)
6) local police if 5) is closed, AND you can trust the local police, which you often can't - so be careful with this one
The GSC can override the TSA and let you fly, while the Airport Director can override the TSA on customer service issues, getting the FSD involved or onsite, if necessary
....but if it was MY medical device, and I expected to put any portion of it or its contents in or through my body, rest assured I would maintain total control over where it goes and how it's handled.
Remember your escalation paths at the checkpoint!
1) supervisor
2) duty manager
3) FSD (if on site)
4) your airline's Ground Security Coordinator (GSC)
5) Airport Director's Office (if open)
6) local police if 5) is closed, AND you can trust the local police, which you often can't - so be careful with this one
The GSC can override the TSA and let you fly, while the Airport Director can override the TSA on customer service issues, getting the FSD involved or onsite, if necessary
Feb 22, 2008, 1:19 pm
#42
Suspended
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,953
TSOs are required to wear gloves when searching property and use new gloves if requested.
If you're truly concerned about hygiene you should also ask them to use a new sample trap or "swab" when your CPAP is checked. The traps are used up to 40 times before being discarded -- sometimes more, and I suspect they are nearly as unsanitary as the gloves considering the cracks and crevices they get into.
If you're truly concerned about hygiene you should also ask them to use a new sample trap or "swab" when your CPAP is checked. The traps are used up to 40 times before being discarded -- sometimes more, and I suspect they are nearly as unsanitary as the gloves considering the cracks and crevices they get into.
Feb 22, 2008, 1:30 pm
#43
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 5,662
No, he's saying the TSA *can* use a trap up to 40 times and that is why you want to request a new one.
Feb 22, 2008, 1:40 pm
#44
Suspended
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,953
In re-reading, you are probably correct. I read "new" as a new toy in the TSA's arsenal of devices to "keep us safe." Perhaps the he should have said "clean" or "fresh".
Feb 22, 2008, 4:36 pm
#45
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: TSA Lead Transportation Security Officer
Posts: 40
Perhaps. My intended point was that the traps are reusable up to forty times and you probably don't want your CPAP machine to be the fortieth (or even the second) thing that the sample trap has touched.
The machines do heat the traps to an extremely high temperature. I have no idea if it's hot enough or if the traps are in the machine long enough to kill any microbes but I wouldn't take a chance. If it were me I would ask for a "fresh" trap.