Using a half face respirator on UA flight?
#16
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
I wear a CPAP while sleeping and I tape a mask over the vent while sleeping. So far no one has said a word. I did file my perscription with UA though, just to make sure there are no hassles.
#18
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Mexico City
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Posts: 3,805
Thanks for your notes, agree, I've worn half face respirators for long periods of time, easy on/off if necessary. more comfortable than the disposable respirator and better seal.
What airlines are you using? Any objections from staff, when you cover the exhaust vent with a simple surgical mask?
What airlines are you using? Any objections from staff, when you cover the exhaust vent with a simple surgical mask?
#20
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
No, it covers only my nose - but you can't open your mouth when you wear it or you can't breathe due to the pressure from the air blowing in your nose. My travel CPAP has a exhalation valve on the hose right above the inlet filter and there is nothing covering that area. My travel CPAP is about the size of a soda can and is very small. I just plug it in and lay back. The last time I used it was August, but I am flying to Spain in early December and I'll use it then as well.
#22
Join Date: Mar 2014
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Posts: 1,198
#23
#24
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
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I wear this type of respirator in stores, malls, and restaurants while picking up takeout. Valves are generally not permitted in those places either. What I did was cut a surgical mask, then tape the cut fabric over the valve.
#25
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: USA
Programs: AC SE100K, F9 100k, NK Gold, UA *S, Hyatt Glob, Bonvoy Titanium
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so you are saying the 0.50 mask to cover the exhaust vent of the respirator does the trick? Either for a half face respirator or disposable respirator?
I know many people wear a disposable respirator with a vent and cover it with a surgical mask. But the half face respirator just fits correctly during travel.
I know many people wear a disposable respirator with a vent and cover it with a surgical mask. But the half face respirator just fits correctly during travel.
Agent was were unfazed when he offered to all wear a surgical mask over top. he boarded with surical masks and put the 3m half respirators plus surgical masks on back after boarding.
flight crew was unaware of the boarding discussion, but they still saw this and told them in no uncertain terms wear ONLY a surgial mask or walk with them off the plane to pick a different flight/carrier.
similar issue happened to me on Frontier.
#26
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Posts: 50,262
The point here is that there is little tolerance by GA's or FA's to argue about these issues. Easier to deny boarding or offload a passenger and deal with it once the flight has gone.
#27
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It really just depends on who you get. I've boarded flights where the GAs and FAs haven't said a word about people with vented masks, masks pulled below the nose and mouth, etc. It's highly a YMMV sort of situation.
#28
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Mexico City
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And recent flights I've been on it seems the flight attendants are reluctant to approach older passengers, which I noticed didn't keep their masks on, but they gladly pointed out older children who didn't. This was on Delta. They need to approach all passengers, but they don't. That's why I try not to eat or drink on flights and just take all the snacks and stuff they hand out with me to my hotel room for later.
#29
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: DL Plat
Posts: 750
No, it covers only my nose - but you can't open your mouth when you wear it or you can't breathe due to the pressure from the air blowing in your nose. My travel CPAP has a exhalation valve on the hose right above the inlet filter and there is nothing covering that area. My travel CPAP is about the size of a soda can and is very small. I just plug it in and lay back. The last time I used it was August, but I am flying to Spain in early December and I'll use it then as well.
#30
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: Does Non Rev count?
Posts: 586