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- - Diabetes and Plane Travel (https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/diabetes-support/152722-diabetes-plane-travel.html)

Diabetes and Plane Travel

Ok, so this has nothing to do with weight loss, but I thought someone on here must know.

I am a type 1 diabetic and I have only been on a airplane once, back in April 2001. This was pre 9/11, when there were not so many restrictions on what you can bring on a plane. My job is changing and I have been asked to do a little traveling. I have no idea what the restrictions are about being insulin and needles on the plane. I do not want to check this in case my bags are lost, I would be screwed. Does anyone have any experiance with this?

Thanx

Visit the airline website, or give them a call. Just to make sure.

From the TSA:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1374.shtm

Quote:

Notify the Security Officer that you have diabetes and are carrying your supplies with you. The following diabetes-related supplies and equipment are allowed through the checkpoint once they have been screened:

* Insulin and insulin loaded dispensing products (vials or box of individual vials, jet injectors, biojectors, epipens, infusers, and preloaded syringes;
* Unlimited number of unused syringes when accompanied by insulin or other injectable medication;
* lancets, blood glucose meters, blood glucose meter test strips, alcohol swabs, meter-testing solutions;
* Insulin pump and insulin pump supplies (cleaning agents, batteries, plastic tubing, infusion kit, catheter, and needle); Insulin pumps and supplies must be accompanied by insulin.
* Glucagon emergency kit;
* Urine ketone test strips;
* Unlimited number of used syringes when transported in Sharps disposal container or other similar hard-surface container.
* Sharps disposal containers or similar hard-surface disposal container for storing used syringes and test strips.

Insulin in any form or dispenser must be clearly identified.

If you are concerned or uncomfortable about going through the walk-through metal detector with your insulin pump, notify the Security Officer that you are wearing an insulin pump and would like a full-body pat-down and a visual inspection of your pump instead.

Advise the Security Officer that the insulin pump cannot be removed because it is inserted with a catheter (needle) under the skin.

Advise the Security Officer if you are experiencing low blood sugar and are in need of medical assistance.

You have the option of requesting a visual inspection of your insulin and diabetes associated supplies. See the Medication section below for details.

I would print out this page from the TSA website, since it's the official information, and then make sure you have a copy of your prescription and possibly a letter from your doctor to show as well.

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And just a reminder - the airline has no control or say over security at the airport. ONLY the TSA can tell you what the official guidelines are.

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Wow, I knew you were the right group to ask, I am not nearly as scared as I have been about this. I guess as long as I keep all my supplies together for quick inspection (does this exist at airports anymore?), I should be just fine.

Quote:

(does this exist at airports anymore?)

hahahahahahha ... no! :D

I travel a lot for my biz and getting through security is always a hassle for me. I travel with a case full of camera gear and although the TSA says that I'm allowed an extra carryon (as a working professional), I always have to show a copy of the TSA rules. I also always (and I do mean ALWAYS) get "randomly" selected for a manual screening. I wish they'd just say "If you're carrying a case of electronic and digital equipment, we're going to pull you aside for a hand search." I really don't have a problem with it at all ... it would just be nice if they were honest about it - cause honey, this ain't no "random" search. ;)

I just make sure I allow plenty of time for security and I smile big and say "yes sir/ma'am" a lot. It helps that I'm 5'4" and have a little bit of a Southern accent (that I can put on at will).

My travel partner who is a 6'1" guy tends to get even more intense searches than I do.

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The last time I traveled VIA plane, I was with my 65 year old grandmother, who was rather confused, although she traveled a lot herself. We are both about 5'4", but we were getting extra screening because of the pharmacy she was carrying and I was 16 and carrying needles!

I would also be traveling for work, so I know the laptop and all the GPS equipment we would carry would also hold us up. I have never been much for air travel, but if I ever want to go to Hawaii, I guess I should gear up.

Good Luck and happy travelling . . . :hug:

also, get a letter from your gp signed to confirm that you are indeed a diabetic and that you have the following medications provided for the disease.

If you show a headed letter to them, they are usually better about letting through quickly. I've been travelling back and forth from Wales to Chicago for the past 5 years and I've had no problems being stopped or anything.

I've traveled plenty of times. I've had times where I've just told the TSA "hey I'm diabetic, so here is all my diabetes-related stuff" and they let me through without saying or questioning anything. Other times, I've been pulled aside and thoroughly searched for "extra inspection" :lol: Once, I was told, "hurry up sweetie, hurry along, MOVE! *taps me on the butt with the TSA stick thing* OH OH WAIT, I need to SEE ALL THAT STUFF! NEEDLES! HANG ON!!" It really depends on whether the TSA suck that day or not ;)

I've never brought a headed doctor's note on the plane with me before, but my most recent TSA experience (the mean butt-smacky-WAIT-HANG-ON lady) has gotten me thinking that maybe I should.