Most airlines restrict taking more than 100 ml liquid with you as hand luggage. So how do you all explain it to the airport staff, anybody having bad experiences in travelling due to insulin carrying?
We have a letter from our Endocrinologist stating we need to carry insulin, needles, test strips etc. We only had one flight where they took away a juice box....most security are reasonable.
Hi, I've traveled a lot with my diabetic child. He's on a pump now but wasn't last summer when we went to Europe. I am racking my brain trying to remember if we traveled with ice packs. I think we might have. I've done it before. We also used the frio packs last summer and they worked just fine. You need to have a letter from your endocrinologist and they've done them before so they should know what to write. Have some copies. I always announce our presence when we approach security and I've NEVER had trouble.
And our endocrinologist told us not to let the pump (or my son attached to it) go through security. He got a pat down. Also best to have non-juice source of carbs (I’m a big fan of honey stingers)
We just traveled (actually moved) from Arizona to Bangkok, Thailand and I had no issues with going through security with ALL of my sons supplies and insulin (almost 2 months worth). I also had an 8 pack of orange juice boxes. I think we ended up going through 3 or 4 security check-points and had no issues. The security in Tokyo, Japan checked the juice boxes by waving something around them. In Los Angeles, they just asked how far we were flying. I had several ice packs for his unopened insulin. My recommendation is to carry a separate carry-on bag and ONLY have his supplies/medications in it. Let the security person know it is diabetic supplies. I had a letter with me but never had to show it.
Hi SweetBaby,
We have just got back from our first trip to Europe since my son was diagnosed. I took with me a letter from the Endo which stated that we needed to bring all the various supplies with us onto the plane. I was expecting that we'd be stopped and bags searched, but nothing! I think the letter goes a long way to reassure airport staff that you have a true reason for taking extra liquids/needles/pods etc. with you.
Incidently, we were asked if we had any gels with us and I rather foolishly said yes (Frio cooling bag) and then was told we might not be able to take the Frio pack through security. However, there was no problem when the bag went through the scanner. Next time, though, I will wait to 'wet' the Frio bag until after we have gone through security.
We traveled extensively in and out of Europe and pretty much never had a problem. We did carry a letter from the endo. Usually we didn't bother too much with juice because the airline always had juice or high sugar soda, but we brought candies or other things instead. The TSA staff was usually really sweet with our son too. I always think that it helps to be prepared with the letter as well as having a printed copy of the TSA rules regarding Diabetes with you. If they see that something came from the TSA website I think they feel a little more comfortable. Oh, one more thing, I agree that it's easiest if you pack all of the Diabetes supplies in an extra carry-on, together and with nothing else. Just makes the search thing go smoother.