I'm going to be flying for the first time since dx'd in a couple of weeks. I'm flying Southwest out of Dallas-Love Field & then MSY in New Orleans. I've looked at the TSA website & saw what they have on there but is there any other information I should know?? Are my juices suppose to be in the quart sized bag? If I fill that bag up with juice will I be able to take my shampoos? I'm on injections.
Technically, you are allowed, as a diabetic to bring juices on board. But personally, to me, it's all about keeping it simple. If you want to bring juice with you, I would just buy it inside the security area.
Yeah, I'm with Zoe. Flying is all about minimizing your hassles and there are plenty of opportunity for hassles. I shove enough packets of Smarties into my pocket and carry on to get me through most unforeseen circumstances.
Never had a problem with diabetic supplies like syringes and insulin. TSA has a policy on diabetic supplies in general but they seem pretty familiar with the basic ncessities.
If you can get a Drs note, all the better but I've never had to show it.
Last trip I had a couple small juices boxes and small water bottles along with snacks and my insulin (was a 3 week trip) in an zip up lunch box. TSA looked inside, I just told him I was diabetic and it was my juice and meds. They did take the 2 water bottle out and put them in a machine to test. Yes, extra time. But since I just started pump and have hypo unaware...it was worth it. Everyone was pretty nice. Keep your quart bag with liquids (mini-shampoo, etc) seperate from meds.
I try to never take liquids other than insulin through the checkpoints. I usually get a travel size shampoo when I get to my destination (unless I am checking a bag), so I might just be paranoid. I travel with both glucose tabs and my candy of choice - Sunkist gummy fruits (most people like smarties or skittles). I take plenty because my bg runs funky when I travel, so I never know how much I will need. I also recommend taking more strips than you think you will need while traveling.
If you need juice, it is twice the price past the checkpoint, but if you don't need it, it is just extra weight with a chance of spilling in your stuff. You might get free juice during your flight if you need it, if not they'll give you soda.
I try to "fly under the radar" and don't try to take either juice or water through security although technically they will let you pass. You can usually actually buy something. And on most flights, if you mention to the attendant that you have diabetes and are worried about hypos, they will give you a can of juice. I actually don't drink juice, I just bring some packs of smarties and keep them with my pocket knife.
When I said I throw Smarties into my carry on, did I mention that my carry on luggae is a full set of golf clubs?
Aren't those weapons in the hand of a professional?
No more than a pocket knife, of course, according to TSA anyway. =)
Yep, just like the knit needles and crochet hook they thought were weapons!
Lighter, easier & less potential problems taking along another source for lows. No one has questioned my little bags of jelly beans:) I put insulin in a Frio wallet cooler in the carry-on, not in the plastic quart bag.
I've never been asked about bags of syringes or insulin, but bring prescriptions just in case of over zealous TSA. Good to have anyway in the event an emergency refill is needed.
The rules on the TSA web-sight are correct. Your diabetes supply's have noting to do with the liquid rules for your shampoos and get ready stuff. I like to carry all of my Bete's supply's in a separate bag. If you carry water and juices you will be questioned so go a little early and don't get exited they are just doing there job. I always push the limit when I have time, remember someone pushed back hard in order to get our exemption ...remember use it or loose it....If they get you to give in it just makes their job easy...
PS...remember to carry a travel letter stating your a diabetic and a list of all of your meds...my list also says I need water and juice at all times.
Have a fun safe trip...
I don't use liquids for my hypos, so I just take several tubes of glucose tabs. Much smaller and less bulky for me. I put my pump supplies, lancets, insulin, etc. in a small cosmetics case which I remove from my carry on and send through xray in the tray with my shoes and cell phone. The one time I left the case inside my carry on, my bag was searched because it was difficult to identify exactly what those sharp metal pieces were. I always have a doctor's letter, but have never been asked to show it.
Hey Stephanie, I live near New Orleans and have family in Dallas so I have been through both airports many times. I went on a pump about a year ago but was MDI for 25 years, traveling through both airports often.
I've never been stopped or questioned in either airport over syringes or supplies and never needed a doctor's letter. I never pointed out my syringes and supplies and just left them in my carry on and put them through with my purse - never questioned or searched.
Like some of the others, I prefer to keep it simple so never tried to bring juice or water through. I sometimes will buy a bottle coke once past security *just in case* but have almost never needed it. I always have sweetarts in my pocket and extras in my purse for lows.
Security gets a little more complicated wearing a pump and cgm but with MDI it's pretty easy. Enjoy your trip and don't stress over the TSA part - you'll be fine.
I have traveled for years with all kinds of D supplies and never been questioned even once by airport security to my surprise. I agree with others, if you are in a rush and don't want a hassle buy the juice and water by the gate, if your up to standing up to the possible annoyance of pushing the issue then take it and don't back down. Juice is part of supplies so keep it together with your medicine and save space in quart bag for other things
I don't use a dr letter, but I do carry the prescriptions for the supplies I have )and yes I have managed to leave both my insulin and needles at home and with the exception of Belieze in central america I was always able to find a way to replace either through a local dr or pharmacy