Is it okay to pack insulin in a checked bag when flying? Is it too cold in the cargo hold? Will the insulin freeze and therefore be rendered useless?
You could pack your insulin in a Frio, which would protect it. On the other hand, you should always carry your insulin and diabetic supplies (and any other meds you might take) on the plane WITH you. Checked bags can get lost, and then you’d be up the proverbial creek without a paddle.
It’s also a good idea to take a change of underwear and top on the plane with you, for the same reason. That way you never arrive at your destination without at least one outfit to wear, while the other outfit can be hand-washed and left to dry while you’re out doing whatever it is you traveled to do.
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Insulin can go in checked luggage no sweat. Just take enough with you in your carry on in case your checked luggage gets lost or delayed. If you have more than 1 bag, split the insulin among the bags. Lost or delayed bags is the issue with checked luggage, not temperature control in the cargo hold.
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I have always carried all bottles of insulin with me. I never put it in my bag that goes in cargo hold. The temperature variances I have been told are to extreme. I feel better safe than sorry, especially at the cost per bottle.
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I’ve always brought insulin in my carry-on luggage. I wouldn’t trust it in checked luggage. So many things could happen.
The longest trip I’ve gone on was two months. I had an entire bag of diabetes supplies (insulin, pump supplies, testing supplies, CGM supplies, other medications). Since that entire bag was medical supplies, it did not count towards my carry-on allotment and I was allowed to bring it as carry-on even though I also had another carry-on bag.
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The cargo hold is the same temp as the passenger area. (However the baggage handling areas may not be climate controlled whatsoever) But do not ever, ever check your insulin. They lose bags so often it’s ridiculous. Keep with you at all times. The baggage handlers don’t care about your insulin. You’re the one whose life depends on it. I can’t even fathom letting it out of my sight.
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All of my med supplies always go in my carry-on. NO WAY would I risk the airlines losing my luggage. I’m surprised that any diabetic would put their supplies, or contemplate putting their supplies, in checked luggage.
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I’m bringing twice the amount of insulin that I’m going to need for my trip in my purse. The insulin that I’m asking about packing in my checked bag is yet twice more of that amount.
I’m going to a place where pickpocketing and purse snatching are regular occurrences. I wouldn’t want to have my bag stolen with all my supplies in it.
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will freeze or get lost. Its so small - put it in your pocket.
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I’m paranoid so I carry redundant supplies in my carry-on and checked bag. I just might do something stupid like lose my carry on 
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Yes, that’s exactly how I feel.
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LOL. I haven’t ever forgotten carry-on–because I’m paranoid. However, one time that still freaks my wife and me out, is remembering how when we were waiting for the shuttle at McCarran Airport rental department off-site, my wife left her purse at the very busy waiting area. We got on the bus with luggage and carry-on and as the bus started to move, she said,“where’s my purse?”. We instantly knew she must have left it on the bench, so we yelled at the driver to stop (she hadn’t left the parking lot yet) and she actually had the nerve to say she couldn’t stop. By then we were in the aisle grabbing our suitcases, preparing to get off, so she stopped. Thankfully, no one near the purse had grabbed it! Wow, that was a close one. Every time we leave a restaurant, we double check the booth for our things such as cells, purses, etc, etc. The older we get the easier it is to forget these things.
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Everything is in a carry in. Never leaves my side,except to be checked by security. I hand them a TSA downloadable card that says I have diabetes and a prosthetic eye. Nancy50
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I put my insulin in an insulated bag with other diabetes supplies and snacks/meals. The insulin then justifies blue ice or even regular ice. Blue ice gets attention only if not frozen. I’ve had questions, but it hasn’t been confiscated.
why do u bother with ice for flights?
Never. Ever.
You don’t want to lose that valuable medicine by whatever means.
Airlines usually allow an extra bag for medical supplies that you can take on the plane. If not, insist on it.
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Please don’t put it in checked luggage. It can freeze, get damaged by rough handling, lost, or misdirected to Damascus or Liverpool. Keep it with you always.
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Check or no check no big deal. I usually put checked insulin in a pair of shoes with insulin still in manufacturer’s box to protect from damage.
If I’m going somewhere hot - frio or take it on plane with me as they leave bags outside while removing from cargo hold.
Dang you are brave! Lost luggage w/o medical items in them is bad enough, but to lose a bag with insulin or other important medical items is going to ruin a pleasure or business trip. The airlines have yet to solve the problem of lost/damaged luggage.
Roughly 6 per 1000 passengers’ bags are lost/misplaced. American Airlines loses more (percentage-wise), than Southwest. The worst? Envoy Air
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You can have an additional carry on bag for medical supplies. Use it.
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