I went to St. Lucia and at the airport here in St. Louis they did not even care I had meters 1+ backup, pens, and pen needles and they did not care at all. They said they have people with pumps working there and its no big deal. I had my letter handy and all my supplies in my carry on. BTW the dia-pack deluxe worked well for holding pen needles 1 glucagon kit, glucose tablets, alcohol swabs, strips and 2 pens… $25 well spent. I tested and used my pens at my seat… There was more room there then in that tiny excuse for a bathroom. I dont know if you wear a medic alert but I did for the trip. I got the vital ID one its Velcro and slid almost under my watch. I also bought a medic alert bracelet at Walgreens and attached it to my carry on backpack just to avoid any confusion. The people at one of the airports thought it was a great idea…I do not remember if it was Miami or St. Lucia…
I have done a boatload of flying over the last year. To make things easier I picked up a separate bag for all of my supplies, and the pocket junk that slows me down in the tsa lines. I depocket everything before I get to the line, even my watch goes in the bag. That way I just have to deal with my shows for the grey bins. I put the medication bag on top of the whole mess and let the screener know whats in there. The result is I get through the checkpoint faster than most folks. But, I also go out of my way to carry as little as possible onto the plane. Usually the meds bag is it, everything else is in checked luggage.
For a real adventure try transporting a firearm, ( it goes in checked baggage, but wow the rules! )
Also, keep in mind that they’ll let you take a cooler bag and ice pack onto the plane with your insulin in it. Just make sure to wrap your insulin so that it’s somewhat insulated and doesn’t touch the ice - frozen insulin would probably be a bad thing!
I put all of my needles, lancets, swabs, etc. into one bag and my insulin into a cooler bag, pulled the supplies bag out and stuck it in one of those gray bins, and told the security people what it was. No problems at all. I think at the Vancouver airport it took them about 30 seconds to process that anyone with medicine that needs to be refrigerated gets a pass on that stupid no liquids rule, but other than that, they were more interested in my Hebrew books than in my sharp pointy things. Didn’t check labels on the pens, letter from endo, or anything.
(I also packed my sharps container in my checked luggage - I use a 20 oz soda bottle, so it’s not like it’s irreplaceable or anything.)
Frio wallets are great so you don’t have to worry about ice & coolers. It’s small, light, portable & keeps insulin cool for 12 hours (maybe longer in a cool climate).
I fly on a regular basis, if you are flying within north america or western europe they probably won’t even bat an eye. I have set off the detectors before, but it usually ends up being something like the underwire in my bra or my hair clip…
I get the wand and they notice my pump, I just say…yep it’s an insulin pump - would you like me to take it out so you can examine it? they have always said no and that’s the end of it.
I keep my insulin and a couple infusion sets and reservoirs along with my testing supplies in my carry on. As long as it’s all contained in a clear plastic zip lock bag, they’re happy.
When information is erroneous like that, I think a cool, calm letter back to the Endo is needed so the Endo and the CDE can discuss it. Make the letter “just an FYI”. They need to know. They’re not keeping up. Even quote the company.
