I want to make sure that all you who are traveling with pumps just what your DRs and CDEs meant by not using your pump in the air. They really need to communicate better. It’s the CGMS device that they don’t want used. It is run on the RF frequency … the same as the airplane’s communication system. It can interfere with it and, therefore, they don’t want it active.
If you are going on a relative short trip 1-2 hours, they just recommend that you don’t use it at all … not the pump! If you are going to go to, like, Hawaii, which is longer, then they suggest that you ask the flight attendant to ask the captain for permission. They will most likely give permission.
Please see the site on the Transportation Safety Administration’s website for more particular hints on traveling with diabetes. I don’t know how to add the link I found, so please see the discussion “Leaving on a Jet Plane.”
When I wore a Minimed Paradigm and had the BD Link meter that communicated via RF, I used it on planes all the time and it never brought us down out of the sky.
I read that in my CGM manual, too. And I’ll be honest with you. I am not about to disconnect from my CGMS and then, once I land, start up a new sensor and wait out the 10 hour warm-up period that the Navigator requires for stable calibration once I’ve arrived at a vacation destination and am on a strange schedule. I plan to use it and love it while aboard the plane. It broadcasts at 433 MHz. If that’s going to crash an MD-80, I’m not getting on board. They can have my full-sized shampoo. I’m keeping my sensor on and the TSA can kiss it. LOL
My husband works for an airline and is laughing at me right now.
I am not sure this applies to the Dexcom, as I have never heard or read about it (and traveled to China last summer on it). The only thing I can find in the manual about it is that it can withstand electromagnetic interference at airport security, and don’t wear it during an MRI.
I know that my new Animas Pings’ manual says to turn off the remote function when flying.
Well, I guess that I am now afraid to fly. If the TSA says not to fly with the communications working AND the pump manufacturer says so too, then I wouldn’t want to violate the guidelines because it’s been done before. It only takes one time to screw up things … and I don’t want to be on that plane.
I can only do the research and not make anyone follow instructions given by people who know more than me. I don’t want anyone’s injury/death on my conscience.
The RF frequency the CGMS operates on and the RF frequency the plane runs on are not the same frequency so it does not interfere with the plane. I just flew with my CGMS connected and turned on and had no problems what so ever.
The TSA site is just how to travel with your supplies and the special handling you may request.
I got my sources mixed up; although, I could swear that I saw the “communications” referenced on a FAA or TSA site. But I couldn’t find it there, so I guess I have to admit that it’s not there.
I am not admitting it’s not true, though, because I called Medtronic and I know he made the statement about communications. If y’all don’t believe me, give them a call. If they backpaddle, then shoot me! But, please, ask before condemning me. I only have your best interests at heart.
:-()
Lois La Rose
P.S.: A good lesson in keeping your mouth shut when you are not directly involved in a situation!!
