I know this discussion has happened before, but what had of experience have people had flying recently?
I’m MDI, so at least I’m not going to have to go through explaining what a pump is, but I’m heading to Colorado this weekend. My sister’s husband’s in basic training, and when he gets out, they’re moving, so she’s coming home. Only her daughter is 20 mo old, and she is barely pregnant (~6weeks-ish) and Mom wants someone to drive home with her, so I’m probably going to be the one.
Another sister think’s Mom is silly to want me to drive with her. I mean, she’ll be fine traveling alone. But having a back-up is good.
I’d probably get searched anyway, even without the insulin, because my ticket will be one way.
Should be no problems. All you need is to put your insulin in a Frio Wallet or do what I do and put my insulin in a plastic box, wrapped in wet news paper and then put a cold ice pack on top. Keep all your syringes or pens in your hand luggage - you must never put insulin or other supplies in the main luggage because the temperatures in the hold of an aeroplane can be too cold and can cause the insulin to freeze.
Also take a letter from your doctor with you stating that you are diabetic and therefore need to carry your insulins with you in your hand baggage.
Take your insurance papers with you too.
Test every hour of the journey and tell the steward on the plane that you are diabetic and may require extra drinks and snacks. (Take some snacks and sweet foods with you in your hand luggage, you can get drinks on the plane). It would be better to start your journey slightly higher, you can always correct it with a small insulin dose at the beginning of the flight or whenever you are due. The beginning of a flight to go hypo is not the best idea. I did once and had the devils own job to explain to the steward who did not speak English what had happened and had to pay exorbitant fees for a sandwich. Having said that we had just had several enormous bombs in London and I think she thought that I was a nervous passenger.
When you check in and they ask you the security questions, be up front and tell them you are carrying insulin in your hand luggage. 99% of the time there should be no problem about it. They do not even ask to see the letter from your doctor.
I wish you a good journey and safe travel home. If you are driving it goes without saying that you need to test regularly and keep your sugars slightly higher to be on the safe side. Stop and rest regularly and have snacks galore in your hand luggage.
You will be fine! I travelled to and from America (20 hours flying) and the cabin crew were wonderful.
I flew a couple of weeks ago, Chicago to San Diego (although I fllew back…) and didn’t have any problems. I have a pump. The recommendation is to pack all your D-junk in a plastic bag so that’s what I did, I just kept it readily available in my carry on and did what they said. I don’t want to describe what they did in case bad guys are spying on us however it went smoothly. I always think I should have a letter (my last one was like 10 years old and fell apart…) but forgot however I tossed the letter of medical necessity for test strips in my bag just in case, since it said “AR23 has diabetes” and described my needs in such broad terms it could perhaps have “covered” the pump junk, at least to the security folks.
The only airport I ever got scrutinized in was Champaign, IL when I lived there. It was wierd. We flew out of a bunch of airports and never had the goings over I got there but we moved so I can’t report the current status. I always consider that it’s probably a good idea to overprepare with letters, etc.? While I haven’t needed them (except in Champaign…), you never know when something will happen which will implement a new procedure that could mess up travel plans if the timing is off?
I just flew to the West Coast and back, with my pump and CGM. I had no problems at all, went through the full body scan in DC and the metal detector in San Francisco. One important thing to remember: you can bring syringes, lancets, etc, as long as you carry a bottle of insulin in the packaging with a prescription label on it.
If you do what latvianchick suggestes, it had better be in a box with a scrip label and you will need to open it up if requested. I have also read that the letter is no good without that scrip.
I just flew to and back from Aruba ( in March ) and to and back from CA in Dec. I had no trouble at all with my D supplies ( I am on MDI) and had insulin, which I carry in a lunch type cooler. I asked for ice from the flight attendant when I got on board. I took a couple of plastic bags( zip loc) from home which I gave to the attendant for the ice. My syringes and test strips are in another small tote,everything went thru the scanner w/o any trouble. I didn’t have a letter from my doc. but they never ask for one. I did get patted down, but that was because I have a prosthetic hip which sets off the scanner. You should have no problem at all.
I’ve never taken a letter from my Doctor until recently after reading on this sight that I should, also never been asked for one. Depending on how long I’ll be gone I sometimes take the original containers for prescription meds but mostly just put them in an unmarked container. Maybe I’m just lucky but I’ve never been questioned or hassled about anything. The previous 36 years when I was on pens and vials I would pack everything in my carry on and place it on top where the scanner can get a good look. I’ve been pulled over only once and only because I packed both the liquid carry on’s in one bag then they just asked if I was Diabetic looked through the bag and sent me on my way. Now that I’m on the pump I tell them before going through the full body scanner and they pull me aside and pat me down and swab my hands.
I have flown two times from Vancouver, BC Canada (YVR) to Des Moines Iowa (DSM), and once back from DSM to YVR. The first trip was when I was on shots, just made sure I had my prescriptions and Doctor’s letter. The second time I did the same, except I had a pump + supplies. Again no problems since I had prepared well, was open with the TSA, and had my documentation. They aren’t the monsters many people make them out to be, most of them are decent people and if you make the effort to be prepared, they will appreciate it and process you politely and efficiently.
Have fun on your trip! If you are worried about going low, just carry some glucose tabs with you. When you anticipate a situation coming up where you are going to burn more energy (mentally or physically), pop 2 or 3 tabs. Tiny amounts can do wonders sometimes
