scrappingbarbie

I am headed to Belgium, Italy, Spain and Paris. I am wondering if it is okay to pack needles/lancets/etc.. in my carry - on (where i prefer) or would they make me pack it in my checked luggage?? I have no problem flying domestic with my needles in my purse, but I am not clear in how international traveling will be. Do I need a letter from my dr. stating that i am diabetic...yada yada..
tia

shandy

I think the only person who can give you a definitive answer to this question is the airline with whom you are travelling. They must have established protocols regarding such situations as it is hardly unusual. It doesn't matter what we think you should be able to do, it matters what the actual airline says you can do, so give them a call and establish the exact course of action to take.

Spygirl

Scrapping-there's absolutely no problem taking your needles on board, indeed, as a diabetic, you really SHOULD have them onboard with you-however, you do need to get a letter from your Dr., and with that, you will have no problem. (you would probably have no problem w/o a letter, but to plan for the unexpected hassle, it makes it easier on you to have one due to the fact there are now stepped-up security screening procedures in effect).

Spygirl

Scrapping-strike what I said above about "should" have your insulin in your carry-on, and substitute "under no circumstances should you ever put your insulin in checked luggage-particularly for an international flight"- I don't know what I was thinking. As for the Dr.'s letter, I checked TSA's website-I was right, you do NOT need a Dr. letter when going through TSA security screening checkpoints, either domestically or flying internationally for any type of diabetic paraphernalia-insulin pumps, glucose strips, etc.-however, your insulin should be in its original bottle, with the appropriate medical labeling, of course. If you are flying foreign carriers-and to avoid any unanticpated hassle with customs-it may be best to have a Dr. letter with you-however, I do not foresee this being a problem at all, regardless of what carrier you fly. After all, if your checked luggage should be lost, or if you were to have a reaction on board the a/c-it could become a life or death issue for you, and of course, the airlines would be liable for any medical problems that would arise if they ever were to say you could not carry insulin on board -I know this is not the case. Insulin w/needles are a medical necessity, and must be brought on board with you-end of story.

TopMan

CHECK with the airline you are using...you already KNOW how to handle needles and insulin. What you DON'T know is your airline's policy on this important matter.

Cicerone

I travel with migraine medication that is administered via a syringe. My experience in both Europe (where I live) and the US is that the flight attendants will take the syringes and keep them for the flight. If you need an injection during the flight, you let them know.

This has never been a problem. I let security know when they are screening the bags and it is at that point that the syringes are taken from me and handed to a flight attendant.

Cicerone

I have to say I am a little concerned that you seem to have flown domestically and either the needles were not detected by security screeing, or you were permitted to keep them with you. How do security know that a vial of insulin actually contains insulin? It could be holding anything.

ira

>How do security know that a vial of insulin actually contains insulin? It could be holding anything.<

Hmmmmmm.

HEADLINE:
Terrorists Hijack Airplane. Hold passengers and crew hostage at needlepoint.

billbarr

Heed everthing Spygirl has advised.

I have been on insulin now for 40 years (from 5 years old) and in that time travelled many places in this wide world and always carried all my supplies in my hand luggage. Never put it in hold baggage as there have been some nightmare tales over the years of people being deprived of their insulin and equipment due to that luggage going astray.

I do carry a letter from my doctor and I make sure that all insulins, needles and test strips are in their original containers. Just before my hand luggage goes through the security screening at the airport I mention to the member of staff about my equipment and particularly the sharps. Once through the x-ray machine they always then take the bag, check out the equipment and give it back usually with a smile.

Only once have I been asked for my doctor's letter and that was when departing San Francisco to Heathrow.

If I can give you one piece of advice it is to be careful with airline food. Diabetic (and ordinary!) airline meals are sometimes low in carbs and you may not have enough to counter the effect of your insulin. Be careful and pack some extra carbohydrates in your hand luggage.

Have a great trip!

billbarr

One other thing perhaps I should have mentioned is that many aircraft carry a supply of Glucagon in case a passenger has a bad insulin reaction.

I wasnt aware of this until a member of the crew on British Caledonian flight from London to Los Angeles made a point of finding me (my first overseas flights and the first (and only) time I had ordered a diabetic meal) and let me know SHE would be the one administering it if it was needed!! Such kindness and care.

Dick

This is from the offcial TSA website(tsa.gov)

Print

Persons with Diabetes

Notify the screener that you have diabetes and are carrying your supplies with you. The following diabetes-related supplies and equipment are allowed through the checkpoint once they have been screened:
insulin and insulin loaded dispensing products (vials or box of individual vials, jet injectors, pens, infusers, and preloaded syringes);
unlimited number of unused syringes when accompanied by insulin or other injectable medication;
lancets, blood glucose meters, blood glucose meter test strips, alcohol swabs, meter-testing solutions;
insulin pump and insulin pump supplies (cleaning agents, batteries, plastic tubing, infusion kit, catheter, and needle);
Glucagon emergency kit;
Urine ketone test strips;
Unlimited number of used syringes when transported in Sharps disposal container or other similar hard-surface container.
Insulin in any form or dispenser must be clearly identified.
Notify screeners if you are wearing an insulin pump and explain that you cannot go through the METAL DETECTOR or be handwanded.
Advise the screener that the insulin pump cannot be removed because it is surgically implanted.
Insulin pumps and supplies must be accompanied by insulin with professionally printed labels identifying the medication or manufacturer's name or pharmacy label.
Advise screeners if you are experiencing low blood sugar and are in need of medical assistance.
You have the option of requesting that visual inspection of your insulin and diabetes associated supplies. See Medication section below for details.

kybourbon

I traveled to Italy last summer with a diabetic and she took the pre-loaded syringes. She didn't have any problems going through security or on flights.

It's good to know that some planes have Glucagon but I would carry my own if I thought I might need it and travel with someone that knows how to use it. Back in the 60's/70's my sister would have insulin reactions and the Glucagon came in 2 vials - a powder and a liquid that had to mixed but surely it's improved now and easier to use.

Cicerone

TSA regs willl not apply to flights within Europe.

Ira, its not the needles which bother me, its what they could be filled with, any kind of poison or other toxin. Could be used on passengers or crew.

Spygirl

That's BS, Cicerone. It doesn't matter whether it "bothers" you or not. Foreign carriers are just as used to diabetics carrying their insulin supplies as any other carrier, and like I said, the carriers would be 100 per cent liable if you had a reaction and did not have your supplies on board. You'll have no problem with foreign carriers, scrapping, just take a Dr. letter, and you'll be fine.

scrappingbarbie

thanks for all the info! I am calling my endocrinologist now for a letter.
Ira- you are too funny!

Subway_Scoundrel

It is no problem, but I would not point out to anyone that you are carrying anything while in the airport. If they say or see something, try to explain and move on. In the countries you are going, they have diabetics, but not in the number in the US. I got back from Italy in March and had no problems. I have been all over the US, Europe and Asia with few problems. I carry the ?stash? in my pocket, along with extra in my carry-on, and have let the syringe go through the detectors. I have traveled the world and the only times I have had issues was in China where they don't have a large amount of diabetics. The young guy kept looking at me and the bottle then someone else looked at the bottles and then someone said something in Mandarin and he said "OK". I felt like an international spy. I also had a problem on a Dragon Air flight in Taiwan to HK where they check you baggage at the gate. They told me to go take what I needed and they would keep little bag. I ran to the bathroom, shot up and then came back. Although they did not know I had another syringe with me in my pocket. You may want to talk to your airline, but you better have your ?stash? with you. I carry extra in a checked baggage but I carry a full compliment of drugs with me. You loose your insulin or syringes and you will spend your entire trip looking for these as some of these countries may require a prescription or don?t carry what you need. Always carry extra as I have the knack for loosing a bottle and I am always thankful I have several extras. One thing I do not do is allow the actual bottles to be x-rayed at the security check point. I pass it along like change or just keep in my pocket. It usually does not set off the metal detectors. I let the insulin go through my checked baggage without worry, even if it is x-rayed. Although it will be the death of me, I have been living with the disease for 31 years. May we find a cure so travelers in the future will not have this subject on the Fodors board.

billbarr

>but I would not point out to anyone that you are carrying anything while in the airport. If they say or see something, try to explain and move on<

It is a personal choice of course but I thankfully have never had a problem by delaring it to the staff about to x-ray my hand luggage. I have an aversion to raised eyebrows and prefer to let them know in advance that syringes and needles are inside my bag.

Novo Nordisk issued a statement some time ago advising that following extensive tests, their insulins were safe to have x-rayed by airport security equipment. On the other hand, Eli Lilley advised that they felt their insulins would be 'safer' if hand checked rather than x-rayed. I use Novo so have no problem letting it pass though the machines.

scrappingbarbie

Okay, i never thought about the insulin being x-rayed and the issues that go along with it. Is it not safe- after it gets screened?? I use Eli lilly.
wowza

billbarr

Lilli had issued a statement to say that under normal conditions, insulin is stable when passing through X-ray machines encountered at airport terminals during travel.

They said however that if the insulin remains in the path of the X-ray irradiation for longer then normal or if a vial were to be repeatedly exposed under normal conditions, the stability may be impaired. They then recommened that their insulin should not be exposed to X-rays during travel and be inspected manually as needed. Maybe they were just erring on the side of caution as their words seem to contradict thenselves a little.

More importantly though, it is what YOU are comfortable with. Ask for a manual inspection if in any doubt.

walkinaround

quote>>>

My experience in both Europe (where I live) and the US is that the flight attendants will take the syringes and keep them for the flight. If you need an injection during the flight, you let them know.

This has never been a problem. I let security know when they are screening the bags and it is at that point that the syringes are taken from me and handed to a flight attendant.
<<<

This "advice" is unrealistic.

First, it's not "IF" you need an injection during the flight, for me it's "WHEN" i need an injection during the flight. and that "when" is when i eat my meal. There's no way i'm going to ask "mommy" for my medication with every meal i eat on a plane-especially when they are busy serving the meal. i am on a plane 2-4 times per week and often travel with co-workers. do you understand how embarrassing and demeaning this is?

Second, I have never seen flight attendants waiting around the security checkpoint waiting for medication. There is no way i'm going to hand the medication that i need to live to a security guard and hope it gets on my flight.

i agree with subway...it's better not to point out your stash to security. After literally hundreds of flights carrying the following (all at once) test strips, tester, lancets, insulin pens, pen needles, regular syringes in my carry-on bags...only once has anything ever been discovered. he pulled out my tester looked at it and put it back without a word. i also kept my mouth shut. experienced travellers know that you don't volunteer anything. answer truthfully when asked but don't start blabbing away. my needles have never been discovered. sorry cicerone if the medicine i need to live makes you nervous. ANYTHING can be dangerous if maliciously filled with poison, explosives, etc.

i carry a copy of my perscription in case i ever need to explain.

i once had a naive relative fly out to visit and he volunteered that he was carrying an emergency injection device for a nut allergy. the airline went nuts (sorry) and made him fill out all kinds of forms (they were more concerned with the allergy than with the injection device. the staff weren't sure how to handle it and wouldn't let him board. finally it was sorted but he very nearly missed the flight.