Perscription pills through security in the US.
 

We're leaving for our twice annual trip to Europe this week. Last year there was a thread about taking perscription medications through security. The TSA reguations did not differentiate between pills and liquids. It said that perscriptions had to have the pharmacy label, etc.

I'm up to 5 large perscription bottles now - not much room left in the zip-lock for anything else. I would like to put all my pills in one smaller non-perscription labeled plastic container.

Does anyone have any experience with either someone inspecting the perscription pills in an un-labeled container, and either saying it's a "no-no" or saying it's OK & passing them through?

Stu Dudley

I have had no trouble with tablets or capsules of solids. The liquids and gels are problem. TSA is a little inconsistent on how the rules are enforced. But, I cannot afford to be without my blood pressure medicine and a couple of others.
So I carry them in the original prescription container.

Good morning Stu, I remember reading that a Fodorite had their Pharmacy prepare prescription labels for their small travel size containers. So assuming you do have a local Pharmacist (versus getting your medications through a mail service) I would talk to them. Best wishes for another wonderful trip!

TSA should not be concerned with pills. I carry mine in a "pillminder" instead of separate bottles, but carry the prescription labels just in case. I have never been asked to show them.

I get my pills through mail orders.

Stu Dudley

I get my medication through the mail as well and fill the weekly plastic containers for travel. I've never had a problem in the past.

We flew into Rome 5/11 and eventually from Milan to Paris and home from Paris. At CDG I was selected for the more thorough search....even then, the screener barely looked at the pill containers. She was much more interested in testing my bag and hands for explosive residue.

Pills are not a problem, as long as you are not carrying them in 500-count containers.

Sorry, hit post too soon. I wanted to add that no one at Dulles even looked in my carry on bag after xraying it.

We put some of our pills in zip lock bags and have never had a problem.

quoted from the TSA website which definitely <u>does</u> differentiate between pills and liquids:

&gt;&gt;Non-liquid or gel medications of all kinds such as solid pills, or inhalers are allowed through the security checkpoint once they have been screened. We recommend, but do not require, that your medications be labeled to assist with the screening process.

We normally X-ray medication and related supplies. However, as a customer service, you may ask that Security Officers visually inspect your medication and associated supplies.

You must ask for visual inspection before the screening process begins; otherwise your medications and supplies will be X-rayed.

If you would like to take advantage of this option, please have your medication and associated supplies separated from your other property in a separate pouch/bag when you approach the Security Officer at the walk-through metal detector.

Ask the Security Officer to visually inspect your medication and hand your medication pouch/bag to him or her.
To prevent your medication, associated supplies or fragile medical materials for contamination or damage, we will ask you to display, handle, and repack your own medication and associated supplies during visual inspection. Any medication and/or associated supplies that we can’t clear visually will be X-rayed. If you refuse, you will not be permitted to carry your medications and related supplies into the sterile area.&lt;&lt;


http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1059.shtm

Note it also says they recommend but don't require labels (but why one wouldn't have labels - just in case - is beyond me)

What I've taken to doing is carefully peeling the label off my prescription bottles (like you, I get mail order) and sticking the label onto a plastic baggie in which I place the pills. I was inspected on this once by TSA (in Seattle) and it was not a problem. But the pills don't need to be in your zip-lock baggie, you can just leave them in your carry-on.

Thanks everyone - especially janisj who looked up the current regulations. Looks like they either modified or clerified the rules since I traveled last Sept.

My one travel container is MUCH smaller than the original five large pill containers I got through the mail from the pharmacy. That's why I'm not taking all 5 original containers with the labels, janisj. The labels don't peel off of the containers. I suppose I could dump all five of the different pills into one labeled &quot;original&quot; container, but I don't know what that would accomplish. If I interpret the TSA regulations properly, it sounds like my &quot;one unlabeled container&quot; plan would be fine.

Thanks
Stu Dudley

I certainly don't understand the point of a labeled container, since you can put any kind of pill or drug into any other container.

My parents each take 5-6 types of pills, and they travel out of the US 4-5 times a year with enough medication for a month or more.

I'll tell you that they never carry all the original bottles (or that will take up their whole carryons), and they never have any problem before and after 9/11.

Your pills will not be considered one of your liquids or gels - no prob there. Where the issue could begin is if for some reason you are the winner of a random bag check or some focused check. Then there might be questions about the pills, etc. I've never needed it, but always travel with the original pill labels just in case.

FYI - about 10% of the time, a screener informs me that an inhaler needs to be treated like a liquid during the screening process. The other 90% of the time, I forget it in my bag and nothing is ever made of it.