Airport Security. Can I keep pens in the box?

[miahara]

I know about the plastic bag and liquids rule and I have a letter from my DSN regarding carrying insulin etc. Do I have to remove my pens from their box when I place them in the bag?

 

[DCUKMod]

I know about the plastic bag and liquids rule and I have a letter from my DSN regarding carrying insulin etc. Do I have to remove my pens from their box when I place them in the bag?

I have no idea. I'll tag @urbanracer and @Antje77 , who seem to be online, and insulin users, to see if they have a view.

 

[urbanracer]

Mine have always been in a Frio wallet when travelling. Have never been asked to take them out.

In fact even though I proffer my diabetes kit in a vain attempt to get noticed they seldom show any interest whatsoever!

 

[Antje77]

Thanks for the tag, @DCUKMod , and sorry I can't help you, @miahara . Last time I was in an airplane was some 30 years ago, long before diabetes, so no first hand experience.

 

[Scott-C]

Hi, @miahara , airport staff are used to seeing diabetes kit, they won't bat an eyelid if you leave them in the box.

 

[miahara]

Many thanks all who have replied. Much appreciated!

 

[Seacrow]

You probably want to check the airline's website for their policy, and print a copy for security guards.

It's about ten years ago now, but I still clearly remember flying out to Chicago, when they demanded all prescription medicine be in its original packaging, and flying back, when they demanded all fluids be without extra packaging and in the fluids bag.

 

[Deleted Account]

@Seacrow i am a frequent flyer and never come across an airline who cares (or who I bother mentioning) about diabetes medication. In my experience, only airport security may pay any attention to insulin pens ... and the only time they were questioned was when insulin pens were metal.
@miahara I assume you have non-refillable pens. I always use cartridge, refillable pens and never bothered putting the pens or cartridges in clear bags.
I only carried original packaging when security was enhanced (within a month of the “shoe bomber”). Every other flight (over 100 flights), there has been no need for original boxes so, to reduce space in my hand luggage I remove my insulin and pens from their boxes.
Once I was pulled over for my insulin vial (I now use a pump but always travel with pens as back up) not being in clear plastic bag I was told i could carry additional plastic bag for medication and security provided additional plastic bag. I have never been asked to place pens in plastic bag even though they contained insulin cartridge.

 

[Seacrow]

@Seacrow i am a frequent flyer and never come across an airline who cares (or who I bother mentioning) about diabetes medication. In my experience, only airport security may pay any attention to insulin pens ... and the only time they were questioned was when insulin pens were metal.

I was using vials, and they'd already picked up on the syringes as dangerous sharp items that they wanted to take off me but weren't allowed to. My docs prescription letter included the insulin, but also the syringes, lancets and bg test machine as items I must be allowed to keep with me. Security was not happy, possibly resulting in the letter-of-the-rules approach. TBF it wasn't long after the bombing of Manchester, and I was flying from Manchester airport.

 

[mentat]

If you come to Australia, don't volunteer anything. They will hassle you and pretend they've never seen someone with a medical condition before. (I swear they are trained to do this.)

I stopped volunteering things years ago and have made maybe 20 trips and I've never gotten pulled up. If you get pulled up, stay calm and polite and tell them where your letter is.

 

[annliggins]

I keep my insulin in frio pouches .....at manchester they insist every time i take the insulin out and put them in plastic bags ....they also on occasion have insisted i take the gel inserts out and put them in bags ! Returning airports have diffeant ideas but i just do it like i do leaving manchester....the staff are always nice about it and helpful too !

 

[Deleted Account]

I keep my insulin in frio pouches .....at manchester they insist every time i take the insulin out and put them in plastic bags ....they also on occasion have insisted i take the gel inserts out and put them in bags ! Returning airports have diffeant ideas but i just do it like i do leaving manchester....the staff are always nice about it and helpful too !

I never “charge” my Frio bags until I arrive at my destination as there is some nervousness amongst airport security for gels. They have not paid any attention to the crystals.

I agree fully with your approach to do as you are asked with regard to clear plastic bags . And don’t make a fuss ... or draw attention to yourself.

 

[cireland]

I just came back from holiday, first time going away since I have been on Insulin and using a Dexcom G6. They didn't care about my frio bags, but they hand searched me massively as I didn't go through the scanner due to the G6 on me. I would say it was bloody excessive considering I had a letter from the hospital explaining everything I was being searched for about 5 mins, then I had to go through my shoes getting swabbed and my sensor on my arm getting swabbed and they then swabbed my mouth, really peed me off! This was at Stanstead. Coming back from Spain I had no issue whatsoever.

 

[jamesfitz]

Manchester airport forced me to take the pens out the frio wallet when i went through security

 

[miahara]

We're facing 35C temperature when we land and about a three hour wait to reach our final destination and fridge so I want to keep my insulin chilled in transit so will put it in the Frio bag and if asked to remove it will just have to do so.

 

[sweetbloodsher]

Pens, not always in the box; but vials, always in the box.

 

[Deleted Account]

Pens, not always in the box; but vials, always in the box.

Why?
I travel with vials and cartridges out of the box.

 

[becca59]

Put everything in a big bag. Hospital letter on the tray with it. Never been looked at and never been challenged. Here or abroad.

 

[annliggins]

I guess its all down to whether the guys and gals at the airports are having a good or bad day !! just take your turn, have the bags ready and some patience.... ive learnt to have that in buckets

 

[JaneC]

I find it a problem when my insulin, blood checking meter, back up kit goes through x Ray with iPad, phone and hand baggage in 2 trays, I get full search due to Omnipod pump and Libre being picked up, my PDM is taken 100m away to be swabbed and locating all my life dependant kit amongst so many people sends me into panic mode. This only happens at London airports on the way out and after several bad experiences am now incredibly anxious with high sugars. It’s only been the last few years that it’s got so bad, I loathe it!