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Air travel

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Rusty_Sweetbread

Active Member
Messages
29
Location
New Zealand
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
In order to carry my insulin pens in my hand luggage, the airline has asked for 'documentation' that I need them.

Is this the normal state of affairs?
 
Hello, it shouldn’t be the case but I know majority of type 1s carry letters from their doctors or diabetes team stating he or she has type 1 diabetes and requires insulin. I use to travel to Europe and I have been able to get through security without any problems and this was without documentation. But my trip to America was a bit more problematic despite documentation.
 
MeiChanski said:
Hello, it shouldn’t be the case but I know majority of type 1s carry letters from their doctors or diabetes team stating he or she has type 1 diabetes and requires insulin. I use to travel to Europe and I have been able to get through security without any problems and this was without documentation. But my trip to America was a bit more problematic despite documentation.
Click to expand...

Thanks, MeiChanski.
Sorry, threads crossed.
Yes, it shouldn't be the case, and I'm glad to hear that UK-EU travel goes smoothly.
My airline classifies insulin pens as 'hypodermic needles', and so they're a bit antsier about things.
Cheers - Rusty
 
Oh, I know who they are .... one of the world's worst
 
Rusty_Sweetbread said:
In order to carry my insulin pens in my hand luggage, the airline has asked for 'documentation' that I need them.

Is this the normal state of affairs?
Click to expand...

I'm not T1 or insulin dependent, but I do believe a lot of folks just carry a copy of their prescription with them.

In UK, a Doctor can charge for providing such letters, but most hospital clinics do the free of charge, using a golrified template letter.
 
Rusty_Sweetbread said:
In order to carry my insulin pens in my hand luggage, the airline has asked for 'documentation' that I need them.

Is this the normal state of affairs?
Click to expand...


Not sure where you got your info from but I think that most airlines (and airports) have these rules buried in the small print of the T's and C's even though it's rarely put into practice. I travel a fair bit for work and pleasure and I have such a letter but have never been asked to produce it at the airport either by an airline or by security staff.

As a newbie I went on holiday 2 weeks after first diagnosis and I remember offering up my 'kit' for inspection only to be dismayed that they weren't in any way interested!

I think it harks back to days when syringe needles were massive and could have perhaps conceivably been used as a weapon - but that's just an assumption on my part.

If you do get a letter from somewhere, then make sure that it's undated and thus can be reused as desired in the future.
 
urbanracer said:
Not sure where you got your info from but I think that most airlines (and airports) have these rules buried in the small print of the T's and C's even though it's rarely put into practice. I travel a fair bit for work and pleasure and I have such a letter but have never been asked to produce it at the airport either by an airline or by security staff.

As a newbie I went on holiday 2 weeks after first diagnosis and I remember offering up my 'kit' for inspection only to be dismayed that they weren't in any way interested!

I think it harks back to days when syringe needles were massive and could have perhaps conceivably been used as a weapon - but that's just an assumption on my part.

If you do get a letter from somewhere, then make sure that it's undated and thus can be reused as desired in the future.
Click to expand...

Good idea about having a letter undated.

This is what alerted me: https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/help/articles/travelling-with-medication ,

and then I messaged them on FB and they said: "You just need to present an identification to confirm your medical condition and you should be good to go"

Even just a piece of hospital paperwork seems to be enough, they say . . .
 
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