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Airport security - 6 month insulin supply

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phasee

Newbie
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Hello,

I am leaving for Canada soon, i'm type 1 diabetic and I am taking a 6 month supply of insulin wit h me through security. Does anyone else have experience with doing this? There is no way the amount of pens I have are going to fit in the clear bag. I am flying from Glasgow airport and they only allow a max clear bag size of 20cm x 20cm. Should I call the airport and let them know I will be travelling with this, panicking a bit.

Any help or advice is appreciated. Thanks.
 
Yes but whatever you do don't make any funny comments they normally have very little sense of humour and you'll end up missing your flight.
 
This is for Heathrow, but Glasgow is a BAA airport too.

http://www.heathrowairport.com/heathrow ... #Medicines

Medicines
What quantities of liquid medication can I take with me?

Passengers are allowed to take essential medicines sufficient for the trip. Amounts under 100ml should be placed in a transparent, resealable plastic bag with other liquids.

For amounts over 100ml, prior approval from the airline and departure airport, and supporting documentation from a relevant qualified medical professional (eg a letter from your doctor or prescription), are required.

All liquids should be presented at security for X-ray inspection. You may be asked to verify the liquid by tasting.
I carry insulin and hypodermic needles. Is this allowed?

Yes, you are allowed to carry both insulin and needles.
I am concerned about the temperature of my medicine in the hold.

Aircraft hold areas have different temperatures. Please speak to your airline to ensure your medication can be stored correctly.
Click to expand...
 
borofergie said:
Aircraft hold areas have different temperatures. Please speak to your airline to ensure your medication can be stored correctly.
Click to expand...

I would not trust an airline to place my insulin in a 'warm' place in the hold :shock: They are notorious for not giving 'one'! The advice I have always been told (when I was on insulin) was always keep insulin in your hand luggage.

There was a country singer song writer a few years ago who had a guitar broken after seeing luggage handlers throwing it around and got know where when he tried to complain, so he wrote a song about it whacked it on Youtube and it went viral causing United Airlines no end of bad publicity :thumbup:

Video worth a watch even if you dont like country music - very funny http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo
It is reputed that this song cost United Airlines $150 million :lol:
 
Sid Bonkers said:
I would not trust an airline to place my insulin in a 'warm' place in the hold :shock: They are notorious for not giving 'one'! The advice I have always been told (when I was on insulin) was always keep insulin in your hand luggage.
Click to expand...

Yeah me neither. As a (very) regular traveller, I'm all too aware of the chance of your luggage going missing, which is probably the biggest risk. Keep it where you can see it...
 
Sid Bonkers said:
The advice I have always been told (when I was on insulin) was always keep insulin in your hand luggage.
Click to expand...


That's right and it's best to split your supplies between your own bag and your travelling partner (if possible) in the event one is lost or stolen. Any doubts Phasee then ring the airport/airline and discuss your concerns.
 
I've had absolutely no problems flying with diabetic supplies. I have a letter from the doctor and prescriptions but have never been asked to show them. I pack most things such as meter, insulin, pens, lancets in several ziplock bag, take them out of my hand luggage. and put them in the trays. It makes it obvious what it is.(pump supplies have to stay in their boxes as they are too bulky to put in bags) Last time I had 5 30ml insulin vials and two packs of pens as I didn't know how long I'd be in the UK, there was no problem (but it was a tiny French airport manned by humans!) The biggest problem for me is with all the supplies + my laptop there's hardly room for anything else in my hand luggage :(
My worst fear was the first time I flew with a pump, I was scared stiff that someone might think that I was some sort of suicide bomber with a device strapped to them!
 
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