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Airport security

A

AndreaAM

Newbie
I'm hoping someone can tell me they have been in this situation and it was not a problem.

I currently wear the freestyle libre 2 (by choice, it certainly helps with controlling my type 2).

I read on the civil aviation authority website that this cannot go through the full body scanner at the airport and that I should carry a doctor's letter to state I should be offered an alternative security check.
Alternatively I could take my Glucometer, lancets etc. which I should also have a letter for.

Here is my dilemma: 13 days until I fly to Paris from the UK.
Text from the GP today


Dear Mrs Blagg,
To request a Doctor's letter, you will need to write down exactly what you would like the Doctor to state along with Name and Date of Birth, please bring this to the Practice.

The fee for a letter is £25 with a wait time of 28 working days. If you would like an urgent letter it is £50, with a wait time of 5 working days.

Has anyone gone through security with CGM and not needed Dr Letter?

I am thinking of risking it and taking my prescription list with the Glucometer strips and lancets on it. But would much prefer CGM.

Thanks in advance.
 
I’m Type 1 but have worn a Libre and/or other types of CGM in my times of going through Airports.

I have never carried a doctors letter as of recently, when I was first using a pump I had one from my consultant but that has long since fallen apart.

Diabetes systems (pumps & cgm) are extremely common these days and I think airport security in most countries are very well aware of them, I just let them know at the point of security checks I can’t go through the scanners due to having a pump and cgm, they never request a letter they just take me off to the side to swab my pump/cgm and pat me down.
 
I've travelled many times. Never had a letter. I always say I have the sensor on, soem take me round the side, others through the scanner. Neither causes any problems, it stays working. I carry a spare boxed libre just in case but not needed it so far
My finger prick pack is always carried in my hand luggage and they've never commented or stopped me for it.

I have however been stopped for some very tiny scissors in a repair kit, and a hair brush that had metal core!!
 

Thanks for that. I fly tomorrow
 
Just to say I think you have a good chance of just a gentle patdown and don't need a letter. I seem to attract very invasive pat downs because of a hip replacement.
 
Hi,

I've travelled frequently with my Libre 2 attached and nobody has said a thing to me - Europe, USA and Dubai. I'd be inclined to take a copy of your prescription mind you as healthcare in other countries would fond that useful should something happen to you?

Good luck with the trip!
 
Thanks for the comments. All very helpful. I will indeed wear the libre and take finger prick kit in my handbag with a printed copy of my prescription.
Much appreciated
 
It seems to be airport dependent. I flew from Manchester to Spain twice last year and downloaded the CAA’s certificate to take with me:


I’m glad, because the first time through Manchester, security staff were very awkward and I had to insist on a pat down using the certificate. The second time was fine and the return from Spain was OK.

I had a GP letter too, but they didn’t look at it.

Ps if taking a spare sensor, don’t let that go through the hand luggage x-ray; that needs to be checked separately (it’s swabbed for explosive residues).
 
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