Airport security

[tortoise*123]

I travelled recently with my wife from Birmingham airport to Reus in Spain, now although I have been long term diabetic type 2 for some time its only been this year that I have started using the pen type insulin.
After reading up on the internet about travelling with syringes in my hand luggage I got a letter from my doctor and made sure everything was in order even a signed copy of my prescription for all my drugs.
On reaching security at the airport I told them that I was diabetic and carrying syringes he said "They aren't six inches long are they ah ah ", and just passed me through but my wife who was carrying a small bottle of juice, to quench my thirst whilst we waited, had this taken from her saying that this is not allowed through. Now is this really because of the security threat or is it because they dont sell syringes in the passenger lounge but they do sell juice at over two pounds a bottle.
We will be making the same trip again next year but I wont be renewing my letter I shall keep the same one and if anyone asks I will just refer them to no one bothering this year.

 

[spideog]

Have never needed to use any letters from doctors about the needles/ pump/ insulin or other gubbins that I carry on planes with me. The security people know what it is and just wave your through after a pat down and quick rummage through the bag, they usually don't actually spot the needles in my bag unless I point them out.

As for them taking the juice off your wife, that is just part of the security theater that is designed to make us "feel" safe without actually doing anything to improve the safety on flights:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_theater

 

[jodysd6]

I got really annoyed at heathrow a couple of years ago, they had no problem with the diabetes items but took away the juice box I was carrying for lows, however I had travelled from Boston and was getting a connecting flight and Logan hadn't had a problem with me carrying the juice, and the fact that the queue was so long at security, they then took it away and we had to run to the gate and lo and behold I knew I was going low as we were sat on the bus out to the plane (had a baby and a toddler in tow) so I managed to get onto the plane and managed to get some juice from a flight attendant while digging through bags looking for the glucose tabs that I was carrying as well but which don't work fast for me. I was really annoyed and wished I had complained more at the time.