airports/aeroplanes and Type 1's.....

I flew to America in 2002 (not too long after 9/11 attacks). At that time airport security were searching your suitcase as well as your hand luggage. American Airlines security told me that so long as I had something stating that I was a diabetic then I would be fine. I carry a medical alert card with me in my purse and they were happy with this.

Up until a couple of years ago I was a very frequent flyer with my job and I have never been questioned about my diabetic kit. I was told by airport security (I worked out of Glasgow & Edinburgh airports) that diabetic kits don't show up on their scanners as something they would class as suspicious..if that makes sense. What they scan for is metal (guns), liquids and obviously anything that could be linked to drugs.

Your GP should be able to issue you with a covering letter - which if you are stopped - should satisfy security. From memory this is what I had when I was a young traveller.

Jenni

Hi, We have a letter from our local childrens hospital which also states that owing to their condition they should also not have to queue in case of hypo's. May be worth getting them to draft this in as well so you can avoid standing around for ages. You can also use this at things like theme parks. Leggott

Hi, sorry forgot say that you shouldn't put insulin in your suitcases in case it freezes. We also use those frio bags to put the pens in which keep them cool if you are going somewhere hot. Leggott

Hi, I've been a regular flyer for years and have never, ever been stopped for carrying any of my 'gear' - even after 9 11 when they brought the whole plastic bag policy in, I strolled through with insulin and glocogel, my bag was (and always is!) hand checked and not one question was asked and I wasn't asked for a letter. Makes you wonder sometimes :? I guess they know what they are looking for

leggott said:

Hi, We have a letter from our local childrens hospital which also states that owing to their condition they should also not have to queue in case of hypo's. May be worth getting them to draft this in as well so you can avoid standing around for ages. You can also use this at things like theme parks. Leggott

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Don't understand why queueing would give you a hypo more than any other activity? It seems a bit unfair to jump queues just because your child is diabetic.

I always carry an explanatory letter from the hospital, but I've never had to produce it. I carry my entire medical kit in my hand baggage, which includes all manner of sharp stabbing objects. Just one mention of the word diabetes and I am waved through without so much as even a pat down.

Airport security remains abysmal in my opinion, particularly in the US. But of course the checks - such as they are - are carried out when you are departing, so I suppose they don't really care (feeling a bit cynical today!).

Hi, It seems to be a standard letter given by my kids Doctor, all the other kids in the area have one, so I wasn't going to turn it down! I've got a 5 & 7 year old who are both type 1, not to mention my husband who also has it, so any offers of making our lives a little easier I will grab with both hands! Leggott

We travel on planes very regulary - always carry everything in our hand luggage, along with a letter from the hospital and a copy of the prescription. Just after 9/11 we flew to new york. Even though everyone on the plane was body searched, shoes removed etc - the contents of our diabetic kit was not examined - which I found very odd! The only problem we have ever had was once when we were flying back from america via virgin atlantic.

We were called back to check in and the staff insisted that the airport doctor speak to my son on the phone to make sure he was 'fit to fly'. This was ridiculous, the gp letter says that he is 'fit to fly' and it is incomprehensible that a doctor over the phone could form an opinion. I sent a letter of complaint to virgin when I returned, and received a letter of apology. But apart from that we havent had any problems. We flew very recently, just after the incident on the aircraft where the terrorist injected into his leg. My son usually injects in his leg - and did so on the plane with no problems.

I too have always carried a letter but never needed to show it. Wouldn't risk travelling without one though! My last one specified that I needed to test and inject during the flight (to reinforce that the stuff needed to be with me, not in the hold). Always take at least twice what you expect to need. Never put any of it in stowed baggage in case it gets lost. Spares could be divided up so family members each carry some in your hand luggage on your son's behalf, to avoid your son being weighed down with supplies and no room for anything else.

Make sure your travel insurance company know about his T1.