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Airports - hand luggage - does medication in separate bags need to be included in weight allowance?

E

ElenaP

Well-Known Member
Messages
538
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Would experienced travellers, please, enlighten me about seperate bags:

I remember seeing something about this a few years ago on the forums, but cannot find it now. I am going on a nine-day holiday, and am hoping to travel with hand luggage only. However, that will be possible only if insulin pump spares, insulin, insulin pens, BG meter and spare Dexcom sensors are not included in the weight for carry-on luggage.

I'll be going through Heathrow and flying with British Airways.
 
My experience of travelling with diabetes related 'paraphernalia' is that most Airports are perfectly okay with them in the carry-on baggage you typically take with you. The bonus (if you can call it that) is that you can decline the request to have bag(s) put in the hold as that will damage the insulin (it'll denature the insulin in a non-pressurised hold plus the temperatures will be very low). What you may want to be careful with is the size of the bag - that is much more likely to be something you will be picked up on, but after doing a recent intercontinental trip to the USA with United I took all my diabetes items (not a pump though) in a large camera bag (with cameras) which is just on the carry-on limit. They have never weighed it BUT people like RyanAir have been known to - just take items out and put them in your pockets to get below the weight limit, then put them back in the bag afterwards.....Yes; I know how bizarre that sounds but it is correct. The other alternative is to wear a 'photographers Gillet' jacket which has lots of pockets; you can put a lot of items in pockets!

Don't forget to also check if they allow a 'laptop bag' - you may be able to pack some items into one of those to give you more leeway. o be honest, looking at the size of some of the carry on bags I;ve seen, then i don't believe you will have a problem but, clearly, pack sensibly and check the airlines guidance etc. Have a good break!
 
Owenn01 said:
My experience of travelling with diabetes related 'paraphernalia' is that most Airports are perfectly okay with them in the carry-on baggage you typically take with you. The bonus (if you can call it that) is that you can decline the request to have bag(s) put in the hold as that will damage the insulin (it'll denature the insulin in a non-pressurised hold plus the temperatures will be very low). What you may want to be careful with is the size of the bag - that is much more likely to be something you will be picked up on, but after doing a recent intercontinental trip to the USA with United I took all my diabetes items (not a pump though) in a large camera bag (with cameras) which is just on the carry-on limit. They have never weighed it BUT people like RyanAir have been known to - just take items out and put them in your pockets to get below the weight limit, then put them back in the bag afterwards.....Yes; I know how bizarre that sounds but it is correct. The other alternative is to wear a 'photographers Gillet' jacket which has lots of pockets; you can put a lot of items in pockets!

Don't forget to also check if they allow a 'laptop bag' - you may be able to pack some items into one of those to give you more leeway. o be honest, looking at the size of some of the carry on bags I;ve seen, then i don't believe you will have a problem but, clearly, pack sensibly and check the airlines guidance etc. Have a good break!
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Thank you for these useful tips!
 
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