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Airports

SteveOsborne

SteveOsborne

Well-Known Member
Messages
45
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
So on my recent trip back to the UK to see my family, it was an emergency. I arrived to the UK with the most gratitude for the airport security in Vigo airport. On my return back to Spain I got absolutely roasted by the airport security at Bristol due to me taking a carton of juice just in case of a hypo through customs. I had to throw it away. Has anyone else had these problems?
 
I haven't experienced the same problem when travelling myself but I have watched a lot of Border Security episodes on TV. The lessons from them seem to be: declare anything you have that may break the rules, foods like juice that are in an unopened purchased package seem to be OK (depending on country), and if you have medical needs, carry a letter or other documentation you can show them if a problem comes up.

I now need to carry a hypo treatment so on my next overseas trip I will make sure it's in a form that is less likely to cause problems at the border, such as a pharmacy-only treatment as opposed to my own jellybabies in a plastic bag I packed myself. If I have to throw it away, then I wouldn't have a treatment on me, and that could be an issue.

So, in a small way, at least one person reliant on carrying a hypo treatment has benefited already from your unfortunate experience.

I hope you still had a treatment option on you... if not, maybe you should write to the border agency to formally complain, because they could be risking lives by doing this.

I imagine every border agency has medical advisors on staff, since medical intervention is sometimes needed in the course of border security work. Surely those advisors can see what an issue this could become for the agency.
 
SteveOsborne said:
So on my recent trip back to the UK to see my family, it was an emergency. I arrived to the UK with the most gratitude for the airport security in Vigo airport. On my return back to Spain I got absolutely roasted by the airport security at Bristol due to me taking a carton of juice just in case of a hypo through customs. I had to throw it away. Has anyone else had these problems?
Click to expand...

Yes no liquids through security at all- buy again in the shops other side of the barrier
 
My hypo treatments are solid so I don't have the liquid problem when flying.
I have experienced Bristol Airport security with regard to diabetes: they try to pressure me to take my pump through the x-ray machine despite this being against the manufacturer's advice.
 
I have successfully taken through a few bottles of Glucojuice in one of the clear bags they provide at multiple airports. Presumably as they are only 60ml each which is below the limit.
 
I said no way to going through the x-ray machine , but that wasn't the problem. Initially the people were fine it was until the head of security came over. I explained the carton of juice been with me since I left Spain for England and couldn't produce a doctor's note as it was a family emergency to see my dying grandmother.
 
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