Flying with Type 1

[tomrose]

Hi all,

I am flying with Ryanair from East Midlands in November. The airline offer pretty much no useful definitive advice on what I need to bring with me to allow me to bring my gear on the plane with me.

Rang the doctors and they said that a copy of my repeat prescription should be sufficient.

Can anyone share their experiences please? Is it likely to cause issues/ delays trying to get my diabetes bag on the plane with me? I’m not checking anything into the hold so will all have to come into the cabin with me.

Thanks in advance.

Tom

 

[kitedoc]

Hi @tomrose There are past threads on travel which would be worth searching for on this site.
Do you use insulin pens or an insulin pump?
Most of us I think like to take a doctor's letter stating that we are diabetic on insulin (and list other medications as well) and are required to take pens/needles/syringes, insulin in carry-on luggage with us.
(And more specific instructions for pumps such as the pump is to stay on the the person and NOT go through luggage scanners etc). Apparently some GPs charge for this letter but not specialists. I always ask for and keep a spare copy of this letter in case some officious official will not return the one I show them.
If you look at the pamphlet that comes with your insulin you will se that insulin can be kept outside the fridge for 28 days as long as it is not frozen or exposed to temperatures over 30 degrees C. This becomes relevant if you are travelling away from home for more than 28 days.
Carrying a medical bracelet/necklace or other ID is also worth thinking about.
Please [post more questions if you cannot find the threads or need more answers and most importantly enjoy your holiday.

 

[Deleted Account]

I have flown many times with a RyanAir (and many other airlines) since being diagnosed with diabetes.
In my experience, the airline has no interest in whether you have diabetes.
Airport security may be interested ... although rarely.
Personally, I do not mention my diabetes to anyone (it is not their business) unless they ask a specific question such as "do you have any sharp items in your luggage?"
(I enjoy answering this one with a "Yes" and a long gap as they start to panic before adding "I have diabetes".)

There is a great page on this website with instructions for travelling: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/travel/air-travel-and-insulin.html

Regarding taking a repeat prescription, I have a letter from my diabetes consultant which lives with my passport and comes with me on every flight.
In 15 years and well over a hundred flights, I have only needed to show this once but, without it, I would not have been able to fly. So I consider it a type of insurance.
This is more than a repeat prescription as it states that I must have the medication in my hand luggage and mentions the possibility of "death" if I do not.
I know others just take their repeat prescription and have no issues ... or even need to show it. So the choice is yours.

You mention having a "diabetes bag". Is this in addition to your single piece of hand luggage that RyanAir allow?
I know some travel with a "medical bag" but I am a "once bag only" kinda gal so have no experience with convincing the "hand luggage police" to allow me to take extra. If you can get your diabetes stuff in your main bag, this may be easier.

Unless you have a pump, you should not experience delays or issues.
(And airports are getting more familiar with pumps so the delays are becoming less prevalent).

If you are going on holiday, have a great time.
If you are going on a business trip, I hope the meeting goes well.
If you are visiting family, I hope they are all well.

 

[SueJB]

@tomrose I've not had any problems. I was once asked to take my insulin pens out of my hand luggage.... she said it was liquid!
@helensaramay I like the sharps in your bag question too

 

[kitedoc]

@helensaramay, your answer raises another issue and that is, what to do with used sharps. With my pump consumables, I stow any used during the flight in a plastic container (actually a used test strips container). This is a bit awkward as I cannot take scissors and ? small pliers in the hand luggage (these items I use to cut tubing and extract the 'needle' from the needle insert spring device) and then, whilst on the ground travelling sharps go into a recognisable yellow sharps container (the smallest I can purchase before travelling) and that stays in the cargo luggage bag.

 

[Deleted Account]

your answer raises another issue and that is, what to do with used sharps.

Like as much as possible in my life, I try to keep things simple with my sharps.
I pick up a small water bottle at the airport and put my sharps into the bottle during my trip (after I have drunk the water!).
In my injection days, I could fit two weeks' of sharps into a 30ml bottle so it does not have to be very large ... or an official yellow sharps box that you have to find/purchase for the trip.
When I get home, I decant my water bottle into my yellow box.
I used to put this bottle into the hold luggage on the way home. I guess if @tomrose only has hand luggage, he will not have this option. But, if security query the bottle on the way home, it will become their problem to dispose of ... it's not as if he will need the used needles and lancets again.

 

[tomrose]

Thanks for all your replies, they are really helpful. I am still quite recently diagnosed and I have my first post-diagnosis appointment with my consultant tomorrow so I will ask him if he could provide a letter.
In regards to my 'bag', I have a small satchel that I usually stick all my bits in that I was planning on taking and putting inside a rucksack. I will probably take it out for security, a bit like you would with any toiletries I guess.
As Ryanair how now changed their baggage policy (again!) we have gone with priority boarding so I can take a roll along and a small rucksack on board with me so putting it in the hold isn't an option.
I'm sure everything will be fine, it's just a worry for the first time.........

 

[SamJB]

I've flows dozens of times since being diagnosed 15 years ago. I had a letter done at the time and have never had anyone ask to see it. Occasionally security have flagged up the liquids in my insulin pens, but I tell them I'm diabetic and they let me through. They must get so many diabetics.

 

[Jaylee]

Hi,

Totally agree with @helensaramay 's post.

I've flown for years both for pleasure & "business." (Was in a band.) security have seen it all! I've never been "flagged up" for my D stuff in the hand luggage. (Lol, to date.)

Have a great trip!

 

[LooperCat]

When I was on injections, I used to carry a needle clipper, so I’d clip the needle tips and dispose of them in the usual rubbish, as advised by my care team. I’ve yet to travel with my Omnipod...

 

[Daibell]

Hi. I agree with the content of the posts so far. You may want to take any tablet and insulin packaging with you if going to a range of countries just in case you need to prove what any meds actually are. It has never been a problem but just in case. I have never had my hand baggage diabetes stuff queried.