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Flying

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baz2107

Active Member
Messages
32
Type of diabetes
Type 1
I am going to Portugal with mates in July and Croatia with family in August. Both times I am flying with Monarch, they have said I am ok to carry insulin and needles as long as I have a letter from the doctor confirming this (dated no more than 14 days before travel) or I can use a repeat prescription.

To be honest I would have preferred a letter rather than the prescription, I asked my doctors surgery about this today and they said it can be done but there would be a £10-£15 charge, as it can't be more than 14 days before flight I would need to do this on each trip.

Has anyone got any experience of flying with repeat prescription as proof to be able to carry the medication, as I would rather not have to fork out £10-£15 each flight, this will be my first flight since diagnosis, and I want to carry all my medication in hand luggage 1) because I am only taking hand luggage to Portugal and 2) would be stuffed if they lost my case on way to Croatia

thanks
 
I am fortunate in that my doctor doesn't charge for a letter. I only have a generic one which I take all the time so mine is not dated within 14 days. I haven't flown with Monarch for years though. I have flown many times and I have never been asked to show letter yet. I guess the day I don't bring it is the day I'll be asked to show it though ! Security are also fine with insulin, needles etc and I've never been questioned there either. If Monarch are happy with repeat prescription, go with that as it's free :-)
 
I have never been asked for written proof in probably 50 flights on all sorts of airlines, both cheap and posh, UK and not. A prescription should be fine. Airlines and airports understand diabetics need to carry stuff on board.

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Hi Baz,

You should be able to get a letter free of charge from your diabetes team at hospital.
Never heard the rule about dated within last 14 days I think they were probably reading from a script.

In any case I have been flying all over the place since diagnosis, South Africa, Portugal, Spain, USA, Netherlands, Germany, France... bunch of other places I vaguely remember. Anyway.. it is not the airline that cares as such it is the airport security.
If you can get a letter from your diabetes team then that is good just in case, though they have never asked to see mine. I do still carry it though.
Insulin and ALL supplies ALWAYS goes in hand luggage. Under NO circumstances should you let them put it in the hold.
When you stick your hand luggage on the scanner just tell them you are diabetic and there are sharps in the bag.
Also if you get stopped by customs or security tell them you have used sharps due to diabetes.

Don't forget to take extra of everything just in case of problems and be sure you have a hypo remedy on your person while flying, hence why I use Lucozade sweets... gets around the liquids rules.

Happy travels
 
I've not been asked for any paperwork so far and with modern pens none of the stuff is dangerous in airline terms. I always carry a generic GP letter and my repeat prescription in case.
 
I have travelled and lived all around the world and have never really had a problem. A few people have had to ask supervisors if I am allowed on a plane but that is the worst situation. Just take a repeat prescription and you will be fine. I do agree though that take twice as much as you will need and give half to someone you are travelling with in case of loss or theft.
 
I've never once needed medical proof regarding my needles and insulin so you should be ok. I'm guessing as long as the prescription is in your name it should be ok?!


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baz2107 said:
To be honest I would have preferred a letter rather than the prescription, I asked my doctors surgery about this today and they said it can be done but there would be a £10-£15 charge, as it can't be more than 14 days before flight I would need to do this on each trip.
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I think your surgery is trying to rob you blind, never heard such nonsense that you need a new letter each time. I've not flown for some time but I've kept my letter that I got of the Dr 25+years ago, it isn't if your diabetes is going to go away and come back again so why the need for a new letter for each trip :)

Rather than hand your money over to them ask your diabetes consultant or DSN to draft you a letter up, my bet is they won't charge you. The repeat prescription slip I would take along too, if your insulin supplies go missing you can always hand this over to a local Dr or pharmacy to requset new supplies.
 
Ages and ages a go I had a little typed letter from a GP...I have never ever needed to show it to anyone, even when the guards discover my blood test kits and that stuff it has never ever worried anyone and I haven't had any questions about it and I've flown several times. I was given some insulin passport cards to carry by my GP as a freebie and more as an information card for a foreign doctor should I need to get more insulin - these were all free and I agree you shouldn't be charged for a letter. Always take your diabetes stuff in hand luggage - it is just not worth the risk of being in the hold even if it can go in the hold which insulin can't. Always take extras just in case and have a lovely time :D
 
Actually I think they receptionist you spoke to was just thinking "general Dr's letter" which I think most practices do charge for.
For something specific like this there should be no charge.

When you check in the checkin staff do not need to know, tell security when you go through but otherwise you should have no problems.
If you do, ask for a supervisor.. but as I said previously I have flown multiple times and have never been asked for the letter
 
Thanks for all advice, I will see if the diabetes team at the hospital can do me a generic letter when I am there at start of June, and will just take a repeat prescription in case required
 
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