Flight next week - anything I need to know?

[Stephenhenry]

Hi everyone, I don't post often on here but couldn't find a recent thread on this particular subject. I was diagnosed Type 1 this year, and next week I am flying from Manchester to Belfast and back, so this will be my first time flying since my diagnosis. I have a letter from my diabetes nurse, but just wondering on the basics of what I need to do. I get slightly nervous about flying at the best of times so don't want to get flustered at security.

Do you inform the security people straight away or wait until they ask (if they do)? Would you normally leave your insulin pens and needles, and glucose chews (or whatever) in your hand luggage, or is it best to bring it out in a transparent pouch like you would do with liquids etc? I would normally carry biscuits or snacks or something with me as well - is that okay just to bring them through security as well, or am I better just to buy snacks when I am through security?

I don't have a pump or anything, just a Libre sensor. And I've never had any previous conditions so I don't have any experience of taking medication through airport security.

Sorry if these are obvious questions. First time nerves I suppose!

 

[Robin]

Hi, and welcome to the forum. In no particular order…
I used to tell security, but I found they were never that interested, so I don’t now. I have my letter, but I've never been asked for it (others have, though).
I put my insulin pens into my clear plastic bag, because they are liquid, and the rule says..all liquids. My jelly babies stay in my bag, though.
The Libre sensor has never caused a problem. I once triggered off the archway and had to stand in the body scanner, and then be patted down, but it didn’t seem to be the sensor they were interested in, I think there was a bit of metal, (possible a broken needle or pin from manufacture) in the seam of my jeans.
I take any food snacks I might need in my hand luggage, then I don’t have to pay extortionate prices in the airport lounge (except if I want a coffee or something. I take an empty plastic bottle through and there’s usually a water station where you can fill it free of charge.)
Its always been very routine, and they seem to be familiar with diabetic kit. (I still get nervous around security though, but that’s just because I’m a pessimist who always assumes everything will go wrong!)

 

[helli]

Flying with diabetes is straightforward. I have done it hundreds of times - literally.

There is absolutely no need to tell security unless they ask.
Snacks can be carried in your bags. The only problem is liquids - you cannot carry fruit juice and lucozade through security if you use these for hypo treatment.
Keep everything in your hand luggage - I have never put my insulin pens in a clear plastic bag and never been asked to do so.
Take at least twice as much of everything than you think you will need. If you use reusable insulin pens, take spare pens, if your meter takes batteries, take spare batteries, ...
My other recommendation (which I have never seen in any online advice) is to ensure your hypo treatment is with you in your seat and not in the overhead locker. From personal experience I can tell you how difficult it is if you have a hypo when the seat belt sign is on and your hypo treatment is above you.

No need to apologise for asking.

 

[Inka]

I do tell Security and Check-in too (after all, I am carrying sharps). I take a doctor’s letter with me and my prescription. I put all my diabetes stuff together, and when I get to Security I tell them I have diabetes and am carrying insulin and sharps. I then give them the letter. I’ve never had any issues, although as I use a pump, I have been swabbed for that before (pump and hands) and had to wait while they checked that. It only took a few minutes.

So I’d allow a little extra time. I also like to get there early so it’s hopefully less stress getting through security. You don’t need to contact the airline in advance but do check their website though as some allow you to carry an extra medical bag in addition to your one hand luggage bag. I found this very useful.

Remember to keep all your insulin in your hand luggage and not in the hold. Take double the amount of insulin, strips, etc than you think you’ll need. Have a great flight 🙂

 

[Leadinglights]

Enjoy your trip.
A friend had her eyebrow tweezers which were in her handbag confiscated by security when we flew from East Midlands to Edinburgh a few years ago. I must admit we did laugh as the thought of them being a dangerous weapon was amusing.

 

[Dave W]

You'll have no problems. It's a good idea to keep your insulin pens together in a transparent bag for scanning - I use a Frio Wallet labelled with "Insulin," but that's mainly to keep insulin cool on long flights. I also carry carby snacks either on my person or in my cabin bag. I'm just back from Greece and had no problems flying either way.

 

[helli]

Take care putting insulin pens in sealed plastic bags for any period of time as it can get too hot. This is especially true if you are using Frio as the way it works is through evaporation.
As I mentioned above, in hundreds of flights, I have never pit my insulin on a plastic bag and it has never been pulled out by security. I think there is too little liquid in a pen to be of concern.

 

[mark king]

Hello @Stephenhenry I particularly if going away for 14 days or more would double every thing. I would split my insulin vials, pens, Dr's letter with a verification 'phone nos, a wrist band, snack tabs, finger prick meter & strips between hand luggage and main suitcase. As others have said I would have my hypo tabs on my person. I always made the "trolley dolly" aware that I was diabetic on Insulin and that I had medication in my hand luggage and about my person. I also had 2 copies on a single A4 page containing hypo assist information in both pieces of luggage written in English and language at destination.

After many flights mainly for Business but holidays too I never had any issues.


All this was before I got to wear pumps and Libre sensors.

Best

 

[mikeyB]

The only time any airport official even looked at my diabetes kit was in Uzbekistan, and I think that was just curiosity more than anything else. That was on an internal flight from Moscow in the good old days of the old Soviet Union.

 

[Stephenhenry]

Thanks everyone for the replies! Good advice and it's put my mind at rest a lot. I'm quite recently diagnosed so still in the "honeymoon period" of my condition (my doctor's words!) so unlikely to have a serious hypo or anything (touch wood). But a short trip like this will be good practice for getting organised for flights. We are booked to go to Thailand next year for two weeks so that will require more planning and organisation.