Insulin and air travel?

[trophywench]

We have a week in Lanzarote with family & extended family booked, but only deposit paid so far, balance due during August and I just don't know whether to cough up the balance or not.

I'm more than a tad confused about carting insulin through customs -daughter insists that it MUST be in a ziplock bag - ie not inside a Frio like it always has before when flying, that inside the hand luggage, which chugs happily through the X ray machine and that's that - but neither have we flown anywhere since 2009 so I'm not at all up to date, do the bags still have to be a precise size cos I remember they had to, so will the spare insulin cartridges in their own plastic and foil 'bubble' wrapping, and at least two Flexpens go in the same size bag, or what?

Something else says that the original dispensing labels must be on all medication, which is fine if you can take the box, but obviously you wouldn't put the thin card box in the Frio and get that all soggy - and the Flexpens are only singly prescribed and usually go out of date before I ever need to use one - these don't expre til 2021 - just Aaarrgghh. Plus anyone know where I can get a reasonably priced fridge thermometer since the rooms have fridges but wouldn't trust it until I'd made sure it maintained the right temp.

And Pete says Oh it'll be fine - stop stressing.

 

[Robin]

I'm more than a tad confused about carting insulin through customs -daughter insists that it MUST be in a ziplock bag - ie not inside a Frio like it always has before when flying, that inside the hand luggage, which chugs happily through the X ray machine and that's that - but neither have we flown anywhere since 2009 so I'm not at all up to date, do the bags still have to be a precise size cos I remember they had to, so will the spare insulin cartridges in their own plastic and foil 'bubble' wrapping, and at least two Flexpens go in the same size bag, or what?

Insulin has to go through security in a clear plastic bag (max size 8inches square not necessarily ziplock) because it’s a liquid. It can go back in the Frio pouch as soon as it’s been scanned. And there are big trays at the x-ray machine for you to put all your bits and bobs in. Usually the airport website has a section to read up on about security rules, before you go.

 

[PhoebeC]

Yes, I agree all liquid has to go in the bags. Before Covid they did supply them at the airport so you don't even need to take one.

I normally have a letter off my GP in support of my meds and a copy of my full script but don't normally take full boxes unless I need it.

 

[PhoebeC]

Yes, I agree all liquid has to go in the bags. Before Covid they did supply them at the airport so you don't even need to take one.

I normally have a letter off my GP in support of my meds and a copy of my full script but don't normally take full boxes unless I need it.

How do you feel about the flight itself, that would be my only concern.
Same as I don't mind being in a spacious aired out cafe or pub but don't want to go to the cinema.

 

[trophywench]

So is there a place to stop before you get there, in order to do that and re secure the hand luggage so the contents don't spill out all over the conveyor belt or are you sposed to do it enroute one handed? - used to be exactly that years ago. I'll no doubt get cussed at anyway as I can't go through the 'doorway' and need to be hand searched because of El Pumpo. (Yes Roche absolutely do still tell us not to Xray their pumps)

 

[Inka]

I use my Frio and a medical travel bag. I then stop just before security and put my insulin (which isn’t in boxes) into the required plastic bag. At the security desk, I tell them I have Type 1 diabetes, give them my diabetes letter, tell them I’m carrying liquid meds and sharps, and wearing a pump so can’t go through the ‘gate’.

They then call someone to do the pat-down search and swab my pump, etc, and I show them my meds and med bag. That all then goes through the conveyor belt thingy along with my normal hand luggage while I have my pat-down search.

I always carry my diabetes letter and a copy of my prescription.

 

[Robin]

So is there a place to stop before you get there, in order to do that and re secure the hand luggage so the contents don't spill out all over the conveyor belt or are you sposed to do it enroute one handed? - used to be exactly that years ago. I'll no doubt get cussed at anyway as I can't go through the 'doorway' and need to be hand searched because of El Pumpo. (Yes Roche absolutely do still tell us not to Xray their pumps)

There are normally tables just before security, for you to sort your stuff out on, with handy bins for you to dispose of bottles of water you’d forgotten about, or were keeping til the last minute.

 

[trophywench]

Yes I've got to get such a letter Phoebe - last one was in the noughties and issued by my DSN as my GP didn't know anything about them and I would have had to pay for it, whereas my DSN had a standard printed one she just stuck one of my hospital ID stickers on, signed dated and stamped. As I have to go to the Hospital D Clinic on 12 th August (the Glorious 12th, watch out grouse!) I'll ask them again for a new one.

 

[Inka]

@trophywench At the suggestion of my GP, my diabetes letter is undated. I can’t remember how old it is but it’s a fair few years.

 

[trophywench]

So the original dispensing label does NOT have to be on the medication?

 

[Inka]

No, I’ve never left the dispensing label on. I think once I tore off the label from a box (with the cardboard behind it) and slipped it in my hand luggage but it’s never been an issue for me.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

At the suggestion of my GP, my diabetes letter is undated. I can’t remember how old it is but it’s a fair few years.

Mine's years old, too. (And just says I have diabetes needing insulin; it doesn't give further details.)

 

[trophywench]

Mine disintegrated along the folds!

 

[mikeyB]

I always put spare insulin in the minibar, no problem. It’s just remembering to take it out at the end of the holiday. I kept the original boxes with me which had the prescribing label on. Never had a problem - although in Hungary they seemed fascinated by the pens for some reason.

 

[trophywench]

Well I was exactly like you @Alannah - it's just other people and websites that are getting to me, having merely tried to update myself!

 

[Lisa66]

For as long as we’ve needed to use the clear bags, I take my pens and spare insulin in the clear bag, put the Frio in the tray next to it along with testing kit etc in its carrier. Not sure we have to take it all out but makes it clear for anyone to see and saves any faffing around when trying to queue and get any belts and shoes off.

I put any hand gel, lip balm or anything I think might cause an issue in a sandwich bag at home, then it’s easy to tip into airport bag at table before getting in any queue. I have picked up spare bags so that I can pre-sort before subsequent flights.

I’ve never been asked for my letter. I should probably get an update as it’s pretty old and dog eared. GP told me when he wrote it for me that it was unnecessary as a copy of prescription was all that was needed...I tend to put this in with kit, so it’s to hand if asked. (Also good to have should you need to replace or get anything) I probably shouldn’t say this, tempting fate etc., but I’ve never had any issues here or at any other airports round the world. I did set off the alarm thingy last year, turned out to be half packet of fruit pastilles in my pocket. Amused the security lady.

I saw somewhere you can get a fridge thermometer/ alarm that will let you know if the fridge temp has varied too much...quite expensive I think if one really only needs a basic guide.

 

[MarkGeordie]

Just thought I would post this too as it might be worth a read.

Redirect Notice

 

[DaveB]

Hi. I've never put any of my insulin stuff in a clear bag - just left it in the carry-on bags and never had a problem. I always take empty flattened tablet boxes etc which show what I'm carrying. I also take a GP letter and prescription copy.

 

[trophywench]

It was thank you Mark, and as a result I tried to get on online quote for Travel Insurance as we don't have any. Unfortunately the All Clear site is going round in circles and won't continue after answering all the Qs (quite sensible ones!) about my husband's COPD. Haven't had a chance to even start on mine yet!

I'll try again tomorrow. If we can get insurance at a reasonable price (which with COPD, Diabetes/Higher BP/ Hypothyroid/PAD, isn't usually likely) then we'll have it cos otherwise it's a straight choice whether we risk the whole price of the holiday and chance CV19 not causing it to be cancelled. Or us getting it! LOL

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi. I've never put any of my insulin stuff in a clear bag

I confess I‘ve not put my insulin into the ‘deodorant and toothpaste etc’ bag either. I have generally packed a ‘diabetes gubbins’ bag as it’s only ever been a weekend trip in recent years, so I pull that out of the case and put it in the tray so that it is easily x-rayable. And then I’m straight to waving my pump at people and patiently explaining that, “Yes, I am sure they believe it would be absolutely fine, and I think it probably would be too... but the people that make the darned things say ‘no xray and pat down’ and as it‘s keeping me alive and replacing it while abroad would be a complete nightmare... etc etc”

I’m also not sure I’ve got a letter any more. But no one has ever asked to see it!