Insulin on UK planes

[Eazyduzit]

With the current tightening of security on the carrying of hand luggage on all flights leaving the UK, I find myself having to reconsider how I will carry the large amounts of insulin from my home in England to my work destination in Thailand where I stay for a good part of the year. I know all advice says that putting insulin in the hold is a complete no-no but I've met several diabetics who've told me that the reasoning behind this i.e. it might be subjected to extremes of temperature, is inaccurate and have cited the fact that pets travel down in the hold without detriment to their health is evidence enough of this.

While I'm hearing that diabetics are able to carry insulin on board provided they have a prescription to accompany it, I'd still like to hear from anyone who has any opinions or hard information on the temperature issue.

I do accept that luggage goes missing and this might be a valid reason for not taking this course of action but remain curious with regards to the other matter.

[lgvincent]

Having never flown I can't help but would it be possible to call the airline you're planning on using and asking what their policy for carrying insulin onto the plane is? I have also heard of extreme changes in temperature, being very hot while on the ground and into freezing temperatures while flying (it does get a tad chilly up in the air and I've never been up over 12,000 feet). I was under the impression that animals may travel in compartments that are temperature controlled but I could be wrong, and even they have problems with heat while the plane isn't in the air, or is being loaded or unloaded.

[rzrbks]

What lg suggested is what I noramlly do if there is a "New" state of emergency set up by the Rove Administration.

I call the airlines wife and I will be traveling on and ask them their policy.

[sofaraway]

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/onlinenews/NewsStory.asp?id=2268

try this link, it says you can take up to 50mls of insulin in the cabin

[Eazyduzit]

Thanks guys

I contacted diabetesUK direct and they sent me their most recent guidelines on the subject. Seems you can take a risk and pack insulin in the hold if it's stored in an airtight container and packed between towels. You still have to check it when you reach destination as this method is not 100% effective.

[SueM]

Regarding the issue of pets travelling in the hold.
Airlines make provisions for this by having the hold heated when pets are travelling.