Has anyone traveled by plane recently?

[RLK]

I'm wondering what the latest TSA rules are for liquids on domestic flights. I've read all the stuff on their website about 3 oz bottles in 1 quart-sized ziptop bag...blah blah blah. I couldn't find a whole lot of info about what to do with my insulin and Frio pack, except that they're allowed. Previously, no screener ever asked to see them once they saw my pump- has this changed? What have your experiences been?
Thanks in advance for your help!

[Just_Plain_John]

What have your experiences been?
Thanks in advance for your help!

It was relatively simple, and the TSA.GOV site has links that explain the exact details.

I had my shampoo, etc in the ziplock bag for them to inspect. I had all my prescriptions (with labels) in a second ziplock bag which I declared to the screener prior to the X-Ray station. They checked my ID and the labels, and I walked through the metal detector carrying the bag of meds. I was wearing my meter and didn't get beeped, and when I trialed a pump at work, I didn't beep our metal detector at the courthouse.

One of the screeners was a diabetic (T2) himself, and they seem to be pretty aware of pumps, injectors, etc. Having the prescription labels was a help, I'm sure.

[notme]

I would pack the Frio pack and add the insulin when you get to your destination. Why fight it? Your insulin will stay cool in the box with the paper labels around it for your flight. Follow the TSA rules and you will be fine.

[Goldrun]

I fly a lot for work...I always carry a note from my doctor on their letterhead, but I've never had to use that. I simply say to the first screener that I have insulin in my bag. I've never had to go through any additional screening and have never had even a slight problem. In fact, there have been a few times when I didn't mention the insulin, and was still never questioned. Made me wonder if they really are paying a lot of attention, or do they immediately recognize the insulin pens and vials.

[BriOnH]

I was in Dallas last week for work. I was able to bring 2 juice bottles through in the sac airport. I just told them I was diabetic and they let me keep them. That didn't work coming back through the Dallas airport though. They made me throw them out and buy on the other side. I wasn't happy about that but I understand.

[Just_Plain_John]

Good point by Brian - I had Glucotabs and some snack bars with me for quick carbs, but not bottles or boxes of drinks. The in-flight snack was actually pretty healthy, too.

[RLK]

The in-flight snack was actually pretty healthy, too.

They still serve snacks on planes? :- You must be flying further or better accomodations than I do!

Seriously though, thank you all for your input!

[barbarac]

OK. As I was told by the man a dozen times--one quart zip lock bag--one only. I misunderstood and had 2--thought it was just so they could see good what was in it. One only. The rest will be thrown out or given to someone outside security if someone is still there. You can pack things in your checked bag though. If they don't lock the looks of your zip lock, they will switch things to their one quart zip lock. Things of course like shampoo and all that, big didn't realize--liquid make-up, small travel deodrant (roll on) counted, lotions, etc. Someone told me later it is a 3-1-1 (3 oz, one bag, one carry on). Lots seemed to count I didn't think would (like my hand sanitizing gel thing--Purell or however it is spelled. They searched through the bag pretty good, but never even looked in my little bag I carry insulin and stuff in. Pump went right through the walk through thing. Never went off or anything. Wasn't wanded (but purse was), so don't know if that would set it off. They just seemed more concerned about the zip lock bag--only one with all liquids in it.

[trailrunner]

I flew to texas in the beginning of this month, no problem with my pump going thru the metal detector on the way to texas, but coming home from texas, in houston my pump set the alarm off. I had to sit in the penalty box and wait for a female tsa agent to wand me. My insulin and extra syringes were not even in a bag , they were in a pocket of purse, and no one said anything.

[Worldcrzr]

According to the TSA, you are permitted an additional carry on for your medications and pump supplies. I only had one carry on which was a back pack. I packed everything in my checked luggage except my camera, telephoto lens, medications, diabetic supplies and tickets. My pump didn't set off the alarm in Los Angeles and nobody even looked in my carry on. It went through the x-ray just fine. We were flying LAN, not an American carrier, so our total carry on per person could not exceed 18 pounds. We flew from Los Angeles to Buenos Aries then on to Ushuaia, Argentina where we took a ship to the Antarctic.

Flying back was just as easy. I think it is the additional stuff people put in their carry on that sets off the screeners. I never carry anything that might get thrown out. Also, my medications fill a gallon size bag and my pump supplies including extra syringes just in case my pump fails fills another gallon bag and it wasn't questioned either. I used a FRIO wallet for three vials of Novolog and carried that in an outside mesh pocket of my bag. That wasn't questioned.

Pack your shampoos, gels, etc., in your checked luggage and you won't have trouble going through security with your medications and diabetic supplies. I always tell the screener that there are diabetic supplies in the bag and it never gets searched. We travel by air a lot and never have any problems.