flying

[tenniscoach]

Read this forum everyday but seldom post. Still trying to learn things to help my 13 year old granddaughter. She is going to Vegas next week and flying out of St. Louis. What are the main things that she and her mom need to be aware of? Will the altitude of the flight make any difference? What about going through the scan at the airport? Any suggestions about the trip will be appreciated.

[w5wjp]

Pumps can not be X-rayed, no way, no how. Ask for a hand search/scan. Make sure all insulin has prescription labels. Other than those, should have no problems. Oh, might be wise to get a letter from the doc stating that she is diabetic and the pump is a life support device and can't be removed, seems some TSA agents will try to get you to remove the pump for the flight.

[notme]

Hi tenniscoach, I fly often and actually pumps can go through the metal detector with no problem whatsoever. I have gone through the detector no less than 30 times since starting on a pump and it does not hurt it at all. The pump is not detected generally. I say generally because it depends on the type of pump. My MiniMed paradigm has never been detected by the metal detector. It has been noticed on my waistband occassionally and they will ask what it is. I tell them an insulin pump and nothing else has been said. I understand from these boards that the Cozmo has been detected by the metal detector on occassion, but has not caused anyone any trouble. The liquid in the pump is not an issue because it is such a small amount.

Make sure your granddaughter carries ALL of her supplies with her in her carry-on bag. If her luggage gets lost, she still has all of her medication and supplies. Lancets are not a problem, nor are syringes if she takes them for a back up plan on her trip. I have never had problems with any of these supplies. Many people carry a doctors note for their supplies and your granddaughter could do that also for peace of mind. If she carries insulin make sure she has it in the original box with the Rx label.

I am sure she will have a great trip!!!!

[amccrazgrl]

I just flew this past Saturday.
My pump beeped through the sercuity checkpoint. So I had a female asist to wand and pat me down. Not a problem

I was gone 10 days which would be 3 set changes so I brought 6 with me just in case. I did bring 2 bottles of full insulin in there boxes w/ prescription label. You never know when you might break a bottle. I ended up refilling my pump once there and also the night before I left so I wouldn't have to change insulin cartridges in the airport.

Make sure to pack a granola bar or something incase of low blood sugar. They only feed a little snack on the plane.

[Type1er]

Another thing to keep in mind is the time change. Depending on how long she'll be there, she'll likely want to change the time on her pump to match the local time so that her basal rates match up with her schedule. My rule of thumb is that if I'm only going for a short time (a day or so) and a minor time difference (one time zone), I don't change the pump time. If I'm gone for a few days, and more time zones (2 hours or more) then I change the pump time.

I'm not sure how long it takes the body to readjust to a new time zone, but presumably it takes a few days before your body resets its timing on the dawn phenomenon and other basal fluctuations.

As for airport security, it's a hassle, but manageable. Be sure to bring a quart plastic baggie for insulin and other liquids you are carrying on board and put them separately in the xray bin. Your infusion sets and other gear can stay in your bag. It's about even odds that you'll have to get wanded by security--I travel about 20-30 times per year and only make it through the x-ray about half the time without getting pulled aside and wanded.

I hope they enjoy the trip. Traveling with the pump is a joy compared to managing MDIs while traveling.

[Cyborg]

I always just wear my pump through the security checkpoint. Never had my Animas set off an alarm. My medic alert tag does, but not the pump. I've never had any problems flying and I always change the clock on my pump as soon as I land.

[Blue Knight]

I am currently on one of my many business trips and the first time going through airport screening with a pump. I was asked by the TSA at the metal detector (at MSP) "what is that on your belt?" and before I could reply another TSA said it was an insulin pump. I walked through and my Cozmo set the device off so I was pulled aside to be "hand wanded" and patted down. No biggie for me. I head home out of Oakland tomorrow so I'll see what happens then.
Next month is the real test, a business trip to Paris so hopefully internationally is not that much different, so we'll see. :)