Needles ‘n Airports

[archimeech]

I thought this was very handy to read during this season of travel.
Meech

Needles ‘n Airports
By Christine Miller, MS, RD/LD, CDE
November 30, 2004--In response to the events of 9/11, more rigorous screenings can mean delays if you have diabetes and are not prepared. Fortunately, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) security screeners are trained on the appearance and importance of diabetes equipment, medications and supplies. Remember these tips for hassle-free travel:

Always carry your diabetes supplies with you. Keep these items in a separate pouch which can easily be removed from your carry-on luggage for visual inspection.

Tell the security screener that you have diabetes and are carrying your supplies with you.

Avoid putting your prescription medications in pill boxes. Keep them in the original labeled bottle from the pharmacy in case questions should arise.
You can carry all of your needed supplies, including sharp items such as insulin syringes and lancets with you. Insulin-related supplies, like syringes, must be accompanied by the labeled insulin vial.

Inform the screener if you are wearing an insulin pump and that you need a visual inspection. Insulin pumps should not be exposed to metal detectors or hand-wands. Also, explain that the pump can not be removed.

If you experience problems, call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES or call the TSA at 1-866-289-9673.

Christine Miller is a Registered and Licensed dietitian, as well as a Certified Diabetes Educator. Christine moderates the Living with Diabetes support group at eDiets.com and conducts live monthly online meetings for people with diabetes. Christine received her Masters Degree in Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University in 1991 and has specialized in diabetes for the last 12 years. In addition to her responsibilities at eDiets, Christine also maintains a private practice in Tampa, Florida.

[Belinda]

Even with all this there are some ignorant ones...I had it all together and still had to unpack everything for security... :whistling

[bac4uw]

You know, I have never had a problem with this in the past three years or so in the 10-15 times that I've flown. Not once has someone stopped me to check my syringes. I wonder if they actually will start screening me now!? Bryan

[archimeech]

I'm actually so leary of all the potential problems that it has simply made me not want to travel by Air anymore. That combined with being uncomfortable cramming my 6'2" frame in between those sardine can seats, just makes the whole thing not fun any more.

[bac4uw]

I hear you there. I'll be making the DRIVE from Seattle to Reno this holiday season in part due to my new fear of flying. (where fear now encompasses all the new procedures involved with merely getting on the airplane... in addition to the whole notion of a large chunk of metal flying 5-6 miles in the air!)

[zookeeper671]

Last summer my bf and I went to the airport to pick up his 7 year old son who was flying in for the summer. About 50% of the time they allow the both of us to enter the terminal to greet him. Luckily, they let me go this time. My bf and I had to go through the usual strip-search routine (walk through, wands, shoes off, etc.) including scanning the contents of my purse which included: 1 used syringe (capped) floating around, insulin, several unused syringes, lancets, Freestyle Flash and strips, a small Swiss army knife, tweezers and a few other questionable items. Those scanning never questioned me or asked to see the contents.

I found it strange that my feet were items of national security, yet syringes weren't a problem. :confused:

Edited to include this was the Orlando airport, an international hub.

[buzzborne]

I have never had any problems with needles at the ariport, just had to tell them at the check-in desk that I had hyperdermic needles in my hand luggage, and all was fine, even when travelling to the US had no problems, but had a letter from my dr and diabetes team, but the other week when flying down with Easyjet (flown with them many a time before) at the check-in I was asked for a dr's note... so I had to say I didn't have one, and habve never been told to produce one, but she was like, well you should have one... but will let you go this time, just make sure you have one next time.... I was only asked this going down... not coming home again, so surely should have been told both times?! :confused:

[mg_2204]

... Can you be stabbed to death with a lancet??! ;)

[Dewey]

I haven't flown since 9/11, and truth be told, the only reason I'm dreading an upcoming trip, is because of the third degree I'll most likely receive for my pumps, meters (I have more than one as backup), and reservoirs. I Even have a Dr.'s note (on his prescription pad) to notify them that I need ALL my supplies with me at ALL times.

[JasonSmithMT]

I fly all the time in the US for business. I have never had any problems with syringes, lancets or my insulin pump. In my carry-on luggage I always have infusion sets, syringes, lancets, and of couse a glucagon syringe. 99.9% of the time I never get questioned about my supplies as they go through the scanner and only once out of maybe 40 times this year has my insulin pump set off the metal detector. I don't even bother to tell them anymore I have my pump on unless I get selected for additional screening. When I have been lucky enough to get additional screening I tell them I have an insulin pump on and which side I have it on my belt. Most of the screeners knew what I was talking about when I tell them and it hasn't (as of yet) cause any problems.


Inform the screener if you are wearing an insulin pump and that you need a visual inspection. Insulin pumps should not be exposed to metal detectors or hand-wands. Also, explain that the pump can not be removed.

I know that the Minimed pump can go through the medical detector. According to Minimed:

'There is no need to remove your pump: Metal detectors will not harm your pump, and pumps often will not trigger metal detectors. Request that they visually inspect the pump rather than removing it from your body."

Travel Tips (Minimed Link) (http://www.minimed.com/patientfam/pf_tc_rp_pumptips_traveltips.shtml)

Jason

[Belinda]

I fly all the time in the US for business. I have never had any problems with syringes, lancets or my insulin pump.



'There is no need to remove your pump: Metal detectors will not harm your pump, and pumps often will not trigger metal detectors. Request that they visually inspect the pump rather than removing it from your body."Travel Tips (Minimed Link) (http://www.minimed.com/patientfam/pf_tc_rp_pumptips_traveltips.shtml)

Jason
Yes when they ask me to remove my pump in Las Vegas..since the guy was a jerk :whistling I immediately said," It is attached to me. You don't ask people to remove their artifical limbs, pacemakers or hearing aids do you?" With the dumbfounded look he had he said, What is an insulin pump used for?" :smartass: needless to say my mom was about hysterical at this point. She just knew I was not coming home :1eye:

[Dewey]

Taken from a Novo-Nordisk site:

Can you travel with an insulin pump?
Many of the estimated 300,000 pump users worldwide travel
frequently. Most security personnel are familiar with insulin pumps and security devices in airports do not harm pumps. Current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines for travel advise that medications and
equipment such as insulin and syringes be in their original packaging with prescription information on the label. However, in practice, people who use
insulin pumps regularly fly from city to city and between countries with no problems. One advantage is that pump users can fly across time zones and not worry about erratic insulin peaks.

In my user's guides, the information stated that (both) the Deltec and Animas are safe for airport security devices (such as wands and metal detectors). I'm sure that the same applies to the Disetronic brand. However, No brand of pump should be sent through their Xray devices, exposed to direct Xrays, or other types of extreme electromagnetic fields. It can hinder the motor and affect insulin delivery.

[Andrea]

I have travelled lots since september 11th 2001, seeing as i live in france and go home to canada at least once a year. And the cheapest route between Paris and Toronto is often through the US. I have been on at least 13 flights since that fatefull date.

I have NEVER had a problem with my pump, my syringes, my pump supplies, my glucometer, my insulin etc etc etc. I usually have my pump in my pocket of my jeans or clipped to my belt under my sweater. Nobody sees it. If i get "wanded" and my belt beeps so i lift up my shirt and happen to show off my pump, they ask what it is, i tell them and that is the end of the story.

Once i was pulled asside randomly just before embarking on the plane. What luck that they girl they picked randomly had a bag full of sharp objects and potentially lethal injectable medicine. :)

They took my bag apart, asked me for my doctor's note, and showed that to their boss, then stuffed all my diabetes supplies and fragile christmas presents back into my bag and let me get on the plane.

Nobody should be worried about flying with diabetes supplies. You just have to answer their questions honestly and stay calm while they are asking them. They are just doing their job. We all know that we cannot travel without these supplies, and the airline companies know it too.

Andrea

[notme]

I have also traveled many times since Sept 11th. I flew one month after that date to Italy. I have flown the US and to Africa and New Zealand and have never had ANY trouble with my supplies. Of all the times I have flown, only once have my supplies been questioned. When leaving South Africa and heading back to the US, everyone on board the plane was subjected to hand inspection of all of the bags. I was asked about my supplies and I presented a doctors note that was not even looked at. The baggage inspector informed me that he had to make "reasonable accomodation" for my medical supplies, and asked me to give them to the flight attendant when I boarded the plane. I did not. Nothing was ever said. All of the other times nobody ever even asked about the syringes and meters. I put them through the airport scanner and my bags came out the other side, no questions asked. Once while in LAX my pump was showing from under my sweater. The screener asked me what it was and I told her an insulin pump. She said "Oh, ok" and never even looked at it.

I don't think anyone should be afraid to fly with their supplies. My MiniMed pump has gone through the metal detectors at least 20 times and never have I had a problem with it. I do think you should go prepared. If you come across a difficult screener (I haven't met them yet) you should have your note, prescription bottles and all your supplies in one bag.

Go and have a happy vacation!!!!

Nancy

[Dewey]

Since travel time is coming up soon...I have another question. If you have more than two (blood) meters, is that an issue? Sometimes, I'll carry a couple (2 or 3 <or so>) to make sure that if I run out & can't find strips for one, or have a malfunction with one, I'll definitely have backups. I also have 2 pumps. For the most part, everyone has answered the rest of the questions in my mind, but I still was unsure about this one! :)

[notme]

I carried two pumps to South Africa with no problems. Since I could not get one overnighted to me in case of emergency it seemed to be the best idea. I didn't end up needing it, but there was no problem with carrying it. I lost my meter on a plane once. (It must have fallen out of my backpack and didn't see the little black case on the floor under the seat). Luckily, I had a spare in my checked baggage so all was well. I think you are smart to carry spare everything! I have never been questioned about it. ;)