Flying with Epi Pen - security?

[MamaOfTwoPrincesses]

This trip will be the first time we have flown with the girls. I must take Epi Pens with us for DD1, who is allergic to peanuts. I was just thinking that having them on me might be a security issue. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks.

 

[SueM in MN]

Don't worry. The security people see epi pens all the time.
Here's a link to the TSA site's page about travel with medications. and I copied the pertinent part.

We allow medications of all kinds through the security checkpoint once they have been screened. These include, pills, injectables, or homeopathic treatments and associated supplies (syringes, Sharps disposal container, pre-loaded syringes and dispensing products, vials, box of individual vials, biojectors, CO² migraine inhalers, CO² refills, jet injectors, epipens, Atropens, infusers, etc.). Please make sure your medications are labeled.

We normally x-ray medication and related supplies. However, as a customer service, you may ask that Security Officers visually inspect your medication and associated supplies.

You must ask for visual inspection before the screening process begins; otherwise your medications and supplies will be x-rayed.
If you would like to take advantage of this option, please have your medication and associated supplies separated from your other property in a separate pouch/bag when you approach the Security Officer at the walk-through metal detector.

Ask the Security Officer to visually inspect your medication and hand your medication pouch/bag to him or her.

To prevent your medication, associated supplies or fragile medical materials for contamination or damage, we will ask you to display, handle, and repack your own medication and associated supplies during visual inspection. Any medication and/or associated supplies that we can’t clear visually will be x-rayed. If you refuse, you will not be permitted to carry your medications and related supplies into the sterile area.

 

[flynnmnstr]

We did get flagged with the nebulizer both departing Newark and Orlando. Not a huge deal, but they did have to pull us all over to the side and go through the bag. About 5-10 mins wait. Next time we are going to pack the nebulizer in its own bag with a little pockets as possible to reduce the time. They had to pull everything out of the bag and check it then swabbed the nebulizer.

 

[graciepooh]

We are brand new Epi pen carriers, DD6 can't have cashews as of about a month ago. I would not have thought a thing about this since we are new to carrying it. Thank you so much for this post! We leave 2 weeks from today and I will be sure to pack it wisely. Thanks for opening my eyes to this!!

 

[ribbot]

When we went to Disney, I was being treated by a "quack" Dr. that had me on all kinds of supplements, both liquids and tablets. I just packed them all in one carry on bag and was not stopped, nor was the bag opened. I doubt you will have trouble with an Epi-pen as they are seen all the time, but I wouldn't bury it deep in any luggage.

 

[Beehn]

I am allergic to nuts and always carry my Epi-pen. In fact I usually carry 2 since that's what my doctor suggests. Back when they had opaque covers I would have to take it out and show it to them, but since they changed to clear ones I have never been stopped or questioned about it. That includes lots of domestic and international travel. It always goes through baggage scanner so they must just know what they are looking at.
Have a fun trip!

 

[BarbWB]

I carry an epi-pen (for myself and my newly-developed almond allergy -- flown 2x since then) and a glucometer with numerous lancets (for my son). Originallly, I had a letter for the glucometer/lancets, but I've flown about 10x with it and have never had a problem, so I quit carrying it.
I think they know exactly what they are. They never even hand-search.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

My grandmother is an insulin-dependent diabetic, and when she flies, she carries a copy of the prescription for the syringes and insulin, as well as a latter from her doctor. She's only been asked for it once (2 months after 9/11)

Jen

 

[katytrott]

I'm a urinary specialist nurse here in the UK, and have plenty of patients who are taught to regularly self catheterise themselves. Having to do this several times a day, they have to travel with quite a few boxes of this equipment. When we initially teach them we always recommend they come to us for an official letter for them to take with them when travelling on a plane and/or abroad. This takes us 2secs to complete so we don't mind doing it, and we just explain that the person has a medical condition that requires regular use of the equipment, and a brief desciption and details of that equipment. When custome see the letter from a specialist, with headed paper from the NHS no one has ever had any problems, and often they don't have to get the equipment out to be inspected. I know all the different specialist nurses eg diabetics etc do exactly the same, so it is probably worth ringing your specialist and asking for a covering letter.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Just a suggestion...to make it easier on yourself, carry all meds in a ziplock baggie. That way they'll be easy to pull out of your carry-ons and easy for the screeners to see what it is.

 

[tatooed goofy]

I have taken an epi pen the last two trips to WDW. At the airport, I have never had trouble. I am deathly allergic to bees and I have it with me everywhere I go. The airport screeners never gave me a hard time. Never even questioned it. I think they are used to seeing them.