Flying with medications

[Disneybound!!]

I've searched the Transportation and Disabilities Thread, but didn't find the answer to my question. I also looked on the TSA website and didn't find a clear answer there either. So, my question is when carrying medications in a carry-on bag, is it okay to have the medication in a pill box (unlabeled and all together) or should they be in their original pharmacy bottles? My Grandma is going to be flying for the first time, and she is a little worried about doing something wrong and getting "in trouble". I'd like to put her mind at ease and have things go as smoothly as possible for her. Thanks so much for your help!

 

[DebbieB]

I've searched the Transportation and Disabilities Thread, but didn't find the answer to my question. I also looked on the TSA website and didn't find a clear answer there either. So, my question is when carrying medications in a carry-on bag, is it okay to have the medication in a pill box (unlabeled and all together) or should they be in their original pharmacy bottles? My Grandma is going to be flying for the first time, and she is a little worried about doing something wrong and getting "in trouble". I'd like to put her mind at ease and have things go as smoothly as possible for her. Thanks so much for your help!

For domestic travel, the pillbox is fine. TSA is there for security, not drug enforcement. For international, it's best to take the bottles.

 

[aubriee]

I always place my meds in pill boxes in my carry on. Never had a problem. I also take Victoza (an injection) for my diabetes. I just carry the blue pen (not labeled) and the needles for it. Because of the needles, I do place it in a plastic zip lock and place it in a bin, in case they want to look at it. They never have. I just leave the pill boxes in the carry on though. Nothing has ever even been mentioned about either.

My mom takes two types of insulin. She leaves her pills in pill boxes in her carry on. She places the insulin, needles, and little frozen thingys she uses to keep her insulin cold in a bin in case they want to look at them, but again they never have.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

So, my question is when carrying medications in a carry-on bag, is it okay to have the medication in a pill box (unlabeled and all together) or should they be in their original pharmacy bottles?

If all meds are in pill form and she's flying withing the US, she can carry them any way she pleases. The TSA won't even give them a glance.

 

[prncess674]

Be sure to bring an extra pill box filled in case your trip is delayed and you end up staying a few extra days due to weather. Another good tip is to bring a list of all meds, issuing doctor with phone number, script number with pharmacy phone number and dosage. This can be invaluable in an emergency.

We were on family vacation in San Antonio and my Dad had a heart attack and it proved invaluable for the doctor to see a clear concise list of all meds in one place rather than fumbling with a bunch of bottles. He takes a laundry list of meds so carrying them all would have been impractical.

 

[MidgeD79]

We may have to bring the nebulizer and many many single use tubes of liquid meds. Can I take them through in the carry-on?

 

[CPT Tripss]

We may have to bring the nebulizer and many many single use tubes of liquid meds. Can I take them through in the carry-on?

Yes.

 

[betterlatethannever]

I've searched the Transportation and Disabilities Thread, but didn't find the answer to my question. I also looked on the TSA website and didn't find a clear answer there either. So, my question is when carrying medications in a carry-on bag, is it okay to have the medication in a pill box (unlabeled and all together) or should they be in their original pharmacy bottles? My Grandma is going to be flying for the first time, and she is a little worried about doing something wrong and getting "in trouble". I'd like to put her mind at ease and have things go as smoothly as possible for her. Thanks so much for your help!

While the official TSA stance is that this is OK, the FSD (Federal Security Director) for a particular airport can (and has) required the medication to be in the original pill container labeled from the pharmacy. This was "confirmed" by as TSO on another message board.

I don't remember the airports, but I have read some blogs stating they had to "voluntarily surrender" their meds.

Ed

 

[prncess674]

While the official TSA stance is that this is OK, the FSD (Federal Security Director) for a particular airport can (and has) required the medication to be in the original pill container labeled from the pharmacy. This was "confirmed" by as TSO on another message board.

I don't remember the airports, but I have read some blogs stating they had to "voluntarily surrender" their meds.

Ed

I think this a statement full of hooey. I fly over 100K per year thru MANY MANY airports and not once have I been stopped nor have I heard of a single person being stopped for just craziness. OP please disregard this piece of urban legend. If betterlatethannever would like to state the regulation that forbids Americans from transporting script meds outside of original containers then please do so, otherwise this is grounds from a lawsuit. Can you imagine the PR nightmare that would ensue if granny was required to dump her heart meds on a domestic flight. This would be headline news!

Also if this was some sort of law or TSA mandate it would be included in the drug facts and put on the label.

Blogs are not a reliable source of information. This reminds of the hooey some blogger wrote about how TSA took her baby away from her. TSA finally posted the footage to show that her baby never left her sight.

 

[treehugnmama]

Thanks op for posting this. I was trying to find the answer to the same question last night. I pit in an email to sw but haven't heard back. Wondering if it would matter that we are Canadian? We are flying buffalo to mco though

 

[pag1164]

According to the TSA's website:


All medications in any form or type (for instance, pills, injectables, or homeopathic) and associated supplies (syringes, Sharps disposal container, pre-loaded syringes, jet injectors, pens, infusers, etc.) are allowed through the security checkpoint once they have been screened. Atropens, an auto-injection system that can help treat many emergency conditions (low heart rate, breathing problems, and excess saliva related to insecticide, nerve gas or mushroom poisoning) are also allowed.

We do not require that your medications be labeled.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) migraine inhalers and CO2 refills.

Medications in daily dosage containers are allowed through the checkpoint once they have been screened.

Medication and related supplies are normally X-rayed. However, as a customer service, TSA now allows you the option of requesting a visual inspection of your medication and associated supplies.


The link is at: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1374.shtm#4

 

[Uncleromulus]

To reiterate that when we fly, TSA never even "looks" at medication. We just put it in Mrs U's purse (and NOT in the "original bottle"--in a pill box) and it just goes thru the screening.
And that's all there is to it.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I think this a statement full of hooey. I fly over 100K per year thru MANY MANY airports and not once have I been stopped nor have I heard of a single person being stopped for just craziness.

I agree. No one has ever given our meds (pill form) a second glance at screening throughout the US and Europe. It's a different story if you are flying into some other countries though, such as Japan or Australia.

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/m...lers-bringing-medicines-to-and-from-australia

http://www.seattle.us.emb-japan.go.jp/faq/faq.htm

 

[prncess674]

I agree. No one has ever given our meds (pill form) a second glance at screening throughout the US and Europe. It's a different story if you are flying into some other countries though, such as Japan or Australia.

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/m...lers-bringing-medicines-to-and-from-australia

http://www.seattle.us.emb-japan.go.jp/faq/faq.htm

This is not relevant to the OP's question. The OP is in "Eastern NC" and is flying to WDW. If you would have fully quoted me I stated this was hooey for DOMESTIC US FLIGHTS. Not once did I state to be an expert on every country's rules for flight.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

This is not relevant to the OP's question. The OP is in "Eastern NC" and is flying to WDW. If you would have fully quoted me I stated this was hooey for DOMESTIC US FLIGHTS. Not once did I state to be an expert on every country's rules for flight.

I don't understand your post. Read carefully. I agreed with you. I'm sorry that it is a problem for you if I added some additional information which may be useful to someone for a future flight.

 

[CPT Tripss]

My DD (young adult) has had an Airport Security Screener attempt to open her meds (pill form) on at least one occassion. It's rare but it does happen on domestic flights. When I witnessed the incident, her "bark" to not touch that slowed the screener down enough to discuss the necessity for the screener to reglove and have a supervisor present. She commented later to me that it wasn't the first time.

Based on her experiences, I would not automatically consider reports of such behavior by Airport Security Screeners "hooey." I've never been "shaken down" by a cop, in fact I've never directly experienced police misconduct in my interactions with LEOs - but, I don't automatically dismiss reports of such events.

 

[prncess674]

My DD (young adult) has had an Airport Security Screener attempt to open her meds (pill form) on at least one occassion. It's rare but it does happen on domestic flights. When I witnessed the incident, her "bark" to not touch that slowed the screener down enough to discuss the necessity for the screener to reglove and have a supervisor present. She commented later to me that it wasn't the first time.

Based on her experiences, I would not automatically consider reports of such behavior by Airport Security Screeners "hooey." I've never been "shaken down" by a cop, in fact I've never directly experienced police misconduct in my interactions with LEOs - but, I don't automatically dismiss reports of such events.

Just because there is a TSO that is going against policy doesn't mean it is legal. There is absolutely no reason for an agent to fondle your pills (gloved or ungloved) I was explicitly AND LOUDLY ask for a supervisor and ask them to state what policy is being broken by transporting non-liquid medication domestically.

There will always be agents who go against policy, but it is up to you to assert your rights.

Also there is a big difference between TSO requesting to inspect and refusal to allow you to transport the medication. Maybe the container your DD is using was obscured on the monitor, so in that case yes they have the right to inspect the container, but they have no right to refuse you to carry the medication, which was the OP's question.

 

[Alexander]

I agree. No one has ever given our meds (pill form) a second glance at screening throughout the US and Europe. It's a different story if you are flying into some other countries though, such as Japan or Australia.

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/m...lers-bringing-medicines-to-and-from-australia

http://www.seattle.us.emb-japan.go.jp/faq/faq.htm

This is not relevant to the OP's question. The OP is in "Eastern NC" and is flying to WDW. If you would have fully quoted me I stated this was hooey for DOMESTIC US FLIGHTS. Not once did I state to be an expert on every country's rules for flight.

I don't understand your post. Read carefully. I agreed with you. I'm sorry that it is a problem for you if I added some additional information which may be useful to someone for a future flight.

Sounds to me like you are on the same page!

There have been incidents with international flights where medication has been questioned and even confiscated, (an epipen even once was taken) but flying domestically, there is no problem.

Just be sure to tell your grandmother to write down everything she takes and how much/often. She will want to have that information if she should become ill. She also should take a couple of extra days worth of medication, just in case of delays.

 

[prncess674]

Be sure to bring an extra pill box filled in case your trip is delayed and you end up staying a few extra days due to weather. Another good tip is to bring a list of all meds, issuing doctor with phone number, script number with pharmacy phone number and dosage. This can be invaluable in an emergency.

Just be sure to tell your grandmother to write down everything she takes and how much/often. She will want to have that information if she should become ill. She also should take a couple of extra days worth of medication, just in case of delays.

Do you just like hearing yourself talk? This point was made already. Echo! Echo! Echo!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Unless in some way (unknown to me) medication (especially pills) represents an airline security threat, TSA has absolutely NO business even getting involved.
They have a hard enough time dealing with genuine security issues and don't need to meddle where they do not belong.

People are irritated enough at them as it is--they don't need to invite more.