Flying with Prescription formula

[Mousequake]

TSA is no problem, really. It is part of his medical treatment and thus allowed.

I'll have to respectfully disagree. While this is what TSA regulations do indeed say, real-world experience has proven time and time again that it all boils down to the whims of the agent you interact with at your particular airport and you have to be prepared for that. As an example: regulations clearly say that you are allowed an unlimited amount, but I had a TSA agent literally tell me, "you are allowed an unlimited amount, but I'm not letting you just bring as much as you want!"

 

[peemagg]

I'll have to respectfully disagree. While this is what TSA regulations do indeed say, real-world experience has proven time and time again that it all boils down to the whims of the agent you interact with at your particular airport and you have to be prepared for that. As an example: regulations clearly say that you are allowed an unlimited amount, but I had a TSA agent literally tell me, "you are allowed an unlimited amount, but I'm not letting you just bring as much as you want!"

That is when some higher ups need to be involved to take that agent off their high horse! That is when you ask for the CRO at the airport.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm going to suggest again: contact Turner Drug and see if they stock or can get this prescription formula.

Then have the DME (sorry, I don't know what that is but I assume it's a person authorized to write prescriptions - ideally interstate) submit a prescription for enough formula for the entire trip to Turner Drug. They will deliver it to the OP's resort, if not hotel room, for a single $5 charge in addition to the prescription cost.

Simple. Avoids all the issues/concerns with the TSA.

 

[Bitsmommy]

I'm going to suggest again: contact Turner Drug and see if they stock or can get this prescription formula.

Then have the DME (sorry, I don't know what that is but I assume it's a person authorized to write prescriptions - ideally interstate) submit a prescription for enough formula for the entire trip to Turner Drug. They will deliver it to the OP's resort, if not hotel room, for a single $5 charge in addition to thethe prescription cost.

Simple. Avoids all the issues/concerns with the TSA.

The DME is the durable medical equipment provider. They can ship it, but I still need at least 3 days of formula for him on hand in case there is a delay in receiving.

I called the TSA cares line. It was a joke!!! Literally, he read from the websit and was no able to offer me any additional assistance. He heard formula and went straight to baby...and read exactly what the websit says. I could have explained until I was blue and would've gotten read to off of the website.

 

[Bitsmommy]

This is what I was referring to in my post ( #10 i think). When we did this we where told that a a member from the flight crew would take the bag and we wold not see it again until after landing. One person in your group will take the bag of formula to the agent and they will screen it. THen you will rejoin your party and go through the regular screening. At least htat is how it worked Birmingham.

I am totally five with that, but I need to figure out who to contact in Nashville. I am going to call southwest and start there.

 

[kaytieeldr]

How close are you to Nashville? Can you take a ride over there and talk to a TSA supervisor now, or soon?

 

[Jellifer]

I don't know how things are in the US but in the UK special formulas can be labelled as medicine and get a pharmacy label to go through airport security. Could this be arranged?

 

[Bitsmommy]

How close are you to Nashville? Can you take a ride over there and talk to a TSA supervisor now, or soon?

I live about 45 minutes from Nashville. My husband works near the airport. I had no idea you could even do that!!!!

I spoke to southwest. She confirmed that it was medically necessary. She also advised that I call TSA back and ask to be sent directly to a supervisor. Explain that thus is "prescription liquid nutrition." And see how they want to handle it. She said that if it prescription it is considered medicine.

Ps. Sorry about the typos in all of my posts. My smart phone is dumb!

 

[disney david]

I live about 45 minutes from Nashville. My husband works near the airport. I had no idea you could even do that!!!!

I spoke to southwest. She confirmed that it was medically necessary. She also advised that I call TSA back and ask to be sent directly to a supervisor. Explain that thus is "prescription liquid nutrition." And see how they want to handle it. She said that if it prescription it is considered medicine.

Ps. Sorry about the typos in all of my posts. My smart phone is dumb!

you could also call the airport and ask to speak to tsa if you can't make it i like that suggestion because then your get an idea of what they will do. If you or your husband goes go to the airport talk agent that check your id or if you see one walking around and ask to speak to a screening manager or a supervisor. If they give you problems ask to speak to or get the number of the director of tsa for that airport.

 

[Mousequake]

I live about 45 minutes from Nashville. My husband works near the airport. I had no idea you could even do that!!!!

I spoke to southwest. She confirmed that it was medically necessary. She also advised that I call TSA back and ask to be sent directly to a supervisor. Explain that thus is "prescription liquid nutrition." And see how they want to handle it. She said that if it prescription it is considered medicine.

!

That would be my recommendation too. Avoid the term formula completely; I've found that just sends them into 'autopilot' mode about dealing with babies and formula, regardless of how much you try to explain to them that it's a medical necessity. Stick to the terms 'medically necessary liquid' and 'liquid nutrition' and hopefully you'll have better results.

 

[buffettgirl]

please look here: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1059.shtm

it's allowed. There isn't any question it's allowed. Print that page and bring it with you.

"You may bring all prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including petroleum jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes.

Additional items you may bring include:

Liquids including water, juice, or liquid nutrition or gels for passengers with a disability or medical condition;
Life-support and life-sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs;
Items used to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetic breasts, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, or other liquids; and,
Gels or frozen liquids needed to cool disability or medically related items used by persons with disabilities or medical conditions.

You are not limited in the amount or volume of these items you may bring in your carry-on baggage. BUT if the medically necessary items exceed 3 ounces or are not contained in a one-quart, zip-top plastic bag, you MUST declare to one of our Security Officers at the checkpoint for further inspection."

 

[Bitsmommy]

please look here: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1059.shtm

it's allowed. There isn't any question it's allowed. Print that page and bring it with you.

"You may bring all prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including petroleum jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes.

Additional items you may bring include:

Liquids including water, juice, or liquid nutrition or gels for passengers with a disability or medical condition;
Life-support and life-sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs;
Items used to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetic breasts, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, or other liquids; and,
Gels or frozen liquids needed to cool disability or medically related items used by persons with disabilities or medical conditions.

You are not limited in the amount or volume of these items you may bring in your carry-on baggage. BUT if the medically necessary items exceed 3 ounces or are not contained in a one-quart, zip-top plastic bag, you MUST declare to one of our Security Officers at the checkpoint for further inspection."

I have read that. I have probably read the entire website by now...even the stuff that has nothing to do with me. However, verbally, TSA is providing us with much different information. The agents need a lot more education regarding this specific area and likely many more. It doesn't matter how right I am with regard to their policy, I am still at the mercy of the agent I encounter. We are going to make a trip to the airport around the day and time we ate scheduled to fly and speak to someone from TSA. That way the odds are a little higher that thus person may be there when we are actually leaving. I have never questioned if it was allowed. I have no confidence in the TSA agent's comprehension that it is in fact an allowable medicle liquid!

 

[buffettgirl]

I have read that. I have probably read the entire website by now...even the stuff that has nothing to do with me. However, verbally, TSA is providing us with much different information. The agents need a lot more education regarding this specific area and likely many more. It doesn't matter how right I am with regard to their policy, I am still at the mercy of the agent I encounter. We are going to make a trip to the airport around the day and time we ate scheduled to fly and speak to someone from TSA. That way the odds are a little higher that thus person may be there when we are actually leaving. I have never questioned if it was allowed. I have no confidence in the TSA agent's comprehension that it is in fact an allowable medicle liquid!

No, don't feel like you're at their mercy. We travel with juice all the time, we've NEVER had them say anything. We travel with ice packs as well. Liquid nutrition is right there on their page as approved. Tell them you have it, have it visually inspected. It will be a non-issue.

The issue is that you're getting someone on the phone who probably isn't even front line. The people at the gates are by are large FAR more knowledgeable than people on the phone.

 

[laughinplace199]

OP, I think you'll be ok, especially if you print out what the PP just posted about liquid nutrition.

Also, the suggestion to contact Turner Pharmacy was a good one.

I had a similar situation a few years ago. DS was an infant and on Nutramigen formula. He could only have the ready to drink kind at that time and it wasn't easy to find at CVS or Walmart.

I brought about 2 days worth of liquid formula in my carry-on. I just made sure to take it out of my carry-on and let the TSA know I had it. We had no issues.

I also called the formula company and had them ship what I would need for the week. The shipped it directly to my resort and they were very helpful with figuring out when to ship it so that it would arrive in time. They actually shipped it a couple of days early to make sure it was there by our check-in date. I also faxed the resort to let them know it was being shipped. When we checked in, the packages were waiting for us in the office behind the front desk. We just put the boxes on the cart with the luggage and the bellman brought everything to our room.

 

[Mousequake]

No, don't feel like you're at their mercy. We travel with juice all the time, we've NEVER had them say anything. We travel with ice packs as well. Liquid nutrition is right there on their page as approved. Tell them you have it, have it visually inspected. It will be a non-issue.

This has not been my experience AT ALL. I always travel with that portion of their regulations printed out, I always have DD's formula in a separate container along with a letter from her doctor, and I always declare it. Of the last five times I've traveled, it has only been a non-issue once.

When you start getting into amounts of liquids that are clearly beyond a single day's supply, which is what the OP is worried about, the agents start to scrutinize you much more closely. I've been patted down three times. DD has been patted down once. Wife has been patted down once. Every single bag has been searched and swabbed four out of five times.

 

[buffettgirl]

This has not been my experience AT ALL. I always travel with that portion of their regulations printed out, I always have DD's formula in a separate container along with a letter from her doctor, and I always declare it. Of the last five times I've traveled, it has only been a non-issue once.

When you start getting into amounts of liquids that are clearly beyond a single day's supply, which is what the OP is worried about, the agents start to scrutinize you much more closely. I've been patted down three times. DD has been patted down once. Wife has been patted down once. Every single bag has been searched and swabbed four out of five times.

But. They let you go right? They let you carry it on. I when I said they never say anything, I meant that they never put up a stink or they never treat it as unusual. They do what they have to do. We get swabbed (well my son does since he's carrying an insulin pump). the bags get swabbed. The ice pack gets checked for frozen state, the juice and insulin gets swabbed.

I don't expect to pass through unnoticed. I don't expect to pass through unswabbed. We travel quite a bit with a whole lot of prohibited to the general public items (last time I even brought scissors as they were 'medically necessary" to cut medical tap - ok for that it was an oops and I had meant to pack the tape and scissors in the checked luggage - but after explaining why I had them and what they were for, they let it through.

We've been in orlando, boston twice, providence, st louis and laguardia this summer. It's been very similar in every situation.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

I'll have to respectfully disagree. While this is what TSA regulations do indeed say, real-world experience has proven time and time again that it all boils down to the whims of the agent you interact with at your particular airport and you have to be prepared for that. As an example: regulations clearly say that you are allowed an unlimited amount, but I had a TSA agent literally tell me, "you are allowed an unlimited amount, but I'm not letting you just bring as much as you want!"

Real world experience has a 100% rate of no probs for me.

TSA agents (or any of their collegues worldwide) can have a bad day, not be in tuned with each and every detail but that does not equal having problems. Much less not being allowed. It polite but firm supply of regulation is not enough to enlighten said agent, simple; time to escalate. Have yet to hear any first hand experience of it not being given the green light.


Have had quite a few situations worlwide, incl. TSA , in where agents were not up to par with their knowledge when it comes to all kinds of medical excemptions. Whether it being my tube feedings, tools for wheelchairs, specialised chair cushion, liquids, you name it. Some situations being very understandable and some totally stupid, IMHO. It happens. Polite but firm stating of regulation solves most of them. Those not yet solved always are as soon as a supervisor gets involved.

 

[Bitsmommy]

I am fine if the swab it. I don't care if they give me and anal probe for crying out loud. I don't think that the will need to do anything more for my DS with regard to a pat down, ect. I will make them well informed that he has sensory issues and the best way to touch him is to be prepared for a kick to the face, but if they catch him on a good day, they could be spared I have no problem being "held up" in security as long as DH is allowed to go on through with the boys. I hope that this Will be the case, because my two kids on sensory overload is often a nightmare in the best of circumstances. Let alone adding a TSA officer or two in the mix. Honestly, the will probably just do the minimum necessary to get us through so they don't have to deal with us anymore or because they feel sorry for me! Of course I am kidding, well... Maybe a little! Trust me, we have been preparing them for about 6 months for security. The 7yo will be fine, but is still a super excited 7 year old boy! The toddler....well, all I can say if things go south is that I did my best!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

sensory issues or not, if child has to be patted down it will happen or you will not fly. we were held up by one boy touching side of scanner, yes just lightly touching that set off scanner. thanks to traveler behind who saw and told agent he touched or we woiuld have had a patdown search. boys had to walk thru by self and no lovies allowed to be carried. yes all of you can be held if a problem is found. we did not find much help even with special needs patdowns are removed to a special area away from scanner, you will go with child but it will happen esp if medical eqipement can not go though scanner.

 

[buffettgirl]

what we normally do is this ...we sandwich my son between my husband and I. he takes my son's supplies and deals with all that. I go first and then my son follows. if there is the full body scanner we have to step into the other line, so if that's the case, then I'm already there and I know DH will get our items. If his pump alarms on the scanner, then I"m there. If they request a swab then I'm there. This way we have a system in place that I'm responsible for my son once he gets through the screening and dh is responsible for the stuff. If the stuff needs to be swabbed I can be far away already sitting quietly with my son. Just like you've prepped the kids already, work on a system with your dh that will allow one of you to handle the goods and the other to handle the kids. The reason why I take my son is that 9 times out of 10 dh gets pulled aside and patted down, sets off the alarms, sent through the full body etc. He's a nightmare to travel with. I figure he's going to be tied up anyway. LOL.

Good luck!! I'm sure it will be fine!