Flying with prescription liquids

[AquamarineSteph]

My next flight will be my first since having a prescription eye drop added to my regimen. The drops come in a large box since they are unit dosed instead of in a smaller bottle with multiple doses.

I understand that I can carry this along and have it in my carry on. I understand that it doesn't count toward my total for my 3-1-1 bag. My question is - what am I supposed to say to the TSA agents? I assume that I need to remove it and show it to them. The box carries the pharmacy label and all of the information you'll find on any prescription.

Do I need to say anything special or just pull it out and say it's medical?

 

[alliecat523]

Typically you will pull it out and place it in one of the bins to go through the scanner. Shouldn't be an issue at all.

 

[FCDub]

You don't have to say anything. Thousands of people fly with medical liquids every day.

 

[nacho113]

My next flight will be my first since having a prescription eye drop added to my regimen. The drops come in a large box since they are unit dosed instead of in a smaller bottle with multiple doses.

I understand that I can carry this along and have it in my carry on. I understand that it doesn't count toward my total for my 3-1-1 bag. My question is - what am I supposed to say to the TSA agents? I assume that I need to remove it and show it to them. The box carries the pharmacy label and all of the information you'll find on any prescription.

Do I need to say anything special or just pull it out and say it's medical?

Take it out of your bag and place it in a bin, to make it easier to see on the x-ray and inspect.
The bin will likely be pulled for additional screening but it's usually just a quick swab and then you are on your way.
EDIT: if you leave it inside your bag, it will be pulled for sure, subject to the additional screening and the TSA officer will go rummaging through your bag to find it.

 

[AquamarineSteph]

Thank you for all the kind replies! I'm one of those travelers who just likes to have an idea ahead of time what to expect. And I wasn't sure if there was something special I needed to do for this.

Thanks again!

 

[prprincess]

In the past I was instructed to do both on separate occasions--placed the meds in a plastic travel bag in a bin for inspection, and handed the meds directly to the inspector. It depends what they prefer, but you'll be fine. For some reason my kids always seem to get sick and put on liquid antibiotics before our trips!

 

[NotUrsula]

I've got TSA Pre, but last week Murphy's Law nailed me, and I got dinged over a bottle of cough syrup and had to wait on the swab routine. Worse yet, I got a trainee doing the swab, so it took forever. Before I got Pre, my standard routine was to use another baggie (any size for this one), write your last name and the word "Medication" on the bag, put any liquid or tube-cream medications in the bag, and toss it in the bin.

 

[AquamarineSteph]

Thanks again! I have PreCheck, but I'm usually the lucky passenger selected for additional random screening, so I'm not sure that it was really worth the cost. But I appreciate the stories and suggestions! Makes me feel SO much better about traveling with medications!

 

[Starwind]

My next flight will be my first since having a prescription eye drop added to my regimen. The drops come in a large box since they are unit dosed instead of in a smaller bottle with multiple doses.

I understand that I can carry this along and have it in my carry on. I understand that it doesn't count toward my total for my 3-1-1 bag. My question is - what am I supposed to say to the TSA agents? I assume that I need to remove it and show it to them. The box carries the pharmacy label and all of the information you'll find on any prescription.

Do I need to say anything special or just pull it out and say it's medical?

TSA website is clear that medical liquids are to be declared before screening.

I put medical liquids into its own Ziploc (to protect it; not the 3-1-1 bag, that is a separate bag) and keep it handy in case I need to pull it out.

When I get to the screening area where you put things into the gray trays, I tell the screening officer there that I have medical liquids that exceed the 3-1-1 rule and ask if I should take them out or leave them in my bag. I then follow their direction. If they have to come out, the ziploc helps protect them from the nasty surface of those bins.

Regardless of which way they want me to do it, I expect there is a good chance the meds will be pulled for additional inspection and swabbed. This doesnt always happen, but often enough. I ensure I have that extra time built into my plan [ie dont be at the last minute rushing to your gate].

For me, I have a multiple medical liquids and devices, so I allocate 30 minutes to get through security not including waiting in line time. If it takes less than this I am pleased, and it has never taken me more despite them swabbing multiple things and searching multiple bags.

SW

 

[deeanddisney]

Funny you would post this specific question, I will be flying in a week and have Restasis eye drops to bring with me for the first time. I will put in a baggie and in the bin and let the TSA person know. I don't know how they would swab Restasis, as they are in individual sealed vials.

 

[tjmw2727]

Also have TSA Pre and also put liquid meds in their own zip lock labeled with our last name and medication! Before TSA Pre I just put it in the bin with our 3-1-1 bag.