Peanut/Tree nut allergies n planes

[WeLoveLilo05]

Do you really need a note from the allergist stating child's allergy and need for epipen in order to get through airport security? Last year we had it but did not have to take the note out.

I ask b/c I called my allergist this morning and the receptionist said he might not give me the note b/c he needs to see DD back to test her again....what?!?! I was there 15 months ago and she tested positive for peanuts and just to take precautions I keep her away from tree nuts as well. We leave Thursday, I have finals Monday and Tuesday, there is no way I am going to be able to get to that office and have her tested yet again. Why expose her to that too right before our trip! I am so annoyed! Still waiting for the Dr. to get back to me....

 

[Selket]

I've flown several times with many different prescription medications and never had a note. Where did you get the idea that you need a letter?

From the TSA website: We do not require that your medications be labeled.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1374.shtm#3

I don't see anything about a note. Have a great trip!

 

[dolphingirl47]

I work for an airline and yes, you need a note. This is not about the medication, it is about the needles in the Epipen. If you need to take anything with needles in your carry on, you need a letter from your doctor.

dolphingirl47

 

[Selket]

I fly with syringes and epi-pens and I cannot find on TSA where it says you MUST have a note.

Can anyone find that info on the TSA website?

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

Like I said, no one questioned the epi's when i went through airport security LAST year, I think someone mentioned to me that I needed it. I just wanted it to be on the safe side in case I got questioned.

I DO still have last year's note, is it still valid? I mean she still has a peanut allergy.

AND on top of it, the allergist never got back to me....I think it is time to find a new allergist.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I fly with syringes and epi-pens and I cannot find on TSA where it says you MUST have a note.

Can anyone find that info on the TSA website?

Not on the TSA website, but I have found the same information that we have on our website on the websites of various airlines

Like I said, no one questioned the epi's when i went through airport security LAST year, I think someone mentioned to me that I needed it. I just wanted it to be on the safe side in case I got questioned.

I DO still have last year's note, is it still valid? I mean she still has a peanut allergy.

AND on top of it, the allergist never got back to me....I think it is time to find a new allergist.

I would think so as severe allergies like this don't usually disappear from one year to the next. To be on the safe side, I would contact the relevant airline to check.

dolphingirl47

 

[ltillock]

My son has PN and TN allergies and we just got back from our first plane trip to WDW with him last week. I was super paranoid and took 20 epipens, which is ridiculous but I felt better that way (plus if we left some out in the heat or whatever, I'd have plenty left over during the trip). I took the boxes with the pharmacy labels (flattened to take less space) and put the pens in 2 ziplock bags. I didn't remove the bags from my carry on luggage when going through security, and didn't have any problems. I have a letter from my allergist, but didn't take it with me. Many friends had traveled before and never needed it, so I didn't bother.

Good luck with your flight. Ours went great. We flew American from St. Louis to Orlando, so went through security in both places. No one asked a question in either place.

 

[Mary976]

I have flown with an epipen more times than I can count, and never had a problem, and never even been asked about it. I do NOT bring a note, but I make sure that I either have the box with the prescription label, or I started having the pharmacy put the label right on the tube itself. Medical liquids do not count against your carry-on liquid allowance, but the TSA (on their website) wants you to put them in a separate clear bag).

Mary

 

[mechurchlady]

If your child is inhalation allergic to peanuts or anything then inform the airline before flying then when you check in and again check with stewards. In that case alone would a note possibly be helpful. I have celiac so I can fly on a plane that is serving sandwiches and breaded foods with no problem and have been lucky to not sit next to an over perfumed person.

 

[honugirl]

Just make sure you have the prescription for the epi-pens with you and you should be fine if they ask. I carry syringes for my solu-cortef act-o-vials and haven't had a problem. In fact, I didn't even have to take them out, but I do tend to ask security if I need to since each airport is different.

 

[Brenle]

I've flown several times with epi-pens (2 each trip) and have never been questioned about it nor has anyone asked to see a note. They just want to be told it's in your bag before it goes through screening and before they reach their hands in and check around.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

Thanks everyone, I feel better hearing this news

 

[DVCDawn]

I have flown with my peanut and tree nut allergic DD many times. I always have a letter. I have been asked to produce the letter twice (different trips), each time at the Orlando airport. I'd call the doctor back again explain that you don't need a new diagnosis or prescription, simply a letter stating why you need to bring the Epi's onboard the aircraft.

DVCDawn

 

[Selket]

I guess the bottom line is that I cannot find on the TSA website where it says you need a letter (or even labels on the prescriptions) but it is better to have both if you can.

I would print out the TSA guidelines from the URL I mentioned earlier. If they ask you for a letter I would (nicely) show them that info and ask to talk to a supervisor.

As always - best to show up in the security line with a lot of extra time (I try to budget an hour for security at least). We have a lot of supplies (diabetes, allergies, eczema, asthma). We pack all the supplies into one carry on and alllow it to go through the scanner but I do identify the bag to them beforehand as medical supplies with some items being over the 3 ounce limit.

 

[hildarumpole]

We travel with 4 epipens and have never been asked to provide a dr's. note. I always take the prescription boxes with the labels and pull them out with the epipens before going through security so they can see them. Last time, at the Orlando airport, I forgot to take them out of my purse before putting it on the security conveyor. I remembered when my purse was under the x-ray. I mentioned it to the security guard and he said it wasn't necessary to pull them out. Some security personnel may take it upon themselves to be aggressive, but if the TSA website doesn't list that a letter is required, then legally you can't be asked to produce one.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

thanks everyone, I think I will just print out the info from the TSA website and say it doesn't say it on here anywhere so I didn't think to bring a note. It just really bothered me that the office never got back to me and wants to give me a hard time about giving me note.

 

[dolphingirl47]

This would not leave me alone. The TSA is doing a great job keeping air travellers in the USA safe, but virtually all airlines in the world are also governed by IATA. I just checked what the IATA website has to say about this and here is what I found:

Check a Bag - Safety guidelines

Some governments have directed that for safety reasons, all knives, sharp objects or cutting implements of any kind and of any length, whether of metal or other material, and some sporting goods must be packed in checked baggage. They cannot be carried in the cabin baggage nor on your person.

These items include (but are not limited to) knives (including household cutlery) and knife-like objects, box cutters, corkscrews, straight razors, metal nail files, scissors of any kind and of any length, dangerous goods (hazardous materials (unless approved)), tradesmen's tools, hypodermic needles (unless required for medical reasons), knitting needles, other sharp pointed/penetrating objects and sporting goods such as bats, bows and arrows, cues, darts, golf clubs and sling shots (catapults), martial arts devices, real/toy/replica weapons (whether plastic or metal).

These articles are likely to be removed and not returned. Passengers requiring the use of medical syringes in flight such as diabetics and other passengers with documented proof of medical need must ensure that it is professionally packed and labelled. If it is not, the medication is likely to be removed.

Check with your travel agent or directly with the airline concerned.

So even if TSA does not say anything about this topic, an airline under IATA ruling has the right to remove anything containing needles unless there is documented proof of medical need (doctor's letter for you and me).

Here is the link if you want to check the website directly:

http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/passenger/passenger_baggage/baggage_safety.htm

Colrinna

 

[hildarumpole]

When I read that provision, it tells me you need your syringes and injectible meds properly labelled with the prescription in your name in the original container, not that it is necessary to have a special note from the doctor detailing a medical condition.

As I stated before, we have never been asked to provide a medical note when travelling with epipens. The prescription label says it all. It's got the patient's name, the prescribing doctor's name, the medication name, and the medical condition for which it is prescribed. What the TSA is trying to prevent are the illegal substances from getting on board for personal use or trafficking, not harrass those with legitimate medical needs from travelling with their injectible meds.

 

[GoofyFairie]

I just print out the one from the FAAN website and have my pediatrician fill it out and sign it for me. She does it- no questions asked.

 

[mechurchlady]

Passengers requiring the use of medical syringes in flight such as diabetics and other passengers with documented proof of medical need must ensure that it is professionally packed and labelled. If it is not, the medication is likely to be removed.

Lst us take that apart.

such as diabetics and other passenger

This is a clause that can be read as "(diabetics and other passengers) with documented proof" or "(diabetics) and (passengers with documented proof)"
Since it is unclear I would go with the first one, "(diabetics and other passengers) who with documented proof" because diabetes is a hidden disability that cannot be proven at an airport. Therefore I would go with that one as being more logical for this matter.

documented proof of medical need

This is where the need for a doctor's note comes into play. That is why you should carry a doctor's note with you stating your condition and needs. Also it costs nothing to get that letter usually and takes up little space in your life. Technically they can ask for proof which would be a doctor's note.

professionally packed and labelled.

That means it has to have proper identification from the pharmacy or other company that provides the syringes.
==================================

I am not a lawyer let alone one who specializes in this matter. I think the above would apply if they wanted to be very strict.