PSA on medications

[Inkmahm]

Just a reminder, do NOT pack your medications in your checked luggage! Especially if they are narcotics.

My mom has Vicodin and Oxycontin to manage severe pain on a daily basis. She recently flew to visit my sister on Airtran from MKE to MSP. She didn't even think about it and packed her prescription medications in the outside zippered pocket of her suitcase. Of course, when she got to MSP, all her drugs were G O N E. Someone made a killing either for their own use or for resale. I can't even imagine what the pills were worth if they were sold for recreational use.

She did call the pharmacy to make sure that no one could get the refill that was left on the Vicodin. She also called Airtran to report the missing drugs. She doesn't really expect that they will find out who took them but wanted them to be aware that there was a problem. I think the Airtran person did a wonderful job of not telling my mom she was an idiot for packing narcotics in her luggage. They were very polite to her.

Anyway, mom learned a lesson and will never ever make the same mistake again. I thought I'd post this thread for anyone who has parents going with them to WDW or other people with medications that might be worth $. Please remind them to take their medications with them on the plane and NOT pack them in their checked luggage.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I've always packed prescription meds in my carryon. I've been more concerned about not having them if my luggage gets lost or delayed. I hadn't thought too much about prescription meds getting stolen, but then again, none of mine or my DD's are ones that would be "in demand" on the street.

It's too bad your mom had to learn this lesson the hard way. I hope she was able to get replacements without it taking up too much of her time.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Hopefully your mom was able to get her refills quickly! Goodness! I don't think she was that silly at all, just not a seasoned traveler. The scary part is that it was probably someone in the TSA who stole it - they're the ones who xray luggage, so they're the ones who would know if there are any pills in a suitcase!

 

[rwdavis2]

On a related note the old tv series where they followed Southwest Airlines on TV some poor family had their sick grandmother pack her meds in a checked bag and then tried to board with grandma and her oxygen tank which SW does not allow. By the time they got to gate and could not board they could not get the bags witnh meds off the plane. The family blamed SW for not telling them about the restriction and for not telling them to not put meds in checked bags.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I've always packed prescription meds in my carryon. I've been more concerned about not having them if my luggage gets lost or delayed. I hadn't thought too much about prescription meds getting stolen, but then again, none of mine or my DD's are ones that would be "in demand" on the street.

It's too bad your mom had to learn this lesson the hard way. I hope she was able to get replacements without it taking up too much of her time.

You would be surprise at what meds are in demand on the street . . .

 

[Missytara]

A few weeks ago, I was at my local tavern having dinner at the bar; and a woman saw my "Disney" key ring and commented she had just returned from her first and only trip to Disney a few months back.

Of course, I had to ask, since I love Disney so much, I always hope that I can convince someone their first trip usually goes wrong because of some high expectation.

She was very upset because she said her TA told her luggage arrives from ME at 3:00 to 4:00 pm. They arrived at 2:30 pm and could understand why it was now 3:15 pm and no bags. I told her she misunderstood; it was three to four hours after check-in. She was quite surprised, but continued to be somewhat beligerent about it.

She said she was appalled it would take so long, considering her "Anti-seizure medication" was in her checked bag. I was like, are you kidding me? What if your bags were lost.

She asked who would lose our bags, they are on the plane. I said, sometimes bags do not make it on the plane.

You should always carry your medication with you. It is common sense.

 

[Inkmahm]

I agree, it is common sense to have your medication with you on the plane and not in your luggage. Luckily, my mom was able to get refills quickly. It's one of the reasons to use Walgreens, they can help you anyplace in the country when you need emergency refills.

On another more positive note, my mom got a phone call from Airtran. They will reimburse her for the cost of her lost medicine. I was quite surprised since there is no way to prove that it was Airtran's fault in anyway.