Question About Flying With A Diabetic

[MickeyEars]

Hi Guys!
Our upcoming trip to WDW in March will be our first time flying since our 12 year old son was diagnosed with diabetes this past April. My question is... Are we going to have any trouble going through security with his testing supplies?? He checks his sugar 4 times a day and I was afraid with all the new security measures we would be stopped at security. Any info on this would be most appreciated. Thanks so much!!

Carla

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have flown quite a few times and have never had a problem. I will, in my carry-on baggage (NEVER checked), carry my meter (in case) with more than enough lancets for the trip, as well as a sufficent supply of syringes. If I am challanged I also have with me information about my medical records and pharmacy, along with prescription numbers and descriptions.

Some other suggestions.

Contact your hotel in advance for a small refrigerator to keep insulin. If staying at a Disney Resort contact Special Reservations (at 407-939-7807) and explain the situation to avoid the $10 per day charge for a small refrigerator.

If you normally use a bottle of alcohol with cotton, DON'T. Go to any pharmacy where you can buy a box of 100 individually packed alcohol pads for about $2.00. I go to Costco and buy three boxes for $4.50. Make sure you have enough for any needs.

If you will be in a park all day and need insulin, you can have yours stored at each park's First Aid station, where they will keep it refrigerated for you. They also will provide a private area for injections (if needed) as well as a place to dispose of the syringes.

One trick I use is have a toothbrush holder that comes apart. Before leaving for a park I will charge the syringe and put the cap back on. I will take an alocohol pad and wrap it arounf the top of the "fixed" part of the syringe and then put it in the toothbrush holder. and then put the cap on. The sealed pad keeps the syringe from moving around, and when you go to use it, you have an alcohol pad. This way you don't have to carry the bottle(s) of insulin in the park.

Hope some of these help.

 

[tymike]

We have flown a few times with my eight year old since he was diagnosed 2 years ago !

i had all of his supplies in my backpack with all of the doctors notes and labeled prescriptions ready if i was questioned.

the backpack went thru the scanner on the belt at ewr and nobody said a word. same thing happened on the way back at hnl.

our last trip was newark to hawaii and back and we did testing/shots/meals on the 10 hour plane ride without a problem !

hope that helps !

scott

 

[BCV23]

We've never had a problem flying either....pre or post 9/11. My husband travels routinely and has never been questioned about his diabetes supplies although his shoes have been wanded more than once .

Cheshire Figment...I like your idea for carrying a prepared syringe a lot although for us it would only work for DH. We usually have to adjust DS' dose. Cool idea though.

 

[SueM in MN]

The Transportation Security Administration took over screening on 12/31/02, so some things may have changed a little since then.
Here is a link to the disabilities page on their website which includes info about insulin, syringes, etc,
Just in case the link doesn't work (I had some trouble with their site), here's a copy of the pertinent paragraphs:

Notify the screener that you have diabetes and are carrying your supplies with you. The following diabetes related supplies and equipment are allowed through the checkpoint once they have been screened:
- insulin and insulin loaded dispensing products (vials or box of individual vials, jet injectors, pens, infusers, and preloaded
syringes),
- unlimited number of unused syringes when accompanied by insulin, and
- lancets, blood glucose meters, blood glucose meter test strips, insulin pumps, and insulin pump supplies.
Insulin in any form or dispenser must be properly marked with a professionally printed label identifying the medication or manufacturer's name or pharmaceutical label.
Notify screeners if you are wearing an insulin pump and, if necessary, advise the screener that it cannot be removed since it is surgically implanted.
Insulin pumps and supplies must be accompanied by insulin with professionally printed labels identifying the medication or manufacturer's name or pharmacy label.
Advise screeners if you are experiencing low blood sugar and are in need of medical assistance.

Some of the airlines say on their websites that you also need prescriptions and/or a doctor's letter, so you may want to check there too.

 

[MickeyEars]

Thanks everyone for all the helpful replies. I will make sure we have all the right things with us. Thanks again!!!


Carla