Taking Cold Meds on Plane

[bytheblood]

Hi All,

I saw something on here about this a few months ago, but cannot find the post.

I take probiotics...the ones I take have to be refrigerated. How can I carry these on the plane with me and keep them cold so that they do not ruin and not get blown-up by some TSA agent for needing to keep them in some kind of cool container?

Can I put them in a soft-sided cooler with some frozen peas? I am guessing a gel pack would never work? I am not sure what to do, but I do need to take these daily and I will be there for 11 days.

 

[seashoreCM]

Frozen peas or other vegetables make an excellent cooling agent.

 

[bytheblood]

Frozen peas or other vegetables make an excellent cooling agent.

And TSA does allow this? Will they have an issue with a soft-sided cooler or would they prefer it be in a gallon baggie?

 

[clanmcculloch]

If all you have in the soft sided cooler is the probiotics then just open it up so the TSA agent can see. A ziploc bag is not necessary. Yes, frozen veggies are TSA allowed. What lots of people find though is that ziploc baggies filled with ice is easier. Dump the ice before getting in line then once through TSA go to any food counter and ask for ice. The reason this works better is that for your return flight you don't need to worry about how to freeze your icepack/veggies/whatever you're using.

 

[Jestocost]

Theoretically, you are allowed to bring through security prescription and OTC meds in containers larger than 3.4 oz. and, if cooling is required for those meds, frozen gel packs to keep them cold. You can review the TSA guidelines here. As a result, it should be OK to pack your meds in a soft-sided cooler with frozen gel packs. You always need to declare if you are carrying such items and follow the screener's instructions for how they want them handled.

That said, interpretations of the rules vary from airport to airport and you also can get caught up in what an individual screener believes is right or not. So the reality is your theoretically legal cooler with meds and gel packs could get rejected at security.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have no issue with the TSA...I have always had a decent experience with them. BUT...having said that, I do realize that each TSA area and it's agents, can differ in 'accepted proceedure' from what others areas do. Is it right? No, but it does happen. There seems to sometimes be a difference of opinion when it comes to interpreting the rules and regulations. So, with that in mind...
just use a small soft sided cooler, with your meds in it, surrounded by frozen peas or corn. That way, you won't have to worry about how that particular TSA agent has 'interpreted' the rules pertaining to gel packs.

 

[bytheblood]

I have no issue with the TSA...I have always had a decent experience with them. BUT...having said that, I do realize that each TSA area and it's agents, can differ in 'accepted proceedure' from what others areas do. Is it right? No, but it does happen. There seems to sometimes be a difference of opinion when it comes to interpreting the rules and regulations. So, with that in mind...
just use a small soft sided cooler, with your meds in it, surrounded by frozen peas or corn. That way, you won't have to worry about how that particular TSA agent has 'interpreted' the rules pertaining to gel packs.

When we fly out of Love Field, the TSA agents are actually all quite nice. It is when we fly in DFW that they are so horrible. We are flying AA on the way to MCO, so we will be in DFW. If we were flying DAL, I would not think so much of it.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

while on grandson's MAW trip in june, we were able to use gel packs to keep meds cool in soft sde cooler. we did have to open one on way down but when looked at it were able to go right on. had more trouble with daughter and her med equipment than we did the cooler and gel pack.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Theoretically, you are allowed to bring through security prescription and OTC meds in containers larger than 3.4 oz. and, if cooling is required for those meds, frozen gel packs to keep them cold. You can review the TSA guidelines here. As a result, it should be OK to pack your meds in a soft-sided cooler with frozen gel packs. You always need to declare if you are carrying such items and follow the screener's instructions for how they want them handled.

That said, interpretations of the rules vary from airport to airport and you also can get caught up in what an individual screener believes is right or not. So the reality is your theoretically legal cooler with meds and gel packs could get rejected at security.

Well said!

I have no issue with the TSA...I have always had a decent experience with them. BUT...having said that, I do realize that each TSA area and it's agents, can differ in 'accepted proceedure' from what others areas do. Is it right? No, but it does happen. There seems to sometimes be a difference of opinion when it comes to interpreting the rules and regulations. So, with that in mind...
just use a small soft sided cooler, with your meds in it, surrounded by frozen peas or corn. That way, you won't have to worry about how that particular TSA agent has 'interpreted' the rules pertaining to gel packs.

Is it really too much to ask? Shouldn't all the Airport Security Screeners know the rules and be playing by the same book?