Tips for carrying insulin pen and needles on airplane?

[Ragtime Gal]

I have a note from the doctor stating that these meds and needles need to be carried one, but is there anything else I need to do? Can I just throw them in my carry on and not make a big deal out of it unless they ask me? Or do I need to announce it to the baggage screener?

Thank you!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have never announced anything about any syringes, pens or needles to security, and I tend to do about five air roundtrips per year. And I have never had any problems.

 

[Ragtime Gal]

Thanks so much! I really didn't want to have to announce it. Do they ever ask you to pull them out of your bag if they see them?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The only things I have ever been asked to take of of my bag have been my computer and my CPAP machine.

Medical "stuff" I carry with me includes all my pills in a couple of "by-day" boxes. Syringes, Pen needles, Insulin vials, Byetta Pen, Wrist blood pressure cuff, alcohol swabs, and Blood suger tester with lancets, and, of course, the CPAP with tubing and mask. All of this fits in one backpack. And if I am taking my ECV with me the backpack rides on the back of the seat.

 

[firstcruise]

No need to worry about your supplies TSA won't say a word. I travel quite a bit and it's never been brought up ever and I use an insulin pump. My supplies are much more noticeable than any syringe would ever be, not to mention the pump (which is the size of a pager) and the tubing that goes with it. I don't hide my pump, so it's noticeable to all who care to look. The only time I've ever been asked about anything is when I had the pump in my pocket and the TSA agent asked if that was my wallet. I just said no, it's an insulin pump and she said go ahead, thank you.

BTW, I bring all my supplies in a back pack.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

When we took DS last winter, I had the doctor's note on top of the bag that had all his insulin, pump supplies, etc. I did tell the screener, but more because I had juice boxes in the bag for him too. The screener never batted an eyelash, and had no problems with all of his stuff.

 

[Maryr1]

I have only been asked once to open my supplies for inspection. They were in my carry on. It was very odd......I use a pump so I had all my pump supplies as well as my bottle of insulin as well as emergency pens just in case my pump failed. They actually were not interested in the pump supplies, just the vials of insulin. I carry a doctors note authorizing me to have these supplies so they let me go through after they went through my stuff. I travel about once a month. Since this incident, I take my pump off and put it in my carry on before I go through security and don't say a word about it. I put it back on after I get through. It seems to save time.

 

[andrewgood]

I dont think I have ever been looked at twice when bags go through the scanners. I think most security staff know what insulin is and what it looks like in the scanner and that the needles accompany it. Havnt yet flown with an insulin pump since ive only just got it but I assume there will be no issues.

 

[katml14]

Like most PP's have said, security has never given us a problem with the needles. I just go to the "medical" line during screening and let them know that I have diabetic supplies in my bag. I have read, however, that you should bring your prescription, not a dr.'s note, because a dr note can easily be forged.

 

[PatsMom]

I've never been questioned about any of my supplies and I only inform the screeners that I have them if I have unused insulin or Byetta that needs to be on ice. Then I tell them about the ice and carry everything in a small cooler.

At various times I've travelled with insulin vials and traditional syringes, pen injectors and needs, my testing supplies and a ton of medications in a 7 day pill organizer, along with the extra days in labelled zip loc snack baggies. I've never been questioned or had a problem and I do not carry an prescription information on me.

The exception was when I travelled to France 3 years ago - I wasn't as sure about the screenings for the return trip so I did have a medical travel letter for the needles, insulin and lancets.

 

[Ambassador]

We have never had any problems: never asked about them, or asked to show and explain. We usually only carry pen and needles needed short term, with the balance in a checked bag. We have not checked insulin, because of possible breakage, and freezing conditions in the hold (although not sure if this is tru, since some pets are down there too?).