Diabetics passing through airport security question

[helimutt]

Hi,
I am looking for anyone with experience of going through airport security, long haul flight, to a tropical destination, but also a type 1 (insulin dependant) diabetic. Does security give you a hard time over carrying insulin vials through security at say, Gatwick, or is it a common enough thing and not a problem?
They will be carried through in a cooled pouch but they are about 3ml in each one and about 4 of them. Also an emergency glucagon pen has to be carried.

Does anyone think this will cause a problem during screening?

Thanks.

[west lakes]

Take the vials, pens & needles out of the pouch & put into the plastic bag (or have them in a plastic bag in the pouch), declare them to security. They will then put them in a little plastic tray through the xray, collect at the end.
Despite some of their failings they seem to know what the stuff is and I have never had any problems.

Don't forget that the cool blocks (if frozen liquids count as well), useful also to carry a doctor's letter just in case and the the packaging they came in - this in case it is lost or stolen as the makes we get in the UK may not be available abroad, thought the type will be.. Though in 12 years I've only been asked to see it once.
On a long flight have spare plastic bags in case you need to keep the pouch temp down, cabin crew will supply ice (if they have it) but may not have the bags

You may need also to declare the needles to the airline check their web site as all of them cover the requirements for diabetics.

Never ever carry the above in hold luggage!

[gingernut]

More info here Flying with Medical Conditions

Don't put the insulin in the hold- (it may freeze).

Don't order the diabetic meal. (do they still do them?)

Do discuss your travel with your diabetic nurse, 'specially it travelling over time zones.

Do have a good holiday