Flying with syringes (prescription medication)
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Anonymous
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I have to give myself a daily injection. I have a trip coming up and it will be the first time I've flown with syringes.
Should I expect any trouble with TSA? I'm less concerned about TSA in DC than in our destination city, which is a mid-size airport where the TSA staff tend to take themselves oh-so-seriously. Other than carrying the printout of my prescription, should I do anything else? |
Anonymous
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It's not a big deal. Declare it if you want at the security line. I would keep it in a separate container with the medication. They sell chill packs for carrying insulin.
I'm sure tsa sees it 100 times a day. |
Anonymous
| Just make sure you have everything in the original sealed packaging (not that i think you would travel with used loose needles) your sharps container and prescription from your doctor. |
Anonymous
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Thanks!
Fortunately, they're pre-filled syringes that are individually sealed, so that part is uncomplicated and easy. |
Anonymous
| I fly with syringes, are you talking syringes or hypodermic needle? I don't fly with the needles, just the syringe, (med for child) |
Anonymous
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I probably fly with prefilled syringes six times a year (and have been doing it for nine years). I have NEVER had an issue and never been asked for a prescription. I have a little icepack case that fits in my carry on, and I pull it out to go through the x-ray, just like my ziploc bag of toiletries.
Just make sure the hotel you are staying in (if you are staying in a hotel) has a minifridge. Once, I had to store my medicine in the refrigerator behind the desk because there were no mini-fridges. After that, I have always requested one when I make my reservation. |
Anonymous
| When I used to do this, I kept a note from my doctor on me. I never needed to show it. |
Anonymous
We've never had needles in sealed packages and the insulin bottles weren't brand new. No sharps container, either. The needles are recapped and brought back home. |
Anonymous
I'm the quoted pp my meds are in glass vials, so i have separate needles and syringes. All come sealed in sterol packaging from the pharmacy. Are you saying you reuse needles?! If so you need to talk to your doctor about the danger of this. |
Anonymous
I don't think she is saying she reuses needles. Likely the needles come already on the syringe, they cap them once used (still on the syringe) and bring back home to discard. |
Anonymous
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From the TSA website:
"Accessories required to keep medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols cool – such as freezer packs or frozen gel packs – are permitted through the screening checkpoint and may be subject to additional screening. These accessories are treated as liquids unless they are frozen solid at the checkpoint. If these accessories are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the same screening as other liquids and gels. Supplies that are associated with medically necessary liquids and gels – such as IV bags, pumps and syringes – are allowed through a checkpoint once they have been screened by X-ray or inspection. The passenger should declare these items to an officer and separate them from other belongings for screening." http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/medically-necessary-liquids |
Anonymous
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Unfortunately, TSA rules don't clarify my experience. A medically necessary item was thrown out because it failed the rescreen. I wrote a letter to my congressman saying how TSA had not provided accommodations for my disability. Congressman contacted TSA, who sent letter back to Congressman and me.
Letter from TSA says "Well, if we decide we don't like it, it will still get tossed." Take ONLY what you need for the flight. Put the rest in a checked bag. I was flying from Dulles. Unfortunately, TSA's standards are not uniformly enforced and I had a prick of an agent. I followed all the rules - declared items ahead of time, used the 3-2-1 rule for everything else, etc. - but it comes down to the particular agent. |
Anonymous
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PP, that sucks.
I've heard suggestions to print out pages from the TSA website and carry them with you. Never done it myself (traveled with breastmilk, which counts under the "medically necessary liquid" category) without problems, but that's (probably?) more common than syringes, I'd think. |
Anonymous
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11:09 again.
My special contact lens solution failed the rescreen because it is a hydrogen peroxide product. Obviously I'm a terrorist and want to cause mayhem with it. My saline solution passed the rescreen - because it's benign! I got to keep the saline. The hydrogen peroxide product doesn't come in bottles smaller than 12 ounces. I told TSA I can't put it in a 3 ounce bottle because that's not sterile. He was like "Well, it isn't safe." I've flown in many other airports with no issues (BWI, MIA, SFO, DCA, and even IAD) carrying on this solution. But this agent had his "grumpy mode" on high. TSA's response letter even said something like "It's an agent's discretion on a reasonable quantity. If it is not reasonable and fails a rescreen, it will be thrown out. To be safe, always pack the item in a checked bag." Breastmilk will pass a rescreen! 
I'm worried that OP will find a prick of an agent and get her entire stash tossed. Only carry on what you need on the plane. |