Air Travel Tips For Individuals With Diabetes

These tips are meant to assist travelers with disabilities through the security screening process, they are by no means all-inclusive and can be updated and modified at any time by the airlines, so understand that the are to provide recommendations and advice for you and always check to make sure they are still in operation.

Here are some general screening tips for special need passengers: you can always ask for and receive a private screening; make sure medications are properly labeled (professional printed label identifying the medication, manufacturers name or pharmaceutical label; the limit of one carry-one bag and one personal item (purse or briefcase) for each traveler does not apply to passengers with disabilities medical supplies, equipment, mobility aids, or assistive devices; mobility aids and assistive devices permitted through the security checkpoints include: canes, walkers, crutches, prosthetic devices, body braces, wheelchairs, scooters, augmentation devices, Braille note takers, slate and stylus, service animals and diabetes related equipment/supplies which will be covered in more detail later in this article.

It is always best arrive early to the airport when you have special needs and of course your best approach would be pleasant and grateful, I have found that puts them in the helping mode much easier, be clear what your medical issues are and what kind of assistance you need, if things are moving to fast and you feel overwhelmed ask for a private screening.

Here is your procedure: Notify the screener you have diabetes and are carrying your supplies with you; make sure your insulin, vials, jet injectors, pens, infusers and preloaded syringes are marked properly; there is no limitation on the number of empty syringes that you can carry through the checkpoint, however, you must have insulin with you in order to carry empty syringes through the checkpoint; Lancets, blood glucose meters, blood glucose test strips can be carried through the checkpoint; let screeners know if you are wearing a insulin pump and ask for them to visually inspect the pump as you cannot remove it from your person; insulin pumps and supplies must be accompanied by insulin with professionally printed labels; if you need any assistance because you are experiencing low blood sugar be sure and notify your screener of this immediately.

Keep all these ideas and tips handy in your carryon with your travel papers so you can refer to them and also show them to the screeners or anyone else that may be assisting you. Happy Traveling!!!