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When traveling by airplane, which of these options best describes whether you pack your T1D supplies and medications in your carryon or checked baggage? Please select all that apply to you, and share in the comments about which supplies you keep in your carryon bags while flying.
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I have yet to travel since being diagnosed in March of 2022.
I stopped checking in baggage quite a long time ago after losing my bags once. I have a long list of medications and medical supplies that can be difficult to access if time ran out or bags were lost.
I have the largest carryon bag / purse possible and can fit everything needed for up to a month in there through yearly experience with international travel visiting family. If we were to go on holiday to a new location, I would possibly check in a bag of extra clothing.
I usually carry on all diabetes supplies & meds with me in case of lost luggage. However, those darn Dexcom applicators are HUGE! For a longer trip, I might carry on just 1 back-up sensor, infusion set, pump charger, and always my insulin, syringes and meter.
After being promised my bags quickly on a cruise line and then waiting hours, I always do carry on.
I carry a kit that will keep me alive for 2 weeks. In my hand or on my person at all times when traveling. I keep the same supplies in my vehicle or on me all the time. Never know when a disaster may happen.
Smart idea!
Traveling with T1D is a PIA! My carry on bag is just slightly smaller than my check in bag with my clothes. And now that I am on Dexcom nothing can go through the scanner. I always get patted down for security anyway because of my pump. Not traveling anymore these days anyway due to all of the viruses.
I answered that I carry-on as much as I can. But, the TRUTH is, I refuse to fly, and haven’t since the early 1990’s. I have absolutely no (zero) confidence in the airline industry. I don’t feel safe flying, and I don’t like the way they run the airline industry. I drive across country to see family, and have no problem doing so.
But, if there were a case where I had to fly, I would not let my diabetic supplies, or any medical supplies out of my sight.
I always carry on as I have lost baggage before and trying to get pump supplies and insulin can be problematic. My pump broke while I was in Ireland many years ago and although it was supply related, I was unable to get a replacement which basically ruined the 2nd half of my trip. I only had short acting insulin and my glucose monitor so I ate very little and my fingers were raw by the end of the trip.
I have learned that the pump companies will let us borrow a loaner to take with us when traveling overseas.
Sorry to hear about your Ireland trip! I take old extra Medtronic pump along, but use omnipod 5, so maybe not as important. Does your pump company offer a loaner program? We can’t deny t1 is a travel concern. I will add proper syringes for fast acting insulin now. I’ve never used!! I would have been a wreck. Good reminder to be mentally prepared to do what you have to do.
I always carry a Lantus pen in the carryon. Long acting insulin in case the pump fails.
Medical bags are not counted as a carryon. I always pack everything I need in its own bag/case that has a large medical alert sticker, separate from my actual carryon. I use the TSA card, too. I’ve done this internationally with no problems, either.
Did not know. Thanks
Ms Cris, from where can one get those medical alert stickers?
@Mary Halverson I’ve used various sources.
On Etsy I love the vinyl decals by ISLArey shop for my car, phone, and hardcase. She customizes, too.
I also use medical alert luggage tags, lots on Amazon. Get ones where you can insert contact info card on the back.
Finally, TSA provides cards and notifications for your flight (u.s. side only) https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures
Thank you for sharing such great tips and useful information for travel with diabetes.
Good to know!! And smart!
Where did you get the medical alert sticker?
@Marsha Miller and others, I’ll repost:
I’ve used various sources.
On Etsy I love the vinyl decals by ISLArey shop for my car, phone, and hardcase. She customizes, too.
I also use medical alert luggage tags, lots on Amazon. Get ones where you can insert contact info card on the back.
Finally, TSA provides cards and notifications for your flight (u.s. side only) https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures
I don’t Travel
When I regularly traveled for work, I carried 2 or 3x the supplies I could reasonably expect to use during my trip in my carryon along with a decent supply of cheese sticks and protein bars. I was in Boston during the Boston bombing when street travel was restricted and I’m old enough to remember 9/11 when planes were grounded so I’m a bit paranoid about running out of stuff.
My husband loves to travel, and since I normally go with him, I’ve been all over the world. Usually go for two to three weeks at a time. So I try to get as much as I can in the carryon, and put some clothes in his bag. Turns out you really don’t need that many clothes while traveling, but you have to have those supplies. Went to Greece for three weeks last year. But this year, he’s going for three weeks by himself. Dubai, Indonesia, Fiji. Just too much for me. I decided not to go overseas anymore. I;m 73, T1d for 60 years, and i just get tired!
So sorry to hear that you “get tired” when travelling, Joan. I still love to travel, although I don’t get to as much as I would like. 58 years with T1D!
Obvi, carryon, not carton 🤣
We have been traveling for decades, and we have had several missing checked bags or, worse, broken ones (from which supplies could escape). I always pack 50% extra supplies in case of cancelled flights or delays for other reasons, both of which we have experienced. And I pack all supplies in my carry on luggage. The only exception I made was when we were traveling abroad for 3.5 weeks, and I could not fit everything in my carry-on. I put the extra Dexcom sensor insertion devices in my checked bag and only carried on the ones I would need for the 3.5 weeks. And I changed sensors the day before we left, so that would last as long as possible. Things I can purchase abroad over the counter, I put in my checked suitcase, like hand sanitizer and glucose.
I always carry on at least 3 days of supplies and pack the rest
This sounds like my practice. I used to keep insulin coldwith a Frio pack or two, but for an upcoming trip I may keep uninsulated insulin in the carry-on and leave the Frio packs in the checked baggage. this avoids the hassle–sometimes extended–at TSA because they see the evaporative packs as possibly dangerous liquid.
I carry all the supplies I would need for the trip in my carry on luggage, then carry “backup” supplies in my checked bag. All insulin goes into my carry on.
I do this same thing.
I haven’t flown since being diagnosed with Type 1 some 40+ years ago, but I do KNOW that T1D supplies SHOULD be carried in carryon baggage. I presume that you’ve all heard of “lost luggage” or “delayed luggage”, plus insulin, in particular, should NEVER be frozen, which is very likely if your luggage is carried in the hold of the plane. (It also makes sense to have blood glucose testing equipment available, especially if you need to change your insulin dose, or give a correction bolus.)
Insulin and syringes go in the carryon, pump and cgm supplies go in the checked bag. Sometimes I’ll keep one extra infusion set and maybe a reservoir in my carryon, if it’s an international flight for instance.
Of course I have always packed everything in my carry-on. I don’t fly very often and the only time I ever had any checked luggage was the one time when I flew to Germany. All my other flights, literally 100% of what I took with me fit in my carry-on and I had no checked luggage to pack anything in.
I always pack my medications and equipment that cannot go through xray, including sensors and meter/test strips, in my carryon. I also put at least some of my other equipment, IE: infusion sets and reservoirs and syringes, in there. Anything else that does not fit goes into my checked bag, such as more infusion sets, reservoirs, extra alcohol swabs, etc.
All medical supplies go in carryon bag that I place beneath my seat. I try to avoid having to check any luggage if at all possible.
I said second choice. Perhaps the question should have specified packing for wk end, one week, or long vacation trip. Short trip medical supplies would fit in carryon. Long vacation or long flight insulin always with me, but some pump/cgm pkg is pretty bulky and will not fit. I feel confident placing extra supplies on any flight live animals are shipped. No extreme heat or cold.
Agree. It def depends on length of trip but generally I don’t check a bag BUT for long long trip I check bag with extra supplies if they don’t fit in carry on. Just depends on situation. I’ve been denied the extra medical bag and been required to combine bags while trying to board the plane.
Helps that you’re allowed an extra carton for medical supplies, just make sure it’s only medical supplies.
Oh! I didn’t know that… very cool!
All medications and T1D supplies go in my carry on.
Everything goes into an under seat carry on. Would never trust airline e not to lose luggage.
We have travelled several times for periods of a month or two and are always able to fit all supplies for a tandem t-slim pump and dexcom CGM into a carry-on. For two months, it is one very full well-packed bag but it all fits.
The bag is never the issue. It’s the pump that is always the problem because we have to fight to avoid going through the full body scanner. The TSA disabilities card does not help (at least not in Boston Logan.) They don’t know what it is and they ignore it. When we make a appointment ahead of time with TSA cares, they make us wait for a long time (15 min) for the agent and then often tell us that no one is available anyway.
If an agent starts acting like this, I remind them they are in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, call their manager now, I’ll wait. That has worked every time.
Unfortunately, they simply remind you that disability status does not exempt one from “the rules.” Of course they all enforce “the rules” a bit differently. In airports with smart, compassionate agents, you don’t have to trot out the ADA. In the others (such as Boston Logan), it makes no difference.
I fly frequently. I disconnect the pump and put it in my purse.
I don’t like the full body scanners, i ask for a pat down. They are usually very polite.
With TSA precheck, most of the times they only require you to go through the metal detector.
There is no need to bypass therules.
Safe travels!
Life with better care yet this question sometimes are well I don’t know what to say about them they’re not very smart
I dictated and that didn’t come out at all it was supposed to be it’s our life we better carry our medicine you never can rely on other people at least that’s what I’ve always done
May I clarify the question, a Carry-on is a bag put into the overhead compartment. I have travelled all around the world and carry a small case in my HAND with at least three days of supplies, including my Insulin in a FRIO, insulin cooler. It never leaves my sight!
I have never flown anywhere. I like the drive!
I flew a lot for my employers when I worked. Like others, I carried on what I needed to cover the trip plus some reserves. I retired 4 years ago and stopped flying all together. My wife hates to fly so it’s not a problem for me. We take our RV.
I put everything that I know I will definitely need and then some in my “personal bag” which is with me under the seat in front of me. If there are additional items, it will go in my carryon (the one going overhead). I pack lightly and tightly and may have checked my bag once maybe twice due to all the horror stories.
I learned this the hard way, years ago. I flew to Chicago and my bag flew to Pittsburgh. Ever since, I keep my supplies within reach when traveling.
I actually pack all diabetes supplies in a SEPARATE carry on, because most airlines will allow a medical bag that is not counted as THE carry on typically allowed for passengers.
Fanny pack always
Usually all T1D supplies and medications go with me on my carryon. Can’t risk freezing in cargo holds or lost luggage. Extra week of test strips, etc. sometimes I will pack in checked baggage, but seldom.
I no longer fly. But when I did i carried medical supplies and extra food as carry on. Today, whether running errands on foot or by bus or taxi, I ALWAYS carry Dexcom, One Touch meter, sugar cubes, prefilled insulin syringes with me in backpack, pockets of pants and/or backpack. Let recent SW Airlines lost luggage snafu be a warning.
I haven’t flown since my type 1 diabetes.