The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has implemented stepped-up
security measures at the nation's airports in response to the September 11 attacks.
Some measures may affect airline passengers with diabetes. Here is an update:
1. Passengers may board with syringes or insulin delivery systems once it is determined that the he or she has a documented medical need. Your insulin must have a professional, pharmaceutical preprinted label that clearly identifies the medication. No exceptions will be made. Since the prescription label is on the outside of the box containing the vial of insulin, the FAA recommends that passengers refrain from discarding their insulin box and come prepared with their insulin in its original pharmaceutically labeled box.
2. For passengers who have diabetes and must test their blood glucose levels but who do not require insulin, boarding with their lancets is acceptable as long as the lancets are capped, and as long as the lancets are brought on with the glucose meter that has the manufacturer's name embossed on the meter (i.e., One Touch meters say "One Touch," Accu-Chek meters say "Accu-Chek").
3. Glucagon is dispensed and normally kept in a preprinted labeled plastic container or box. We advise those people with diabetes who are traveling to keep their glucagon kit intact in its original preprinted pharmaceutically labeled container.
4. Contrary to previous Official Information, because of forgery concerns, prescriptions and letters of medical necessity will not be accepted.
5. FAA security measures apply to travel within the 50 United States only. Passengers should consult their individual air carrier for both domestic (U.S.) and international travel regulations. Be advised that the FAA's policy and the policy of each airline is subject to change.
The above list of measures is a minimum requirement only and air carriers may have other requirements that may impact a passenger's ability to board with diabetes equipment and supplies. Accordingly, each passenger should call the airline carrier at least one day in advance of his or her scheduled flight to confirm what that airline's policy is with regard to diabetes medication and supplies. Be advised that each airline's policy is subject to change.
Should a passenger be denied boarding a flight or be faced with any other unforeseen diabetes related difficulty because of security measures, he or she should ask to speak with a Complaints Resolution Official (CRO) for the airline. If a passenger feels he or she has been discriminated against or treated unfairly by air carriers, a complaint may be filed with the airline carrier, by contacting the Aviation Consumer Protection Bureau (ACPD) at [email protected] or by mailing to ACPD, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room 4107, C-75, Washington, DC 20590.
Adapted from information provided by Joslin Diabetes Center.
For more diabetes information, see Joslin's excellent diabetes information website:
www.joslin.org