12 replies to this topic

[Little_lampie]

Hi,
Sorry if this has been answered elsewhere, I couldn't find an exact answer.

I am flying to the USA in two weeks and am worried about carrying my intermittent catheters through the airport. Obviously I will put most of them (speedicath) in my checked baggage but will need four for the flight so I'll have to carry them through security. As speedicath have liquid in where do I stand on carrying them through security? Do I need to put them in a plastic bag to be x-rayed etc. Surely as speedicath's are wrapped in foil this will be an issue? I could carry some flocath quick catheters instead which have a integral pouch of saline but are mostly see-thru which will solve the x-ray thing. Won't it be embaressing though carrying them in a freezer bag in-front of everyone?

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. I can't switch to an indwelling as I always get a UTI when I do and if there happens to be some massive mess up with an aisle chair I can just about make it to the toilet walking with assistance (I am flying with some A/B's).


Many thanks

Fran

[Tinbasher]

Have you thought about taking propylactic antibiotics and using the indwelling?

I use ICT at home but use Foley for the journey, inserting it the day before travel and removing it on arrival, I take antibiotics for a day or so before and after and carry a spare course just in case I do get SCI.

I think cath kits will probably pass security, they are certainly more secure than a leg bag of inidentified yellow liquid! But the chance of having them taken would worry me.

Tin

[dangerousdave]

Contact the special needs airline advisor and ask
The co-operation and help available from airlines is there if you ask
True you might not like the answer
I have always found its best to share troubles, after all, they are there to help you but they cannot know what all our individual needs will be.

[Ches]

Ive taken speedicaths in my carry on.. no big deal. They went right through screening. Granted I didnt have the kit, but the airports dont really mind so long as its under 3 ounces of fluid.

And FYI you may want to rethink putting all your excess caths in the checked-in luggage, last thing you want is to find your luggage is lost or delayed and you need to pee!

Edited by Ches, 18 January 2010 - 01:07 PM.

[jules]

I flew to the Caribbean and back again and just put them in a clear plastic bag alomng with my meds, some of which were also foil packed liquids I just told the security people manning the scanner what they were and they didn't have a problem, that was at Birmingham Airport

Hope this helps

[twisted_ophelia]

I always take a large supply of catheters onto my carry on. I've never once had a problem. They've opened my bag and looked at them a couple times but I've never once had an issue. I generally take enough for a few days in carry on in case they lose my luggage and leave the rest of my supply down in my suitcase. I've flown on many different airlines and each one has been fine with it but if you're really nervous about it, get a doctor's note about it.

[McTavish]

Hi L L, I have also travelled with many different airlines and carry usually about six speedicath in my handbag and the rest in my suitcase. Not once have I been asked any questions about them.

[Tinbasher]

I always spread my caths and supplies out amongst the check in and carry at least three days in carry on in case of problems.

[Tinbasher]

It really depends on the particular airport.

Manchester UK I told them (security) what to expect they were fine and sensitive about it.

Newark NY I told them (security) what to expect they didnt listen pulled up my pants leg in public view and managed to dump me on the floor!

I always empty my bag at the last possible chance prior to security.

MY strategy is not to give security people any surprises and to make eye contact with them (impossible at Newark).

Tin

[dom]

i'm paranoid when it comes to travelling i take 6 weeks worth for the duration of 2 weeks!!!

[Slowlegs]

I find that a letter from your doctor as well as the required pages from the relevant authorities (e.g, TSA) helps as sometimes they don't understand you can request a search in private or with a drape. If you know your rights and are honest and upfront with them you should be treated fairly and respectfully. If you get no joy, ask to see a superior. I was told I wasn't able to take some scissors I needed for colostomies on a plane (they were blunt tipped and complied with the regulations) and I had to argue with the security staff for 15 minutes until they escorted me to the plane and gave my scissors to the air hostess. The security guy then said I would have to have 2 hostesses wait outside the toilet while I used them. This was OK because I got to keep them. When I went to get on the plane the hostess who was obviously a better judge of security risk than him handed them back to me and told me she thought the security staff were a bunch of egotistical wankers, and who was I to argue? Generally though, I have found airline security staff to be quite reasonable except for here in New Zealand but even here if you are friendly, open, honest and a bit accommodating too, you should be OK.

[chickadee]

I've never once had issues with my caths, flying from MSP to Milwaukee, Boston, Amsterdam, and Rome since my accident. I always keep a decent amount in case of lost baggage (hello, every Italian-carrier flight I've ever been on), and I keep everything in a nice ziploc baggie.

I was told that if I had a legbag, that I can request to be screened in a private area. They also said that my shoes didn't need to come off, as they are basically snuggled into my braces.