Expert: Matthew Smith - 11/19/2009

Question
My wife and I are flying from NYC to New Mexico.We are NOT taking any checked bags,just 2 carry-on bags each. I am diabetic and disabled. I take pain meds and byetta for diabetes. The Byetta is administered thru a needle-pen. It has the fluid in a pen like holder and then a fine needle tip is put on the pen and used and disposed after use. I'd like to put the pills I take in a day planner- holder instead of the vials. Can I do that? And how should I carry the needle pen?
Thanks for you answer. We are leaving Nov.23rd 2009.
Thanks
Barry

Answer
Hello!

You should have no problem carrying your prescription medicines, including the needle pen.
If the needle pen needs to be kept cold, you may even carry a small ice pack.

I would also recommend keeping all medicines ***in their original packaging*** so that the fact that they are prescription is obvious to the screener.  

Experienced screeners (TSOs) have seen diabetics medicine hundreds, if not thousands, of times.  When I was a screener, I saw them several times a day.  The basic attitude is that if you reveal everything, you are harmless, and if you try to conceal something, you are harmful.  So lay all of your meds openly in one of the grey bins.  If anyone asks, tell the TSO that you are diabetic.  But since they see these medicines so often, I doubt anyone will ask.  Your situation is very common.

Have a safe and happy trip!