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Allergies and intolerances

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Original poster

Taking an epipen on a plane?

19 replies

nigglewiggle · 18/05/2010 08:04

Has anyone had any difficulty taking an epipen on a plane? The airline website says you need a doc's note but our surgery charge £30 for this . They have offered to print off a repeat prescription form.

I have spoken to people who have travelled through the same airport with syringes for insulin with no difficulties. Presumably it is down to the individual airport security rather than the airline.

Obviously I don't want it taken off me at security! But would they really confiscate a 2 year old's emergency medication?

OP posts:
fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 18/05/2010 08:11

I was told that a repeat prescription form would be OK.

Can you ask the airline if they would accept this?

Sibble · 18/05/2010 08:14

I don't have an answer. I do always carry a Drs letter, having said that they have never asked to see it and last time I flew (NZ to OZ so not out of UK) they didn't even ask about the epipen. I think, and I might be wrong, that security is not as tight as it was.

Cathay Pacific however have wanted to take it off me and said they would give it back if we needed it in flight. I refused point blank and they caved in. I think it's pot luck who you get tbh which isn't very helpful.

ilovemydogandMrBrown · 18/05/2010 08:20

Mine had the prescription label on the tube, and this was considered to be OK. In other words, it had my name on it.

KnottyLocks · 18/05/2010 08:22

We've never had a problem. Didn't have a doctor's note either. We kept it in its box so that it was clearly labelled (the one the pharmacists stick on the box) with DS's name.
Dh and I normally carry one each in case something happens with one bag, or gets lost etc.
I have put it in a clear plastic bag in the past so when you get to the scanning area you can easily take it out and put it in the tray to be scanned.
Never thought about needing a doctor's note.
I better check with the airline!

An aside: DS's anaphylaxis is on the travel insurance details - you may need to think about that (if you haven't already) as ours specifies that you need to register current conditions. Yours may state the same.

M44 · 18/05/2010 08:25

Listen £30 for a guarentee that you could take it on a plane.....£30 for you child's life? Presumably you have bought plane tickets that cost more than £30? .....or whilst away you would spend £30 on a meal out somewhere or possibly a family ticket for a sightseeing thing if you are holidaying. IS your child's life worth £30....I have 2 children with epipens and though it seems crazy to pay that for a letter...I wouldn't hesitate to secure my child's safety.
Sorry if that sounds a bit grumpy...

girlsyearapart · 18/05/2010 08:30

Hi haven't travelled with the epipen yet but have travelled with my interferon injections which are pre filled syringes for M.S.

I got a letter from the delivery company who supply me with the injections and it was all fine though we had to stop to get the bag searched by security a few times.

The difference was though that those injections have to be carried in a cold bag as they are usually refrigerated so there would've been no hiding it whereas the epipen is a lot smaller and easier to take more discretely (though obv not through x ray machine!)

What about asking your pharmacist? ours is a fountain of knowledge- or the PONTs team?

Original poster
nigglewiggle · 18/05/2010 08:33

It does sound rather grumpy, but it's early, so I'll let you off . Of course I wouldn't mind spending £30 to ensure my child's safety, but I begrudge paying such an exorbitant amount if it is not necessary. That is why I was asking for others' experiences.

Thanks for the other experiences. Ours still have the printed labels on and I'll get the repeat prescription form too.

Thanks for the tip about keeping them in separate bags and also the insurance - I hadn't thought of that.

OP posts:
babybarrister · 18/05/2010 11:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FrakkedUpTheElection · 18/05/2010 16:17

I odten take mine in my handbag, usually without a problem. Only once had a problem and then they let me keep it cos it was in its box, in its tube, with a label.

A doctor's note seems odd.

Original poster
nigglewiggle · 18/05/2010 16:21

Thank you bb - I will look at the guidelines.

FUTE - it's on the Jet2 website, but your experience is encouraging.

OP posts:
steingrims · 19/05/2010 04:32

I was traveling with AA a few years ago, and they arrested my husband who was carrying the epipen when they founds it.

ben5 · 19/05/2010 05:12

traved from uk to oz no problems but we did phone in advance and asked for the reference number of our phone call in case of any problems

EldonAve · 19/05/2010 05:21

We have never had a problem and we don't bother with a doctor's letter

Original poster
nigglewiggle · 19/05/2010 08:12

Thank you. I hope I don't get arrested!

OP posts:
MumOfTwoToo · 21/05/2010 12:48

I have a doctors letter for my son obtained at short notice in Australia several years ago, as we were on holiday there when the liquids in carry on luggage problems started, and I have been asked to show it! Once at Singapore airport while in transit and once departing Australia when the epipen showed on the security scan.

Izzie11 · 21/05/2010 18:03

As a GP I have never done a letter for a child to carry an Epipen on a plane!

By the way £30 is a ridiculous charge - we would charge in the region of £10 for a fit to fly or medication letter.

BooKangaWonders · 21/05/2010 18:12

Never had problem, never had prescription or doc letter!

Have always handed to security person so that they don't appear on xray. They just put them through.

[the only place we were queried was the American embassy in London. 'do you need this with you inside the embassy?' 'er yes, or she might die' 'ok then')

Original poster
nigglewiggle · 21/05/2010 18:29

Izzie - that is interesting and reassuring that you haven't had any requests. The cost is based on a notice they have in the waiting room explaining what they charge for various other services. It says they charge £20-£30 for a doctor's letter depending on content. It says the charges are based on GMC guidelines. I did think it seemed rather steep!

The airport we are flying from makes no mention of doctors' letters on their website. It just says it has to be "authenticated." So based on this and what most people have said I think we will be ok.

Thanks for all the responses.

OP posts:
mumbar · 21/05/2010 18:43

DS has antihistermine for his allergies and GP just gave me a quick printed note from his records to take on the plane. (It was stamped by surgery).

He didn't ask me to pay and the airport asked me to carry his medication and when I said there was GP note inside they just said ok without looking.

I did joke to my friend that it could have said anything!!!

Ring the airline and they will tell you what you need or ring airport security.

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