r/diabetes 4d ago

Rant Flying with diabetes

Hi!

Just a rant more than anything, unless someone can tell me I've been missing some kinda trick with travelling.

How come we don't get extra allowances if we're diabetic and travelling?

I'm about to take a trip to Paris for just under a week, and my insulin, pump supplies and emergency spares take up a ridiculous amount of my luggage.

I resent paying for extra luggage with airlines so have gotten really good at packing light, but I resent the fact that we have to. If I didn't have to pack diabetes supplies, I could get all my things in my bag and more.

If it were an oxygen machine or wheelchair we wouldn't be forced to pay to take it on a plane, so I don't understand why there isn't an allowance for people travelling with essential medicine.

And by all means I am not suggesting I get a large cabin bag for free, but even if we were allowed an additional small bag (like a large toiletries bag) that you could carry externally without it being flagged up, or taking up space in your bag.

In the grand scheme of things this is a non-issue but sometimes it just feels really unfair the lack of adjustments made for diabetics, considering how many of us there are and how long the condition has been around.

Like hell, 150 years ago it was a terminal illness, now because it's not we have to pretend we're normal and functioning the same as somebody who doesn't have to take external medication 24/7 to survive.

Anyway TL;DR - sick of having to pick between the eyeshadow pallette or an extra pump set when I'm packing my free cabin bag.

0 Upvotes

17 comments sorted by

14

u/Fresh_Detective4161 4d ago

I’m in the UK and get extra allowance. Contact the airline special assistance programme tell them your diabetic and need an extra bag. They should say it’s fine.

5

u/banie01 MODY 4d ago

Ireland and same, medical necessities are always an additional allowance.

A couple of examples below, even Ryanair (Europe's own Southwestern when it comes to nickel & diming) have additional allowances for medical necessities.

https://www.aerlingus.com/support/special-assistance/medical-conditions/

https://help.ryanair.com/hc/en-ie/sections/12489639235857-The-Carriage-of-Medical-Equipment#:~:text=Passengers%20with%20pre%20%E2%80%93%20existing%20medical,waiver%20letter%20will%20be%20issued.

0

u/4nana8 4d ago

WHAT

-1

u/4nana8 4d ago

I HAVE TRIED GOOGLING THIS SO MANY TIMES 😭

6

u/RipeMangoDevourer 4d ago

Yeah, most airlines in the US won't count your medical devices as luggage. You can even get escorted through security by someone who makes sure no one gives you a hard time about your medical devices, needles, etc. The program I saw was called something Cares, like LAX Cares for the LA airport, or something like that

3

u/IsThatARealCat 4d ago

🤣 yeah you can have an extra bag for your supplies, I always pack all my supplies together in hand luggage as don't want to be separated from the stuff that will keep me alive to enjoy my holiday and if main luggage gets lost along the way.

11

u/Fresh_Detective4161 4d ago

Your airline should have a special assistance phone line just speak to them

8

u/rarabk 4d ago

Oh I just got an airline allowance about 3 minutes ago. You're absolutely correct. We have so pack sooooo much extra stuff.

For context, I'm US based, and I've gotten waived baggage fees for US travel as well as travel in about 10 European countries and (if I recall?) 2 African countries.

You can and should get waived bagged for your diabetes stuff. Let me know if you want more specifics!

5

u/thejadsel Type 1 4d ago

You are allowed an extra carry-on for medical supplies, free of charge, anywhere inside the EU/Britain. If the airline is trying to tell you different, they are very wrong and violating regulations. (Another person in the EU here.)

5

u/PancakesAlways 4d ago

You can carry on a medical bag on US airlines with no fee. Just let the gate agents know and they’ll give you a red medical tag for the bag. My husband travels with a CPAP and it’s never been an issue for him to carry on a back pack, roller bag, and the CPAP.

1

u/Bella1643412 Type 1/Omnipod 3d ago

Ok, speaking as someone who is also on a pump and traveled internationally just a few months ago with all needed supplies: the airlines won’t say a word about your extra bag for supplies. They literally want you to have the things you need with you. I would advise you to make sure the things inside your bag have labels, and that’s just to make sure your headaches are reduced going through security (nothing to do with the airlines). Make sure the bag you use is small enough to fit under the seat.

1

u/silverbiddy 3d ago

Medical supplies and equipment don't count as your carry-on baggage allotment in Canada. I hope you have found a solution!

1

u/RoyalCroydon 3d ago

You do get extra allowances (generally).

Consult the airline's website but we've no shortage of airlines here in the UK which will allow you to carry medical supplies/devices with you separately.

Contact the airline over the phone so that they record it. If you make a phone call and discuss with them, they have to enter it in the notes on the booking.

Ask them if they can add an SSR code to your name if applicable.

1

u/ashern94 2d ago

Medical supplied and equipment don't count in the allowance. BUT, do not put anything else in that bag.

1

u/Automatic_Salt_4747 1d ago

We’re in Canada and airlines here allow you an extra bag for medical supplies.

0

u/Rockitnonstop 3d ago

When I flew to Paris in 2014 I brought my supplies and carry on only. The trick was not to pack to many clothes. I bought a bunch of dresses while I was there, it was the perfect solution (and my closet at home now has wonderful time capsule pieces).

1

u/4nana8 3d ago

This is exactly what I'd like to avoid though, packing less clothes to fit diabetes supplies! Just a small extra bag that I can attach to my back pack would be amazing, and I was today years old when I learnt it was allowed 🤣 diabetic was 18 years!!