Flying out of Pearson airport is such a pain nowadays....this is what happened to me
I'm hypoglycemic and always carry a small carton of orange juice (one of those little packs kids take to school with them), candy and some nut bars, just in case I run into a problem, which I do from time to time. Anyway, I got to the airport and checked in and told them I had this juice with me because I'm diabetic. First of all, one lady didn't understand what hypoglycemic meant and she referred me to another person in another area to see if she will allow me to carry it in my purse. Then this lady asked me why I have to carry this and I said this is my lifeline in case my sugar drops and it comes in handy if I'm in between places where I don't have access to orange juice or anything that might bring up my sugar level. She said to me that I couldn't carry it unless I emptied it in a cup and carried it that way. I explained to her that it would be very awkward for me to carry it in my purse that way and she threw it away in a garbage can. I asked her where is my orange juice and she told me she threw it in the garbage can and I asked her why she did that because I wanted to drink it then instead of throwing it away since I haven't had any breakfast that morning because it was such an early flight.
I forgot to mention that when they were checking to see if I had any shampoos etc. I mentioned that I carry a hand sanitizer with me and they said it was ok and even gave me a plastic bag to carry it in my purse. I was totally confused at the fact that they wouldn't let me carry orange juice, but let me carry a hand sanitizer.........Am I insane or is it them.......please answer me on this because when I was returning from the states this didn't happen at all....I was able to carry my juice box with me, no questions asked :rolleyes:
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Those of you who travel frequently may find these sites helpful.
[url]http://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca[/url]
[url]http://www.tc.gc.ca/aboutus/travel/pack/menu.htm[/url]
It may be worth printing off the rules from these sites and carry them with you in case of a dispute. These sites are updated all the time as well.
I fly out of and into Pearson every week. I believe the current rules restrict the amount that you can carry on. It's not a lot - maybe 2 or 3 oz worth? So if the quantity is > that, don't take it with you and buy something on the 'other side'.
I leave all my personal stuff (makeup, moisturizer, shampoo, etc.) at my desk in Montreal every week now. I used to store a bag at the hotel, but that's a pain if I have to switch hotels. It's a bit awkward if I have to fly in the night before (which I'm doing tonight) since I don't have anything with me, but usually I go in the morning.
Re the people who work in security, I actually find them fairly patient overall. Sure there are some poor ones, but think of how many they are seeing every day. I'm also surprised at how patient the passengers are. The lineup to go through security on Thursday afternoon in Dorval is usually huge and people seem to deal with it.
Travelling these days isn't fun.
Pearl_girl, I will be getting a letter from my dr. stating I have hypoglycaemia.
DBD, thanks for that info. I did do a search on the internet, [url]www.drweil.com[/url] and found this information -
The following are nutrients, botanicals and other compounds that Dr. Weil’s Vitamin Advisor recommends for persons being treated for diabetes.
Chromium. Chromium is a trace element that plays a role in blood sugar regulation by working with insulin to help transport glucose into cells. Take up to 1,000 micrograms of GTF chromium daily.
Alpha lipoic acid. This antioxidant can enhance the uptake of glucose into cells and help inhibit glycosylation (the abnormal attachment of sugar to proteins, which hinders their normal functioning), as well as help promote and maintain eye health. Start with 100 mg per day.
Magnesium. Research suggests that supplementing with magnesium can help promote healthy insulin production. (Magnesium glycinate is a good form, with less of a laxative effect than other forms of magnesium. Take 400 mg daily.)
Coenzyme Q10. Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant which may help maintain a healthy heart. Take 60-100 mg of a softgel form with your largest meal.
I have no idea about airport rules, but I've had hypoglcemia for years and found my saving grace is Chromium GTF. Have you ever tried it? It might save your worry especially in such situations.
If you are interested, head for where ever you buy vitamins from and get a bottle of Chromium GTF (the GTF is the important part and stands for glucose tolerance factor). You don't need Chromium picolinate or any other type and they cost 5 times more too. I think I pay about $3 for a bottle of 100 (Walmart) and I have never found buying a pricier brand to make any difference over the most generic. Actually I've tried picolinate and it did zip for my insulin). So very inexpensive and literally pennies a day.
What I was told to do when I started was to take the 200mcg and start with 1 and see how I felt. Next day take 2, day after 3, etc. and so on until I no longer got the symptoms of low blood sugar. When I thought I had found that amount I was to decrease by one a day until the symptoms returned. That told me how much I needed per day.
I have heard of the occassional person feeling like they get a buzz like caffeine from it. I would guess that might be from either not needing it (they were taking it to lose weight) or taking too much. For the most part, no side effects have been documented (that I know of).
My blood sugar drops so hard and fast that I have to take 1500 mcg/day which I split by taking 2 - 500mcg in the morning and 1 - 500 mcg about suppertime. If I'm in a hurry, I just take all 3 at once. That's way more than the bottle says but I was told to ignore the bottle (dosages haven't been studied because low blood sugar seems pretty individual and bottle dosages assume normal insulin, which we both know we don't have) and that has worked for me for about 20 years now with no problem.
Chromium is a the mineral that helps your insulin stay stable. You can't overdose as it is water soluable so it just clears out of your body. You can also tell pretty quickly when you need some so it's very much a 'take as needed' mineral.
You may know what this is like, but for years if I didn't eat all day and then had a meal there was a very good chance I would be trying to brush the floor off my shoulder. Now I can do just that and be fine. I carry a protein bar in my purse but half the time it goes stale or gets grubby before I ever need it. No more carrying apples and cheese or anything else unless I want to. No more checking my watch to make sure I haven't gone too long.
The down side is I can eat things like candy bars and cake all by themselves now and I tend to do that way more than I should. It's really bad when they don't have the shakes attached to them anymore. :D
Oh and the one thing I remember thinking was so weird, after so many years of eating because I had to or because I was craving, I actually got to get hungry properly and hear my stomach growl. It took me a bit to figure out what all that noise coming out of me was about.
Really, try it. For me, taking it and finding the right dose was like a great fog lifting. No more uncontrolable shakes, weakness, crankiness, muddled thinking, etc. and so on. At least not to the degree I used to get them. If I eat stupid I still get them a bit, but nothing major. I don't have to worry about passing out or anything like that anymore. Most of all I feel normal again. My low blood sugar is about the same as the average person as long as I have taken my Chromium.
I can tell you if I run out (which almost never happens as I regard it as my medicine) I am back to being in bad shape. It's just not worth it when it's so easy to fix.
You can probably find info on the Internet. Most doctors still don't have a clue about it unless they are into nutrition.
Unfortunately your friend may have been losing her skills for common sense. As disgusting as those chili dogs are they probably would have upped her levels. I've seen family members drive when they weren't physically/mentally capable of it. Luck has been on their side. Diabetes is very serious.
Pearl is right about carrying the medical papers to support your position. It's your responsibility to look after yourself. These people at security aren't being paid to make special decisions. Carry the documentation you need from your doctor. I wouldn't suggest putting candy in your bra. If they did a random check and found that the sh*t would hit fan. Not worth it. Be honest and be prepared. As much as paying $4 for a bottle of water pisses me off, if it were a factor is keeping me alive I would pay it. Or carry an empty water bottle and fill it at the water fountain once you are across security. Add the packet of sugar from Starbucks.
I will put up with whatever inconveniences are necessary to help keep my flight in the sky. Or I'll drive.
This from the US Diabetic Assoc.
A letter that says you have diabetes, whether it's Type I or Type II, what medications you are taking, including an explanation of how to use those medications. Names of pills, types of insulin, when and how to take them, and what kinds of diabetic supplies you'll be taking with you should also be included in the letter. Second, have your physician fill out an extra prescription for each medication and supply you'll be taking on your trip.
I would use some old Rx containers and leave the Rx label on, as long as the name on the Rx label matches the name on the plane ticket you should be OK with the OJ.
Wow, that was brave of your friend to drive in that situation. Very scary actually.
Pearl_girl I was thinking about those fruit strips too. I think the shampoo bottles are a great idea. I'm going to have to come to a solution before my next trip in the winter.
I was so worried about her and she was driving herself home to Ann Arbor. I was going on to Canada. She did not stop to have any food. It was probably good, though, because all I could find was a Coni chili dog - blech! But I had to eat something while I waited for the shuttle to Canada for two hours and the hour and a half drive home.
Yes, very scary for people like me. You have to be in that situation to realize how bad it is. I do carry sugar packets too but I was told that o.j. is the best thing to take in that condition.
I guess we have to have a Dr. note to prove we need what we carry through security. Maybe those fruit strips would work carried in your bra. They are about 1" wide x 4" long x 1/8 ". 100% fruit. They would not set the alarms off either. Or carry sugar packs and buy water after security and mix up a sugar drink. OR pack OJ and pack in a small small shampoo bottle. You can havea small bottle of shampoo can't you ? There has to be a way around this. BJ What happened to your friend is very dangerous. The airlports have to change the rules for people with conditions out of the norm.
thinking about being stranded in the air or airport without any way to solve a medical problem. OJ is such a simple solution for such a serious disease. At least the airplane supplies juices for free. How about a sugar packet in your bag? or I have heard life savers are a quick solution.
BJDec, I thought they were lenient with people who are diabetics, but I guess they're not. What struck me also people were going through with food in the waiting room. What makes them think that that particular food was not tempered with? I was asked if I had a letter from my doctor to prove that I was diabetic, or if I wore a medical bracelet. I guess I'm going to have to get a medical bracelet now, which I guess I should have gotten a while back ago.
I am still thinking about writing to the Port Authority about this matter because I was not feeling at all secure during my trip because I would have had to walk quite a walk in the airport to get to a store to buy some food if I had to get sick in transit. I am not on medication so orange juice is the fastest thing that gets into my bloodstream.......cannot drink any sodas either. If the sugar drops down too much even o.j. is not enough and then I have to eat lots of candies to bring it up.
from San Diego on Friday and you are not allowed any drinks or liquids at all through security. You may, however purchase whatever you want after you are through security. DUH!! Gee - water is only $3.07. Why on earth would I bring my own when I can spend a small fortune at the airport?
I had a banana and a pear confiscated in immigration. I went through securtiy after and bought one - I probably bought my own banana back!!! :(
There was a woman on my friends flight with two small children and she had to rid herself of the baby's formula so she had nothing for her children once she past security. - How dumb is that?
My friend flew back with me - also a diabetic and needed food. They do not serve meals anymore on short haul flights, except doritos and sun chips. Our flights were two 2.5 hour flights and we had 9 min to make our connection. No time for a snack stop. She was beet red by the time we landed in Detroit and I thought she was going to comatose on me. Her sugar was over 250.
The airlines need to adjust the rules for those who are sick and need food or so young that they need their mothers to carry it with them.
I think someone at the airport was pissed because hey didn't get their orange juice in the morning. That seems stupid to me that you could take the hand sanitizer and not oj.