Gel packs
Jan 22, 2020, 5:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 114
Gel packs
Hi. My daughter suffers from fibromyalgia and one thing that helps her is a heated gel pack from the chemist which she places around her neck and lower back.
She has an 8 hour flight coming up is there any way she would be allowed to take this in her hand luggage. Thank you.
She has an 8 hour flight coming up is there any way she would be allowed to take this in her hand luggage. Thank you.
Jan 22, 2020, 5:13 pm
#3
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,821
I would give Boots in Heathrow a call, you can order items in advance there.
+44 20 8384 1006
+44 20 8384 1006
There is a mechanism for getting medicines through security with a doctor's letter, but I am not sure what the reaction to a gel pack would be, they may not regard it as medicine.
Jan 22, 2020, 5:33 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,387
As with the long discussions about various types of cheese, marmite, etc, I doubt you will get a definitive answer before you travel. You will probably be at the mercy of the security staff at the airport on the day.
I would suggest a multi-pronged approach.
1- takes spares in checked luggage for the return.
2- buy airside if possible.
3- take a letter from a doctor stating that the gel pack is medically necessary.
4- do not draw attention to the pack(s) in hand luggage. Just leave in the bag and proceed through security.
I would suggest a multi-pronged approach.
1- takes spares in checked luggage for the return.
2- buy airside if possible.
3- take a letter from a doctor stating that the gel pack is medically necessary.
4- do not draw attention to the pack(s) in hand luggage. Just leave in the bag and proceed through security.
Jan 22, 2020, 11:03 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 285
As with the long discussions about various types of cheese, marmite, etc, I doubt you will get a definitive answer before you travel. You will probably be at the mercy of the security staff at the airport on the day.
I would suggest a multi-pronged approach.
1- takes spares in checked luggage for the return.
2- buy airside if possible.
3- take a letter from a doctor stating that the gel pack is medically necessary.
4- do not draw attention to the pack(s) in hand luggage. Just leave in the bag and proceed through security.
I would suggest a multi-pronged approach.
1- takes spares in checked luggage for the return.
2- buy airside if possible.
3- take a letter from a doctor stating that the gel pack is medically necessary.
4- do not draw attention to the pack(s) in hand luggage. Just leave in the bag and proceed through security.
Jan 22, 2020, 11:22 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: LCY
Programs: BAEC Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,208
Hi. My daughter suffers from fibromyalgia and one thing that helps her is a heated gel pack from the chemist which she places around her neck and lower back.
She has an 8 hour flight coming up is there any way she would be allowed to take this in her hand luggage. Thank you.
She has an 8 hour flight coming up is there any way she would be allowed to take this in her hand luggage. Thank you.
Jan 22, 2020, 11:25 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: LCY
Programs: BAEC Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,208
I would give Boots in Heathrow a call, you can order items in advance there.
+44 20 8384 1006
+44 20 8384 1006
There is a mechanism for getting medicines through security with a doctor's letter, but I am not sure what the reaction to a gel pack would be, they may not regard it as medicine.
A doctor’s note explaining the need for something not classed as medicine should cover it. Though I only have anecdotal evidence from others
Jan 23, 2020, 12:05 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: UK. West Sussex
Programs: BAEC. Gold
Posts: 786
i have never once be checked, stopped or questioned about them.
Jan 23, 2020, 12:27 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London
Programs: Ba Silver ( for now!)
Posts: 776
I travel with injectable medication. This is in a cool bag with gel packs.
i do have a doctors letter with it and of course it is medication so not identical. All they do is swab it for explosives.
Gatwick are charming. Heathrow make you wait. Call supervisors and are vile. I have complained at the desk after security countless times.
ask your doctor for a letter. I would imagine it stands a decent chance of being ok.
i do have a doctors letter with it and of course it is medication so not identical. All they do is swab it for explosives.
Gatwick are charming. Heathrow make you wait. Call supervisors and are vile. I have complained at the desk after security countless times.
ask your doctor for a letter. I would imagine it stands a decent chance of being ok.
Jan 23, 2020, 2:52 am
#11
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,821
If it's not a dumb suggestion, you can take an empty hot water bottle through security, no issue at all, and then get it filled up via the lounge or persuading someone working in the restaurants/bars of Gatwick. On the aircraft they could further top it up mid flight.
Jan 23, 2020, 12:05 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NY
Programs: AA, Hilton
Posts: 1,576
how about warmers like used in skiing?
Jan 23, 2020, 12:31 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: LCY
Programs: BAEC Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,208
Jan 23, 2020, 1:07 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London
Programs: Ba Silver ( for now!)
Posts: 776
I have just been to Barbados.
Tell her to have lunch at Tides. The Lone Star and The Cliff were good but Tides was exceptional.
Lobster Alive is a lot of fun as long as you don’t mind chatting to the lobster, posing for pics and then eating him !
Tell her to have lunch at Tides. The Lone Star and The Cliff were good but Tides was exceptional.
Lobster Alive is a lot of fun as long as you don’t mind chatting to the lobster, posing for pics and then eating him !