Carry-on Question
Aug 11, 2006 | 6:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Yonkers, NY USA; Delta FO
Posts: 253
Carry-on Question
I have a question about a 'liquid' in my carry-on or in my pocket. On long flights, I need to use a nasal spray like afrin to open my sinuses. Otherwise I get a pounding headache and my eyes feel like they want to pop out.. Is this banned? If so, any other suggestions how to open sinuses and relieve pressure?
Thanks
Thanks
Aug 11, 2006 | 7:02 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Moreland Hills (CLE)
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Explain what's going on and ask your doctor to write a presciption for whatever OTC nasal spray you're using.
Make sure the number of refills allowed is a big (or no-limit) number.
Head to your friendly pharmacist and he/she will create a prescription label that you can slap on your bottle(s) of nasal spray.
Bingo - you have prescription medicine.
Make sure the number of refills allowed is a big (or no-limit) number.
Head to your friendly pharmacist and he/she will create a prescription label that you can slap on your bottle(s) of nasal spray.
Bingo - you have prescription medicine.
Aug 11, 2006 | 7:03 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 7,391
I need to use a nasal spray
Technically it is banned. However, if it is a prescription with your name on it, then it is OK. I guess if you carry a small bottle in your coat, most of the time it will get through, but why risk losing it, get a Rx.
Technically it is banned. However, if it is a prescription with your name on it, then it is OK. I guess if you carry a small bottle in your coat, most of the time it will get through, but why risk losing it, get a Rx.
Aug 11, 2006 | 9:19 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Yonkers, NY USA; Delta FO
Posts: 253
The tsa site states that Essential non-prescription medicines such as insulin are permitted.
Could one argue that a nasal spray is an essential medicine so my head doesnt pop? Granted it not an important as insulin...
The RX idea may work, its just that my insurance company sucks and makes me mail away for prescriptions, so that would be a problem. (local pharmacies dont take plan)
Could one argue that a nasal spray is an essential medicine so my head doesnt pop? Granted it not an important as insulin...
The RX idea may work, its just that my insurance company sucks and makes me mail away for prescriptions, so that would be a problem. (local pharmacies dont take plan)
Aug 11, 2006 | 10:29 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Originally Posted by jml1124
The RX idea may work, its just that my insurance company sucks and makes me mail away for prescriptions, so that would be a problem. (local pharmacies dont take plan)
Your pharmacy would simply grab the box off the shelf, stick a label on it for you and charge you the same price for the spray as if you picked it up and brought it to the register yourself.
Aug 13, 2006 | 9:02 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Yonkers, NY USA; Delta FO
Posts: 253
Maybe I wont have to worry. Cnn reports new change.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TRAVEL/08/13...ity/index.html
"Under the new rules, travelers can take up to four ounces of non-prescription medicine, glucose gel for diabetics, solid lipstick and baby food, the agency said."
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TRAVEL/08/13...ity/index.html
"Under the new rules, travelers can take up to four ounces of non-prescription medicine, glucose gel for diabetics, solid lipstick and baby food, the agency said."
Aug 14, 2006 | 8:11 am
#7
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Geez, y'all are so compliant 
I am proud of you.
I just hid my Afrin in my pocket and went about my business without a second thought about it.
However, as previously mentioned, the new rules make such 'sinister' efforts unnecessary now....however, given the uneven way in which screeners enforce the rules, I would still just leave the bottle in my pocket and avoid the stress of a potential confrontation.
They are not searching people - only bags. If you don't want something found, and it won't set off the WTMD (and isn't bulky and obvious), just put it in your pocket.
I am proud of you.I just hid my Afrin in my pocket and went about my business without a second thought about it.
However, as previously mentioned, the new rules make such 'sinister' efforts unnecessary now....however, given the uneven way in which screeners enforce the rules, I would still just leave the bottle in my pocket and avoid the stress of a potential confrontation.
They are not searching people - only bags. If you don't want something found, and it won't set off the WTMD (and isn't bulky and obvious), just put it in your pocket.
Aug 14, 2006 | 9:05 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: CO
Posts: 609
On a related note - let me see if I get this right. Im flying EWR-HKG in BF on Thursday and wanted to clarify that I am allowed to bring my laptop on board and a backpack with a few dvd's, books and magazines, right ? Im also allowed an extra checked bag. Im still a bit confused after reading CO's rules on website. Thanks
-Nik
-Nik
Aug 14, 2006 | 9:19 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
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Posts: 2,596
Just but it at the airport and bring it on. There is no secondary screening whatsoever, so you can carry on whatever you want if you buy it there. I also went through security with a tube of hair gel in my pocket and was fine. F the TSA...
Aug 14, 2006 | 9:28 am
#10
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Allentown, PA
Posts: 95
secondary screening
Perhaps it has died down, but on Thursday, the TSA was doing secondary screening at several gates in Cleveland. They were wanding people, going through carry-ons, etc., and throwing things in large trash bags. There were a lot of people (myself included) who were on connecting flights when the rules for carry-ons changed, so I had a lot of banned items with me.
Aug 14, 2006 | 9:29 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Actually, at least in CLE this morning, there was random secondary screening at my gate. It wasn't all flights, but some flights did have the random secondary screening.
Aug 14, 2006 | 1:24 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Austin, TX
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Originally Posted by BigPoppaCO
Just but it at the airport and bring it on. There is no secondary screening whatsoever, so you can carry on whatever you want if you buy it there. I also went through security with a tube of hair gel in my pocket and was fine. F the TSA...
Random screening was taking place at IAH on Friday, I assume they are still doing it. They seem to be grabbing someone when they don't have anyone. So, we seem to be back to the days of "You first.", "No, no. You first." elite boarding.
Aug 14, 2006 | 2:05 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2006
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I had a flight from boston to ewr. No problem bringing 3 bottles of eye drops on board for my contacts. Screening did not even pick them up.
Aug 14, 2006 | 2:11 pm
#14
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Originally Posted by BigPoppaCO
Just but it at the airport and bring it on. There is no secondary screening whatsoever, so you can carry on whatever you want if you buy it there. I also went through security with a tube of hair gel in my pocket and was fine. F the TSA...
I put all my 'stuff' in clear platic bags to distract them away from the tube of toothpaste hiding under my dirty underwear in the bottom of the napsack.Had nasal spray and chapstick snuggly tucked away in my pants pocket. Funny thing was, a screener 'personally selected' me for a special 'patdown' at DCA (not as much a patdown as a full body shiatsu, so maybe the screener thought I was a hottie
), and they did not feel the bottle and tube in my pocket. When I used the spray, my seatmate made a comment (joking, of course), that's contraband - but in short order we were both agreeing the rules were completely stupid, worthless and were just for show. Not everyone is a 'sheeple'.