Hi everyone,

My trip via EK through JFK-DBX-BOM is coming up, and I was wondering if you veteran EK travelers could answer a few questions or offer some suggestions:

1. I have read that DXB has very strict screening procedures for drugs and very stiff penalties if drugs are found. While I don't use drugs or smoke, I have read that Dubai airport authorities have detained people even for having, for example, traces (thousandths of a gram) of cannabis on the tread of the shoe or for having small amounts of poppy in the bloodstream, even from poppy seed pastry. Walking around in public places, one is bound to step on cigarette buts or other rubbish or eat snacks that could contain poppy seed-derived ingredients, so the severity of response seems unreasonable.

Also, I've heard that some common OTC medications are apparently treated as controlled substances by UAE law, which has also snagged people who were unaware of the rules. I will be carrying prescription medications such as Cipro and Tamiflu in case of emergency, as well as Zyrtec, Immodium, Tylenol, etc. Does anyone have any experiences or opinions on the drug policing issue that you would be willing to share? Do you think these would be realistic concerns for me, and if so, are there any special precautions that you would recommend?

2. Flying with EK for the first time, I was wondering what kind of meals are typically served on the plane. I have requested the Hindu (HNML) meal on all of my flights because I would like some tasty Indian food. According to the Emirates website, the Hindu meal is non-vegetarian (which is what I want), but I have read other posts that say the Hindu meal is actually vegetarian. I was wondering: What is an example of a Hindu meal that has been served before?

Thanks!

Welcome to the EK forum.

1. I've heard these rumours too, but I live in Dubai and travel in and out a hundred times a year, no worries. They are very strict on drugs, and there are severe penalties if you are caught in posession of drugs but don't worry about the thousandth-of-a-gram-on-the-bottom-of-my-shoe scenario.

2. The UAE has different controls and rules about many medicines which are commonly accepted elsewhere in the world. Probably the one you need to be most aware of is that Codeine is banned here, its common in many painkillers so check the ingredients of your medicines. Zyrtec and Immodium are both sold here so should be fine.

3. Hindu meals are almost always chicken, from what I've seen/heard. Although I have never ordered a Hindu meal so this advice is not from first hand experience. You may also be interested to know that EK usually offer an Indian non vegetarian dish as one of their meal choices anyway so by not ordering a special meal in future, you may actually end up allowing yourself the choice on the day, whereas now you don't really have an option to take something else instead.

Hope this helped you :-)

You are best to order Indian Vegitarian, if that's what you want...

Re Drugs and stepping in others, I have never seen anyone smoking a joint in an airport in the USA, failing that where flat bottom shoes if you want to take extra precautions...

Thank you for your responses. Without first-hand experience, it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. Having traveled to Bombay many times, this is the first time I have connected through Dubai, and because of this, I'm not sure what to expect. Thanks for putting some of my concerns to rest.