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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Diabetics can carry supplies onto airplanes
Question: I am diabetic. Do I have to put my insulin and insulin needles in my check-in luggage or can I carry them on the airplane with me?
Answer: You can carry them on board with you.
According to the Transportation Security Administration, exceptions to the banning of liquids and gels past airport security checkpoints include: Diabetes-related supplies and equipment, such as insulin and insulin loaded dispensing products; vials or box of individual vials; jet injectors; pens; infusers; and preloaded syringes; and an unlimited number of unused syringes, when accompanied by insulin; lancets; blood glucose meters; blood glucose meter test strips; insulin pumps; and insulin pump supplies.
The insulin must be marked with a professionally printed label or manufacturer's name or pharmaceutical label.
Other permitted carry-ons are baby formula or breast milk when traveling with an infant; prescription medication, if the prescription name matches the passenger's ticket; up to eight ounces of liquid or gel low blood sugar treatment; and up to four ounces of nonprescription liquid medications, such as eye drops.
However, all of these items will be subject to physical inspection. So, the TSA advises carrying only what is "essential to sustain you until arrival at their final destination," to minimize delays as passengers are screened at checkpoints.
Check the TSA's Web site, tsa.gov, for updated information on travel restrictions.
For travelers with medication, the TSA advises making sure the name on prescription medications matches that of the passenger; bringing documentation on medications, devices, etc., where possible, although this is not required; and to pack medications in a clear bag separate from other carry-on items.
If you have additional questions about what can and cannot be carried on a flight, call the TSA Contact Center, toll-free, at (866) 289-9673 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and holidays, Eastern Standard Time. Or you can e-mail questions to tsa-contactcenter@dhs.gov.
Mahalo
To the staff of the city Abandoned Vehicles Section. All too often, civil service workers and government agencies take a hit from the public they serve. But my experiences with the Abandoned Vehicles Section have been positive. Talk about being fast on the draw. The unit serving the Kahaluu area is fast. I sent an e-mail complaint on a Monday, and by Wednesday the offending vehicle was gone. This has been one of many requests over the past couple of years. Mahalo nui loa to the Abandoned Vehicles Section and the tow truck contractor. -- F. Tonaki
Mahalo
To whoever found a set of X-rays on Keeaumoku Street and returned them to my veterinarian. I was on my way to my veterinarian's office when I forgot them on top of my car. -- No Name
Got a question or complaint? Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered. E-mail to
kokualine@starbulletin.com.
See also: Useful phone numbers