I have just travelled to spain and back (ten day holiday) carrying a small amount of contact lens fluid on me each way in my hand luggage - no problem either way. I explained to the check in clerks and they said it was okay.
I just had a small amount of solution in a lens case because I was concerned that if I was caught in delays I might not be able to tollerate my lenses in an airconditioned airport. Also I didnot want to risk my lenses being sent. with my luggage, on a world tour without me.
Fortunately I wasn't delayed and my bags weren't lost - but I mustn't brag least I tempt fate!
Liquids on board aircraft
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brigid downing
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Emma Parkes
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I think you could contact the BAA to ask if you are able to bring them, and asking your optom if you can get a prescription for you solutions etc would help. I know that if you have prescription liquids but you are unable to taste them to prove that they are innocuous, they are currently taking you to the pharmacist within the airport to verify that they are what you say they are, then they will allow you to take them on.
I see your point Andrew about selling preservative free saline on board flights particularly where you can't purchase it in airside retail, obviously this is not too difficult to source and a small supply would not be difficult to arrange i'm sure, but my point was more around solutions not saline, and the vast array of different types that people use which would be very difficult to cater for, you only need look at this site to see how many different kinds people use. I'm not saying that we shouldn't try to arrange this, just that knowing how the airline business works, the cogs move very slowly and not always in the right direction.
I see your point Andrew about selling preservative free saline on board flights particularly where you can't purchase it in airside retail, obviously this is not too difficult to source and a small supply would not be difficult to arrange i'm sure, but my point was more around solutions not saline, and the vast array of different types that people use which would be very difficult to cater for, you only need look at this site to see how many different kinds people use. I'm not saying that we shouldn't try to arrange this, just that knowing how the airline business works, the cogs move very slowly and not always in the right direction.
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Andrew MacLean
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Yes, I can see that solutions may be a problem, but as we can mostly all tolerate preservative free saline the airline wouldn't need to carry a vast array of different proprietory brands of stuff.
I have written to an airline (the one with which I usually fly, when I fly which is seldom) asking whether they are prepared to offer this service. I have not had a reply, but it is early days!
If we all write I am sure the chances are that they will see the sense of what is being asked.
Andrew
I have written to an airline (the one with which I usually fly, when I fly which is seldom) asking whether they are prepared to offer this service. I have not had a reply, but it is early days!
If we all write I am sure the chances are that they will see the sense of what is being asked.
Andrew
Andrew MacLean
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Emma Parkes
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rosemary johnson
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Folks:
Please don't forget that you can - and I recommend, you should - request special assitance anyway, regardless of the solutions issue, to help you get about, etc.
I've done this before now just on the basis of finding it hard to read all the direction signs! - but alwyas when I've been on long-haul flights. There I've tkaen the approach of (trying to! = not always successfully) get as far as boarding with lenses in, then take them out once I'm ond - either straight away if they're gettin sore by then, or else later when they've had enough, and spent the rest of the flight effectively blind, and asking the cabin crew to do things like read the menu, put my glasses of juice down where I can find them not knock them over, show me where the loos are, etc - and then help me off the plane and into the hands of the persons appointed to excort me through "the system" at the far end.
This has sometimes worked better than other times I admit......
The people escorting me out at the far end have generally been OK about showing me to the ladies room, and waiting while I splashed water all round my eyes, scrubbed hands, spread out loadsa little bottles etc etc and tried to crank a lens back in.... including a very charming bloke in New Zealand who wasn't at all fazed by finding he was meeting someone getting off a plane blind as the proverbial and rather agitated having just found she'd have to go and be grilled by the biosecurity people because of all the answers on the immigration questionaire about having been out riding in Epping Forest last Thursday, and arriving in jodhpurs and jodhpur boots in the hope ofriding my cousin's horse while there....
I would seem sensible too that someone booked in for special assistance and needing excorting about right from check-in, who is thus whisked through all the security etc by the escorters, should then be in a position where special requirements for lens fluids should also be cope=-with-able - though airport security deosn't always equate with common sense.......!
ROsemary
Please don't forget that you can - and I recommend, you should - request special assitance anyway, regardless of the solutions issue, to help you get about, etc.
I've done this before now just on the basis of finding it hard to read all the direction signs! - but alwyas when I've been on long-haul flights. There I've tkaen the approach of (trying to! = not always successfully) get as far as boarding with lenses in, then take them out once I'm ond - either straight away if they're gettin sore by then, or else later when they've had enough, and spent the rest of the flight effectively blind, and asking the cabin crew to do things like read the menu, put my glasses of juice down where I can find them not knock them over, show me where the loos are, etc - and then help me off the plane and into the hands of the persons appointed to excort me through "the system" at the far end.
This has sometimes worked better than other times I admit......
The people escorting me out at the far end have generally been OK about showing me to the ladies room, and waiting while I splashed water all round my eyes, scrubbed hands, spread out loadsa little bottles etc etc and tried to crank a lens back in.... including a very charming bloke in New Zealand who wasn't at all fazed by finding he was meeting someone getting off a plane blind as the proverbial and rather agitated having just found she'd have to go and be grilled by the biosecurity people because of all the answers on the immigration questionaire about having been out riding in Epping Forest last Thursday, and arriving in jodhpurs and jodhpur boots in the hope ofriding my cousin's horse while there....
I would seem sensible too that someone booked in for special assistance and needing excorting about right from check-in, who is thus whisked through all the security etc by the escorters, should then be in a position where special requirements for lens fluids should also be cope=-with-able - though airport security deosn't always equate with common sense.......!
ROsemary
Yes I dont think your boots would have been allowed through customs in Australia. Shoes that have worked the agricultural paddocks of England are not welcome here. We are worried about the dreaded foot and mouth.
As far as getting help, when asked to assist most people will help willingly. I used to travel with babies and the staff were generally helpful in getting me to gates and finding strollers etc.
As far as getting help, when asked to assist most people will help willingly. I used to travel with babies and the staff were generally helpful in getting me to gates and finding strollers etc.
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brigid downing
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Yes I agree, telling people what you need and why is a very useful mechanism for getting help. I had a copy of the leaflet down loaded from here, (and edited slightly) explaining about KC - in particular that the use of contact lenses is not just a cosmetic choice.
I also had the solution in the little vile provided by the hospital when they gave me my lenses. This made them look a little more "medical" just in case - but as I say the check in clerk was unphased and security X-rayed them in my bag and said nothing. My little bottle of eye drops was with them and the same applies.
I was prepared to abandon them with out fuss if it became necessary (I don't mind trying to educate those who will listen but I have no intention of being arrested for the cause!) but fortunately it didn't come close.
I think, as with so much, there is a large element of luck - it seems down the the common sense of the individuals you encounter. Which can be a very random thing to have to rely on.
I also had the solution in the little vile provided by the hospital when they gave me my lenses. This made them look a little more "medical" just in case - but as I say the check in clerk was unphased and security X-rayed them in my bag and said nothing. My little bottle of eye drops was with them and the same applies.
I was prepared to abandon them with out fuss if it became necessary (I don't mind trying to educate those who will listen but I have no intention of being arrested for the cause!) but fortunately it didn't come close.
I think, as with so much, there is a large element of luck - it seems down the the common sense of the individuals you encounter. Which can be a very random thing to have to rely on.
I think just a varifiable letter from your GP or consultant (or the KC group) would be just fine in explaining things would be enough? I know probably the terrorists have thought of that one!! but being with out vision sounds wrong to me, with out assistance your comfortable with and when your traveling far as well.
How about the cabin crew, can they not wear contacts on duty in the air?
How about the cabin crew, can they not wear contacts on duty in the air?
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GarethB
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Unfortunatly airport security think terrorists have thought of this.
I know of two cases where a GP leter was insufficient which is why I think Rosemary's suggestion is best.
Call the airline ahead so that when you arrive, they know you need some form of assistance.
Airlines can be very helpful, back in April I did this for different reasons, but it meant I could get with my wife and daughter to the plane easily and my eye were suitably rested so that I could put me lenses in ready for the long drive in the hire car. Wife has never driven on the continent was not about to start!
I know of two cases where a GP leter was insufficient which is why I think Rosemary's suggestion is best.
Call the airline ahead so that when you arrive, they know you need some form of assistance.
Airlines can be very helpful, back in April I did this for different reasons, but it meant I could get with my wife and daughter to the plane easily and my eye were suitably rested so that I could put me lenses in ready for the long drive in the hire car. Wife has never driven on the continent was not about to start!
Gareth
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