Diabetes travel round-up: Preparing for the holiday travel season

luggage at airport

I've heard that the day before Thanksgiving is the busiest day of the year for US travel. I've also heard it's a myth. Either way, from Thanksgiving until New Year's a lot of people are heading out of town to visit friends and family or to enjoy a fun get-away while they have some time off work/school. If you're one of those people and you also have diabetes, here's the blog roundup for you. 

May you have great holiday travels - without any Griswold-like misadventures!

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Submitted by Lee S (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

I was going through airport security and was told the new proscan scanners don't use X-rays so that they are OK for insulin pumps. I don't take the word of TSA agents, but it would be helpful to get information about whether the proscan scanners are OK for insulin pumps. I take it the sensor should never be subjected to the scanners, but some additional information would be helpful.

The emergency card seems to be a little general and I would appreciate more specific information for myself. Users of your insulin pump, like myself, will encounter this assertion as they travel. I would urge Medtronic to update the card to specifically refer to "non-x-ray" scanners and to provide a little more clarity to combat what may be misinformation.

I am very concerned.

Submitted by Karrie Hawbaker (not verified) on

In reply to by Lee S (not verified)

@Lee S Based on the testing we conducted, our recommendation is that if you choose to go through any of the new full body scanners you should remove your insulin pump and CGM (sensor and transmitter). If you don’t want to remove your devices, you may request an alternative screening process. You can also find more travel information here http://www.medtronicdiabetes.net/lifestyle/travel

Submitted by Anders Lange A… (not verified) on

In reply to by Commenter (not verified)

Looking through the "EQUIPMENT INTERFERENCE CARD" it says that: Your continuous glucose monitor (CGM) system is safe for use on commercial airlines.

Submitted by Karrie Hawbaker (not verified) on

In reply to by Anders Lange A… (not verified)

Thank you Anders, this is a great question. I’m glad you like the resources which share this information but this is specific to our customers here in the United States. We recommend that our international customers check with their local Medtronic offices and airline agencies to receive the correct information for where they live. You may use the following link to locate your local Medtronic office: http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/contact/international-locations. Hope this helps!


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