Travelling with a PF meter: Hi! Just... - Asthma Community ...

Asthma Community Forum

22,430 members24,833 posts

Travelling with a PF meter

Wheezycat profile image
7 Replies

Hi! Just for information. Yesterday I was travelling abroad via Manchester Airport. Like the previous time my hand luggage got specially checked because of my peakflow meter. I always carry the PF meter in my hand luggage as I have had the experience of my hold luggage going awol, and I don’t want it go astray.

Last time, a couple of months ago, I hadn’t put it in the tray, so it got picked up on. However, when the security guy asked me he immediately knew what it was. Since then I tend to put my peak flow meter in the tray, and that way I have got through checks in Sweden, Leeds and Budapest without comment. Yesterday, however, in Manchester, even though it was in the tray, on display, it did get picked up on, but again, the guy who dealt with it knew exactly what it was. He also said it was better to do what I was doing, putting it in the tray. (I also have a standard letter confirming my need for it. I have never yet used it.) Apparently there is some sharp part inside the tube, which is what they are reacting on.

It has always been fine in the end. It seems that the Manchester security are particularly nit picky - my husband had a small pack of paper tissues taken off him and binned.

I find it helps me to try to hang onto as philosophical an attitude as possible for these security checks.

Written by
Wheezycat profile image
Wheezycat
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
7 Replies
greggs profile image
greggs

Why tissues I always take them flying my sinuses play up.

Wheezycat profile image
Wheezycat in reply togreggs

Indeed! We have no idea, and I think we need to check why later - or at least point it out. Either overzealousness or discrimination ( my husband looks a bit foreign, though less so now that he is older and greyer.)

Lysistrata profile image
LysistrataAdministratorCommunity Ambassador

Tissues?! I think someone got overzealous and out of regs there!

I once had a metal hair clip taken off me before an internal flight in Italy. I suppose I could vaguely see the logic, except there were 25 armed Italian police on the same flight, with guns in the cabin! Would have to be an insane hair clip ninja to.try anything!

Never been asked about the PF meter. Last time I travelled to the US I had syringes in my bag for hydrocortisone. Of course I had a letter if needed but on the way out they didn't even ask me to take them out. On the way back.I had to take the sunglasses case they live in out and put it in the tray but no one asked to see letter.

emmasue profile image
emmasue

Thanks for the update! It's good to know.

Wheezycat profile image
Wheezycat

An update: at the time my husband, who ended up really cross and stressed by the whole experience, just lost one tissue, a scrunched up up one that lived in his pocket and caused a bulge, thus checked. I think it could be interpreted differently.

Nutzs47 profile image
Nutzs47

I always put my meds in a clear plastic bag and put them in a tray esp as I use a spacer too so far haven’t had a prob .on a diff track we’ve taken my granddaughter on hol with her dad and have been stopped twice on the way back into Leeds and had to prove she’s her dads daughter.

Wheezycat profile image
Wheezycat

Yes, there is no problem with my inhalers. I, too, put them in a clear plastic bag, and would with a spacer as well. This was just my peak flow meter.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Peak flow meters

Hi! I have a standard peakflow meter, which i don't want to be without. However, i will be flying...
Wheezycat profile image

New peak flow meter

Hello all, I hope you're all in good health. Recently my peak flow meter completely stopped...

PF drop after steroids

I appear to have got into a pattern with regards to my PF. I was given a 5 day course of pred at...

Peak flow meter

Hi, I just received my first peak flow Meter and tried it today. This morning it was 30 and just...

Flying with nebuliser/asthma meds

My son is flying for the first time next week (school trip to Germany). It's about 8 years since...
angievere profile image

Moderation team

See all
Homely2 profile image
Homely2Administrator
Lysistrata profile image
LysistrataAdministrator
ALUK_Nurses profile image
ALUK_NursesAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.