Any issues flying with prescription meds in an organizer and just taking photos of the actual pill bottles?

This would be a domestic flight. No narcotics. Just routine prescription meds and supplements like fish oil, multi-vitamin, etc.

I'd rather not fly with bottles holding many months worth of meds.

No.

I asked a cop friend of my a very similar question and they told me to go to the dispensing pharmacy and ask for duplicate empty bottle(s) of any prescription meds and take only what's needed for the trip and leave the rest at home. Most pharmacists understand this situation and have no problem complying. That's all I got.

Yeah, no. No one will go through your meds or care you have them.

I stick my X day supply all in one small pill bottle. I do have labels from past bottles peeled off and folded in the bottle, but that only covers the prescription meds, not vitamins.

Having said that, I have NEVER had a problem. And I fly a fair amount.

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
Can you pack your meds in a pill case?

I always do at home, so that's what I planned to fly with. Just can't recall how I did it before. I don't fly much.

^^^^ He's providing you a link to TSA that answers that question. He's not asking you that question.

Never had a problem.

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:
^^^^ He's providing you a link to TSA that answers that question. He's not asking you that question.

The only time I was a bit concerned was when traveling to Brazil. I got my PCP to write a short letter stating the prescribed meds. (only two at that time and non narcotic) and I took pictures of the bottles in case I needed to get them refilled on the road. Nothing was ever questioned though.

^^^Yeah, traveling internationally is a different story (though I also have never had any problems), but one should have zero issues flying domestically.

Never had an issue. Always have mine in my 7 day AM-PM caddy. I don't carry empty bottles or labels. I can show them my meds on my doctors portal or MyChart.

It has never ever come up flying domestically, Canada or Western Europe. My pharmacy will make up small bottles with the Rx label for each prescription. I take enough for the trip plus extras just in case of delays.

There is no restriction domestically or internationally to carrying medications, unless your medication is prohibited in a particular location.

It's a good idea, whenever possible, to carry medications in the original container; this avoids misunderstandings and in most cases, eliminates any questions. Where this isn't possible, it's a good idea to put the medication in a plastic bag with the label included (this is especially true when traveling internationally).

I've never had any question any medications in my bag, domestically or abroad, but I know others who have.

When you pass through security, nobody is concerned about your medications. They're looking for weapons or obvious contraband. They're looking for safety hazards (batteries in checked, etc). Your personal medication really isn't any concern.

If you happen to have a large bag of pills, without any identification, it might raise an eyebrow. A friend carried a collection of vitamin supplements in a bag. He was into body building and nutrition and so forth. It did create a problem, especially as he didn't include any labeling. Even if it only causes enough delay to miss a connecting flight, it's worth eliminating that risk by including labeling, and it's always best if you can keep it in the original packaging. If it's prescription and doesn't have a package, then a copy of the prescription is a good idea.

No. I also typically have a small bottle of whiskey in my carryon. They really don’t care, so long as you aren’t blatant or foolish about what you have in your bag. I’ve never had anyone look twice at my meds, amd I carry migraine meds, Benadryl, etc along as well..enough for the trip, just in case.

I've never been asked for a prescription bottle either on a flight or by an LEO anywhere in the US. Every cop has a computer in his car to look up my simvastatin and omeprazole and verify they are not narcotics. Has anyone ever been charged with carrying medications that had actually been prescribed for them, regardless of the container? Different story if you have a Baggie with 50 Oxy in it.

quote:

Originally posted by irreverent:
I also typically have a small bottle of whiskey in my carryon.

I like the way you think!

I take a handful of meds twice a day--mostly different ones each time. I'd have a carryon full of bottles if I went that route. I just put the meds into those plastic cases for daily doses and take those with me. I've never had a problem.

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:
Every cop has a computer in his car to look up my simvastatin and omeprazole and verify they are not narcotics.

You won't encounter a police officer in a car at the airport when checking in, or connecting between flights. Searches aren't performed based on probable cause; none is needed, because you have volunteered and agreed to search of your person and all your belongings when you attempt to access a secure area: everything is subject to search. No PC, and no warrant required. You can avoid that by not flying.

When you do choose to volunteer to be subject to search (including random search), you're not being searched by police in a car with a computer. You're being searched by TSA. Not post certified, not POST trained, not sworn officers. Just TSA.

The biggest problem may be a delay in getting on a flight, or even a connecting flight (I've been subject to a random search when changing aircraft, and in uniform, including my bags opened up and searched, wanding, and pat-down), and even though I have credentials that allow me to go around the screening area, I am referred to the screening process randomly. I frequently see connections of a half-hour for forty minutes from one flight to another, and have had to run on occasion to make a connection. The last time, the first officer who was with me, didn't make it and got left behind. Any delays explaining one's bags could cause a missed connection.

It's a simple thing to mark the medications and to carry any labeling. Arrest? No. Delays? Potentially. Just carry the labels, put meds in their containers, or carry the prescription. Easy.

It's seldom an issue, especially in the age of covid, but it's strongly recommended that you mark your meds and carry labeling or the prescription.

I have never heard of a problem with any prescription medicines on airplanes.