BS: Travelin' with Vitamins?

Subject: BS: Travelin' with Vitamins?
From: pattyClink
Date: 01 Sep 04 - 09:30 PM

I need advice from European travelers, and this is the best place I know to find them.

Here's the dilemma: I am going to Ireland Sunday for the first time. I have gotten to where I am taking 12 different vitamins, minerals and herbs and they make me feel a lot better when I keep taking them. When I travel around here by car I just make up little plastic bags with the days assortment in each one.

Can I get through airport security or customs with little plastic baggies full of assorted pills? If they are in my handbag rather than my baggage, would that help? If they were in the bottles they came in would that work better, and would I have to go out and get new sealed bottles?

I know this is a stupid, silly question, but I haven't a clue what to do. ??

Subject: RE: BS: Travelin' with Vitamins?
From: michaelr
Date: 01 Sep 04 - 09:41 PM

Hi Patty --

I'm going to Ireland for the first time tomorrow, and my wife did just what you do: the daily allotment in little baggies.

I don't expect any trouble. But then, you never know in this brave new world.

Where in Ireland are you going? We're starting with Cork Folk Festival, then we'll explore the West and end up in Dublin next Thursday. Wouldn't it be fun to run into each other?

Have a great trip!

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: BS: Travelin' with Vitamins?
From: michaelr
Date: 01 Sep 04 - 09:45 PM

PS: my wife tells me she called the airline to ask this question, and they told her no problem.

Subject: RE: BS: Travelin' with Vitamins?
From: Sorcha
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 11:15 AM

Mine were in the original bottles in my carry on bag....it just went thru the X ray and nobody ever asked about the pills.

Subject: RE: BS: Travelin' with Vitamins?
From: JudyB
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 11:58 AM

I've traveled a bit - mostly in this country, but we've be to Australia twice since 9/11. I usually have the more irreplaceable things (generally prescription drugs) in their containers - though I may also have some in my little plastic thing that's divided into days. I've never had a problem. I do always have them in a carry on because I have had luggage go missing. Of course, it may help that I'm solidly middle-aged. :)

JudyB

Subject: RE: BS: Travelin' with Vitamins?
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 12:34 PM

Do you eat any food?

Subject: RE: BS: Travelin' with Vitamins?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 01:50 PM

In England, if the customs agent wants to call it food, it will probably be confiscated. It happened last month to a friend of mine on a special medically supervised diet. Sold by perscription, only. Even with the perscription in hand, it was declared to be food and was taken. Check with the Post Office to see what's mailable. Or call the Conselate.

Subject: RE: BS: Travelin' with Vitamins?
From: Morticia
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 07:06 PM

better to have them in the containers...friend of mine just spent an awful lot of time in customs and excise while they established for themselves what exactly was in the bags.

Subject: RE: BS: Travelin' with Vitamins?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 07:14 PM

" Can I get through airport security or customs with little plastic baggies full of assorted pills?"

Maybe but yer best bet is to carry them in their ORIGIANL bottles... in your carry-on...

Subject: RE: BS: Travelin' with Vitamins?
From: pattyClink
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 08:20 PM

Thanks for all the info, guys. I'm leaning towards original containers with a 16-day supply and leave the rest at home in case they confiscate anyway.

MichaelR,
Drat, I think we're traveling on different sync. I have a stopover first and will arrive Thursday at Shannon then circle mostly coast towns counterclockwise til the 25th. I don't think I'll get to Dublin til the next Thursday the 16th.

But you or any 'catters who thinks they'll be in these places, maybe we can cross paths---

Clifden Sept 8, Pollatomish 9-10th, Arranmore 11-12, Downhill 13, Lisburn 14-15, Dublin 16-17, Cork 18, Rosslare 19, Kenmare 20-21, Doolin 22.   

May the road rise to meet us! And not in a painful way!

Subject: RE: BS: Travelin' with Vitamins?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 11:26 AM

"I am taking 12 different vitamins, minerals and herbs"

At least if you're in a music session, you won't need one of those shaky egg things - just jumping up and down should be enough !