Seano
Journeyman
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 84
Loc: Shelbyville
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Here's the question...
Airports have become very tough with security precautions in the past few years. I don't blame 'em one bit. Heck, the mere idea of armed sky martials makes me pretty happy, since every bit of metal that I might have on me to "help" persuade a hijacker to back down simply will not make it on the bird. That, and all the scrutiny of everyone's luggage, bag by bag. The guards really dig around in there with fingers and those ultra-high-tech sensor wands looking for trouble...
So, what should someone who has a prescription from an out of State OP, name on the bottle and everything, have to worry about when making a coast-to-coast multi-major Airport trip ?
Your ID is listed in one State. You transfer through a hub in another State, and get where you are finally going, somewhere else. Your medicine is labeled with a pharmacy name and tel. #, script #, and your name in yet another State.
For argument's sake, say it's one of those Florida clonazepam Doctor and Pharmacy consultation all-in-ones that fills everyone's email with ads nowdays. And fills everyone's order reliably, too...getting a great reputation at DB. Legal RX and everything, but still pretty "grey area", really.
Just how legally binding IS that prescription label, either way, when it comes time for the strip search before boarding the plane ? Would it vary State by State for our hypothetical passenger ?
Does anyone have some stories about this kind of experience that they might relate ?
Perhaps the resident legal expert, *TRAMPY* ?
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limper
Enthusiast
Reged: 12/07/02
Posts: 223
Loc: USA
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The people "waving those wands" have to get the plane loaded in X amount of minutes,period..if they delay things..messing with people's stuff they know nothing about(meds in a pharmacy labeled bottle with the correct name on it!!) it will be their A$$! I have a friend who does this..he and his buddies are far more interested in good looking 20yr old blondes and their underwear! I AM NOT kidding..I AM serious. Just use your head..do NOT go taking the things out of the bottle and hiding them all over you..think!!??..Which? Would look illegal???...HUH..DUH??..HUH?? If you were "a wand waver" and you stumbled upon some idiot with his socks & pockets full of loose pills..what would YOU do?..HUH?..DUH?? You WOULD call the REAL cops over real quick..if you found..as they do in EVERY BAG going down the belt..a pharmacy bottle of pills in a good pharmacy bottle WITH a label..you just KEEP LOOKING for 20yr old blondes and their panties!!(and pray they come thru YOUR line!!) Stay cool folks..it's okay..don't MAKE YOURSELF INTO a suspicious character!!..HUH??..DUH?? Think people! THINK!! Don't be an obvious idiot..
Limper..the resident board grouch,realist & aspiring comic..
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lovepink
Goddess
Reged: 01/01/02
Posts: 1476
Loc: NYC Metro Area
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I posted about this in a similar thread on the VIP side. Many people - including myself - use passports as ID when flying. Adult passports are good for 10 years and many people move around during that time so the address you pencil in (your address is NOT written in your passport by anyone other than you) may be completely outdated. Unless you volunteer your state of residence to airport security they have no way of knowing you don't live in the state where your prescription is from just by checking your passport.
If you choose to use a DL as ID instead, you could be a "snowbird" who lives in Florida (home of many pharmacies) part-time, not bothering to change your DL. I don't believe there is any requirement to surrender one state's DL when you move to another UNLESS you want driving priveliges there...you usually have a certain period of time in which to do it as well.
I honestly think that you have a better chance of winning the lottery than having airport security do some serious checking & cross-referencing of your state of residence to determine if you're a (legal) telemedicine user.
If you're worried that your home address of, say, NY, is on the label of a pharmacy from Florida (that probably won't be scrutinized), you could be using an insurance-required mail order pharmacy or filling scripts on vacation.
Take care
Edited to Add: I have flown both internationally & domestically since 9/11 with OP Meds, in & out of "high risk" airports and at least once on a "high risk" date (flying into New Orleans while the SuperBowl was still being played there that evening). I normally carry about 120 Lortab & 60 benzos of some kind and have never had a problem. Airport security seemed to be more concerned about what I could have possibly been hiding in strappy sandals.
Edited by lovepink (03/10/04 06:29 AM)
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lemongrass
Board Addict
Reged: 09/23/03
Posts: 361
Loc: IL
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My husband travels out of state quite often for his employer and, boy, has security been scrutinizing everything he comes through with. He has tools with him and they will break the tag on his luggage, unbeknownst to him, until he gets his luggage back, that they've been rummaging. But metal tools are a red flag when those wands start beeping, so this is quite understandable.
If you're traveling with your OP meds, if they are, in fact, in a bottle with a physician's name and your name, you're fine. If they came in blister packs, put the darn things in an old prescription bottle and only take the amount that you're going to need for the duration of your trip! Hundreds of pills will not look good in one bottle and may raise an eyebrow or two. You can do this with several medications. I mean, look at the senior citizens who have to travel with their meds. Some of those folks carry quite a list of their medications with them when they travel. Just so long as you don't appear to be ready to distribute, you'll be fine. Hope this has helped!
lemongrass
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debbrad
Member
Reged: 11/06/03
Posts: 100
Loc: Texas, USA
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My hubby also travels out of state on bussiness and he carries his prescriptions in his carry on cause his baggage has been lost a few times. He also carries a pair of clean undies and extra pair of pants and shirt. Maybe the security peps are more interested in his flannel santa drawers than his rx. He has never had a problem. We are going to Vegas next month so maybe I will throw in my fancy corset and lace undies in my carry on and they won't inspect my meds. The bottles all have the proper id on them but my undies don't.
Peace and fun,
Deb 
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Tred
Enthusiast
Reged: 10/18/03
Posts: 263
Loc: USA
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That's what I do too.. Take your meds with your carry on and overnight kit-one set of cloths, ect. I have been a travelin' machine this month and just got back from Miami yesterday, (where security in that airport is pretty tight) and had no problems. So far so good.
Tred
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Entertainment Specialist!
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lemongrass
Board Addict
Reged: 09/23/03
Posts: 361
Loc: IL
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Debbrad, now that was funny!
Quote:
The bottles all have the proper id on them but my undies don't.
Ever consider doing stand-up??? Made my day. Thanks.
lemongrass
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lemongrass
Board Addict
Reged: 09/23/03
Posts: 361
Loc: IL
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Oooo, oooo, oooo! I just noticed that now I'm considered a Board Addict after hitting the 300 mark. See, forget about drug addictions, it's the boards we need to worry about. LMAO!
lemongrass
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kimbuka
Enthusiast
Reged: 12/14/03
Posts: 219
Loc: Midwest
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Quote:
I have a friend who does this..he and his buddies are far more interested in good looking 20yr old blondes and their underwear! I AM NOT kidding..I AM serious.
I'm not 100% sure but I think as long as Your name on bottle matches Your ID, then it doesn't matter what/where/when... does it??? Don't worry about it...be smart and treat it as if they were just an antibiotic or something. Don't treat it like its your "private stash."
Limper, I guess 40 (or so) and no undies is out of the question, huh???
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limper
Enthusiast
Reged: 12/07/02
Posts: 223
Loc: USA
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W-e-l-l..a-f-t-e-r..much consideration...quick!..I'll take it!! Which gate ya' want me to meet you at!! HA! Speak up ladies..I'm heading for the airport with my X-Ray glasses!
Limper..dirty ole' man..
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zengaboyFB
Newbie
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29
Loc: NYC, LA, Bucks Co. PA
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I generally fly over 100,000 miles per year and have for many years. I also have multiple residences in multiple states with multiple goverment photo IDs that corrispond to my addresses. I have had scripts filled in many states AND countries. I have been searched in every way shape and form(except stripped) for domestic and international flights and NEVER EVER has anyone paid ANY attention to my meds. That has been my experience. Z.
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Seano
Journeyman
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 84
Loc: Shelbyville
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Well, all, thanks for your excellent input.
It got me to thinking a bit about the laws regarding this. I tend to get pretty abstract and "what if" with these issues. You know, potential abuses and their ramifications on both sides of the law and all.
Take a look at some of those really simple, cheap looking Florida Rx bottle labels sometime, if you get a chance. They could easily be printed up on anyone's home computer. On some, there is a name, a script #, a product name, a doctor's name and tel. #, and that is it. What on Earth is to prevent drug traffickers from doing this with some dummy office telephone # and home-made labels, given that airport security appears to just look at the "surface" with pills, and focus their stressed attention elsewhere ? Expand the scenario to huge shipments within the lower 48 via Fedex or whatever. I know, I'm playing devil's advocate yet again, but it's a valid point. LE reading this, you are probably on about the same page as me here.
And with Al Qaeda now claiming responsibility for those horrific bombings in Madrid, mentioning that the United States is next in line, you can bet that even stiffer security is on the way, pronto.
By the way, I am flying soon myself, through several A-list hubs, and it promises to be fun, indeed. But I will be medicated, courtesy of those overpriced drinks at 10,000 feet, anyway. Call me names if you must, but this constant terrorism from a zillion sources scares the living Best if kept off the board out of me. I guess it's supposed to.
What is on the horizon ? Scannable State or Federal UPC type deals on the prescription label to verify authenticity ? Desperate people who print up labels at home simply to get from A to B, with black market pirated "latest version" microchip implants that will get them thru the sleek, futuristic detectors ? Even scarier distopian sci-fi scenarios ?
Of course, some people are PAID to think about this stuff, and I'm not about to share in public some REALLY juicy ideas that spring to mind...but thank you for your posts so far, everyone.
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zeuzjuz
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/16/01
Posts: 1155
Loc: the milky way
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Me thinks you're worrying too much  (about the meds anyway - the other issues you brought up ARE cause for concern) - But I think security is looking for potential weapons not your pills. 
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//zeuzjuz
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Seano
Journeyman
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 84
Loc: Shelbyville
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Heck, personally, I found ways long ago to get what I need from A to B, or at A or B, with no worries whatsoever. 'Nuff said 'bout that, and thanks for your concern anyway. But, my intent with this thread was to look at the big picture for everyone, looking into the near future what with changing laws and technologies and such...
The distopian science fiction of yesteryear is today's reality, you know ?
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FangZ
Member
Reged: 12/16/02
Posts: 104
Loc: My own theoretically ideal wor...
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Seano, I thought the same thing about the labels. They are really 'cheap' looking. They look nothing like my normal walgreens labels.
I flew to TX a year ago and had all of my meds in my small carry on, along with my glucose monitor and my tens unit. I did have it searched at every stop, but they really paid no mind to the meds, they were very concerned about my glucose monitor...taking it out each time and putting it through some sort of other scanner thing. I was so worried it wouldn't work anymore..LOL!
And, they also seemed more interested in searching my 10 year old than anything else.
Something else that bothered me was if I got stopped for a 'random' search or had to wait while they searched my med bag...they would send my kids through and NOT let them stay next to me! I would tell my girls to stay as close to me as possible in these huge airports and not let them tell them to go on. Or, if you get searched, they leave your purse sitting on the belt and won't let you get it...or bring it over to the search area with you.
I hate airports..LOL!
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Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things!
Before they invented drawing boards, what did they go back to?
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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I agree with Zeuzjuz!
Paranoia will destroya! Just quit worrying about it--ESPECIALLY on domestic flights!
As other people have said, nobody CARES about the damned prescriptions in the airports! They are looking for items that are potential weapons or explosives.
My bags have been searched because I carry a smallish box fan with me everywhere (I can't sleep without one!) and a travel iron. Especially the fan, though, gets suspicious looks. Perhaps I should consider asking my doc to write me a letter stating it is a medical necessity?
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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patient2all
Enthusiast
Reged: 05/16/02
Posts: 294
Loc: usa
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Never had a problem at all with my OP med bottle. Last week, I was returning from Barbados where there are no x-ray machines so they search all baggage by hand. I had tried to cushion a lot of potential breakables by wrapping them in clothing so I must have looked like a smuggler.
The screener kept asking what was in each bag or bundle and I had to honestly say I was not sure so he went through everything! The only thing that intrigued him was my --- [embarrassed] hemmorhoid cream [/embarrassed]. He read the packaging thoroughly. Couldn't have cared less about my OP med or my wife's many maintenance meds. Maybe he was itching too....
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patient2all
It's a sad world, getting sadder by the day....
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prettyday
Threadhead
Reged: 02/09/03
Posts: 945
Loc: Coastal Sage Scrub
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He didn't take the tube into another room, did he? Cause I wouldn't be using that package again...  
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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
- Mahatma Gandhi
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patient2all
Enthusiast
Reged: 05/16/02
Posts: 294
Loc: usa
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Quote:
He didn't take the tube into another room, did he? Cause I wouldn't be using that package again
Fortunately, no! I think what caught his attention was the name of the OTC med which I probably shouldn't plug here, but what the heck! Nupercainal Ointment -- sounds like it should be a powerful med.
BTW, works much better than that more popular hemmorhoid remedy. I only need to use occasionally when I eat crummy, like the night when I got back to the hotel room so tired, the only dinner I could manage was a real large bag of potato chips!
Better cut this reply short for now -- TMI (too much information) for mixed company!
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This post is for information purposes only, when used as directed Nupercainal Ointment has no potential for abuse.
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patient2all
It's a sad world, getting sadder by the day....
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Trampy
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/02/02
Posts: 1241
Loc: Southwest U.S.
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Quote:
Perhaps the resident legal expert, *TRAMPY* ?
If the meds were obtained legally, you have no problem. "Legally" means that you had every reason to believe it came from DEA-licensed providers, and used no fraud or deceit to obtain a controlled substance. They won't even try to check for the latter at the airport, but even if the pharmacy is licensed, it would make me very uneasy to travel with a med label that looked like someone printed it out at home. Also, for a while there, one of the point-and-click OPs didn't even put a doctor's name on their crude-looking labels. That's a definite no-no and they've since fixed it.
Stick with the OPs that use labels that look totally legit and you'll be fine as long as it has your name on it too. You're traveling, right? Well, sometimes travelers get sick or injured while traveling. And most of these are coming out of one of the country's major tourist destination. If you had to see a doctor while on vacation, are you going to remember their phone number or address? Nobody is gonna expect you to. Besides, TSA is concerned about weapons getting on the planes. DEA stayed in Justice; they were not merged into Homeland Security.
Trampy
P.S. Billy posted here or on VIP the federal regs stating what has to be present on a med bottle (including the federal "Warning ...." for controlled subs). Unless the pharmacy has been in the news because its owners/operators are incarcerated, there should be no problem.
P.P.S. Contrary to what some would have you believe, the legal risk of using the point-and-clicks rests solely with THEM ... that is, if the customer believes they are legit and uses no fraud or deceit. Does that explain why they charge more? Dr. Bryson got TWO YEARS ... and he talked to some of his patients for 30 minutes! Compare that to Dr. Gibbs, who had barely the time to ask what you wanted and if you were allergic to it ... he didn't have to go to prison. AFAIK, neither did Dr. Nelson in Oklahoma (remember Nation?) ... but it's quite a risk these new guys take when they scribe C-IIIs based only on a web form, because things are getting tougher every day. I'm actually surprised 10/500s can be had as cheaply as $2.38 each, shipped same day and delivered overnight ... and it's about as easy as ordering from Amazon. This can't last, and people here who complain about the price have no idea what these OP's and doctor's legal bills could be or how much of their assets can be seized. $2.38 is dirt cheap if someone is risking their career, their freedom, and all their money. Think about it.
P.P.P.S. This is the last time i'm answering this question.
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Your mileage may vary ...
Edited by Trampy (03/19/04 07:43 PM)
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