By SheMamaMaps

After traveling with Type 1 diabetes through airports across the United States, Japan, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Panama, St. Maarten, and Mexico, I thought we had airport security down to a science.

Then, on our recent family trip to Cancun, something unexpected happened.

Not once…

But twice.

If you’re nervous about flying with Type 1 diabetes, I hope this story gives you confidence—because despite two uncomfortable TSA interactions, everything turned out just fine.

Traveling with Type 1 Diabetes Starts Long Before You Board the Plane

Our son has Type 1 diabetes and wears an Omnipod 5 insulin pump and Dexcom continuous glucose monitor.

Over the past 10 years of living with and traveling with T1D we’ve learned that preparation is everything.

Before we even arrive at the airport, I organize our diabetes supplies into two groups.

Items that go through the X-ray machine:

Insulated diabetes travel case
Low snacks
Travel Chargers
Cooling supplies
Medical organizer or bag with medical supplies tag
Omnipod overpatches
Dexcom 7 over-patches

Items we always request to be hand checked:

Insulin
Dexcom 7 sensors
Omnipod 5 pods
Meter, keto sticks, Basqumi, etc.

Keeping everything organized makes security much faster and avoids digging through our bags at the checkpoint.

Our TSA Experience: Flying to Cancun

We departed for Cancun excited for a family getaway at the beautiful InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort, a family-friendly resort in the Hotel Zone. The calm beach, spacious rooms, and convenient location made it an excellent base for our trip.

When we reached TSA, I politely approached an officer before placing our items on the belt.

I smiled and asked,

“Could we please have a hand check for our Type 1 diabetes supplies?”

I’ve made this request countless times over the years.

Normally the response is friendly.

This time, the officer replied,

“It’s going to be a while.”

The tone wasn’t especially welcoming,

What I wanted to say, but didn’t, was:

“It’s not like we really have another option.”

Or, my favorite, a sarcastic reply…

“oh, a wait? Never mind, I guess we don’t need these life saving medical supplies after all!”

But I didn’t, I simply smiled and answered,

“That’s okay. We can wait.”

These are life-saving medical supplies.

Getting rid of them, not bringing them, or skipping the hand check and risking compromising the supplies in the Xray machine is not something we can simply choose to do.

Ironically, the “long wait” turned out to be about 3 minutes.

The hand check was completed quickly, and we were on our way.

Then It Happened Again in Miami

Coming home through Miami International Airport, we requested another hand check.

This time the TSA officer asked,

“Do you just want a hand check, or do you have to have one?”

I replied,

“We have to have one. We always do.”

Again, everything was completed quickly.

Again, there was no real delay.

But after years of traveling through airports around the world, these were the first two times I felt like I had to explain or justify a standard medical request.

A Reminder for Families Traveling with Type 1 Diabetes

These experiences didn’t ruin our trip.

They didn’t stop us from traveling.

If anything, they reinforced a few lessons I’ve learned over the years.

Always Lead with Kindness

Airport employees deal with thousands of travelers every day.

Even if someone seems rushed or short, I always approach with patience, kindness, and a smile.

That attitude has served us well almost every time we’ve flown.

Be Confident in Your Request

Being polite doesn’t mean apologizing for your medical needs or your child’s.

When requesting hand inspections for type 1 diabetes supplies, ask politely and confidently.

You’re advocating for your child’s medical equipment, not asking for a favor.

Consider Using TSA Cares

One resource more families should know about is TSA Cares.

If you’re traveling with a medical condition, disability, or specialized equipment, TSA Cares can help you prepare for airport screening before your trip.

While we’ve traveled successfully for years without using the service, experiences like these reminded me that it’s a valuable resource to keep in mind, especially for families flying for the first time.

Don’t Let One Bad Experience Stop You from Traveling

Looking back, the most important part of this story isn’t that someone seemed irritated.

It’s that everything worked out exactly as it should have.

Our supplies were hand checked.

We got through security quickly.

We enjoyed an incredible vacation in Cancun.

Families living with Type 1 diabetes already spend enough time worrying.

Airport security shouldn’t keep you from exploring the world.

We’ve now traveled through airports, TSA, and customs across the United States, Japan, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Panama, St. Maarten, and Mexico.

Type 1 diabetes changes how we prepare.

It doesn’t change where we can go.

Planning Your Own Family Vacation?

Whether you’re planning a beach getaway, a cruise, a city escape, or your first international trip with Type 1 diabetes, preparation makes all the difference.

If you’re headed to Cancun, don’t miss my complete review of the InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort, where I’ll cover the rooms, beach, dining, and why it worked well for our family.

While you’re planning, be sure to compare: