Grayling

If you do choose to fly Emirates and especially if you wish to stop over there are a few things you should be aware of.

This is one:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4526759.stm

Enjoy

G

ABCDiamond

But that's got nothing to do with the Emirates Airline.

More airlines also fly through Dubai.

Grayling

Totally agree. It is a 'country thing' rather than an 'airline thing'.

However people need to be aware.

Temazepam (an illegal drug in the UAE) is similar to Diazepam (Valium) Ativan (Lorazepam) and any other Benzodiazepine which are all commonly prescribed in the UK especially for conditions such as Fear of Flying

G

Chris Mitchell

scary stuff........ especially when we can buy co-codamol - contains codeine over the counter!

Chris

Grayling

Codeine is also an illegal drug in America.

I do not know about Singapore/Malaysia/Thailand etc. but it is worth checking out before you travel.

G

Pollyana

If you have ANY drugs with you that are on prescription, try and get a letter from the doctor to verify that you have them legitimately, and ALWAYS carry them in the original packaging - that applies to non-prescription as well.

ABCDiamond

Codeine is illegal in a few countries.

This particular case that you mentioned though relates to a woman who was on holiday in the UAE when she was arrested, due to a passport error.

Codeine and temazepam were then found when she provided a urine specimen.

As this followed on from the other thread, that linked to this one, I feel that the reasons being made to NOT fly with Emirates are so far, pretty ridiculous.

Grayling

Quite right Polly.

I had always understood that you needed a letter from your doctor if carrying ANY drugs.

Worth reminding everyone though.

G

MrsDagboy

Thats the sort of thing that always amazes me when I read of people on this forum who carry drugs with them around the world without even checking to see if its legal or not in the place they are travelling to/through :scared: .

Last year we had a scary experience when we flew through Thailand on our way to the UK as the medication that our boys take is illegal in Thailand (seriously illegal, capital punishment stuff :scared: ). Long story cut short, we left it hidden on the plane (even though we were told we couldnt) as it was only an hour refuelling stop & we didnt have to clear customs. And the cleaners found it, luckily they didnt seem to know what it was, we still almost cr@pped ourselves when they pulled us over to one side to tell us that they had found it :scared: .

Luckily, we were aware of the problem before we left Australia (although we only found out the problem after we had booked & paid for the tickets), so we could try to make plans, but imagine just wandering up to their customs with something that serious in your bag & trying to explain to them that you didnt know cos its a prescription drug.

Unfortuately, although the airline was great, we wont ever be flying with EVA Air again unless we go without the kids, as all their flights stop in Bangkok .

Chris Mitchell

You see learnt something new today, not even thought about what drugs could take with us think better do some research, very easy to be caught out and not a nice way to start our new life!!!

Chris

Grayling

I'm not suggesting people do not fly with Emirates.

Simply that they should be aware that the rules are different.

If you read my other posts you would see that I would not recommend Singapore either.

However, this was in the news today so I thought worth pointing out.

Don't see any reason for an argument

G

Chris Mitchell

Thanks Polly and Grayling,

will do that thanks for the info

Chris

Tass

.....can't buy co-codamol over the counter here !

Chris Mitchell

Its just as well if going to be arrested for carrying it on the way there or back!!.lol presume paracetomol and ibuprofen is ok to carry

Chris

Pollyana

Just a thought - maybe Grayling would know? If carrying drugs (the legal sort!) with you, perhaps its better where possible to put them in the hold luggage rather than your hand luggage - then during the transit stop in Singapore, Bangkok, etc, the drugs stay on the plane and are not in your bag as you walk round the airport.

Doesn't help if you need them en route - like the Dagboys - or if doing an overnight stop - but might make life less stressful if you are just transitting.