Hi all,

From a complete novice could someone help with a few questions thanks?
(Australia to Europe air travel - Croatia, Italy, France, U.K. Etc.)

* To carry prescription drugs (on any airline)does one need a doctors
authority (certificate)? Someone told me you do!
* Will digital cameras or memory cards/hard drives be likely to suffer
corruption from X-Ray machines? If so what's the way to avoid this?

Thanks, as I said an utter greenhorn - sorry!!!

In article , Krusty writes
    >From a complete novice could someone help with a few questions thanks?
    >(Australia to Europe air travel - Croatia, Italy, France, U.K. Etc.)
    >* To carry prescription drugs (on any airline)does one need a doctors
    >authority (certificate)? Someone told me you do!


I have never been asked for such an authority but I always carry one.
--
Marie Lewis

"Krusty" wrote in message news:3e572da4@news1...
    > Hi all,
    > From a complete novice could someone help with a few questions thanks?
    > (Australia to Europe air travel - Croatia, Italy, France, U.K. Etc.)
    > * To carry prescription drugs (on any airline)does one need a doctors
    > authority (certificate)? Someone told me you do!
You are advised to do so. A copy of the prescription or a doctor's letter
will also do. It will be helpful to describe medication in generic terms
rather than proprietery names, which may not be recognised abroad. Such a
note will also be useful should you need to get a repeat supply whilst
travelling. And always carry medicines in original, labelled containers.
    > * Will digital cameras or memory cards/hard drives be likely to suffer
    > corruption from X-Ray machines? If so what's the way to avoid this?
No effect whatsoever. You should carry all such items in cabin luggage.

Alec

In article , Krusty writes

    > >From a complete novice could someone help with a
    > > few questions thanks? (Australia to Europe air travel
    > > - Croatia, Italy, France, U.K. Etc.)
    > >
    > > * To carry prescription drugs (on any airline)does one
    > > need a doctors authority (certificate)? Someone told me
    > > you do!
    > > * Will digital cameras or memory cards/hard drives be
    > > likely to suffer corruption from X-Ray machines? If so
    > > what's the way to avoid this?

Technically, you're supposed to carry a certificate for prescription
drugs and OTC drugs which are prescription in the area you're
traveling to (for instance, codeine with aspirin is available OTC in
Denmark), but if you're carrying a reasonable amount -- ie not much
more than you're going to need for your trip -- I wouldn't expect
problems. My husband travels extensively all over the world and has
asthma for which he carries various prescriptions; he's never been
questioned.

Your digital camera and laptop computer are fine to send through the
x-ray machines. Again, my husband travels extensively with both and
hasn't encountered any problems.

-j

"Krusty" wrote in message news:3e572da4@news1...
    > Hi all,
    > From a complete novice could someone help with a few questions thanks?
    > (Australia to Europe air travel - Croatia, Italy, France, U.K. Etc.)
    > * To carry prescription drugs (on any airline)does one need a doctors
    > authority (certificate)? Someone told me you do!

Carry prescription drugs in their original containers which show the
presecription. If you carry injectable medication (I do), keep the syringes
in a container or bag which shows the prescription and, for added security,
carry a letter from your doctor which explains why you have the syringes.

I've carried my prescription medication all over the world (throughout North
American, Asia, Europe, Africa and India) and never had the least problem.


    > * Will digital cameras or memory cards/hard drives be likely to suffer
    > corruption from X-Ray machines? If so what's the way to avoid this?

Digital cameras and memory cards/hard drives are _not_ effected by carry-on
luggage x-ray scanners (neither is most film, even after multiple
exposures). Never pack film or valuables in checked luggage.

    > Thanks, as I said an utter greenhorn - sorry!!!

In article , "Krusty" writes:

    >* To carry prescription drugs (on any airline)does one need a doctors
    >authority (certificate)? Someone told me you do!

Never heard that. Perhaps if they are very strong or unusual drugs, but I
carry normal prescriptions worldwide with never any problems. Best to keep
them in their normal packages or at least keep the label with them.

    >* Will digital cameras or memory cards/hard drives be likely to suffer
    >corruption from X-Ray machines? If so what's the way to avoid this?

No problems at all. I put my digital camera and laptop through the x-rays all
the time.

Larry in Berkeley, California (seaotter 6 at a o l dot c o m)(no spaces in
address)

for prescription pain killers get letter from your doctor.
this isn't too bad a guide http://www.uk.emb.gov.au/CARRIERS/takingmed.html
"Larry" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > In article , "Krusty" writes:
    > >* To carry prescription drugs (on any airline)does one need a doctors
    > >authority (certificate)? Someone told me you do!
    > Never heard that. Perhaps if they are very strong or unusual drugs, but I
    > carry normal prescriptions worldwide with never any problems. Best to
keep
    > them in their normal packages or at least keep the label with them.
    > >* Will digital cameras or memory cards/hard drives be likely to suffer
    > >corruption from X-Ray machines? If so what's the way to avoid this?
    > No problems at all. I put my digital camera and laptop through the x-rays
all
    > the time.
    > Larry in Berkeley, California (seaotter 6 at a o l dot c o m)(no spaces in
    > address)


---
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Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.456 / Virus Database: 256 - Release Date: 2/18/2003

I travel with a portable farmacia, all for me. 5 or 6 of my
prescription meds, a months supply, all in their original packages, all
togeher in a case inside my carryon. No Rx forms. If I run out I take
the empty package to the pharmacist and we confer, and inevitably I
get what I need...even on one occasion Darvon. Of course Italy is
more civilised than the US and their pharmacists are treated with
respect as responsivle professionals,not just as pill clerks. will
In article , Krusty wrote:

    > Hi all,
    >
    > From a complete novice could someone help with a few questions thanks?
    > (Australia to Europe air travel - Croatia, Italy, France, U.K. Etc.)
    >
    > * To carry prescription drugs (on any airline)does one need a doctors
    > authority (certificate)? Someone told me you do!
    > * Will digital cameras or memory cards/hard drives be likely to suffer
    > corruption from X-Ray machines? If so what's the way to avoid this?
    >
    > Thanks, as I said an utter greenhorn - sorry!!!
    >

Thanks Alec & Jacqui, much appreciated!

Kevin.

See your doc for a letter. I've just picked up my letter and a full
set of repeat prescriptions (just in case I lose some) because I'm off
RTW for five months. For the previous poster - must everything be in
the original container? I'm taking a lot of BG needle-stick boxes and
they would be a lot less bulky removed from their boxes.


Cheers - Alan

Krusty wrote:
    >
    > Hi all,
    >
    > From a complete novice could someone help with a few questions thanks?
    > (Australia to Europe air travel - Croatia, Italy, France, U.K. Etc.)
    >
    > * To carry prescription drugs (on any airline)does one need a doctors
    > authority (certificate)? Someone told me you do!

Well, U.S. to Europe air travel, I've never had anyone even LOOK at any
of my medications (which I take in my carry-on, since "lost luggage" CAN
happen, even though I've been lucky, so far). I also carry a lot of
unidentified vitamin supplements with me, and not all of my prescription
medication is even in the original vial. With the heightened "security"
in U.S. airports, they may examine your bags more closely than they did,
but I think they are more concerned with things that might be weapons in
disguise - given our current paranoia, things like contact lens solution
might be suspect, but pills and capsules should remain uninspected. If
you require insulin or something else you must inject, U.S. security
might require a doctor's prescription (as though you couldn't have one
forged, if you were a terrorist planning to stab people with your
"dangerous" hypodermic needle). However, I think that sort of
foolishness is only when flying from an American departure point -
Europeans seem to concentrate on more realistic "threats". FWIW, I've
been told that (at least in Belgium) prescriptions are sometimes
required for things that are over-the-counter in the U.S. (and probably
elsewhere, too), but I doubt whether that applies to personal
meidcations you bring in with you.

    > * Will digital cameras or memory cards/hard drives be likely to suffer
    > corruption from X-Ray machines? If so what's the way to avoid this?

Apparently digital cameras are far less likely to suffer than ordinary
film (which I've taken back and forth, unexposed, several times prior to
use, with no evident damage). Certainly many, MANY people carry laptop
computers with them when they travel, nowadays, which they surely would
not do if they were in danger from airport X-rays! It's probably a good
idea to include it in your hand luggage - the Xrays used for checked
baggage may be stronger, and if you are no longer allowed to LOCK your
check-on baggage in the U.S., it's no longer the least bit secure,
either. (Not that it ever was, very, from a determined thief.)

In article , "Krusty" wrote:

    > Hi all,
    >
    > From a complete novice could someone help with a few questions thanks?
    > (Australia to Europe air travel - Croatia, Italy, France, U.K. Etc.)
    >
    > * To carry prescription drugs (on any airline)does one need a doctors
    > authority (certificate)? Someone told me you do!
    > * Will digital cameras or memory cards/hard drives be likely to suffer
    > corruption from X-Ray machines? If so what's the way to avoid this?

A prescription certainly can't hurt, but check with their airline to be
sure. Digital camera equipment is not harmed by x-ray equipment.