Liquids and going through security at the airport

I knew this was an issue and my son takes medicine that is liquid.  I had brand new bottle with the prescription and the bottle sealed thinking this would help us get through security with little problem.  The security at BHX made me open the bottle, that was sealed, and told me to drink some of my sons medicine.

To say I was floored by this was an understatement.  My Son is on a mood stabilizer and has Asperger's Syndrome.  This is not like taking a taste of aspirin.  I simply looked at the guy and said, "You have got to be kidding me right?"  He said no.  I finally refused to do it and he said I could have my Son drink some of the medicine.  And we got that explained down to dipping two fingers in and putting them into my sons mouth.

This was only done with one medicine that was 250 ml.  He had a secondary medicine that was in a 100 ml bottle. No issue if it's 100 ml or less.

Has anyone else ran into this problem?  I'm sorry, but that is a little overkill to open a new bottle of medicine and ask the parent to drink it.

~BEG

From what I understand, they were and still are making mothers taste the breast milk/formula, etc they carry on board for the babies.  While I think it is a bit much in most instances, I can also understand their side of it.  I'm sorry you had to go through this though.

June

Sorry to hear that. I can't believe they expect somebody to try a medice that is not prescribed to them.

I am surprised they didn't stop you and haul you away for further checks since you refused.

This whole security agenda is getting beyond a joke. The sad thing is, now I will probably get a lot of flak that I don't care about security. This is for my safety. Yea right! They need to get back to reality.

I've heard about this. I wasn't sure they were still doing the 'tasting' thing. It's beyond sickening!
My son takes epilepsy meds in liquid form but since I know we're traveling to the USA this summer I've started him on tablets. He's 9. I just had a feeling we may get questioned over his liquid meds.
Well again, this is the world we live in 

I didn't know they still had people tasting the medication either. Especially if it's a new one, and try to force you to taste-test someone else's medication is horrible! I'm glad you were able to get them to allow you to just do a finger-dip taste, I would worry about over-medication!

I wonder what they would do if you pointed out that it's against the law to take medication that was not prescribed for you.  I can see their point but its a bit over the top IMO.  Sorry that happened to you.

I wonder what they would do if you pointed out that it's against the law to take medication that was not prescribed for you. 

I wondered about that myself. Not only the legality of it, but the health consequences to taking something not prescribed to you. I'm allergic to some medicines and if one of the kids were taking one of those, there's no way I could try it. Then what would they do?

When we flew to the UK from Chicago (well, with a layover in DC) there were big signs everywhere (in the US and at Heathrow) that liquids were OK now. I carried on several big bottles of water - very visible, along with baby formula and no on batted an eye. This was May of this year.

Good thing they are so consistent and reasonable, huh. :p

That's weird, because I just flew threw Chicago in May and they made me throw my water bottle away!!

I really can't believe that. These liquid security measures seem so arbitrary and ultimately useless. I flew through Gatwick yesterday, and they just made you put all your liquids (including foundation, mascara, hair gel) into a plastic baggie as you were going through security. What exactly is that supposed to do or prevent?

I also am suprised to read that it happened at BHX. Wasn't there just a report earlier this week about the fact that airport security there was rather lax? If this happened in the last couple of days, however, perhaps they were being overly cautious since there has been some bad press about security there.

I am happy to say that I wrote to the head of the airport itself and got a response from them as well as the head of security at BHX.  They even wanted to know when I flew so they could check to see who was on duty that day and make sure everyone knows the proper procedure.

The liquid medications are supposed to be verified - having a sealed bottle, in its original box with the sticker on it with my sons name would have been good enough.  The medicines are not to be tasted or have the passenger drink.

I got lots of apologies.  Funny, it was the day before the undercover security tape was shown on ITV so they are working on damage control. Fine by me because it got something done.

~BEG

That's weird, because I just flew threw Chicago in May and they made me throw my water bottle away!!

That's what is so annoying - how arbitrary it is! We flew from Chicago & DC on May 10th, and then at heathrow on the 21st. Liquids liquids everywhere!

That's what is so annoying - how arbitrary it is! We flew from Chicago & DC on May 10th, and then at heathrow on the 21st. Liquids liquids everywhere!

I thought the liquids ban was over with?

I would call the airport and ask for their supervisor. That man asked YOU, the person that the medicine WASN'T prescribed too; to drink the medicine. If I'm not mistaken it's against the law to take someone elses medicine that isn't prescribed to you.

So sorry this happened to you


00o0o just read your update! I'm so glad they are doing something about it!!

I find it funny that you can take tweezers and small scissors on the plane now as some of the rules have been relaxed yet...water of all things still can't be taken past security. You can get water once you've gone through but who wants to buy water for $5? The night before I went to Minnesota last week I put my razor refill in my purse because I thought I might forget it but I planned on putting it in my suitcase that morning. I ended up forgetting it and went through security with NO problem!! I got to Minnesota and went through my purse to get my phone and there was my razor! I was shocked I couldn't believe I forgot it and what made me more shocked was the fact that I got through security with it in my purse (which I took onboard)

I thought the liquids ban was over with?

It's been modified - most of the time (except when the security folks have no idea what they're talking about), you can take liquids - in bottles up to 100ml in size as long as all bottles/containers fit into a quart-size Ziploc bag - through security.  After you're airside, you can buy water and other liquids in larger sizes.  Sometimes there's a second check at the gate, sometimes not.