We were also contacted by Ricardo (the reporter for the LA Times) -- he read my post that the screeners in Australia took Barry's water, Oral balance gel and would NOT let him take his Boost aboard (he always carries one on long flights in case he needs, well, a "boost") Luckily Barry's not dependent on either a nutritional formula or the artifical saliva (he finds xylitol gum works well enough) but there are plenty of OC patients out there who are. It was a 15-hour flight to LA, can you imagine trying to do that if you depended on a PEG or were on a all-liquid diet?

The reporter opined that TSA may be running afoul of the Americans with Disabilities Act by preventing medically needed materials. I was amused that the TSA specfically allows "personal lubricants" (usually a euphemism for K-Y Jelly and the like ) but not artifical salivas. Unless one plans to emulate a scene in the recent movie, "Snakes on a Plane" I cannot fathom why one would need a "personal lubricant" on a flight

Anyway we are flying to Engand for Barry's mum's 100th birthday bash early next month and I plan to call TSA to check on what is and is not (currently) allowed. Their list appears to allow liquids (less than 100 ml.) but no gels of any size -- so Oral Balance liquid should be OK. They allow juice etc. for medical needs but no more than 5 oz., rather a small amount if you need to actually get some nutrition en route!

There needs to be some common sense applied, before someone has a health emergency from lack of a needed item.

Gail Mac