UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

Hi all
As i may have mentioned before i'm off travelling for two months around NZ. However as i wear sclerals i need to take with me some scissors to snip off my tubes of amidose when needed. I phoned heathrow this morning and after about 10 phone coversations of trying to tell them that i have to have the scissors otherwise im dammed, some nice chap told me that as long as they are 4cm or smaller and have a rounded blade i can take them in my hand luggage, phew!
I was just wondering if anybody else has experienced these problems and if i take these scissors will i still get stopped? Heathrow were not the most helpful of airports either!
thanks
sarah
x

Hhmm i never used to use a scissors to open them, if you use your teeth it is much easier!! LOL!! Just remember to turn them backwards or your teeth won't like it!!!

Sweet X x X

Sweet learnt the hard way, her teeth are all buckled and twisted like those old witches you see in period dramas

I'll get a slap for that

Hehe yes you will!! LOL!!! My teeth are fine, except for the fact that i have no enamel on the front ones from opening too many alcohol drinks with my teeth when i was much younger! Hehe, now i have no ice in drinks for this reason, but sshhhh ... a secret!

Sweet X x X

To be honest, you can never be sure! I was behind a a seventy year old lady in Barbados while in the queue for handluggage going through the X ray machine and they agressively took her nail clippers off her.

" You t'ink I go attack people wid dose? " she cried.. "Ma'am we only doing our dooty!" they firmly replied, snatching them off her... She nearly handbagged them and was dragged away muttering by her son.

You could just carry a couple of full, cut open tubes in hand luggage and pack the scissors away?

And sorry to be a party pooper here.. but I do have to put my professional hat on say that opening non-preserved solution with your teeth is not hygenic!

Ducking while Sweet throws things at me!

am i missing something here - surely someone somewhere on the plane and in nz will have scissors lol

I've had my scissors taken at Heathrow. They were children's cutting out scissors, much like you describe! I'd snip the tops off several tubes and put the cap back on and place then in a plastic bag and prop them upright in your handbag. Take a few more unopened tubes in your hand luggage in case of accidents. You could always ask the cabin crew to open them for you. Pack your scissors in the main luggage to use on arrival.

Ahem...

One is not allowed to have any sharp instruments on the flight deck any more, so no guarantee of scissors being present. Yes they do have scissors in NZ, but if you are needing to rinse your contact lens at awkward moments, you can never be sure you can get access to a pair when you want them!

I remember holidays where I had a whole case devoted to contact lenses, back up lenses, specs, back up specs, prescription sunglasses, ordinary sunglasses, contact lens solutions, comfort drops, and a bottle of antibiotic drops. Crazy? Well, this followed one holiday where I got a bad eye infection the day I landed and had no back up stuff with me. Virtually, the whole holiday was spent with my eyes closed against the intense sun. I swore I next time I would be covered for any eventuality....

Its the Scouts motto.. always be prepared!!

Lynn

The only thing I can suggest and this is something I have done myself and a disabled friend who was diabetic among other things does as well, but go to your GP, and explain the important stuff you need to take with you on the trip, I had a pair of small foldup scissors with me last time I travelled and the diabetic chap I was with at another time carried a box of medical stuff including full length scissors... but the GP can write you a cover letter it costs about £5-10 which you carry with your tickets and it lists the specific items you require for medical needs and have the letter noted and your requirements logged when you see the travel agents.
When airport security stop you just produce the note and they allow for it, essentially I found it's up to the cabin crew if you keep it on your person or within your bag in the overhead locker, sometimes they store it for you, sometimes they can't be annoyed and just advise you to be careful and discrete.

Hehe well i never listen to authority anyway! I am well aware as a nurse about hygiene, but i'm still here and it is only MY bottles that i open! LOL!!

Hehe might poke you for mentioning it though!!!!!!!!!

Sweet X x X