I am packing my bags and I am still confused about what can go through airport security checks. I wear a pump and a CGM which I think does not go through the X-ray (hands up, but the metal detector is OK. Do I also need to separate unused sensors, the care link device, &/ or glucose meter from the conveyor belt X-ray check? Any other travel tips?
Thanks.
TSA and the ADA have great tips on their websites. Medtronic has a travel card which can be downloaded to show at the airport. I have links in this blog post: http://kcandcompany.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/beach-bound-with-a-pumper-whats-a-mother-to-do/
I had a really hard time with the security at the airport in Maui. There was only one guy who was rude about my pump. He kept saying I could go through the machine. I had just read about a girl in Utah whose pump had crashed by going in the machine. So you just tell them you want the hand scanner. I heard that if you have a pacemaker they don’t give you any trouble at all.
I surely don’t want to make you feel anxious about it. But I had to be really really firm with that young man. He insisted I go through the scanner and I just refused. It’s scary because we’re kind of at their mercy.
I send my glucose monitor through with my carry-on or purse. I don’t have CGM so I can’t say anything about that.
I just saw the post by Katie’s mom. I didn’t have that information. Sounds like really good advice. The only thing was, this was a TSA agent. They’re not consistent. Happy traveling! You can do it!
Since I started on the pump, I have had immense respect for the parents of T1 kids. You are a wonderful Mom. I traveled with my kids years ago. So glad to hear T1 does not prevent you from traveling with children.
Anyway, thanks for the tips on the blog. I had not heard about an Aquapac. Too late for me this time, but it is good to know.
Thanks.
I met a difficult TSA agent last time I flew too. So I patiently waited 10 minutes for the pat down. The female TSA agent who did the pat down was a bit more compassionate though. I will check the Medtronic, ADA and TSA websites again.
Thanks.
Aww thanks! She's an amazing kid!
Hi Mary, I am a type 1 and I work with these machines everyday. You can always wear your pump and CGM through the metal detector it won’t cause a problem with your pump. The officer may ask to see it or use the wand. The wand is 3x more sensitive but still no problems for your pump. They may also swab the pump (with a special patch) to detect explosives and drugs as they do not know what the liquid is and this is the only way to determine the substance is ok. Keep a copy of a letter from your Dr. Stating that you are diabetic and all the supplies are necessary. Also all supplies need to be in original packages ie. insulin. There is also no problems with any of this stuff going through X-ray that’s all just superstition, I haven’t had any problems for 7 years and I travel a lot. Have fun and stay safe.
Jeff that’s certainly good to hear! It’s stresses me immensely about my pump. But I truly did read the article about the teens pump being destroyed in the scanner. Tend to believe your actual experience more than an article. Still I will opt for the personal search but NOT stress so much. Thanks for sharing that you travel lots and had no problems.
I have the pump. I just traveled two weeks ago and went throughout the body scanner with no problems at LaGuardia and Orlando. At both airports, I did have to show the TSA agents the pump. After asking me to hold the pump in both hands, they swabbed my hands to test for explosives. It was generally effortless.
It's not the Xray machine that is the problem. I breeze through that with no problem. It's the scanner that we are advised not to go through. And I also had a TSA agent trying to convince me to go through the scanner. Until my pump company advises me that it is okay, I will not go through them. It is tough enough going on vacation and keeping my BG's under control but risking my pump to go haywire is not an option. I have no problem with the pat down. It may take a little longer but I feel safer in the long run.
Happy travels Mary.
Christine
Hi Marypat,
I'm on the pump and CGM too. I'm going on a big trip with my family in August. This trip will require one, if not a couple of flights. Your question couldn't be more timely for me as well. I was recently diagnosed as a T1 this past year and new to the pump and CGM. Although a lot of the training and information is still very fresh in my mind. Neither the pump or the CGM should be put through any X-ray machine. I was told by my trainer to not wear my CGM before and during flights. This will save you a lot of headaches from what I'm told. The whole airport security thing makes me break out in a sweat whenever I think about it. I've been to some airports before I was diagnosed, that have family lines or lines for people with special medical devices. I would encourage you to go in these lines as they are for people that will take longer than the other lines- if they are available. I've been told the best option is to have a note from your doctor as well, like others have stated, and to have your pump wiped down. I'm very picky and I don't want my pump or CGM messed with by any other electronics, eps when I've been warned. I have insurance but they were both very expensive and I kind of want them around for a long time! :)
I wish you the best on your trip. Hope everything goes well.
These are all perfectly acceptable responses. You can always ask for a hand search based on medical devices but you’ll need a Dr’s letter. I just want people to know that the X-ray machine and metal detectors will have ZERO effect on your pump and CGM. Now the whole body scanners are new so I won’t comment yet on them but I’ve gone through X-ray and metal detectors as well as working with them for almost 7 years and not a single issue. Please rest assured any change in sugars is most likely the stress and travel NOT the machines.
Medtronic recommends that you not expose your pump to x-ray. Some full body scanners are a type of x-ray. You can request an alternate check like a pat down. A year ago I did this in Newark and the agents told me that it was fine for the pump to go through the scanner. It is not and if you stand your ground a request another form of check they will do it. The TSA also has guidelines that include alternate types of checking. See http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/passengers-diabetes.
I wear my pump and put all of my supplies in a separate bag and ask them to hand check them rather than put them through the carry on scanner. Takes a few more minutes but not a big problem.
I'm at T1 for > 40 years, and have had the pump/CGM since they first went on the market. I've done a lot of air travel since then, and I always wear my pump/CGM. With the schedule and activity changes involved in travel, that is a very important time to be using your pump/CGM! My advice and advice I've gotten from Medtronic is to wear the pump/CGM when going through airport secutiry. I tell them I have a "medical device attached" and the security person usually says "Oh, an insulin pump? No problem, but we have to swab it." I've had no problems with operation of my pump or CGM because of the swabing, or metal detectors. Since I wear it, X-ray is not a problem because they don't put people in the X-ray machine. I have gone through a couple full body scans, and no problems with those either.
Thanks, everyone.
It sounds like it is OK to send all my diabetes supplies -not attached to me- through the X-ray conveyor belt screening. So my conclusion is that nothing will happen to my 3 week supply of sensors because they are not attached yet? Am I correct?
Dside- This is where I am confused. I was concerned that the 3 week supply of sensors should not be in the X-ray with the carry on bags.
Yes you are correct. The easiest way to think about it is this… Thousands of extremely complex and sensitive computers and equipment go through the detectors each and every day without incident. That’s all the pump is… A computer. I have personally put all my stuff through these machines. In fact I go through a metal detector and my extra supplies through an X-ray every single work day before my shift. It’s perfectly ok to not want to but the reality is its just superstition. I use to think this way a long time ago but have proven it over and over to myself. In the end it is your decision just be informed not afraid.
OK. Thanks.
Kind of late (I was on vacation), but the last time I flew, I told them I had a pump. The only thing that went thru the xray was my luggage. They wet thru my supplies bag and swabbed mh hands after I rubbed the pump, and I was thru line before some of the people ahead of me. The same thing happened in both Portland and Sacramento.