I haven’t been on a plane since I started using an insulin pump a few years ago. But probably will over this summer. So I wanted to know from fellow pumpers if you need to have any type of note from a DR stating you are on an insulin pump when you go through security at airports? I would hate to be stopped at security for having an insulin pump because they didn’t know what it was!! How embarrassing!
I’ve traveled with my pump since 1990 and never had a problem. Take all your supplies with you in carry on rather than checked luggage though, and carry copies of all of your precriptions for the ‘stuff’. TSA have seen thousands of diabetics and their supplies come through, it’s not a big deal.
So far, I’ve never had to “declare” my pump and it doesn’t set off the security alarm.
I keep all pump supplies in a clear plastic bag in my carry-on (these are not included in the regulation that requires liquids and gels to be in 3 oz. containers that fit in a 1-quart plastic bag). If a screener asks to examine my bag I do tell him/her as a courtesy that there are sharps (pump infusion sets, back-up syringes, and lancets) in the bag.
Enjoy your travels!
So far, I’ve never had to “declare” my pump and it doesn’t set off the security alarm.
I keep all pump supplies in a clear plastic bag in my carry-on (these are not included in the regulation that requires liquids and gels to be in 3 oz. containers that fit in a 1-quart plastic bag). If a screener asks to examine my bag I do tell him/her as a courtesy that there are sharps (pump infusion sets, back-up syringes, and lancets) in the bag.
Enjoy your travels!
Thanks for the feedback! That’s good to know! I’m sure they see diabetic supplies all the time but it would be just my luck to get someone that hasn’t thinking I have some kind of bomb or something…an insulin bomb! LOL. I just wasn’t sure if it would be a problem at all or what “proof” I would need to show if I was questioned. I wonder if anyone here has had any problems going through an airport with one before?
It is recommended to carry a note from your doctor, but they have never asked for one in my many trips in the past five years with the insulin pump.
I find that security guards around the world know what the pump is and are trained to recognize it.
I usually wear my infusion set on my stomach so that I can show them it is attached to me. When they see it, they usually ask me to remove it. It is faster to show them that it is attached to me than to explain. That’s just my preference!
I love that they take away nail clippers, but almost never even look in my bag, which is always full of sharp things!
In the U.S., I find that TSA is really well trained on insulin pumps. My Animas always sets off the detector, so I get individually screened. I am just very careful to keep track of my bags to not lose them while being screened. I now also have a continuous glucose monitor, so on my recent trip to Spain I carried a note from my cousin who is a doctor and who is fluent in Spanish–the note was in English and Spanish and am I ever glad I had it! The screeners in Spain had NO IDEA what those things were, but the note explained it all. Happy trails!
It all depends on the airport. Larger, busier airports usually always know what the pump is if you happen to set off the metal detector and have to be hand-wanded. Smaller, less-busy airports are the worst b/c the TSA folks have waaaaaay too much time and their hands and if they see your pump or you set off the metal detector, don’t be surprised to see them get very very excited and then proceed to wipe your pump for explosives. This is the newest policy, and I didn’t believe it until it happened to me at a tiny airport. It’s actually in the TSA rules online, now, so there’s no arguing against it. Best bet is to get to the airport 30 minutes earlier than you usually would, in case you get pulled aside and have morons at the TSA checkpoint. Having said that, I’m usually through security at my airport in less than 5 minutes.
Wow…these are all good things to learn and hear about!! Thanks! It’s the being pulled aside and being embarrassed in front of everyone at the airport that worries me! I know I would turn bright red if they did!! Maybe I will just have my DR write something up as a precaution before I go and have it in my hand as I go through security JUST IN CASE! I’d rather be safe then sorry later!
I always carry a note and let the security know about it ahead of time. Usually I get through without a problem (theydon’t even check the note), but there was one time in Edmonton, AB when a guard (I think he was new) didn’t know what it was and called his supervisor over. She looked at it, rolled her eyes, and sighed “it’s just an insulin pump, let him through.”
If you set the metal detector off, you’ll have to get patted down in front of everyone. It actually makes for great fodder in the bar while waiting for the plane - I’ve had quite a few guys try to pick me up with the “you’re the one they pulled over to pat down” line. It does suck and it usually makes me very angry, but it’s the TSA so what are you gonna do, right? The good news is that more often than not, I don’t set off the metal detector. Each airport (and each terminal at each airport) sets its own levels on the metal detector. For some reason, small airports set theirs to be more sensitive (b/c we all know terrorists want to attack places like Fort Walton Beach and Little Rock). But I have set off detectors at IAH, LAX and PHX, too. And it’s possible you’ll get a newbie (they tend to get the crap shifts), who has no clue what he/she is looking at. Remember, you can always ask for a supervisor or manager if you’re feeling harassed. Doctor’s notes aren’t going to help with an idiot that didn’t pay attention during the 2 minutes they went over insulin pumps in TSA training class.
Same here…the few times I have been asked to show it to a security guard they quickly recognized it for what it was. Even when I went through the millimeter wave scanner at San Francisco they didn’t have a problem with me keeping it on and pumping.
I have worked for several airlines, mostly in BWI and DAL, my minimed never sets off the machines and I find that most often they just mistake it for a pager.
Good to know I can go thru one of those things w/o pump issues. I just came across my first at Miami and was hoping I didn’t get called into it b/c I would have requested a pat down due to not knowing if the pump can go thru and I really, really, really hate the pat down. Plus I was running low and had no more candy to consume at the time.
TSA claims new policy on insulin pumps. I travel often through airports. I have found that Phoenix Gates C and D have a total pat down and body scan policy (Gate D). They go through all my luggage, wallet, etc. I am type 2 and wear a minimed pump. I asked TSA why Phoenix had a strict policy. The “official” response I received: “I am sorry that you found out about some recent changes in the security> process in the manner in which you did.> On 13 May 2009 there were a couple of subtle changes made to the> checkpoint security process not only in PHX but at TSA checkpoints> nationwide. One change involves medical devices such as yours. When a> person walks through the metal detector wearing an insulin pump whether> it alarms or not will receive secondary screening. Unfortunately a> written copy of this change cannot be e-mailed to you. If there are any> other questions I can help you with please don’t hesitate to contact me.” I asked for a copy to be snail mailed to me and was told: “You can request those provisions by contacting the Freedom of Information Office of TSA.” I just cannot figure out why Las Vegas, Denver, Sacramento, San Diego did not require me to go through secondary the same week and have a total inspection. I also cannot fathom why they cannot give me a copy of their policy. Am I the only one to find such disparate treatment from airport to airport?
Airport security procedures differ depending on the country, so I guess you should always check before going.
Here in France we’re advised to take two copies of a standard form which is written in English and French, signed by your doctor with pump details, what insulin and other stuff you use and how much of it you need for your trip etc. The form has to have been signed and dated within the last month I think. That’s what I did when I went to the UK from France at Christmas. The French airport security staff looked at the papers and took a good look at the pump. They asked me to hand them the pump and passed the sniffer over it. When I came back the UK security just took a quick look and let me through.
I don’t know what would happen if I needed to travel urgently and didn’t have the signed form!
It sounds like everyone has had different experiences from no problems what’s so ever to being totally pat down.Maybe it totally depends on the airport. I really hope I don’t have to deal with any issues myself the first time I try to fly with the pump!