Their procedures are supposed to be standardized already. The problem is they frequently employ people who basically otherwise wouldn’t be able to hold down jobs and often can’t follow directions…
I am also new to pumping and just wondering. The last time I flew i just handed the TSA agent the Dexcom receiver in a ziplock bag, and told him that it was a medical device and could not go though x-ray. I went thru the body scanner with the transmitter on. I wore a short sleeve shirt and purposely had my transmitter on my arm where it could be seen. I was swabbed and handed back the receiver. No problem. Can you disconnect right before you walk thru and hand the the pump like I did with Dexcom? Most people disconnect for about fifteen minutes for a shower. So, would this be a big deal? (My pump rep did say that if I "accidently" walk thru the airport scanners, not to admit it.)
Since this post I have been through the scanners 6 times--two in DC where full body are used and 4 with the old metal detector style. NO pump problems at all.
For me, as a woman, disconnecting my pump (in stomach, abdomen, arm, rear end-whatever)--is not a pleasant experience in the security line. AND TSA is not allowed to require disconnection from a medical device.
On recent travel, I was chatting with a TSA agent. He told me that people with insulin pumps go through the scanners every day. So, apparently, it’s pretty common for the pumps to go through the scanners.
They do tell you that--in the past I have actually had some get a bit angry when I wanted a pat down....
I flew to Boston today and went through the metal detector. No problems. I just go through security like everyone else--don't even tell them I am wearing the pump or sensor anymore. I have done it so many times lately, if a problem was caused, it would have surfaced.
I go through the pet down, but I hate how long it takes, as they often make you stand there waiting for it for 10 minutes or more (retaliatory wait time), and some of the moron TSA employees will actually try to argue with you about it - arguing that other pump users go through so you should go through too even if the manufacturer's instructions say not to, etc. (These are the same idiots who once argued that I was required to check my bag because I had syringes in it...) Very annoying.
And re: whether you should go through anyway, see, e.g., http://www.emaxhealth.com/1275/diabetes-insulin-pumps-victims-airport-security and http://www.newser.com/story/145660/airport-scanner-breaks-teens-insulin-pump.html (the latter of which appears to have a comment from another user that had her pump screwed up by the scanner). Don't recommend it - heck, do you think the geniuses at the TSA recalibrate the machines or check them to make sure power levels remain constant? Not likely.
I too just walk through the metal detector with my pump still attached. I travel for business and am in airports at minimum 3 times a month. I have probably gone through over 500 metal detectors and even close to 100 times through the full body scan all with my pump still attached. And have not had any issues with my pump as a result.
I am just getting the pump and this is quite relevant question for me as well. But I still did not see any clear answers to some questions. Does the metal detector go off when you go through it and than you explain that it's the pump or it does not at all react to it? I would really prefer if I could just go through detector without people asking additional questions or even worse pat down...
I called my pump manufacturer and they said it was safe for my pump to go thru the metal detector and full body scanner but did not advise taking it off and letting it go thru the carry on x-ray procedure. I put my site in an easy to access location and wore my pump outside my clothing. Everything went very smoothly, even in a foreign country. They did do a hand swab.
I have walked through that machine at least 5 times with my medtronic 523 paradigm pump and never had a problem.
I have put my pump in the middle of my back attached to my pants and it has never set off the metal detector
Used to walk through the scanners until I had a motor failure on a plane twice. Once leaving town and the immediately after coming back. Both just mins after walking thru the scanners. Technically the pump companies won’t honour your warrantee if you admit to being scanned. Hard to prove though. The magnets in the scanners are more damaging than the X-rays. I just avoid them all together.
If you go to security and tell the guy at the beginning of the line that you have a medical device, they generally let you skip the big line and go directly to the pat down area.
I have found it to be much faster than not telling them and walking through.
Besides they get pissed off when you don’t declare it and they see something in your pocket as you walk through.
The groping does not bother me. I’ve just accepted it now.
Come on, Timothy. Admit it... you like the groping sometimes, don't you? ;)
Just kidding of course...
Agree. Travel a lot. Never remove pump while in machines. No problems yet. They are being overly cautious.
Jeff
Spock,
Personally, I do not go through any of the machines, nor does my pump.
This past week, I had the pleasure of going through TSA twice. Both times, I requested a Pat Down. During my return, the TSA Agent read me a card of what was about to happen to me, basically to scare me into going through the machine. I pulled out my pump and said, I don't have a choice, this is a $7,000 peice of equipment whose manufacturer has not yet approved all machines. I say this, because each airport has different machines, if TSA sees you go through one, they'll assume you can go through any of them.
I tend to avoid them in general, because I can't afford to replace this pump.
Thanks,
Anne
I have been following this discussion - and participated - for a while. There is another one on insulin-pumpers as well. Since I won't risk my gadgets nor losing the warranty I've decided to continue to not go through the various scanners. But...I did learn about the "trusted Traveler" program. I have my apt this afternoon. There is an $85 fee, the ID card is good for 4 years. But it means I can feel free to travel again. I figure that If I had known about it earlier - indeed if it had existed earlier - it would have more than paid for itself in the number of infusion sets pulled by TSA (@ $10.00 apiece!)
I'm a member of the global entry program and as such, always get the TSA precheck on my boarding passes. This means I get to go through the old-school metal detector again (yay!) and don't have to take anything out of my bag, you know, like the way we did it 20 years ago. It's been awesome - I find that I'm not stressed out anymore going through security, which causes less blood sugar skyrocketing later on. It's soooooooooo totally worth it if you fly at all.
Timothy, What kind of pump were you using at that time?
I knew of a lady who went thru Australian Airport who declared her Dana pump so she will be patted down. She told the officer that the scanner can damage her medical device. Instead the Officer forced her to go though the scanner. He said it's gonna be ok. How can you say no to TSA, they can strip search you or detain you as a terrorist suspect. So she went through and her pump died immediately. The pump showed her basal setting went down to 0.01 then she knew her pump was dead. Now I'm paranoid going thru any airport security. I now just take off my pump and put it in my carry on and let it through the x-ray. Twice during my travels going thru the scanner, the alarm went off. In one instance, the officer knew about the pump, in another the officer had no idea. I was delayed until finally one of the officers who knew about it let me go. My animas ping pumps are still working. I also carry a spare.
Infusion sets pulled? Why can't you just disconnect?