I apologize, because I just know someone has asked this before, but: has anyone been stopped going through security at airports by an attached sensor?
I get stopped about half the time because of my pump (especially with those new kind of scanners, it turns up) but it's no big deal because I think they see enough insulin pumps not too think too much about it. However, I'm guessing CGMs aren't as familiar to people, and obviously don't want to be forced to take the transmitter/sensor off.
I;ve only been through security twice since getting my cgm and I had no problems with the transmitter/sensor either time. No one even asked me about it,
They did gave me a bit of a hard time when I asked for the receiver to be hand scanned and not x-rayed as dexcom recommends. I had to ask multiple times and watch them because they kept trying to sneak in back into the x-ray to avoid the extra work
I have not traveled out of the country yet but my Doctor has said she would give me a letter to take with me when traveling to verify my medical need for such device and any special need like not scanning receiver and such. I may be that your Dr. can do the same.
I've had my pod (OmniPod) show up. However it seems like all you have to say is "medical device" and they back off. My pods show up on the new scanners and I think the transmitter did at least once. I don't think the smaller system 7 transmitter showed up. The sensor shouldn't show up because it is so small and mainly plastic.
I have no experience at the airport, but I have to go through the metal detector at the court house quite often. Ever since I got the G4, I set the thing off EVERY time I go now. Not sure if it's the G4, my Omnipod or something else going on... but I tell them from the start that I have a pump & a sensor, I go through, set it off, they wand me and send me on my way.
I didn't know the receiver wasn't supposed to go through the x-ray though. I put it in the box with everything else.
I'm using an Animas Vibe with the Dexcom G4 sensors and neither of those have ever triggered the scanners. Nevertheless I had to go through the swab check a number of times because one shouldn't send the pump through the X-ray scanner.
I went on 4 flights in the last 2 weeks since I started using my 523 Revel and G4. All 4 times I stuck my pump in my underwear, took off my belt, and none of the metal detectors went off.
Before I got the pump, I had to fly internationally after getting my G4 four months ago, and it never set anything off. I was asked to go through a scanner once, but I refused and instead asked for the pat down. I showed him the receiver and he just stayed away from it.
My nurse printed a letter as well as a cheat-sheet that shows what types of devices CANNOT go through scanners or x-rays, etc. Luckily, I haven't had to bust those out yet!
I didn't know that the G4 receiver wasn't meant to go through the x-ray scanner and have put it in the tray along with everything else loads of times since I started using it last July. I don't want to draw attention to it because I'm not sure airlines would be too happy about the transmitter (still such new technology) so I just make sure the sensor is placed as near as allowed to my Omnipod and hope they think it's all part of the same kit. The x-rays don't seem to have harmed my receiver though. What have others found?
Since I travel 100k miles domestic/inter’l for work/pleasure, I wanted to get the real low down on what to do/not to do with the G4 during the security checkpoint process. I contacted my Patient Care Specialist from Dexcom and this is what she had to say:
'You should separate your receiver and any extra sensors you are carrying on and ask the TSA agent for a visual inspection on these. Tell then the CGM is inserted under your skin and cannot be removed if they ask, you can go through the metal detector and be wanded wearing it. Also everything is fine on the plane you do not need to turn off the receiver. It can be helpful to have the travel letter from your doctor, explaining all your diabetes supplies, but it really depends on the agent you get.'
I think a letter from your doctor is probably a safe additional piece of documentation to carry just in case- like what bondi and bort269 recommend. (I wouldn’t pull it out every time) For what it’s worth!! Good luck.
