I travel frequently. I had gotten the TSA thing down to a science – because I have a knee replacement I always opt for the full body scanner if they have it. I typically disconnect and hand off my pump and they swab it. Yesterday was my first time through the Las Vegas airport. They were insistent that the scanner technology had been upgraded and I could now take my pump through it. Granted – the machine did operate differently than, and looked different from, the ones to which I had become accustomed, but I still refused to let them put the pump through the machine. It was a bit of a battle, but I ultimately won. Does anyone know about a change in full body scanner technology that would allow a pump to go through? I thought it would still void the warranty. But more importantly, would it impair the function of the pump?
I don’t think they could tell your pump had gone through a scanners, xrays or on the flume ride at Six Flags? When my pump blew up, I told them the error message and they said “we’re sending you a new pump”. They listened empathetically to the saga but really, they just wanted the code.
I agree on the warranty – but I’d prefer for the pump not to malfunction in the first place. Any idea if the new scanners will hurt the pump?
I went through the scanner in Las Vegas last month with my pump, and no harm was done. But that’s one anecdote. Call your manufacturer to see what they have to say, and whether they have information on whether the scanners actually are new or not.
My thought everytime TSA (or anyone else) tells me that their equipment will not hurt my pump is always the same. Why do they care if they void my warranty or break my pump? I don’t believe them and do what I think is best. But, I have no idea if the new scanners will hurt a pump
I had the SAME problem at the Las Vegas airport. They were rather rude about it when I told them the pump could not go through the machine and I was fine with them swabbing it or just getting a pat down. The one woman gave me a hard time and kept questioning why I was refusing because “everything would be fine” if I would take it through. The woman she handed me off to to get the pat down just rolled her eyes when she found out why she had to pat me down, I think she knew the first woman was just being a pain in the @** on purpose.
My pump company says the warranty is voided if the pump is exposed to xrays from the scanners and that it needs to be swabbed.
I have a MM and they advise not to put through the scanners. I have not had an issue int he past (I am of the the don’t ask, don’t tell variety and did not get into a scanner line the last few times I have traveles.). It doesn’t set off the metal detector so I have been OK. The first time I flew with the pump I told them I had it and it was an immediate pat down. I woul recommend printing out the information from the pump manufacturer website that says it can’t go through the scanner and bringing it with you to the airport next time so if they give you a problem, you have documentation from the company. Here are some links to the MM website for info. http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/pdf/x23_airport_card.pdf http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/help/lifestyle/travel/index.html
I know the pump manufactures state the pump should not go thru any of the airport xray devices. This is just my opinion, but I can not believe the electronic circuit board in a pump is much different from that in a smartphone, ipad or laptop computer. It is my belief that this is simply a “cover my ■■■” statement for the pump companies. I know xray techicians that must where their pump at work and I suspect they are expsoe to more xray energy than that delivered by the airport scanners. Remember you are only standing one or two feet away from the device that scans your carry on baggage. If this device was using high energy you would not be able to stand so closely. For me the hassle of declaring I have a pump and the comotion it creates is not worth it. I simpy walk thru the scanner with my pump and I have ever had a problem. My pump has continued to work just fine. If it malfunctioned how would the pump company have any idea that it had gone thru a scanner? I really wish this issue could be put to bed!
Boy that sounds like my trip LV in July. I posted on another website but here goes. I had no problems leaving Hartford, I told the agent I was wearing a pump. No problem just go throught the metal detector. I hadn’t even taken off my watch or diabetic bracelet. “Have a nice trip” he said. Leaving LV was just the opposite. No problem at the check in at TSA but when I got in line and it was my turn I told the agent I can’t go through the scanner she said, no just go through the detector. Well the alarm went off and she told me to get into a booth and started screaming, “Male Alarm on Six” continuously for about what seemed 10 minutes. Another TSA agent came to the back of the booth and asked me " Are you the one causing all the problem here?"
Then he told me that his wife was diabetic and wore a pump and asked me to step to the place where they pat you down. He was very nice. I guess it’s the airport and whoever is setting up their security there. You would think that it would be universally the same at all airports since it’s the same agency running this mess.
I am sorry you are annoyed by me posting the discussion. I am glad that this is not a topic of concern for you. While you have comfort with this, unfortunately, I do not. I’m not worried about proving anything to the pump company. I’m an attorney in the medical device industry – overcoming warranties are not my personal concerned. Rather, I’m worried about my pump failing while I’m traveling. I wish there was consistency in the TSA process from location to location. That would help. I am a frequent traveler and it is a seemingly new policy every place I go. Slack, while you feel confident letting your pump go through the scanner I simply don’t have the same confidence when the manufacturer is saying it could be a problem.
Donna, I am not annoyed by your post. I just wish there was clarification on this issue both by pump companies and with regard to the variried response by TSA. What is it about the xray scanning devices that are harmful to pumps but not any other electronic device. I suspect it is a matter that one is a medical device and the others are not. I always travel with syringes in case the pump fails, but to date I have not had even a hint of an issue. Animas provides loaner pumps for people travelling. I wonder how often the loaner pump travels thru the hand bag scanner? Any user of a loaner would have no clue of such history, and for that matter neither would Animas. just my thoughts.