TSA Precheck

I’m considering enrolling in TSA’s precheck but am unsure of how diabetes impacts it. Currently, I have to go through the full body x-ray - will this differ with precheck? FYI, I use the Vibe and Dexcom CGM.

Thanks!
Bruce

The airline and airport that I mostly depart from often gives me precheck on a complimentary basis. As far as the diabetes is concerned, I’ve never noticed any difference at all between regular security and precheck. Of course, the formal approval process for permanent status may involve more explicit checks, I can’t say.

Thanks @David_dns. I want your airport! :slight_smile. A response I received from TSA on Twitter…


@MackintoshBruce Pls let our officers know you have an insulin pump & would like to opt-out of x-ray screening & receive a pat-down.

Bruce

It depends what airports you travel through. In Minneapolis and Phoenix I usually go through the metal detector when I am PreChek. It is OK to go through that with my pump and CGM and that is deemed OK by the pump and CGM companies. Although the scanner arms-up machine probably won’t hurt your devices, the manufacturers say not to take them into the scanner. Therefore, I won’t.

Scanners are becoming more common and I don’t know how much longer we’ll see metal detector screening. But IMO PreChek is worth it because in most airports the lines are much shorter. You don’t have to take off shoes or light jackets or take liquids out of your bag.

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If you fly a lot pre check might be worth it but I don’t think diabetes really enters the equation. I fly a lot and am too cheap to buy the pre check, plus the entire principle irritates me, but have never had any problem whatsoever even in the ghetto line. You’ll still have to go through whatever screening mechanism they are using with pre check, but usually the line is shorter and more efficient, don’t have to take shoes off, more experienced travelers not wasting time in the line, etc.

I never take anything diabetes related out of my carry-on anyway, not ice packs, meds, etc-- they’ve never said a word. If you have medical devices, pumps or a cgm, you just say “i have a medical device” they ask you to touch it, then they swab your hands, it’s not a big deal or a big waste of time in either line.To put it in perspective, I have almost a million frequent flier miles now…

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Thanks Laddie - very helpful info and thanks for the extra insights!

Thanks @Sam19! I appreciate the info…not a huge flyer but my wife has a few trips that I’m joining her on and she wants it so I don’t want to be left out. Have a great day and happy flying! :slight_smile:

I travel a lot, domestically and internationally. PreChek in the US prevents you from having to remove your insulin and other liquids from your carry on (as well as other “quick” benefits, like not taking out computers, not taking off shoes or belts.) I hit many airports more recently where liquids in the non-precheck line will get your pulled out of line, and the bags searched. I experience this when flying non-US airlines, since PreCheck is only available on US airlines.

And not even all us airlines, is my understanding.
From theTSA PreCheck Faq

TSA Pre✓® participating airlines include Aeromexico, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, American Airlines, Cape Air, Delta Air Lines, Etihad Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Seaborne Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin America and WestJet.

Why can’t I use the TSA Pre✓® lanes when traveling with any airline?
Passengers must be traveling on an airline that has entered into a partnership with TSA. TSA then works with the airline to establish system and checkpoint requirements and to determine deployment of TSA Pre✓® lanes based on airport operations.

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I stand corrected. Guess I am just lucky with the non-partnered airlines I pick. Their last line is funny, though, considering the same security lines are used by all.

Still doesn’t change what I said about it being worth it for frequent diabetic flyers, like myself… or those with a fetish for getting their socks dirty :wink:

This list probably covers more than 95% of the domestic flights in the US. And if you want to fly on a carrier like Spirit you already have to accept a bad experience so not having TSAPre isn’t a big loss.

Flew Austin to Vegas this past week on Southwest. Got precheck without asking [maybe because I’m old! 70 lol] Not having to remove shoes, etc is nice and yes, they still do the hand check with the pump. I NEVER go thru a body scanner. The manufacturer of my pump says No, so I take their word for it. Yes, they do a pat down. The folks in Austin were very courteous and professional. The folks in Vegas were rude and childish. It is the luck of the draw. So far as I know a terrorist has never been caught this way but I am willing to go through the process. I am NOT willing to take a chance of going through the scanner when the manufacturing company does not recommend it. I do believe the TSA folks could be taught a few manners.

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