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Have you ever had an unpleasant experience going through airport security because of your T1D devices or supplies?
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T1D supplies can take extra time along with my other medical supplies. Not as bothersome as larger liquids, but I have learned to give myself extra time for security especially for the chance of hypoglycemia combined.
Denver Airpot. TSA with a God Complex. I explained that I’m a T1D with an insulin pump and that device isn’t safe to go through the Body Scanner but that metal detector wouldn’t hurt it. She condescending looks at me and says “You don’t get to choose!” Luckily another agent approached and got me through the line, but between her attitude and the already long security line, we almost missed our flight and hand to run for the gate at final boarding call.
It depends a little on your definition of unpleasant. I had one pat down that went beyond unpleasant, approaching sexual assault. I also got into a debate once whether my bottles of pop were medically necessary. Those were exceptions — most of the time it not much more of a nuisance for me than all the other passengers.
I was stripped searched at the London/Heathrow airport for carrying syringes. I had to empty all my bags because they thought that my CPAP was some sort of bomb detonator in Hong Kong. I was detained in Nairobi and told to call the US Ambassador for diplomatic permission to fly. In Maracaibo, Venezuela I was held in detention by an armed guard when my pump LOW alarm went off, then denied my glucose tablets. I have been told that I have to check my medical supply bag because carry-ons were not allowed on that flight with my ticket class. I have had a few travel adventures. Lesson: I always allow extra time.
I sometimes have to go to data centers for various clients. One in particular has extra tight security, pretty much like an airport. The first time I went there after I got my pump and CGM, I had to explain to them what they were. It wasn’t unpleasant, but the security guards pretty obviously didn’t know what to do about it. After they talked it over, they let me in.
My husband was a type 1 diabetic and was seen taking a shot of insulin in the restroom. He was reported to the security guards and when he saw them coming, he took a detour and missed the confrontation. He also had an artificial hip which sounded off the metal detector, and was wanded in a special room which was private. It seems airports are not diabetic friendly, nor are they trained about diabetics who carry Dr. letters and cards.
It is really unpredictable and depends on the screener. Sometimes going through airport security is smooth, sometimes stressful. I had my absolute worst experience at London Heathrow.
Most of the time I get TSA Pre-Check which only requires I go through the metal detector, and I sail right through without a problem. But occasionally I have to go through the body scanner. Having been to the airport hundreds of time wearing my pump and CGM, I have never worried about them being damaged by the machines (even though the companies warn against that). But I do announce prior to getting into the scanner that I have an insulin pump. They then ask me to take the pump out of my pocket and they rub it with a wipe which is put into the bomb scanner (I assume that is what the thing is). I always give myself a little extra time to ensure I don’t miss the plane.
My boss didn’t believe me about how not only is it bad, but that the TSA does whatever arbitrary checks they want. Worst case? Back in 2015 got a back room enhanced pat down because I didn’t want them to X-ray an insulin pump in Orlando. Most common: being told, “oh no, it’s ok, just go through the millimeter wave machine” after telling them that I can’t. Traveling other than driving with this thing is a freaking nightmare, and god forbid it flags on the CGM. (It did this once, and I got pushed off and pulled it off in front of a whole line of people, just to have the TSA dude go, “wait, you have to wear a wire under your skin?”
The years after 9/11 things were pretty annoying. Full body searches were the norm. I’d loose or miss personal items all the time. More recently the security people are better versed about diabetic equipment so things now are less. Today i’m not going anywhere especially airports so it’s a mute point.
Many times. Especially in Toronto airport, I must be on some kind of a list there, because I routinely get pulled over for special attention and often am delayed for up to an hour. I have had my bags all completely emptied by a skeptical inspector in a separated area, and been interviewed by skeptical agents with a lot of detailed questions to prove that I am there to speak to HCP’s about CGM use. Not to sell drugs….or stay there as an illegal immigrant…. or whatever they are concerned about. I am routinely delayed by TSA for many reasons in US.
I said “Other” because I’m not sure I would call the experience unpleasant. I got through security fine, just slightly slower than normal. One time flying out of DC (in 2006) my insulin vials raised a few eyebrows and I had to answer a few questions about what they were and why I was traveling with them. And a few times my bag’s been searched and/or swabbed for explosives because of the amount of food I had packed/the way I had packed my snacks. Apparently food can obscure the visual on the X-ray. One trip I was checked for explosives 4 times in one airport. These experiences were slightly annoying, but everyone was professional about it and they were all over quickly.
Luckily its never been a problem for me. It does slow down the process getting through security what with the screening and all, but the screeners have always been patient and helpful, even sympathetic.
Only once. Early in the CGM years & a brand new TSA person had never heard of it, couldn’t find the “Big Book of Rules” and had to call someone from far far away to come lookup and look at my “stuff.” Then I stopped pouting out anything except insulin which at least they were familiar with and have not had issues since, although I haven’t flown internationally for several years.
YES, but only one time of the hundreds of times I’ve gone through airport security. .Most times the agent will glance at the copy of TSA Rrgs i place on the conveyor and just give me routine pat down and use a wipe on my pump.
Should be pointing out not pouting out, although….. lol
Actually, the experience at Charles de Gaule was somewhat flattering, not unpleasant. I was pulled aside and asked to be strip searched. At my age, I consider that a complement! Unlike others, I have had extremely good luck at London Gatwick, Orlando, Kansas City, Faro, Munich, John Wayne, et al. Seems most professionals and experienced folks (unlike the tyros) know what they’re doing.
Only when I fly. In UK at Heathrow i had a full body check the first few times I flew home. Fortunatly it wasn’t a strip or a body cavity search. I get extra pat down in the US. I fixed the problem by quitting flying when I retired.
It wasn’t unpleasant but not what I expected. Was traveling for a weeks business trip and had enough supplies for the week in my lunch box. I had to throw away several juice and protein shakes because the agent did not believe I need the amount I was carrying.
No. They just test my hands after rubbing them on the pump. No big deal at all.
It’s often an adventure. Many of the same stories as others here. Lesson learned, allow extra time. We’ve actually had an easier time overseas (Frankfurt, Germany was the best) than in the US. Also, we learned that in the US we can call ahead and request a specially trained escort. Half the time we arrive to find the requested agent is in a different terminal or otherwise unavailable, but when we do get them, we breeze through with all the required and reasonable scrutiny but none of the nonsense.
The worst was at Tampa International. The TSA agent said that I should go through full body scanner. I said the company said I should not. He said: do you own a cell phone? I said yes but it was not on me. He said the body scanner was no worse than having a cell phone near the pump – I have since researched this and he was wrong. I was alone and afraid to challenge him, so I let him bully me to go through the body scanner. Never again. Now I would report him. I often call TSA right before I fly and then I get a free TSA pass. They say: you can go through body scanner. I said – so you are telling me you know better than my pump company? They do a fast retreat. I say: tell that to the young girl in Utah whose pump failed after she went through the body scanner. I get sick REAL fast without a working pump and I am not willing to risk it. I don’t understand why the pump companies do not advocate for us. They say NO. The TSA says you can. Why do we have to be put in this position?
The majority of the time I find TSA agents helpful and understanding. The encounters which are not are few and far between but are the most memorable unfortunately! I had a nasty experience at Dulles, was told that my equipment and supplies could go through the scanners without a problem; she obviously knew more about that me. She was NOT happy when I still chose a pat down and delayed me so much that I had to run the mile (maybe not that much, it seemed like a 5K when I wasn’t a runner back then). TSA pre-check has helped a lot! So has the Global Entry program.
No, because I wasn’t diabetic the last time I went through airport security.
When I was first diagnosed ( probably around 2001 ) I was flying to California and had a box of syringes packed in my suitcase when security checked my luggage they confiscated some of my syringes so I ran out of synergies near my vacation. I didn’t realize that I was missing syringes until I ran a short. It was a mess… And back then it was harder to buy insulin syringes over the counter.
A better question would be “when haven’t you …” – Ha! The thing that held up the line behind me 10 years or so ago was my little box of juice in my purse for low BG. My carry-on, full of syringes, insulin, pokie things – blah blah, was never questioned. My husband has yet to get over that! I got a better low BG plan. I carry “smarties” now. The little candy rolls can fit in my purse, jeans pocket, carry on – you name it. They do not get warm, spoil, or get confiscated at airports. in recent years, I get the dirtiest looks from airport security when I asked to be checked with a wand, patdown, or whatever alternative to being imaged they had available. My CGM and Insulin pump were not supposed to be subject to x-rays or any imaging equipment. If people with diabetes were in wheelchairs or attached to equipment that was visible to the public, we would maybe be given some consideration and not be treated like the annoying primadonnas they think we are. Pardon my rant – the question touched a nerve! A tip for those who are not aware of this: If you have a carry-on that is completely dedicated to medical supplies, it can become your “legal” third bag. Don’t try to shove more clothes or makeup in that bag – it is for medical needs only! .
About eight months after I got my pump, I was flying back to Chicago from Columbus, OH, after visiting family. I’d flown several times already and hadn’t had any issues yet. This day, though, two very young and brand-new security guards were working. I told them I had an insulin pump, and they looked at each other with clueless expressions. They started calling all over the place just to find someone who had a clue what to do. They weren’t unfriendly or discourteous, but it took much more time than necessary.
Just like in a lounge I go till security first. The airport security “person” got her supervisor who shrugged and practically walked me through. At a lounge with security raised my shirt showing them the pump and tubing. I really love hearing “You don’t look like a…” so I offered to buy a drink as I walk in.
Never been on a plane but court house is a different story
Poorly trained TSA agents are a real threat to those of us dependent upon technology they don’t understand. I have been told many times by TSA agents that the full body scanners are fine because they aren’t x-rays. While it’s true that they don’t emit x radiation, neither does an MRI and that will destroy your pump and/or CGM too. Be loud. Be insistent. Don’t let them bully you into unnecessary dangers.
I met a non US security agent in a diabetes prone country that didn’t know what insulin or diabetes was. After multiple questions from him I asked, “May I speak with someone more intelligent than you?” His supervisor apologized, expletives deleted, and asked the agent to leave the scene. I was allowed to board the plane. Stand up to the uninformed. Just because they have a badge the are not correct or even knowledgeable.
Only one bad experience…. Pump and CGM on me in 2013. Headed home to Ohio from Sarasota. TSA would not honor my hand scan request. I asked for a TSA supervisor who was even worse. She said… ‘go through the body imager or miss your plane’. Thank God, there was not damage to my devices. I have to say, TSA and TSA Customer Support personnel in Detroit are WONDERFUL! We signed up for TSA Precheck and that makes life easier for both TSA agents and us!