44 Comments
If you wear an insulin pump, what do you do with it when going through airport security?
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I let security know I wear a pump and ask for a pat down. When I just tell them, they use to tell me to go thru the scanner, but I know the manufacturer does not recommend this. So, I got in the habit of just asking for the pat down.
I have TSA precheck so usually it is a metal detector. My old Medtronic pump did not set it off, so I would walk through with it on. My Tslim does set the metal detector off, so I disconnect it and ask a TSA agent to hand check it telling them it is an insulin pump and cannot go through the metal detector or the xray.
The airport leaves me having to do whatever insane thing the TSA agent asks for. I have been through a strip search, the millimeter wave scanner and through the metal detector / pat down. I do what TSA says, which makes the airport a nightmare. I am buying TSA pre simply to avoid the BS.
Ah, memories.
It may take a few extra minutes but I always say I have an insulin pump. It saves me less headaches at the end.
I have Pre-check specifically so that I can go through the metal detector I stead of the scanner, as my pump should not be scanned. Unfortunately, my pump ALSO sets off the metal detector. So, I remove my pump, put it in a small tray, and hand it to the TSA agent. Then I wait while they swab it (and sometimes my hands), and check it for GSR. Typically adds less than five minutes to my journey.
One hundred percent of the time I go through airport security with a pump, they pull me aside and do the wipe test on my pump and hands. It’s just part of the deal. I tell anyone I’m with that I’ll be a few minutes later.
I follow the exact protocol and the exact thing happens to me. I was actually shocked the couple of times they didn’t do a wipe test.
I usually send it through the x-ray with my luggage. The one time I asked for a pat-down was a negative experience (no privacy) so I stopped that.
You can ask to be screened privately. They take you to a small room off to the side of the screening area with a closed door and two TSA agents of the same sex – one to to do the pat down and the other as a safety witness. It takes less than two minutes.
I announce that I have a pump and that I can’t go through body scanner. They ask me if I’m opting out, I say yes. They either send me through metal detector if it’s open or they give me a pat down and then I’m on my way. No biggie.
and never will! My Dexcom malfunctions constantly but it can’t kill me .I would NEVER trust a device to shoot insulin into me!
It is so random – it depends on the airport… Some ask me to hold the pump above my head and walk through the normal scanner…. others ask that I go through the full body scanner…. In both cases, they seem to always want to swab the pump (checking for drugs, I’m guessing). {You should see how they react to the disc on the back of my arm for the CGM – The majority have absolutely no idea what a ‘CGM’ is and are somewhat suspicious. LOL At one airport over in Ireland or Scotland, when they asked me what the disc was, a guy in line shouted out the answer – perhaps he had one too???}
I have Global Entry and I never tell anyone I am wearing an Omnipod or CGM unless someone notices and asks what it is. Never had any problem. Seldom do they even notice either with the scanners.
Insulin pumps & CGMs have become fairly common-place. One would think TSA would’ve received training😳
Oh, those confused looks when I tell them I have a pump!
I have a Medtronic pump. I used to wear it, holding it above my head for the full body scanner, getting hands swabbed, etc. Grew tired of the routing, so now I remove it, stash it in my carry-on. I’ve never been asked about it, so the upshot is no delays due to the pump.
Have not been through airport security all these years. It doesn’t bother regular metal detectors like in court. I like the response tell a security agent I have an insulin pump and follow their direction. Have Omnipod so will put it on my arm and have document from my doctor. May also try online precheck in.
I tell security that I have an insulin pump. If they ask me to put it through a luggage x-ray machine, I refuse and ask for a hand pat down.
It all depends on the airport and flight time. It’s been a year since I’ve gone anywhere. The last time I flew I called the TSA office after making my reservations and arranged for their assistance. I was met at the check-in desk for 4 different flights. With the exception of a small issue at Logan in Boston, all went very smoothly.
Well, I don’t have a pump but do use a Dexcom. I just say I have a Dexcom and they usually give me a physical pat down. Seem to be quite familiar with Dexcoms too.
I’ve been told that my Medtronic pump and it’s sensors can be damaged by going through either X-ray machines or millimeter-wave scanners. So I leave my pump attached (don’t want the sensor I’m wearing exposed anyway), hand carry the spare sensors and spare rental pump if I’m traveling internationally, and get a pat-down. Seldom have problems (and I’m at 55 countries and 7 continents), but do occasionally do have inconvenience. I also try to carry an explanation with me in the language of each country I’m visiting if it’s a language I don’t speak (Google translate to the rescue).
I also carry a letter from my endocrinologist explaining the equipment and its susceptibility to damage by those machines.
It all depends on the city. We have pre-check but still find Boston Logan to be THE WORST. My husband present his TSA disabilities card, announces that he has a pump, cannot go through the full body scanner, can go through the metal detector, but will set it off. He always does, and they end up doing a hand pat down and wanding. Meanwhile, I always go in front of him so I can mind our luggage while he is subjected to anything from a quick wanding to a near strip search in another room.
Interestingly, the best experience we ever had was in Frankfurt Germany, where the German speaking agent knew exactly what an “insulin pump” (in English) was, and dealt with it with more dignity and efficiency than we typically see in American airports.
I always tell airport security I’m wearing a pump and have always been told by them to go through the scanner. No malfunctions, and since I only do it maybe once a year, have never been to worried. I’ve heard bad things about going through full body scanners with a pump and don’t know how to handle their confusion when I say no to full body scan but relent when they are at a complete loss of how to handle appropriately.
I call TSA Cares before my trips. A TSA Supervisor meets me and is responsible for my security check. No more attacks by TSA agents.
Wow… This is amazing, Colleen. Thanks for sharing. I know what I’ll be doing next time I travel.
I did this my last flight, but never got a call back.
This is a pet peeve of mine. Every airport is different and some more difficult than others. What I don’t understand is why TSA insists I can go through a full body scanner when Medtronic insists that I can’t. Why the disconnect? I was belittled on Tampa when I told them I couldn’t go through full body scanner to the point where I relented. I will NEVER do that again. I never have it go off during the metal detector and prefer that but usually don’t get that choice. I would never ask for a private pat down. I don’t trust what might happen. I have called ahead and usually call TSA right before my flight and usually get a free PreTSA pass to go through metal detector. But, why do we need to have to convince them we should not put the pumps through. Or pump people: do the tests to see what damage if any is done? If I travelled regularly I would pay for the PreTSA pass.
I traveled for work for a number of years and remember way back when pumps were a novelty…. and back when the earliest minimed could not be removed from the body during a wearing period….. it got much easier over the years (and then harder for awhile after 9/11). I still will always alert a security agent first because those folks do not like surprises!
No they don’t. I was questioned a few weeks ago because I forgot to mention my breast prothesis. I gave the agent a funny look when she squeezed it several time’s. At least I didn’t have to pull it out for her to see.
I always ask for a pat-down. However, sometimes it can take a while for someone to assist you, so be sure to let them know that you’d like to opt-out the first chance you see a TSA Agent.
Broken, scrambled, and dysfunctional pumps — Ain’t nobody got time for that.
Whenever possible I disconnect the pump (not an Omnipod so I can) and give it to the TSA agent with a request to process it outside of X-ray or scanner, and I then go through the scanner or whatever the screening mechanism is. A TSA agent said we can request/do that, but a TSA agent cannot suggest it to us when we are in the security line.
I paid to get “TSA Pre-check” where there is only the metal detector to use. Also don’t have to take my shoes off ! Lasts 5 years. Well worth it
I never put my cgm or insulin pump through the xray. I give them to the agent and tell them I want a manul check. They seem to be very familiar with the process.
Here are some links about airport security with Dexcom and Tandem X2
https://www.dexcom.com/dexcom-airport-and-travel-guide-flying-dexcom-cgm
https://www.tandemdiabetes.com/docs/default-source/general-guides/ml-1000524_a_print_info_card_tsa.pdf?sfvrsn=2
Something to be aware of in these links- the “full body scanner” currently used in US airports has extremely low levels of radiation- https://www.epa.gov/radtown/radiation-and-airport-security-scanning —– said to be equal to the amount of radiation you are exposed to in 2 minutes on a standard jet flight. The reason Tandem and Dexcom say what they are saying in these links is because they can’t test every type of scanner, so they recommended avoiding them. This is a CYA stance, not based on reality.
I have TSA precheck so I usually don’t declare the pump unless TSA Precheck isn’t open. If it isn’t open I ask to go through the metal detector. One time I had to go through the full body scan and it was a nightmare explaining the pump and the CGM and the mesh implant in my bladder. I was poked and prodded and humiliated. If was awful.
It isn’t just airports. After 9/11 anytime I entered
a Federal Building to lobby my representative or senators, or a state legislative building, or a Federal, City, County courthouse (a manacled prisoner grabbed a Sheriff’s gun in a courtroom), I had to join a line to go thru metal detectors. after removing my wallet, belt, shoes. Backpack (containing bg meter, lancet, syringes, iPad) was always x-rayed but usually no problem. Since I have metal dental fillings, I sometimes set off an alarm & had to be wanded. (I no longer carry my iPad to the legislature; their detectors glitch my iPad.) Thanks, Janice B. That signed form might come in very handy now that I’m wearing a CGM & carrying a receiver.
After being forced, by a TSA supervisor, through a full body scanner after requesting a manual pat down, I registered for TSA Pre-Check which uses metal detectors. I wear the pump, declare it before I go through, and show all 3 medical device cards (TSA medical device card, Tandem’s TSA card and my doctor’s prescription/info). Since doing TSA Pre-check, I’ve had no problems at all. I only had a problem once as noted above. I’ve found most TSA agents are reasonable as long as you follow TSA protocols and are polite. Showing up early for your flight helps a lot 😉
I never tell them I have a pump. I go through whatever scanner they have. If they see it, I get pulled over and they wipe my pump and hands. Have never had one issue.
I use a T-Slim and it has a case with a clip, so it sets off the medal detector. I show them my pump, go though the full body scanner- which is absolutely safe for all diabetes devices- and then have to get my hands checked for bomb making materials. Once I failed the hand wipe after having just eaten a starburst candy because I was low, so beware- make sure your hands are clean! It took a full body inspection and about 10 minutes to get through after that.
I always state that I need to opt out.
I do not give TSA the option of endangering my critical life supporting equipment with their scans. It is slow. It is an extra burden inflicted upon us. It is just critically important to protect yourself.
You should have seen the issues when I traveled with my daughter’s cat! That was a TSA circus.
I walk through the metal detector quickly with all my medical devices in their own little bag that they can look at along with cards from doctors if needed. This hasn’t been required ever. Not only would my pump set it off but two other implanted metal devices.