Overseas Travel, Airport Security and a Pump

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Permalink Reply by Cody Turner on April 6, 2008 at 6:50pm

I carry a statement from my doctor and I have had no problems getting through security, even with carrying juice.

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Permalink Reply by Andrea on April 6, 2008 at 6:52pm

Hi Lizzie, I have had the pump for 10 years and have flown a lot for work, mostly national trips. I have rarely had a problem, and usually walk right through the metal detector without it going off. They do ask about the pump when they see it (often I will have it clipped to my pants and have my blouse or t-shirt untucked to cover it, just to avoid the question), but I clearly say "insulin pump" and my experience is that they wave me right through. When I flew to England 5 years ago they did stop me and ask me a few questions about it, and I think they swabbed the pump quickly to check for explosives. I do have to say that over the past 10 years it seems that most Security personnel have come in contact with the pump enough to know not to mess with it!

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Permalink Reply by Shawn ATL on April 6, 2008 at 7:02pm

Great topic. I am a new pumper as well and had wondered what was easier... showing and explaining, or just simply unattaching and putting it through the scan with my carry-on bag. When traveling domestically and internationally with needles and insulin bottles, I have never been questioned when putting them through the scanner. I'm all for the quick way through security and wouldn't be too happy if wearing my pump through opens me up to more (and longer) scrutiny by the TSA.

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Permalink Reply by Toni Crebbin on April 6, 2008 at 7:40pm

I've been to China 3 times wearing the pump and have never had any trouble whatsoever. Most of the time I just pull it out of my pocket to show them, then they motion at me to take it off and put it in the tub to go through x-ray. The only trouble I have had through going through overseas security was when they were trying to figure out what my blue ice was. They kept asking me if it was milk, and finally just waived me through when we couldn't communicate with each other. This is why I'm buying a frio for my insulin on my trip this summer.

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Permalink Reply by Marie B on April 9, 2008 at 11:01am

I recently went to FL from Newark Liberty....I set off alarms when I went thru w/ my aCCU-CHECK sPIRIT. They took me aside, I waited for the female attendant, and I got a total pat-down in front of everyone...It was embarrassing, and I'll unplug next time,and put it in a plastic bag (Iuse quick-release MM sets).

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Permalink Reply by Autumn on April 9, 2008 at 12:29pm

I've always attached mine to my bra and walked through the metal detector. One of the security folks at the Seattle airport suggested that after I set it off by leaving it in my pocket. She said that if you keep the pump along the center of your body while walking through the detector that it won't pick it up.
She said that way I can avoid the pat downs and the extra wait while they try to find a female agent.

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Permalink Reply by Kristin on April 9, 2008 at 12:30pm

I have traveled a lot with my pump and rarely had any problem. I NEVER take it off! I tell them I can't. I was told that putting my pump through the X-ray could cause damage to the pump--- so I never wanted to find out!

I have found that INSULIN is a pretty international word-- so I just repeat that over and over again :) And as others said most security people know what the pump is by now-- even in countries where it is not so common. Sometimes I have noticed that they seem really excited to recognize the pump (probably cause they were taught about it in training, but rarely see it here in Eastern Europe). Usually they prepare me for a "pat-down" search, but since my Cozmo doesn't even set off the medical detector, they usually just wave me through.

I often try to have my infusion set on my stomach when I travel-- once when a security guard was insistant that I had to take it off, I just showed him my stomach and that I was attached to this little machine and that was enough info to get him to just wave me through :)

I also have a statement from my doctor, but I never have had to show it.

OH, but I HIGHLY recommend ordering a diabetic meal on international flights! It's usually not low carb, but you get it served first and it prepared separately so you usually have fresher salad and some fruit instead of dessert. Also, especially when I've traveling alone, I like that the flight attendants know that I have diabetes...

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Permalink Reply by Marie B on April 9, 2008 at 1:10pm

i don't know, i told them before i went thru, and showed them...maybe it's because it's new york city...you can see i'm in my mid 50s...it's crazy

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Permalink Reply by Toni Crebbin on April 9, 2008 at 1:55pm

I was taught a trick recently when going through a metal detector (the person working was the one who told me about it!). Tuck your pump in the waistband in back, and it won't set the alarm off. I tried it and it worked, so I will try that when going through the airport this summer.

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Permalink Reply by Marie B on September 13, 2009 at 1:00pm

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Toni!!! I just got back from a trip and I did this, and for the first time, I walked through the line just like a normal person. It was fine in Newark, San Francisco, and Seattle. Awesome!

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Permalink Reply by Toni Crebbin on September 13, 2009 at 8:05pm

Yeah! I didn't have trouble this summer traveling either, and that was internationally. The only time it ever beeped was when they used a hand wand.

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Permalink Reply by Steve RRR on April 9, 2008 at 1:49pm

The biggest problem I've had with airport security was taking off my "I have diabetes" bracelet to pass through my first Homeland Security screening. Nowadays, I remove the bracelet way before I get to the screening. (The bracelet is something I ALWAYS where.) Otherwise travel with a Mnimed pump and CGMS, plus all my diabetes stuff & other medications as carry-on has not been a problem. It never leaves my side since do not want to risk losing any of it as regular baggage. A loss like that would ruin any travel very quickly.

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