Airport security

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Permalink Reply by Erin Calderon on July 18, 2009 at 5:08pm

I use minimed and I've never had to be patted down- even on international flights. I usually just unclip my pump and hold it out so that they can see it. It doesn't trigger an alarm so I wonder if there is something in the ping that makes the alarm go off? Sometimes I even suspend the pump and take it off so that they can see (I've even lifted up my shirt so that they can see the pump site on my belly). I usually do all of that for international flights- I never have problems domestically. I don't think I answered your question- I guess I would call the pump company. Maybe there is a piece of paper or something you can carry (like a medical ID card that says this is a pump)? I think the only reason they are patting him down is because the metal detector goes off and even though you are saying "guys, it's just my kid's pump", airport security is always extra cautious. Which makes me wonder why the ping goes off but my pump doesn't?

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Permalink Reply by Terry O'Rourke on July 18, 2009 at 5:34pm

I've worn the MM in the past and use the Ping now. I've had the same problem with my pump. I'm thinking that the metal belt clip sets the metal detector off.

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Permalink Reply by Manny Hernandez on July 18, 2009 at 6:31pm

Actually, the metal detector has never picked up the pump for me.

I recommend carrying documentation about his diabetes from your doctor with you when you travel, to be able to explain anything that may arise.

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Permalink Reply by Jessica Rasmus on July 18, 2009 at 6:50pm

for the animas ping there is nothing you can do. i've been on it since june and have flown 5 times since then. you always have to walk through the metal detectors, and because of something in the pump (the blue tooth to the onetouch i think) it will always set them off. then you will be patted down and the pump swabbed for explosives. the only exception to this is if the airport has a secondary detector that blows air at you. then you get that instead of the pat down.

so far all the tsa experiences have been good, just longer than usual. they all knew what it was, but it does not exempt you from all the screening.

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Permalink Reply by brandi on July 19, 2009 at 12:34pm

whats blowing air at you going to do? lol just curious. ive only flown once and that was in my neighbors 6 seater plane so i didnt go through anything...

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Permalink Reply by Patricia on July 18, 2009 at 8:29pm

I also wear my pump out...and show them before they ask or I go through the metal detector...AZ/Pheonix airport has the new body scanning thing...so, they can see everything. I also carry a letter from my doc on letterhead. My dad has a knee replacement and I know they issued him a laminated card w/ serial numbers and all to show at airports, etc.....maybe the pump companies should do the same?! Take care and hope it is better next time:)

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Permalink Reply by Pavlos on July 18, 2009 at 9:53pm

I haven't flown with my pump yet (first time will be this September), but I have set off metal detectors at airports plenty of times and none of them led to the pat down. I always got the wand. I wonder why.

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Permalink Reply by Terry Keelan on July 19, 2009 at 7:28am

why can't the pump go through x-ray? I've sent mine through.

There's no way to avoid the metal detector, period. If i don't take the pump off and put it in the tray I do what Patricia does and show them the pump and tell them what it is. Sometimes you get a pat down, sometimes you don't. Sometimes you get swabbed, sometimes you don't. Depends on the agents or the airport. They may have learned about insulin pumps, but not everyone has seen one.

It's just something you're son will have to deal with. What does it cost? A minute? After all, anyone could attach something to their body and claim it was an insulin pump. Heck, anyone could attach a real insulin pump to their body and claim they were using insulin when, in fact, they're carrying something else.

That's the wonderland of airline travel.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Hagen on July 19, 2009 at 8:21am

If you request to be hand wanded because of wearing a pump(you have to say it is an insulin pump) they are supposed to be trained to do that. And you have to request it before stepping through the big metal detector. When TSA first started they were not trained very well, so I have been in the habit of removing my pump putting in my bag then reattaching after screening. I have used this method with Animas IR1000, and the Cozmo. I have yet to be questioned at all about it.

I would ask Animas what in their pump can't go through the x-ray. My understanding is that there is more potential damage from the metal detector. But I have no solid information to back that up.

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Permalink Reply by SFMAMA on July 19, 2009 at 8:46am

we just travelled for the first time with my daughter's ping. It sets off the detector every time and there was no way around a pat down. It wasn't really a big deal but we just made sure that Abbie knew ahead of time that she was going to have to do this extra step. With one exception all of the agents were really nice and explained to Abbie what they were doing so she was comfortable. Agent in DC actually let her 'help' with the swab test by showing Abbie how to read the results. One idiot agent did try to have Abbie walk into the screening area without me (excuse me, but I"m not sending my six year off alone!) but the supervisor stepped in pretty quickly and sorted it out.

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Permalink Reply by Leslie Cruz on July 19, 2009 at 8:49am

I let them know also and even show it to them and still ALWAYS get a pat down. I hate it

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Permalink Reply by brandi on July 19, 2009 at 12:28pm

its kinda stupid that you explained the pump and everything and they didnt listen...what if you showed them a note from an endo or your sons medic alert? (if he wears a medic alert) and are we allowed to take off our pumps when we go through metal detectors?
hope you figure this out!
b

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