New TSA screening procedures and diabetes: your thoughts
As I read this story, I was wondering what do insulin pump users on TuDiabetes think about this episode and what has been their personal experience traveling with their pump since the newly instated TSA screening procedures:
As we hear from more outraged air travelers about the humiliating procedures they're being forced to endure to pass through airport security checkpoints, comes this doozy out of Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport.
A woman called the South Florida's First News Show on radio station 610am WIOD, this morning (Wed. 11-17-10), horrified about what her daughter had been put through.The call was with the woman, named Jackie, speaking with 610am WIOD host Jimmy Cefalo & Manny Munoz.
"She is an insuline depended diabetic who has an isuline pump. She travels regularly in the airport. Today, about 25 minutes ago, she was..the alarm went off she told them she had an insuline pump, they physically groped her, went down her pants, her thighs, and advised her not to wear the insuline pump any more going through security. They advised her to take it off in the future if she didn't want to be groped. She was so upset she called me after she got through security hysterically crying"
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by CALpumper on -
I've been pulled aside, swabbed, patted, wanded and starred at many times.
I'd had enough, spoke to a friend with a Ping, who flies often, and just disconnected.
I always put my supplies in a clear bag through the machine. The last two times I disconnected my pump and placed it with my supplies, a TSA agent asked why. When I explained he said, "Just hide it. If you wear it on your side, the alarm will go off, try to wear it in the front or back." I take serious issue with a TSA agent telling me to hide it, not because I need the world to know I have T1, just the principle of someone in that position telling me to hide something. I don't know, it rubbed me the wrong way. Either way, I just disconnect now, with no issues.
Not once was any TSA agent "mean" to me in any way, I've gotten scrutiny for juice boxes, which just makes me laugh because I told them what the TSA website states.... individual airports do Not always enforce the rules. It sucks but it's life.
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Permalink Reply by Donna H on -
This morning was my first time through TSA with the pump. Getting the pat down was inevitable because of my knee implant. I had the customary hand check. My pump was hooked to my waist band and covered by a sweater. When she touched that area I to,d her it was an insulin pump. She nodded and went on. She didn't even swab the pump itself or lift my sweater to look at it. I. Going through TSA at another airport tonight. I hope it's just as easy.
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Permalink Reply by sophiaofthrace on -
The thing is, SHE TOLD THEM and they still did that to her. It's ridiculous. I'm not sure though if they could have put it through the scanner. It might damage it or she might have to turn it off and take the batteries out or something. Not sure. I know with my CGM sensor, I would have to take it out and turn off the transmitter. The sensors can't be reused, so there goes $50.
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Permalink Reply by Sysy Morales on -
Luckily I've never had a problem flying with an insulin pump (back when I wore one). I would stand back and show my pump and ask if I should disconnect it. The officials would tell me to just let them glance at it and then I'd proceed to walk through the scanner. I guess I was fortunate that the officials I encountered understood an insulin pump meant diabetes and meant I should keep it on.
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Permalink Reply by Kari on -
The issue is that there are new, much more aggressive measures in place as of several weeks ago. So what once was, is no longer.
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Permalink Reply by Tom T on -
I successfully made it through Logan security today, and the procedure was not much different than before. I went through the body scanner with my pump and cgm on*, and all they did was swab my hands and pat the pocket where my pump was stored. There was no other touching involved. Given past experiences, it's unclear how different the experience will be at other airports. The return trip should be more revealing, though hopefully not much more revealing...
* MM does not recommend going through the scanners with the pump on. You do so at your own risk.
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Permalink Reply by sophiaofthrace on
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Were they turned on or just on your body? I thought the sensor/transmitter could be damaged by leaving it on. That's what I was told.
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Permalink Reply by Judith on -
Forgive the intrusion, my pumping friends. There are many considerations here for all of us. The pump issue is alarming in and of itself, of course. But consider things like this, too, in the big picture: 1) We are all still much more likely to die in a car accident than a terrorist attack. 2) When did this nation that won WWII become so risk-averse---are we a nation of fear-ridden, paralyzed fools--then yes the terrorists have won.
And personally----At age 60, with many surgeries over the course of 50 years, I won't add any more Xrays to my resume unless absolutely essential. No one yet knows the Tipping Point on too many xrays. And having been raped as a teenager, the pat-down would give me ptsd-type flashbacks.
So I'm for Amtrak and driving. No more flying for me!.....
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Permalink Reply by sophiaofthrace on
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I have read too many horror stories over the past week as well. Once you pass through a security gate in the airport, you could be subject to being forced to allow a stranger to see your naked body on a scanner, have a stranger feel of your breasts and genitals with their fingers, or if you decline, be arrested and fined $10,000. I won't be flying.
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Permalink Reply by Lee Ann on -
After Manny posted about this story, and people posted in response about wider use of the full body scanners and the "enhanced" pat downs, I'm more inclined to drive too. I have tentative plans to go to San Francisco in April, and even though I live in Philly, I might make an epic journey of it and drive. I didn't have an issue with TSA procedures before, as stated earlier in the discussion. I flew earlier this month, on the 1st and 7th, and there was nothing unusual about it, but there weren't full body scanners in place at the terminals I used in Philly and Sacramento, where I went earlier this month.
I won't use the scanners because I think there are valid health risks, as stated at this link from UCSF. TSA asserts the scanners were approved by the FDA, but I think we can all agree that a stamp of approval from the FDA isn't always indicative of safety. Furthermore, Michael Chertoff, former head of DHS, with a big financial stake in one of the companies that makes the full body scanners was the one who claimed the underwear bomber would have been caught if the full body scanners had been in place last Christmas. He conveniently forgot to mention that he would benefit should the government establish a contract with his company, which is exactly what has occurred.
I also won't consent to the "enhanced" pat downs. There's a very short list of people who can touch my genital area or breasts, and TSA agents aren't on that list.
I accepted the security procedures they were using before, but I'm not board with the new procedures, and wrote both of my senators yesterday to tell them so.
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Permalink Reply by AngelaC on -
LeeAnn, if I ever wish to visit my nephews and brothers in their homes, I pretty much have no choice but to fly and put up with this nonsense! My one brother and his family -- along with my 2 nephews -- live in Hawai'i, while my other brother has been living in China. Wish someone would build a bridge over the Pacific so people could have the option of driving!
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Permalink Reply by sophiaofthrace on
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Actually, my husband found that the cost of going on a luxury cruise liner like the Queen Mary 2 was actually cheaper than flying us all to the UK. Cheaper if you count the free food. :) And you don't get groped, but you do get chocolates on your pillow. Sure, it takes a week, but that's a week I wouldn't have to cook or wash! Maybe you can save some vacation time and take a cruise ship to Hawaii... But I'm really hoping this insanity will end soon.
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