Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lisa on December 31, 2009 at 11:57am

Thanks for the useful info Jeff. You never know when you will need to use it.

Permalink Reply by pastanamy on April 2, 2010 at 6:35am

i had to fly to a conference...had notes from my physician re: my medical devises and that they are a medical necessity. i didn't have any problems at all...thank god. i have heard of people having issues at the airport with out documentation but not the airline. i think if that was a "standard" for airlines and flying ALL the airlines would inforce it. it really sounds rediculus to me. good luck

Permalink Reply by Tom Cat on June 10, 2010 at 1:33pm

Just thought I'd add a couple thoughts - I've been using the Omnipod since the fall of 2005 (shortly after it was approved). I travel extensively for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - literally fly around the globe and often spend weeks at a time on travel. I've never encountered a single question regarding the Omnipod system nor been stopped due to it. I have been stopped over the Dexcom receiver...although that was OK'd as soon as I explained what it was.

JDRF and most manufacturers have worked with the FAA and FCC along with the FDA to ensure that our devices are fine for use on airplanes. In addition to the resources already listed I'd also add JDRF's team that works on glucose control devices.

Permalink Reply by Dana Clark on November 12, 2010 at 5:12pm

I flew recently... went through security and flight- didn't tell anyone I had it and was fine.

Permalink Reply by Seth on November 17, 2010 at 11:53am

Has anyone gone through the millimeter wave or x-ray backscatter body scanners AKA "Naked Scanners"? These will pick up the Pod image and CGM. Do you opt out for the "Groin Grab" inspection and tell them about your equipment or let them find it on their own?

Personally I would let them find it. Lets see if they can grope me without ripping off my medical equipment.

Permalink Reply by Eric Rizzo on November 17, 2010 at 12:44pm

I traveled this past week and was selected for the backscatter body scanner. Had the pod on my abdomen and I guess it was detected because the TSA agent did a light-touch inspection (not a groping one) and found the pod. After I explained what it was, a "supervisor" put me aside and did an explosive residue inspection, where he rubbed a small pad on the pod and then rubbed hands all over my clothing, followed by another of the little pads on his hands. Then both pads were put in the machine to check for residue.
Yes, it added about 3-5 minutes to my trip through security, but all 3 TSA agents that touched me were very courteous and explained what they were going to do before actually doing it. I suspect that, had I declined the backscatter scan, I would have had the thorough residue testing done anyway because I would have had to explain the pod and it's just the kind of thing they're supposed to check residue for.
In general, I think it's better to explain up front about anything you have that might be considered suspicious (such as pods), as it seems to be easier on everyone involved when there aren't unexpected surprises. I never pointed them out for the regular metal detector scans, but that's because those don't detect pods. With the backscatter or the alternative pat-down (which is quite thorough from what I saw), they're definitely going to find the pod, so you might as well tell them about it up front and make things a little easier on yourself. Remember that the TSA agents are just doing their jobs; contrary to what you might hear from the sensationalistic media, the vast majority of them are not interested in embarrassing or harassing people at random or coping a cheap feel.

Permalink Reply by barbraann on November 19, 2010 at 5:16pm

I have never even told them about my Dexcom and have never turned it off and plan on doing the same with my Omnipod PDM, just stick it in my bag and send it through just like a phone. But I would never turn it off. I agree, just tell them the truth if asked. There really isn't an opportunity to tell anyone until you walk through that detector, if it alerts then just explain or try and tell someone just before going through.
Try this site:http: //www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1374.shtm
this from Medtronic : http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/help/dailylife/travel/index.html

Permalink Reply by Dotcomguy on December 15, 2010 at 4:23pm

Well you can shut the PDM off and put it in your checked luggage. Right? It'll still give your basal insulin w/o being on. You just won't be able to eat the in flight meal,right? That's what I'd do.

Permalink Reply by Eric Rizzo on December 16, 2010 at 6:37am

And what would you do if you had an occlusion during the flight, or the pod hit it's expiration alarm time? I think you'd get a lot more hassle trying to explain the alarm beeping that you can't turn off without the PDM.

Permalink Reply by 870allamerican on December 16, 2010 at 7:29am

I had this happen to me on a flight to europe this past summer.  I went to the back and asked the attendent if I could use the table that was there.  I explained what had happened and they had no problem at all.  On our return trip to the states on our final approach I was looking at the PDM and and the attendant asked me to shut offf my blackberry.  I told him what it was and he went on his merry way.

 

Change airlines!!! 

Permalink Reply by Colleen Gray on December 16, 2010 at 6:46pm

I definitely don't think that's a good idea! Luggage gets lost pretty frequently and you should never check something so important. It could end up being much longer than just the flight without your PDM.

Permalink Reply by Sandy Palmer on April 6, 2011 at 5:50pm

I never reported it and flew without a problem HOWEVER why don't you bolus with the syringe and take the battery out and just turn it back on when you get to your destination. Next time just do not say anything and keep the thing on vibrate. When you go through security they don't say anything. I even asked not to be scanned b/c I wasn't sure what it would do to the pod. They had no issues with it. I'm now back on my Animas so it's not an issue at all anymore. Good luck

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