Comment by Marie B on August 21, 2009 at 6:31am

I'm so sorry this happened, Cathy. I detest flying completely anyway, it only makes it worse that every time I fly out of Newark, I get the total pat down. It's so embarrassing, especially when they are feeling your chest and stuff in front of hundreds of people. We've had a few discussions about this in the past, and - here - is one for you to read.

Comment by Xanthasun on August 21, 2009 at 7:35am

This is really unusual... especially being called out of line...usually nothing comes up until you can't pass through the metal detectors... and then if you don't wish to remove the pump to pass through the detectors you can get patted down which has happened to me...

By security guards are you talking about the TSA agents? I'm not sure if American Airlines is the one who would be responsible for this... since the security at the airports are not associated with a particular airline but are technically government agents (who are supposed to be trained in recognizing diabetes stuff and how to handle such situations) You would be better off lodging a complaint with them

Comment by Janet on August 21, 2009 at 7:53am

Marie, if security wants to pat you down you have the right to request a private area and an agent of your same sex. I'm sorry that you've had such bad experiences. :(

Comment by Marie B on August 21, 2009 at 9:12am

They always have a female agent do it. Last time I flew, there was a guy in a wheelchair waiting to get patted down. The agents were telling him, "sir, you just have to walk through the security, then you can get back in your wheelchair." he said, "I can't, I can't do it!" He was almost in tears. He was obviously disabled. I was so disgusted.

Here's another discussion on the subject....

Comment by Cody Turner on August 21, 2009 at 11:11am

I have never had any problems with security in airports. I tell them I have an insulin pump and they say ok and I go right through the metal detectors. Now I have had problems with a flight attendant taking away my diabetic supplies from me on the plane and place them out of my reach. I threw a big fit, as well as the guy sitting next to me who just happened to be an MD. I contacted United and informed them of what their attendant did as well as Federal Avaition and the American Disability Acts.

Comment by Jonathan on August 21, 2009 at 11:24am

I've been very fortunate on all my flights. Every once in a while, a security person will point to my pump and, as soon as I say "insulin pump", I get waived through. The only issue I have ever had was one time in SF when I got flagged for extra inspection and the near empty jar of glucose tablets in my brief case had opened and the dust got everywhere and tripped the sensor as a suspicious chemical. Took about 10 minutes while they swabbed my brief case and opened everything and ran it all through other testing equipment. But, the insulin pump was never an issue.

Comment by Kimberly on August 21, 2009 at 1:19pm

The TSA agents cannot make you remove your pump. They can make you get wanded/patted down if it sets of the metal alarm. They can swab it for explosives if they see it and recognize it as (or are told it is) an insulin pump. She should never take off her pump for TSA. If the agent in question is insisting, you ask for a supervisor. TSA agents should not remove someone from the line until after they have failed the metal detector. However, I would suggest to your friend that she get to the airport at least 30+ minutes earlier than she would if she wasn't wearing a pump.

Comment by MelissaM on August 21, 2009 at 3:52pm

back when I was on MDI I went to NYC for a vacation and the only thing they freaked out on was that my belt set off the alarm. the guards all laughed and people were watching to see why the metal detector was going off.

Comment by Toni Crebbin on August 21, 2009 at 7:51pm

I have flown quite a bit, including internationally, and I have never had any difficulty getting my insulin pump recognized (including domestic flights in China!). First, I always tuck my pump in the back of my waistline before going through the metal detector, and it does not set it off. I can't remember who told me to do that, but it works. The only time I have set off the detector was when a hand wand was being used on me, and I have had to go no further than show my pump. I would definitely report it to the management at the airport, or ask for the person in charge of security.

Comment by Pat Early on August 23, 2009 at 10:22am

Cathy, I hear your anger and frustation. Hopefully as more people become aware of insulin pumps this sort of incident will go away. I flew out of O'Hare to Ireland three weeks after 911. I was strip searched and had my bags searched due to my pump. The electronic device with a connectiong tube made security nervouse. I had my doctor write a note explaining that I was a diabetic with an insulin pump. I haven't had to use the note but catrry it just incase. You and your friend suffered a great case of discrimination due to the ignorance of security. The solution is to educate, educate, educate. Pat

Comment

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page