Adults Living with Type 1

[mtungate01]

Hi everyone,

THis is my first time flying w/ my insulin pump. Will I have any problems w/ airport security? We are leaving tomorrow for the airport, so please give me any advice you may have about traveling on a plane w/ my pump.

Thank you~

[harleydeuce]

You should have no problem. I never say anything about my pod. I just put the pdm down with my wallet and what not. I did get a pat down when they saw all the vial boxes one time but that was it. They should know what an insulin pump is so not much to worry about.

Also you can do whatever you need to do on the plane as far as dosing for a bolus. I think alot of times people make it out to be a bigger deal than it really is to fly with a pump so don't sweat it too much.

[caseyr84]

I agree with Haryleydeuce. I fly somewhat regularly and have never had a problem.

When I had the Minimed and Cosmo both, sometimes they'd see the buldge in my pocket and ask me what it was. As soon as I told them, it was not given a second look. I've never had to remove it, nor would I agree to it. Half the time, they don't even notice it.

Flying with my Pod for the first time next week, and I imagine it will be even easier.

CaseyR
T1 since 84, pumping since 2001
yay for 5.9

[putertech]

Melissa - when I had my Minimed pump, I never had any troubles. When I got my Animas, it uses a lithium battery, which sets off the security alarms. So, it had turned into a hassle. Last time I flew, I took the pump off and sent it through with my shoes and stuff - worked like a charm. But that was a personal decision.....

[ndali]

I have been flying with my Minimed for years and it has not really been a problem. I just keep it in my bra. and keep on moving I DO however travel with a Dr. Letter, and all of things in one bag in my carry on, and also with copies of my prescriptions in there.

[type1andahalf]

I just traveled with my Omnipod pump and I set off the alarms because the pod itself has electronics in it. All airports scanned me and insisted they see the pump, which meant in one airport I had to leave the check in area and go with the female attendant, go down a hall to an inspection room, had the signs for a strip search posted on the door, and lower my pants (it was on my upperbutt/hip at the time) because we had to use the strip seach room that of course meant I had to wait while she signed out the forms on the clip board, who used it, when, why...drag! Of course when I saw we were leaving the area I insisted I bring my PDM with because I will NEVER be that far away from what controls my "new pancreas". That upset them too. I always had to stand in the glass box waiting for a female attendant to come pat me down and scan me and the PDM and it always seemed like I had to wait for 5 minutes while everyone stared at "the potential terrorist in the box". I didn't like the experience at all. Nobody seemed to care that I had a letter from my dr and it seemed that they were extremely doubtful this thing was an insulin pump because 3 people said, "Oh I have heard of diabetes and my _____ gives herself shots. Diabetics take pills or give shots...What is this thing stuck on your body?!"
Be prepared to be scanned and patted down and possibly visually searched.
type1

[type1andahalf]

harleydeuce
How can you just "not mention the pod"? Don't you set off all the alarms? And when they ask you what's up don't you have to tell them why you are setting off the alarms?

[Pam01]

I haven't flown with the pump yet, but I did go through security check points when visiting the Senate and House offices. We were going back and forth to scheduled appts - the first 2 times I took the pump off and sent it through with my pocketbook, no problem (and come on people, the pump was detached for less time than I take it off to shower!).

Then rushing back to the Senate building I forgot to take it off and I still went through the metal detector without setting the alarm off - which was more than I can say for my SHOES setting it off in the House building??

The security looked the same as at an airport, but not sure how it really compares?

[_julie_]

I just went through security wearing both an OmniPod and a Navigator CGM and walked right through, no problems. They didn't even notice them.

[kh1974]

type1andahalf - where were you flying through that the pod set off the metal detectors? I've never had my pod set one off, but the Minimed set them off frequently. I also can't believe they did a partial strip search of you. That's absolutely ridiculous - I would have asked for a supervisor because there is no reason for them to do that when you have a medical device that is approved by TSA rules on your body.