Any experience with TSA and a insulin pump? - The DIS Discussion Forums

kristinanderic · 01-16-2013, 08:43 PM

We will be flying in two weeks and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with TSA and insulin pumps at the airport.

I read online that sometimes the metal detectors can ruin the software and we should request a letter from his doctor asking it to be hand inspected.

Any advice from experienced travelers would be appreciated, my husband has been avoiding flying ever since he acquired his pump.

disneyfaninaz · 01-16-2013, 09:09 PM

Yes, yes I do.

First of all, the metal detector will not harm the pump. However, the manufacturers do not recommend that your pump be placed through the X-ray. That includes Back Scatters. If your DH is asked go through a back scatter or body imaging device, he will have to take off his pump and have it inspected along with all of his carry-ons.

My DD wears her pump through the metal detector. She has flown several times since she has had her pump. She wears her pump in a cloth pouch, not on a metal clip. She has never set the metal detector off. We have decided, because it was very disturbing to my DD, not to tell TSA that she wears a pump. All of her diabetes supplies go through the x-ray and TSA agents don't even look twice at it. We have never needed a doctor's note. I'm sure pumps are something TSA agents see every day.

Worst case, if his pump sets off an alarm, TSA will hand inspect the pump and all of your DH's carry on bags. If your DH asks for a manual check of the pump, he will have his belongings checked.

ccemtperic · 01-16-2013, 09:11 PM

I am on a insulin pump as well and per Medtronic which is the maker of my pump you can not go through the scanner as it will shut the pump down. With that being said I had no problems being hand patted and not being sent near the X-ray machine. Even in port on and on the fantasy I had no problems.

kristinanderic · 01-16-2013, 09:27 PM

He has a Medtronic pump as well, he has been through metal detectors before and has been fine...but I assume the TSA detectors are stronger?

kristinanderic · 01-16-2013, 09:30 PM

I found this online, it appears your both accurate.

http://www.loop-blog.com/blog/TSA-Sc...with-Diabetes#

ccemtperic · 01-16-2013, 10:49 PM

I was told with this new pump which I received in August 2012 if I went through the scanners it would void my warranty on the pump.

N365PA · 01-16-2013, 11:08 PM

I would say the safest bet would be to ask the agent when you put your stuff through the X-Ray for a pat down. Let them know you have an insulin pump. It will take about 5 minutes longer for TSA screening (quick pat down) as they will usually "swab test" your bag. Basically they take your bag, run a little piece of cloth all over it, stick on a machine that sniffs it for bomb / gun residue, and away you go.

Clint
Former Flight Attendant

chrisd596 · 01-17-2013, 06:37 AM

Son has been going through the security machines at the airports for over 10 years and never had a problem with his pump. He has a Metronic pump.

Couchy · 01-17-2013, 10:18 AM

I have a Medtronic pump and fly several times a year. I put it through the scanner and have never had an issue at all.

Sometimes I get stopped for a hand swab sometimes no stop. If he gets stopped it is literally less than a minute process

01-16-2013, 08:43 PM	#1
kristinanderic DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Near St Louis Posts: 599	Any experience with TSA and a insulin pump? We will be flying in two weeks and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with TSA and insulin pumps at the airport. I read online that sometimes the metal detectors can ruin the software and we should request a letter from his doctor asking it to be hand inspected. Any advice from experienced travelers would be appreciated, my husband has been avoiding flying ever since he acquired his pump. __________________ Me 29 DH 34 DS 6 DS 4 ~Numerous trips since 1982, lots of stays at Fort-wilderness~ ~Coronado Springs February 2000~ ~All Star Sports March 2002~ ~Pop Century January 2004~ ~Pop Century January 2007~ ~Pop Century February 2009~ ~DISNEY DREAM 2/13/2011!!!~ Upcoming Trips: February 12, 2012 Pop Century! February 3, 2013 Disney Dream!

01-16-2013, 09:09 PM	#2
disneyfaninaz It takes faith, trust & pixie dust! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 10,382	Yes, yes I do. First of all, the metal detector will not harm the pump. However, the manufacturers do not recommend that your pump be placed through the X-ray. That includes Back Scatters. If your DH is asked go through a back scatter or body imaging device, he will have to take off his pump and have it inspected along with all of his carry-ons. My DD wears her pump through the metal detector. She has flown several times since she has had her pump. She wears her pump in a cloth pouch, not on a metal clip. She has never set the metal detector off. We have decided, because it was very disturbing to my DD, not to tell TSA that she wears a pump. All of her diabetes supplies go through the x-ray and TSA agents don't even look twice at it. We have never needed a doctor's note. I'm sure pumps are something TSA agents see every day. Worst case, if his pump sets off an alarm, TSA will hand inspect the pump and all of your DH's carry on bags. If your DH asks for a manual check of the pump, he will have his belongings checked. __________________ Wendy- - - Me DH DD (12 going on 18, but a bit sweeter than most) Our Magical "Mental Health" Western Cruise Trip Report (March 2008) ~ Our Magical "Celebration" Western Cruise Trip Report (March 2009) Our Awesome Yosemite & Monterey Bay Trip Report (May 2009) ~ Our Great Quest for Elusive Moose - A Grand Teton/Yellowstone Trip Report (June 2010) Our Rockin' Canyon Tour - A GC/Zion/Bryce Trip Report (May 2011) ~ Our Awesome Yosemite & Monterey Adventure Revisited ( May 2012) My Girls Escape to Seattle/Victoria BC "Gardens & Glass" Trip Report (June 2012) ~ Our Wonderful "Pixar" Pacific Coast Cruise Trip Report (October 2012)

01-16-2013, 09:27 PM	#4
kristinanderic DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Near St Louis Posts: 599	He has a Medtronic pump as well, he has been through metal detectors before and has been fine...but I assume the TSA detectors are stronger? __________________ Me 29 DH 34 DS 6 DS 4 ~Numerous trips since 1982, lots of stays at Fort-wilderness~ ~Coronado Springs February 2000~ ~All Star Sports March 2002~ ~Pop Century January 2004~ ~Pop Century January 2007~ ~Pop Century February 2009~ ~DISNEY DREAM 2/13/2011!!!~ Upcoming Trips: February 12, 2012 Pop Century! February 3, 2013 Disney Dream!

01-16-2013, 09:30 PM	#5
kristinanderic DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Near St Louis Posts: 599	I found this online, it appears your both accurate. http://www.loop-blog.com/blog/TSA-Sc...with-Diabetes# __________________ Me 29 DH 34 DS 6 DS 4 ~Numerous trips since 1982, lots of stays at Fort-wilderness~ ~Coronado Springs February 2000~ ~All Star Sports March 2002~ ~Pop Century January 2004~ ~Pop Century January 2007~ ~Pop Century February 2009~ ~DISNEY DREAM 2/13/2011!!!~ Upcoming Trips: February 12, 2012 Pop Century! February 3, 2013 Disney Dream!

01-16-2013, 11:08 PM	#7
N365PA Ear Force One Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska / AKV Posts: 384	I would say the safest bet would be to ask the agent when you put your stuff through the X-Ray for a pat down. Let them know you have an insulin pump. It will take about 5 minutes longer for TSA screening (quick pat down) as they will usually "swab test" your bag. Basically they take your bag, run a little piece of cloth all over it, stick on a machine that sniffs it for bomb / gun residue, and away you go. Clint Former Flight Attendant __________________ Clint Upcoming Trips: April 27-May 11th: Poly -> DCL Dream April 28 -> POR -> DCL Fantasy May 4th August 8-11: D23 Expo / Disneyland Oct 27-Nov 1: DCL Magic First Platinum Cruise! Past: Bahamas Disney Magic - March 2000 Bahamas Disney Wonder - May 2010 Disney Dream Maiden Voyage - Jan 2011 Wonderful West Coast Repo! Disney Wonder - April 2011 Mexican Riviera Disney Wonder - Dec 2011 Disney Magic East Caribbean - April 2012 First Galveston Disney Magic - Sept 2012 Bahamas Disney Dream - Sept 2012Bahamas Dream - April 2013 Fantasy Eastern Caribbean - May 2013

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01-16-2013, 09:11 PM	#3
ccemtperic Earning My Ears Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Cleveland, TN Posts: 21	I am on a insulin pump as well and per Medtronic which is the maker of my pump you can not go through the scanner as it will shut the pump down. With that being said I had no problems being hand patted and not being sent near the X-ray machine. Even in port on and on the fantasy I had no problems.

01-16-2013, 10:49 PM	#6
ccemtperic Earning My Ears Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Cleveland, TN Posts: 21	I was told with this new pump which I received in August 2012 if I went through the scanners it would void my warranty on the pump.

01-17-2013, 06:37 AM	#8
chrisd596 DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Marlton, NJ USA Posts: 714	Son has been going through the security machines at the airports for over 10 years and never had a problem with his pump. He has a Metronic pump.

01-17-2013, 10:18 AM	#9
Couchy DIS Veteran Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: 1,200 miles away Posts: 805	I have a Medtronic pump and fly several times a year. I put it through the scanner and have never had an issue at all. Sometimes I get stopped for a hand swab sometimes no stop. If he gets stopped it is literally less than a minute process __________________ Me DH 4 trips as a kid.2002-Westgate, 2004 -Hilton DTD, 2005 -Westgate, 2007 -Royal Sun DTD, 2008 Hilton DTD, April 2011 -Swan, Dec 2011-Dolphin/ Yacht Club , Feb 2012 -Solo@Swan , April 2012-Dolphin with our friends, june/july 2012 - Beach Club

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