Airport X Ray Machine & Stuffed Animals

[sharibrat]

When we flew in May, DD's favorite little stuffed kitty had to be put up on the belt to go through the x-ray machine. This separation, at a time she was a bit nervous anyway due to all the security guards, etc, caused her to break down and cry hysterically. She talked about it for months also.

If we ask them, will they let her carry it through and then just wand it?

 

[Goofyish]

We had a similar problem with my DDs stuffed rabbit. The security staff were really nice and 'inspected' the rabbit by hand for my DD

Another time, they were also real nice and offered to give the rabbit a 'ride' though the xray machine in the little trays

 

[bicker]

I think a lot of it will depend on the security alert level. At level Yellow, you're likely to get a lot more lee-way than at level Organge. Just remember, if the answer is "no" you and your child will need to be prepared to comply with that.

 

[ntburns22]

My children were given little heart stressballs from SW when we checked in. I didn't even realize they were still holding them while we went through security. We were told very firmly that all toys have to go through the xray . We also had to take off their sneakers too.

 

[goofy4tink]

Could be worse. When we flew into Sanford on PanAm back in 2001, my poor dd had her Corduroy bear all set in her bag, ready to be 'xrayed'. But, she was told that no stuffed toys were allowed in carry-on bags!!! The bad part was that I had called PanAm several times before we flew out since they don't allow a lot of carry-on stuff.....a handbag type bag, that's it. I was told it would be no problem and it wasn't for the flight down. She has never flown without her bear and since it was right after 9/11 she was very nervous about flying to begin with. But, PanAm in Sanford wouldn't allow that bear on with her...no wanding, no xraying...nothing. He had to go in the checked bag. Poor kid sobbed for an hour. And they wanded her to boot!!!
I would suggest you make a game of it with your dd....tell her that her bear is going on a ride, just like she will be at WDW, he just gets to go sooner. She can stand there and watch him come through...who sees him first kind of thing.