Baggage scan with personal item inside...

[exit30]

One of our party members needs to travel with a somewhat personal item due to a medical condition, but hasn't flown in many years. We aren't checking any bags due to ridiculous baggage fees, so the item will pass through the screener at the TSA check point. How discreet are they, and is there anything we can do to prevent an embarrassing moment. The item is an e-bag, if that helps anyone with a suggestion.

 

[goofy4tink]

Depends on the screener. I've had some interesting experiences to date. One time I was bringing home my dd's 13th birthday cake (I had paid a lot of money for it and it was only 1/4 eaten..wasn't leaving it in WDW!!). Packed it up nicely in my carryon. Well....they sent it through, then backed it up....through again, and back again. This was repeated about 5 times. They called the guys in the next lane over to check it out. Finally, they asked me if I had a wheel of cheese in there. Told them no, it was a cake and I wasn't sharing it!! Went on my way.
Last April, I have my carryon bags full of Fish Extenders gifts for our cruise. That seemed to really be of interest to the screener. The bag went through, he couldn't figure out what the heck was in there...so had to open the bag. He saw what it was and asked me if I had any extras to share with him!!!

So, will there be a 'moment'??? No way of telling. If you're that concerned, I would check just one bag....with that item in it.

 

[seashoreCM]

Try to avoid putting medical items in checked baggage, at least if loss or delay of that baggage will cause inconvenience.

Try to avoid putting cake or other food goodies in checked baggage, they are tempting to pilfer.

 

[DebbieB]

One of our party members needs to travel with a somewhat personal item due to a medical condition, but hasn't flown in many years. We aren't checking any bags due to ridiculous baggage fees, so the item will pass through the screener at the TSA check point. How discreet are they, and is there anything we can do to prevent an embarrassing moment. The item is an e-bag, if that helps anyone with a suggestion.

If it does get pulled for a bag check, I would ask that it be opened privately or discreetly (tell them what it is).

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I have no idea what an e bag is (Google was no help), but unless it looks suspicious under the x-ray, it will be okay. Even if the bag is searched, no one pays any attention to this who is not personally involved. I agree that you should ask the screener to be discrete, but if this item has the potential for a huge embarrassing moment, pay to check the bag.

 

[exit30]

Ha ha, sorry, I didn't know if anyone would be offended by the word enema so I abbreviated it. Thanks for the input everyone. We can't check it for the reason of needing it and not having the means to go get another one, besides, we are all willing to deal with a little bit of embarrassment as opposed to $20 each way for a checked bag. thanks again.

 

[ToddyLu]

DH and I check our CPAPs for free because they are medical equipment. I would just load your friend's carry on on the belt and see what happens. When they have actually opened my CPAP to look inside, they had to wipe it down but did so on a table behind a small screen--privately. Then he told me next time I brought the equipment for carry on that I had to take it out of my case and place it directly in the bin....eeewwww! So now we always check them. You should not have a problem at all. I posted in case someone else need the CPAP info.

I am sure they see medical equipment all the time. As long as it is not a machine or oxygen it will be easier to pass in the carry on bag.

 

[bumbershoot]

Then he told me next time I brought the equipment for carry on that I had to take it out of my case and place it directly in the bin....eeewwww! So now we always check them.

What if they are lost? Destroyed? What if TSA needs to check out the bags and they put their grubby hands on them and you don't know? What if even worse happens?

From the TSA page about CPAPs:

To facilitate CPAP machine hygiene and cleanliness:

Once out of the carrying case, you can place your CPAP machine in a clear plastic bag before placing the device in the bin. You will need to provide/bring your own plastic bag.

Upon request, TSOs will change their gloves prior to performing the visual and physical inspection, and ETD sampling of your CPAP machine. The CPAP will need to be removed from the plastic bag by the TSO to conduct the ETD sampling.

Upon request, TSOs will clean the table where the ETD sampling will be conducted.

Upon request, TSOs will change the ETD sampling media before conducting the ETD sampling.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I don't see why an enema bag would arose any suspicions or cause a bag search. I thought you were talking about something really embarrassing!

 

[exit30]

Ha ha no, nothing super embarrassing, but we've never traveled with anything of a personal nature so we didn't know what to expect.

 

[goofy4tink]

I don't see why an enema bag would arose any suspicions or cause a bag search. I thought you were talking about something really embarrassing!

Yup, me too. It really shouldn't be an issue at all. Could be a hot water bottle for all anyone knows.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

We travel with medical supplies, needles, insets, insulin, etc. and have never had an issue. No questions or bag searches. If asked, again, you can ask for a discreet, private search. I really doubt it would raise a flag. People fly with medical stuff all of the time, I'm sure it won't be anything they haven't seen before.