Hi, PurpleKomodo. I usually don't have any issues with airport security either.
I have a special large backpack that I put on the back of my wheelchair and an armrest bag and a special small foldable backpack under the wheelchair seat bag.
I use ziplock bags for everything.
In my large backpack, I place all of my medical equipment and all of my electronics and anything that might get stolen in my check-in baggage. Once I get to my room I leave it there with locks.
I just place the backpack on the TSA bucket and let them run it through their x-ray.
Almost every time they check my small foldable backpack because of the very small tools in a ziplock bag for my wheelchair. They say they couldn't tell what it was through the x-ray. I have no problem with that because if I separate it from everything else I might leave it at home. They take it out and I tell them what it is, and off I go.
I like the small foldable lightweight backpack that is about the size of a wallet, but it comes in handy when I want to pull it out from my under seat wheelchair bag.
I separate almost everything in the backpack with ziplock bags. It is just easier to organize and reorganize after TSA goes through the backpack if they decide to look at it.
My armrest bag attaches with velcro and it is easy to remove. I use one large ziplock bag to keep things that I may use often like sunglasses, a small point and shoot camera, my cell phone, charger, chewing gum, etc.
My big backpack and armrest backpack usually make it through without needing further checks.
It doesn't take that long for me.
Sorry! I feel like I have posted a lot lately. Our next trip will be our first trip like this with our medically complicated little guy so I am trying to wrap my head around everything. I am a planner (obviously, that is why I am on forums like these!). Anyway, what has been your experience with bag check/security and medical equipment? When we come into the parks, we will have no fewer than 5 bags with 4 of those being all medical equipment. I don't love the idea of security going through our bags in gloves that have touched other people's bags or messing up how things are organized by digging around. I also don't love the idea of holding up a whole line of people while we unload our entire stroller for security to go through those bags. Obviously, we will make due, but I was curious about what people have experienced with this process.
One thing that might help is clear ziploc bags. If you can pack things into “sets” (or whatever groupings makes sense) using baggies, security won’t touch the actual items and it can help to move through more quickly as they don’t have to dig in/around/under bag contents. Even spare clothes can go in a gallon zipper bag, 1 outfit per bag. Diapers in another, wipes or washcloths/burp cloths in another, snacks in another, etc.). Even multiple small baggies in a larger bag — soap, swabs, gloves, meds, and such in their own small baggies then put the small baggies into a quart or gallon bag. The key is clear bags so security can see what’s in it.
No worries about lots of questions! We like to help.
Enjoy your vacation!
