TSA Screening Procedures

[mousemom11]

This November will be our family's first time flying since my DH had a kidney transplant last year and I have some questions related to going through security. I have read the TSA website, but am not sure about a few things.

• DH has a small duffle bag dedicated to all his post-transplant meds. All bottles have his name on them. He is also diabetic because of his anti-rejection med so he will carry insulin (in a small cooler thing) and his supplies in the duffle as well. He must tell the screeners about this right - not just send the duffle through x-ray?
• Regarding removing shoes, the TSA website has a picture with someone holding their shoes in a bin. I thought I remembered reading something on this board that said that they no longer want you to put your shoes in the bins? Which is correct?
• This is my first time flying with a laptop and I do not have a TSA-approved laptop bag. Does my laptop need to go in one bin by itself and my bag into another bin?

Any tips that those of you who travel with lots of meds and/or diabetic supplies can give that will help us through the screening process will be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[mgilmer]

This November will be our family's first time flying since my DH had a kidney transplant last year and I have some questions related to going through security. I have read the TSA website, but am not sure about a few things.

• DH has a small duffle bag dedicated to all his post-transplant meds. All bottles have his name on them. He is also diabetic because of his anti-rejection med so he will carry insulin (in a small cooler thing) and his supplies in the duffle as well. He must tell the screeners about this right - not just send the duffle through x-ray?

He will have to declare all his meds to the TSA officer. Normally they will hand examine it but they may want to X-ray it too.

• Regarding removing shoes, the TSA website has a picture with someone holding their shoes in a bin. I thought I remembered reading something on this board that said that they no longer want you to put your shoes in the bins? Which is correct?

Your shoes go into a bin. There was some confusion about this, but the TSA blog site said that to put shoes directly on the belt is optional (although some smurfs still do not follow their own rules so your mileage may vary).

• This is my first time flying with a laptop and I do not have a TSA-approved laptop bag. Does my laptop need to go in one bin by itself and my bag into another bin?

Laptop should go into bin by itself. Bag can go thru on the belt.

Any tips that those of you who travel with lots of meds and/or diabetic supplies can give that will help us through the screening process will be much appreciated. Thanks!

I am diabetic and have a lot of other medical problems. I always just declare to the first TSA officer past the ID check that I am carrying liquid meds separate in my flight bag. Ususally they just look at it, sometimes they just let it go, and only occasionally do they want to x-ray it. DO NOT put your meds in your 3-1-1 bag. This is for non meds only. There is no size limit for meds and other things you need for medical reasons (like saline for contacts, etc.). You just have to declare them. Also, as a diabetic, I never take off my shoes at the screening. I tell the smurf at the walk thru metal detector that I have a medical condition that prevent me from removing my shoes and ask for a separate inspection. They just wand my shoes and off I go. However, if your shoes have metal in them, you will probably have to remove them (my orthopeds do not have any metal in them). However as with all things TSA, your mileage may vary.

 

[bradisgoofy]

I suggest, put everything in a bin. Use as many bin as you need and don't stack things on top of one another, use another bin and spread it out. Smile a lot and be cooperative. You'll be fine even with all your special needs. Have a great trip.

 

[bumbershoot]

I assume you're initially wondering about seatac?

Everytime we've been through there in the last year or so, they have told us to just put the computer bag in the same bin, off to the side, as the computer is in.

Shoes at seatac do go in bins, and we tend to put all three pairs in one bin. They tell us to!

But...I always find it best to just take your time, smile a lot, and ask the specific agents those questions...sometimes they answer differently.

 

[safetymom]

laptop should be in a bin by itself. I would be prepared to take your shoes off. If you call attention to yourself certain TSA agents can make your life miserable.

 

[mgilmer]

I would be prepared to take your shoes off. If you call attention to yourself certain TSA agents can make your life miserable.

While I would agree 98% of the time, if you have diabetes and peripheral neuropathy in your feet (like myself), taking your shoes off can be more dangerous than incurring the wrath of a Cartmanesk(?) smurf. If you have diabetes and do not want to run the chance of problems, at least invest in some hospital booties to protect your feet. Remember, all sorts of persons walk without shoes thru the TSA area and while that may not be a problem with almost all people, people with severe foot problems (like many diabetics) do not need to take chances. I have personally not had any problems with the smurfs when I tell them the reason I do not want to remove my shoes in a very non-confrontational and polite way. I have found that if you do not appear to be challenging their authority, the smurf generally do not hassle you. However, as with all things TSA, there will always be an exception somewhere.

 

[jaurban]

All the airports run the shoes through a little differently. If you can remove them just do it, it makes everything easier rather than having the debate with TSA. I usually put in a bin with my jacket and sometimes they take them out and sometimes not. Laptop in its own bin without the bag. Declare the meds. That's it.

 

[chesterpdt186]

1. Most airports have a Family / Medical lines now. Make sure you are in one of these.

2. Medication should be ok, they will just inspect it, Are their liquids these are the largest issue.

Laptops in a bin, Sometimes the bag can go thru without a bin.
Shoes, I have done both in a bin and out. Mainly becareful of stacking to much stuff atop one another.

Make sure wallets, belts , anything metal and loose is in a bin, not a little container. Those little ones do flip over and it can be a mess.

have a safe trip

 

[mousemom11]

Thank you very much everyone for all your helpful tips! You've really set my mind at ease.

Mgilmer, I loved your Cartman reference! My DH actually has a t-shirt with a picture of Cartman in his police uniform saying "Respect My Authority!".