I think that every person has had various different experiences ... addressing firstly your friend with the pacemaker ... most people with or without training will have some knowledge what a pacemaker is and does. Pregnancy everyone knows here should be no X-rays etc. However, insulin pumps don’t have the same let’s say “fame” and this leads to confusion and in some cases upsetting and distressing if not dangerous experiences.
I, like other mortals including diabetics, am informed as to why we have to go through security checks, and that’s fine, I don’t think we take issue with having to take off shoes etc. if that’s what we have to do or have our pump swabbed and a correctly done pat down. What I totally take issue with is the total lack of knowledge, obtuseness and rudeness I have to deal with almost every time I fly in the Uk.
I have been forced into a total body scanner in two different UK airports with my pump still attached (by the way my infusion set has a metal needle in my tummy) threatened with the police if I do not comply... I would like to say I am always very polite and try to explain why I cannot go inside or why my pump cannot go through the X Ray. I have all the documents needed but they are not interested at all. I never shout or make a fuss ... which is probably why I’m writing here to get it out of my system
and which is also possibly he reason why I got into the scanner twice
As to your point that we should be more forgiving with people who don’t understand, there is no excuse for ignorance when it is your job!!!! If I used ignorance or rudeness in mine I’d be fired. This will turn into a rant and I’m sorry, but like the majority of people I am very polite and try to show documents and I am very respectful and I would say in this situation you will rarely get a person or indeed a diabetic who isn’t ... however that is beside the point, a person at security should treat all travellers with respect. They are doing a job and they should be aware of issues of passengers carrying insulin, pumps etc. this should be part of their training and if it is not then the airport is responsible for not training their security staff. This is my opinion is discrimination if not corrected.
As I see it I have a health problem and I am trying to co- operate as best I can. I try to hand over my forms regarding my pump etc. no interest, I am saying that I am diabetic type 1 and wearing a pump holding my documents ... unfortunately this seems to infuriate UK airport staff rather than make things go more smoothly with the swab and pat down. No-One objects to this .. it’s when the staff what to take your pump easy from you and out of your sight .... it’s what keeps me alive if something happens to it I don’t have another one!!!!
Ignorance when doing your job has no excuses for bad behaviour
Also I would like to point out that I was really disappointed in the part of your post where as you are diabetic yourself you think every diabetic should be like you ... some diabetics do need a wheelchair or some other such aid as they have diabetic complications for example neuropathy which would make it very difficult and painful to walk.
Diabetes affects different people in different ways some are lucky, some are not so much. It’s a nasty disease and I think a little more comprehension and understanding from staff working at airports would go a long way towards making what is often a very stressful journey a little bit less stressful.
I am obviously glad that you are in good health and have good control of your diabetes, but always remember that not every diabetic finds themselves in your position.... before you judge try walking on their shoes...
I don’t mean to offend you or others at all... but I feel very strongly that Uk airport staff and all airline staff need better training to deal with diabetes as sometimes things don’t always go to plan no matter how hard you try .. for example a hypo can come up and completely surprise you at the worst time and if you’re on a flight you need staff to be able to aid you if you are unable to reach your sugar supply. A simple addition to the first aid course I imagine they all have to follow..
I wish everyone a safe flight and airport experience and hope that in future procedures that are followed all over Europe are implemented in the UK.
Best wishes