what exactly do they swab, and why?
This, is what they refer to and all travelers can be random by exposed to this swab test routine from time to time. Really harmless really, fast and easy. The security officer typically swabs the little test clothing piece across your hands, in your bag, across your toiletry items if you carry on such and also your diabetic equipment, laptop and what other interesting pieces he might find in your carry on...Possibly a silly question, as I’m on MDI and not a pump - several of you have mentioned that they swab... what exactly do they swab, and why? Are they cleaning it? Taking samples? Is it just the device they swab or your attachment sites on your body? I’m genuinely baffled, but I’ve not had much coffee this morning
There are a few concerns for me with this approachBtw a question to the pump users: Is it very troublesome to disconnect the pump to lay it loose on the separate luggage scanner belt, just for that 3-5 minute duration for you to pass through the body scan?
My T1 friend once had to remove her pump when going through security. Can't remember which airport, but she had trouble reconnecting it. Small wonder she panicked.There are a few concerns for me with this approach
- the luggage scanner belt goes through an x-ray at the point is the pump cannot be x-rayed.
- as this is something that keeps me alive, I want to see it at all times and not risk someone picking it up or moving it
- even if you put in down somewhere, you have to explain to the security guy what it is and why you have removed it and don't want it x-rayed.
Trust me, most airports see hundreds if not thousands of passengers with external medical devices every single day.There are a few concerns for me with this approach
- the luggage scanner belt goes through an x-ray at the point is the pump cannot be x-rayed.
- as this is something that keeps me alive, I want to see it at all times and not risk someone picking it up or moving it
- even if you put in down somewhere, you have to explain to the security guy what it is and why you have removed it and don't want it x-rayed.
Most of us have (or should have) letter which explain what to do with the pump in an airport. I guess this is like the medical ID card you mention but, especially in the UK, an insulin pump is not a common device: about 10% of the nearly 4M people with diabetes in the UK have type 1 and of those about 10% have pumps and of those most people only take a couple of flights a year.
This may be what you see from the medical equipment you deal with.So for the screening they say submit the device for X-ray screening if you can safely disconnect.
It is not based on 'the devices I deal with?? It is what the security agencies have established as rules based on collaboration with the medical device manufacturers association. And then don't take snippets out of contents please, as it continues: "...Consult with the manufacturer of the device to determine whether it can pass through the X-ray, metal detector or advanced imaging technology for screening and act accordingly."This may be what you see from the medical equipment you deal with.
However, the documentation I have from my pump manufacturer and the advice I have from my diabetes team is the pump must NOT be x-rayed.
Perhaps this is over cautious but I would hate to damage it and then find out, because I was not following the manufacturers advice, they would not replace it under warranty.
Therefore, I will continue to keep my pump on me through airport security.
I've read somewhere that if Medtronic pumps are put through x-rays, there is a risk that this will cause the pump to give too much insulin. I for one, have no intention of risking this.It is not based on 'the devices I deal with?? It is what the security agencies have established as rules based on collaboration with the medical device manufacturers association. And then don't take snippets out of contents please, as it continues: "...Consult with the manufacturer of the device to determine whether it can pass through the X-ray, metal detector or advanced imaging technology for screening and act accordingly."
And there you are correct, Medtronic and other insulin pump manufacturers have not done the full device market approval procedure (cheap bastards) including testing their insulin pumps going through xray machines of the type you find in airport security. Reason why most write in their guidance that you should not put it onto the conveyor for that machine but ask for manual inspection. I am delighted that mobile phones, digital cameras, iPads, Abbott Libre and all the other stuff 'we cant live without in these modern times' can go through without manual hassle in the airports. Too bad the insulin pump manufacturers are so profit fixated they don't do their device testing all out before launching it to their end-customer.
No, why should you? Who insist you should do that anyway? Very interested to know.I've read somewhere that if Medtronic pumps are put through x-rays, there is a risk that this will cause the pump to give too much insulin. I for one, have no intention of risking this.
Agreed @porl69, I don't get the hysteria about this subject. But maybe we are just a couple of old farts taking our diabetes and all its trouble too casually.Come on now people, I know and understand that this issue is a pain in the posterior BUT surely we all realize that this is for our own security and safety. Checks have to be made and if that involves swabbing pumps then I really don't mind.
Agreed @porl69, I don't get the hysteria about this subject. But maybe we are just a couple of old farts taking our diabetes and all its trouble too casually.
Happy travel everybody - Enjoy life!
Its simpler than you may think, so stop worrying and get going.
Come on now people, I know and understand that this issue is a pain in the posterior BUT surely we all realize that this is for our own security and safety. Checks have to be made and if that involves swabbing pumps then I really don't mind.
don't think anyone has any issue with getting their pump swabbed, the problem is if they try to make your pump go through either the xray machine or the full body scanner. The manufacturer of my pump says these machines may cause the pump to malfunction, and possibly give you far too much insulin There have been stories of security refusing to swab and trying to force people with pumps through body scanners, or people taking the pump off and security putting through xray nachine.
Personally this has never happened to me but from the UK I usually fly through Edinburgh where security guarantee never to ask an insulin punp user to remove pump I have been stopped in Budapest and Iraklion where they did a manual search and swab.
I work at LHR and I travel quite frequently. I don't have a pump but travel with insulin pens, insulin, needles etc. I can honestly say I've never has a problem with the security (both when on duty when you have to go through either a staff security or passenger security or when travelling as a normal passenger). You do get some people who just don't seem to like their jobs but generally they act the same with everyone they encounter. I travel with my friend who has a pacemaker and cant go through the scanners and he just mentions it as no big deal before walking through a side door opened by them and has a pat down and swab (he always has his Drs note in his hand and they usually glance at it but never properly). The same with pregnant colleagues. The security staff encounter people with illness daily and most see it as part of their job to meet us and deal with our additional equipment and baggage. Some people are just plain ignorant though, like those mentioned above but I do think the bigger the fuss and the louder you shout does not help in airport situations. I did however, travel out of terminal 3 for work a couple of weeks ago and was travelling with a cool pouch thing (which I haven't used since flying with my parents when I was younger) I placed it in a plastic bag with the insulin inside and informed the lady (who looked pretty peeved off to begin with) she snapped at me and said 'why is it in a bag then if its not liquid' (? it contained the gelly stuff and insulin?) Before snapping back and correcting her I breathed, and let it go and walked away. The staff at security deal with a lot (I don't work at security and I never have, but I have dealt with airport passengers and I think that does help with my understanding) they are usually stressed out and only have basic understanding of a lot of things medical wise (lucky for them). Maybe sometimes we need to understand that, leave some extra time to clear security and be a little more forgiving when people don't know what we have to deal with to keep us alive. Also, something to think about is that on some flights (which i'm not going to mention destination and airlines) I would say about 30% of the passengers are diabetic, and the security staff will be used to people using the term as an excuse (and I do say excuse because working on check in I have heard it all and have turned around to several passenger and informed them that I am too a diabetic and that does not mean I should get a wheelchair just because of that, an upgrade, priority boarding, excess luggage, a special seat etc)
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 systemand 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
Oh wow, you’re disappointed in me for sharing my experiences and opinions? That’s very rude. At no point have I tried to make excuses for people being treated badly, rudely or unfairly, I have just put out there another point of view. My friend who has a pacemaker is 20 so actually I wouldn’t expect that and it is rather unusual. Telling me I’m ignorant for thinking everyone is like me, again, is very rude. When you have just seen someone stand in a queue with no issues, lug 2 30kg bags onto a belt, and then after everything say ‘yeh I’m diabetic so can I get a wheelchair?’ And you then ask the normal questions about how far they can walk and stairs etc and they seem confused and then when you tell them it’ll be a 30-60min wait and they won’t have time for shopping and they say ‘actually I think I’ll be okay’ DO NOT TELL ME IM IGNORANT. This kind of thing happens on a daily basis. This is people using a serious illness to try and get special treatment and fast tracked through security. I am very good at my job so find this very offensive. And these people are a contributing factor in some people’s opinions about diabetics and it infuriates me. I am simply sharing my own experiences, I am obviously not saying everyone does this but it happens a lot more than you think (along with people trying to tell you they have 30kg of excess luggage in their check in bags for a 2 week trip because they are diabetic they shouldn’t pay, even though the airline has already given them a 50kg luggage allowance, 10kg hand luggage. If they had come with a separate hand luggage bag full of medical equipment in addition to their allowance, I know I would allow that, but you shouldn’t have your medication in your check in bag anyway so this is BS). You know nothing about my health so don’t make assumptions. I have actually been on a flight with blood sugar of 1.8 and I don’t like making a fuss (and yes my DSN has had a go at me about this) my other half simply pressed the bell and asked if we could get a can of coke as I had very low blood sugar and within seconds I had one and was recovering. I have also had planes be diverted and I’ve had to very subtly ask crew for some food knowing full well there isn’t enough for everyone but they almost went into a panic apologising and saying I should have said something earlier so I have been very lucky, I’m not saying this happens to everyone and i have witnessed some very rude and disgusting behaviour from people. I do very much think that this is unfortunately such a common illness that everyone at security should receive some training for it. AGAIN, I AM SIMPLY SPEAKING ABOUT MY OWN EXPERIENCED THAT MANY PEOPLE MAY HAVE NEVER WITNESSED. So I’m sorry that I seem to have offended and infuriated you . Maybe the only way you can feel welcome in a forum that I joined to try and get support as a young person (I’ve been type 1 diabetic for 16 years) who it embarking on a new stage of her life that I’m going to need a lot more support as a diabetic because my life will become a heck of a lot more difficult, is by agreeing with the majority and not having an opinion.
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