Hello, fellow travelers! Welcome to part two of "Diabetes and Travel"! My sources alerted me to issues related to the TSA and the screening of adults/teens and children on insulin pumps. Many questions have arisen in chat rooms and blogs regarding the purpose of screening, the power of the screeners, and "inappropriate methods" of screening. It is clear, however, that you should be able to proceed through the standard metal detectors without undue issues. Concerns have been raised about "undue" screening diligence in regard to minors wearing insulin pumps. I know of one family whose child was removed from the security line to receive a more detailed screening from one of the security agents. This frightened the child. When the parent asked the agent why there was such a need, he was told about the possibility of terrorism, etc.
What are the justifiable limits of the TSA and when is it appropriate for a child, teen, or parent to set appropriate boundaries?
The following material is copied from the TSA and airline travel web site:
We are continuing to permit prescription liquid medications and other liquids needed by persons with disabilities and medical conditions. This includes:
- All prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including KY jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes;
- Liquids including water, juice, or liquid nutrition or gels for passengers with a disability or medical condition;
- Life-support and life-sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs;
- Items used to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetic breasts, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, or other liquids; and,
- Gels or frozen liquids needed to cool disability or medically related items used by persons with disabilities or medical conditions.
However, if the liquid medications are in volumes larger than 3 ozs each, they may not be placed in the quart-size bag and must be declared to the Transportation Security Officer. A declaration can be made verbally, in writing, or by a person's companion, caregiver, interpreter, or family member.
Declared liquid medications and other liquids for disabilities and medical conditions must be kept separate from all other property submitted for x-ray screening.
Disability-related items permitted through the security checkpoint include:
- Wheelchairs
- Scooters
- Crutches
- Canes
- Walkers
- Prosthetic devices
- Casts
- Support braces
- Support appliances
- Service animals
- Baby apnea monitors
- Orthopedic shoes
- Exterior medical devices
- Assistive/adaptive equipment
- Augmentation devices
- Ostomy supplies
- CPAP machines and respirators
- Hearing aids
- Cochlear implants
- Tools for wheelchair disassembly/reassembly
- Personal supplemental oxygen
- CO2 personal oxygen concentrators
- Tools for prosthetic devices
- Medications and associated supplies
- Braille note takers
- Slate and stylus
- All diabetes related medication, equipment, and supplies
- Any other disability-related equipment and associated supplies
It is in writing that "all diabetes related medication, equipment, and supplies" may be allowed to go through the screening checkpoint. The information is very clear. So, why does this seem to be a reoccurring problem?
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