Airport Security and Crohn's

[reidster]

I was recently traveling home to see my family and for the first time in my life was required to go through a body scanner and body pat down. First let me say that the individuals are not properly trained to help us out. I wanted to know if the scanners had any radiation, as we all know, we need to avoid unnecessary radiation at any cost, as most of us are subjected to it for important health reasons regularly. Also, suffering from complex fistulas, I decided to wear proper protection garments to avoid the possibility of any drainage leaking and somehow becoming visible during my travels. I wondered if this would be seen in the scan? And if it is, that is certainly an invasion of my privacy. Would they also see that I had a seton? etc. I was then required to have a body pat-down. I don't want airport security, who, unlike health professionals, aren't required to take any kind of major confidentiality oath, to be involved in the most personal part of my life.

Have any of you had similar experiences? I think it's a complete waste of money, especially traveling within a province (Ontario), and it's an even bigger invasion of my privacy. The last thing we need is added stress to our travels.

 

[rygon]

Ive not been to America, but have heard the security can take their jobs a tad too seriously. But travelling through europe ive not had a problem. Yeh you need to go through scanners, and do get the odd pat down every so often, but its to be expected nowadays unfortunately.

I think you just have to get on with it and not be too upset by it. Im sure these security people have to check 100s if not 1000s of people everyday, im sure they really arent bothered by what you are wearing underneath your clothes (and im sure theyve seen it many times before)

 

[Welsh-bird]

I think I'm with Rygon here, although I must say, that I do not have your issues (fistulas), and may well feel different if I had.
I just see them as doing their job- and I feel safer knowing that they are taking our security as a primary concern. I know going through Heathrow, if you advise of a certain medical issue then you are not subject to this 'invasion of privacy' out in public- it's possible to move to a more private place for screening. Was this available to you at the airport you were departing?

 

[partlycloudy]

I've read on the TSA site that here in America we can request....demand....a private room if patted down. It's our right legally. You might check into that in Canada.

I know it's not a perfect solution but may help ease your stress regarding part of the procedure.

I sound a lot nicer here than I feel about these "security" measures.

 

[Crohns08]

You'd be surprised how close these "pat downs" get to crossing the line and that's putting in mildly. In my opinion it's already gone way too far.

 

[AndiGirl]

My husband is an x-ray specialist, and supervisor with the TSA. He gave me the following answer: The x-ray that is used only scans 1 millimeter into the outer epidermal layer of skin, you receive more radiation at 10,000 feet for three minutes of flight time on the plane. A medical x-ray of any sort is 100 times more powerful with one internal x-ray. This was comforting to me, as I often worrying about excessive radiation. I hope this eases your mind a little.

 

[saidinstouch]

It isn't an issue of the dose of radiation, its an issue of both the energy of the radiation used as well as the focus of it. As crohns patients we do have a slightly higher skin cancer risk (I learned this when my sister was diagnosed with Melanoma and had to get the family checkout due to a genetic component as well) and so focusing radiation like that isn't necessarily a great idea for us, or anyone at risk for skin cancer. Also, when they use that radiation comparison, it is a very different kind of radiation and is "absorbed" and dealt with by our bodies differently. Right now the TSA hasn't honestly vetted the technology with a true scientific and academic review of the safety over the short and long-term. The other issue is most of the agencies that are listed as inspecting the machines (i.e the airforce) say they do not in fact check more than a few machines at few airports. So, assuming the radiation dose and energy are safe, there is nothing to truly insure the machines are putting off the proper radiation. In southern California 1-2 years ago there was a big scandal that a lot of CT Scan machines were giving 10x the proper dose due to bad calibration.

This isn't to say the technology might not surn out ok. I am just saying that for now the TSA rushed into unproven, potentially unsafe technology without enough oversight to make sure it is functioning properly. Until that time, I will opt for pat downs on a medical basis and just take the patdown, even if it is far more aggressive and demeaning than necessary.

 

[reidster]

My husband is an x-ray specialist, and supervisor with the TSA. He gave me the following answer: The x-ray that is used only scans 1 millimeter into the outer epidermal layer of skin, you receive more radiation at 10,000 feet for three minutes of flight time on the plane. A medical x-ray of any sort is 100 times more powerful with one internal x-ray. This was comforting to me, as I often worrying about excessive radiation. I hope this eases your mind a little.

Thanks, that does ease my mind a bit.
I'm not sure if private pat downs are offered. If they are, I wasn't told. And yes I had to go through the machine and a pat down, because the buttons on my jeans were "suspicious" in the body scanner, as well as somewhere under my left armpit, so he was patting exactly where I did not want to be touched. They didn't find out why it showed something suspicious under my left armpit, and I was let go because the "line was too long". So really, in effect, the entire procedure was useless because I was allowed to go even they found something suspicious that they couldn't identify, although he did pat me down very well (actually too well, I must say) to know that nothing suspicious was on me.

 

[rygon]

Yeh they do get close to "sensitive" parts. Im sure they have been trained to go that far do to problems which could come up if they didnt. The way i see it, ive had many people put fingers, tubes, cameras up my ass. Some one (man or woman) touching me is the least of my worries, at least it doesnt hurt me and its over within a few seconds.

Again I do object to how the whole world has gone mad to terrorist threats and how many countries are now becoming a "police state". being angry at some poor sod who is only trying to do his job isnt going ot help. Neither is becoming stressed or upset by it. At the end of the day youve some out of there physically the same, so why worry?

 

[katiesue1506]

Its really no different than going to the doctor or having a frisk by a cop. I don't really think the people who do the scans have enough time to care what everyone looks like either. I dunno... I just think in the scheme of "picking battles" this is one to just deal with.

 

[Jennjenn]

I think if it comes to our saftey...so be it...Like Katie mentioned it is just something to deal with. I would choose the pat down personally. I would rather nothing bad happen and for them to at least try to do what they possibly can to keep us safe.

 

[AndiGirl]

My husband said that private pat downs are available, and that you may request a private room if that would make you feel more comfortable. I think it's too bad that we have to go to such measures, but I'm thankful that we have the TSA to help ensure our safety both in the air and on land. My husband can't tell me much, but he has mentioned that as a supervisor, he has had to help in confiscating forbidden, dangerous (no scissors or nail clippers- the other stuff) items.

 

[partlycloudy]

I just wanted to say my issue isn't with the poor folks who have to pat people down. I'm sure were it my job I'd be disgusted if I had to suddenly start putting my hands on bodies. Not everybody is as clean as I am. :X

I wouldn't want to be a medical professional for the same reason but at least when you go into that field you know ahead of time you'll be touching people.

 

[Jer's Girl]

All I can say is that when I had my ostomy, I could hardly make myself travel at all I was so afraid of being in that kind of situation. I think people should be aloud to have some privacy in this world.

 

[AndiGirl]

I just wanted to say my issue isn't with the poor folks who have to pat people down. I'm sure were it my job I'd be disgusted if I had to suddenly start putting my hands on bodies. Not everybody is as clean as I am. :X

I hear you! Scott, my husband, says that the gloves really do come in handy. He is supervising the baggage area, so he is getting a break from frisking people. He says that working in Alaska always gives him little nasty treats here and there. There are fishermen always going through with their luggage. It isn't bad when they go out, it's when they come back that things are gross even for the macho guys at TSA. It doesn't matter what season or what they are fishing for: salmon, halibut, crab, herring. When they return the luggage that they have to inspect is wet, very smelly, and sometimes moldy.

 

[Rebecca85]

I haven't been to USA, so haven't undergone the new procedures. But would it make a difference if you travelled with a doctor's note, saying that for medical reasons you require not to be scanned, but to be patted down in a private room. I expect they get a lot of people complaining, and refusing to be scanned, and don't have the time to pat everyone privately, but with a note you could threaten to sue them under DDA? Just a thought. I found it very easy to get a note off my GI explaining my need to carry codeine (as the country I was travelling to did not allow any opiates without prescription or documentation).

 

[ThanksP]

In the US you can request a private room for any reason (medical, religious, etc)

 

[partlycloudy]

I'd actually prefer to be scanned than have someone's hands all over me, trained or not. That's 100% my issue though.

I think a lot of it is the context. In a medical setting I'm expecting to have hands on me. It doesn't bother me. In a public setting, in an airport, with people (non-medical people) watching....weirds me out.

Again, my issue.

AndiGirl, I can only imagine the things your hubby encounters, lol. There's a Reader's Digest article in there somewhere.

 

[dreamintwilight]

As far as someone seeing you with potentially embarrassing undergarments or ostomy bags, etc....the person in the x-ray viewing room does not see your face. It is blurred out. And they are in a room by themselves and entirely away from the person being scanned, so they should not ever see the person's face and no one outside of the room is able to see it. Once they "okay" the person, the image is immediately deleted.

I saw a report they did on the airport scanning machines and theimages were not as "x-rated" as I thought they would be according to everything I heard. Yes, you can see undergarments, but you can't see private body parts. Knowing this all of this, it does not make me uncomfortable having one done.

I can understand the awkwardness of a situation for someone who has to get a pat down when they have an ostomy or something like that, but, would definitely ask for a private pat-down for medical reasons. Couldn't hurt to get a doctors note too!

 

[saidinstouch]

The problem Marisa is that plenty of people have shown the machines don't actually delete the images as quickly as purported. Granted it takes having an A-hole working in the room to actively save them, but unfortunately it happens. Also, most of the non X-rated images are from earlier generations of the machines.

Now with all that said, my dislike of the machines is purely a safety concern. I don't care if some idiot I will never meet saves an image of me that shows the outline of my body. In the end I doubt anyone I care about seeing that will see it. Also, they are improving the image technology so it generates a stick figure (or something like it) that will go ahead and show all non-human objects while completely eliminating the privacy concerns. There was an interesting article I read a while back where they interviewed a member of the team that helped develop the image processing software. The funny thing is he suggested they do just that and the government didn't want to go for it even though he said it was a VERY easy thing to implement and would alleviate all privacy concerns. Now the fix isn't as trivial, but is going to happen anyway.

Overall, the decision to go through these machines should be weighed by each person. If you had a CT scan in the last year or two, probably a good idea to just get felt up. If your recent radiation exposure is low and you don't want to get a pat down, then go for the scan. Just remember, keep your calm if you are being mistreated and keep a level head.

 

[AndiGirl]

I'd actually prefer to be scanned than have someone's hands all over me, trained or not. That's 100% my issue though.

I think a lot of it is the context. In a medical setting I'm expecting to have hands on me. It doesn't bother me. In a public setting, in an airport, with people (non-medical people) watching....weirds me out.

Again, my issue.

AndiGirl, I can only imagine the things your hubby encounters, lol. There's a Reader's Digest article in there somewhere.

I would have to agree with you. I would prefer to be scanned. I don't fly very much, so that probably wouldn't be an issue. Scott has to keep some details confidential, but what he can share would surprise some of you. TSA is one branch of law enforcement that I would never want to work in. I think I'd rather be a city police. LOL!

 

[MADiMarc]

It is strange, I have not had to deal with this. I was all upset thinking I was going to have to get "felt up" by some poor shmuck that didn't want to touch me any more thn I wanted to be touched and thinking how am I going to get through these lines without having to go to the bathroom & loosing my place, and it was no big deal. Do I like the fact that the scans are rather invasive. No. Do I really care if some jerk giggles over it? Nope, hell I'm an old hag that has seen much milage! However, modesty is a very personal thing & I know I do not want my four year old granddaughter going through those machines. That does creep me out.
Hey, Andi ask Scott about the waiting in line/potty thing if you remember & it wouldn't annoy him too much to answer.
Thanks,
Michele

 

[AndiGirl]

Hi Michele! I will ask him. He doesn't mind answering questions. If there is anything else, just let me know. My friends at work ask me all the time, as they are lucky to be able to travel more often than we are.

 

[partlycloudy]

I flew over the holidays and was scanned in Florida. It was no big deal. It was so fast I had no time to react then I was out. I had a bossy German TSA agent issuing orders on where to stand and put my feet and move my head.

Andi, I'd be interested in the agents' feelings about the pat downs. In general is it something they aren't happy about either and would rather avoid?

 

[Fog Ducker]

For all you people that don't want to be scanned for whatever reason, you do have the right to opt-out, but then you will be patted down.
Personally I don't want any more radiation that necessary so that is what I will be doing next time I fly. I don't care of some guys has to pat me down.

 

[Ekaj]

With this heading I was waiting for the "explosion" or "underwear bomb" story. Sorry poor taste... but seriously lineups + stress = risky situation.

That said I can respect not wanting to put yourself at any unnecessary risk (who knows how we'll look back on a lot of things) and this disease sucks and can be embarrassing.

 

[partlycloudy]

I would have to say that they are just as unhappy about having to do the pat downs. There are probably a few perves that enjoy that, but you'll find those weirdos in any career. Scott and his friends do not enjoy that part of their job. Scott was a correctional officer years ago. He says the pat downs remind him of his days as a prison guard.

That's pretty much how I figured they feel. And in this economy I'm sure very few can afford to quit over it if they feel strongly.

Interesting about his being a prison guard and the pat downs. I had my bag searched last time and it made me feel like a criminal so I can imagine how a pat down would feel.

Everyone loses in a small way it seems.

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Does anybody know which medications you can just bring on an airplane, and which ones you should have a doctor's note for? I'll be flying (just within the US, not leaving the country) in about a month and I'll be bringing my meds with me. Entocort, Amitriptyline, Zofran, and Lomotil are the ones I'll be travelling with. Anybody know (Andigirl, could you ask your hubby?) if I can get through security with these as long as they're in their original prescription bottles, or should I get a note from my doctor saying why I need these meds?

 

[partlycloudy]

When I traveled in December I brought all mine with me in my pill boxes. You know, those pill containers with a section for each day? My list included Pentasa, Zofran, Lexapro, Diamox, HRT, and a vitamin. I did bring my dilaudid but it was in the original prescription bottle.

Despite having my bag searched nobody questioned me about my pills.

I was searched due to having a pile of protein bars in baggies. It seems those dense protein bars resembled something dangerous. The guy told me but I don't remember exactly what he said.

 

[katiesue1506]

A brick of heroin or cocaine maybe?

 

[partlycloudy]

LOL, no, I would have remembered that.

It was something to do with the protein bars being dense material to hide things in. Needless to say I didn't bring the bars with me on the trip back home.

No reason to feel it, but I was so embarrassed having my bag scrutinized to such an extent.

It did make me feel safer though to know innocent protein bars set off red flags.

 

[Rebecca85]

Yet my 100's of pills didn't!

 

[rygon]

Last 2 holidays ive had Ive had my bags searched 3 times and patted down twice lol. Set off the metal detector twice to give me that pat downs (left my belt on for one of them so that was my fault, and lead to a bag search as well). Left a bottle of water in my day sack which was another bag search. And the other was a random luggage search.
I guess I just have one of those guilty faces lol

 

[AndiGirl]

I'm getting a kick out of this thread, as I am married to a TSA Officer. My father has worked for the Federal Aviation Administration for over 40 years. My mother-in-law is a well season traveler, and an otherwise innocent looking southern lady. Both MIL and my father are constantly selected by the TSA for extra or random searching. With my father it's believable as he has two replacement knees, plus his electronic gadgets, toys, and things for his job. Come to think of it my mother-in-law may have metal pieces added as well.

 

[ThanksP]

Cat, you won't have any problem traveling with any non-liquid medications within the US.

 

[AndiGirl]

That's right! All those Pentasa capsules are safe.

 

[Janny]

I travelled from Ottawa to Jamaica in January and opted for the pat-down. This is probably waaaaay TMI, but I had my period and didn't want them to be able to see my tampon with the scanner. LOL.

The patdown was pretty personal, but it was done with respect and professionalism.

Jan