TSA and flying
Anyway, here is my question. We are flying from Phoenix to Williston, ND on Wednesday. I am wondering if any of you have suggestions as to how to "dress" for the least problems when going though security. Should I wear my prosthesis and go through screening? Or wear prosthesis and put them in the bin with my jacket (oh my gosh-how embarrassing), wear no bra, put my bra in carry on to go through security and then put it on afterward, pack my prosthesis in checked baggage? Anybody done this recently? I did read on this site that someone had a very embarrassing experience with this and I would like to avoid drawing attention. And getting frisked isn't my idea of fun either.
Thanks in advance for any advise. And my prayers to all on this list that are going through cancer together. What a great group you are!
Sue
Comments
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There is a nice little t-shirt
"Yeah, they're fake my real ones tried to KILL me."
I believe the best defense is a good offense. I truly can appreciate your prophylactic fastidiousness, but having a friend that travels quite frequently I understand the TSA is going to do what the TSA is going to do.
As for the potential for being embarrassed, own the immortal words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
Dear Sue, you've been through cancer, for @#$%! sake...make eye contact and smile. Worry is not going to add one minute to your life.
My advice is to be comfortable, relax, and enjoy your trip.0 -
Williston has an airport?
I'm in Box Elder, SD. I didn't know there was an airport in Williston - I tried to fly there a couple of years ago when G-daughter and I wanted to ride the train (in our own compartment) to Seattle (and then fly back to Rapid) and was told that there was no way we could fly there.
I haven't flown since my mast. (Oct 2009) so I don't know what to suggest. Nor do I know what I'll do IF I have to fly somewhere. There is no reason that any of us should have to be subjected to groping, should have to be subjected to radiation and/or subjected to the embarrasment of going without our pros. in public. Honestly - i think I'd have less issues with not wearing my pros. If I had been bilateral i think that it would be easier to wear bulky clothes and make it through - BUT I didn't so to go without my single pros is quite obvious. Also I have a MLD machine I have to carry on with me (IF I ever fly again) as I need it daily and I'm not about to 'check' an $18,000 machine.
I do realize that in today's world we need security but there is no reason that anyone honest person should be subjected to humnilation/embarrassment. It would not be that hard to have a data base set up that has been varified and cards that cover medical issues.
Susan
Forgot to add this - I go in our County Courthouse often and the local Federal Building - All I do is walk through the metal detector (after I take all metal out of pockets and take belt buckle off (it's big).0 -
Yes Williston has an airportRague said:Williston has an airport?
I'm in Box Elder, SD. I didn't know there was an airport in Williston - I tried to fly there a couple of years ago when G-daughter and I wanted to ride the train (in our own compartment) to Seattle (and then fly back to Rapid) and was told that there was no way we could fly there.
I haven't flown since my mast. (Oct 2009) so I don't know what to suggest. Nor do I know what I'll do IF I have to fly somewhere. There is no reason that any of us should have to be subjected to groping, should have to be subjected to radiation and/or subjected to the embarrasment of going without our pros. in public. Honestly - i think I'd have less issues with not wearing my pros. If I had been bilateral i think that it would be easier to wear bulky clothes and make it through - BUT I didn't so to go without my single pros is quite obvious. Also I have a MLD machine I have to carry on with me (IF I ever fly again) as I need it daily and I'm not about to 'check' an $18,000 machine.
I do realize that in today's world we need security but there is no reason that anyone honest person should be subjected to humnilation/embarrassment. It would not be that hard to have a data base set up that has been varified and cards that cover medical issues.
Susan
Forgot to add this - I go in our County Courthouse often and the local Federal Building - All I do is walk through the metal detector (after I take all metal out of pockets and take belt buckle off (it's big).
LOL Yes there's an airport there. We take Great Lakes Aviation out of Denver into Williston. Its been there for years. My sons were pilots for Great Lakes in 1999 and for a few years thereafter.
Back to security. What happens if I ask to have pat down. Do I have to mention breast prothesis before hand? Will they be able to tell by their pat down if I don't say anything. And then there's always the possibility that they do notice and wonder what I'm trying to hide in there!!! Oh my, that would be hard to explain. I guess that being up front and telling them would be best. Thanks for your help.
By the way, do you have just loads of snow where you are in SD this winter? Williston has had 75 inches since Oct.
Sue0 -
Great t-shirtThere is a nice little t-shirt
"Yeah, they're fake my real ones tried to KILL me."
I believe the best defense is a good offense. I truly can appreciate your prophylactic fastidiousness, but having a friend that travels quite frequently I understand the TSA is going to do what the TSA is going to do.
As for the potential for being embarrassed, own the immortal words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
Dear Sue, you've been through cancer, for @#$%! sake...make eye contact and smile. Worry is not going to add one minute to your life.
My advice is to be comfortable, relax, and enjoy your trip.
I'm not much of a t-shirt wearer, but that one would come in handy now and again! I know you and Eleanor are right, but would just like to blend in and not stand out in that particular way, if you know what I mean. I am leaning toward doing just as you say. Relax and be comfortable. I will probably wear the girls, state that I am wearing them and see what happens from there. I'm not so much wanting to go through the x-ray machine. Had enough of that already. So pat down it is. I'll probably post here when we get back to AZ and tell you all how it went so others know what to expect.
Sue0 -
Were going to Orlando inndsueaz said:Yes Williston has an airport
LOL Yes there's an airport there. We take Great Lakes Aviation out of Denver into Williston. Its been there for years. My sons were pilots for Great Lakes in 1999 and for a few years thereafter.
Back to security. What happens if I ask to have pat down. Do I have to mention breast prothesis before hand? Will they be able to tell by their pat down if I don't say anything. And then there's always the possibility that they do notice and wonder what I'm trying to hide in there!!! Oh my, that would be hard to explain. I guess that being up front and telling them would be best. Thanks for your help.
By the way, do you have just loads of snow where you are in SD this winter? Williston has had 75 inches since Oct.
Sue
Were going to Orlando in March, havent decided on flying or driving yet... but I am curious if we fly with the titaniumin my head sound off the alarms??? Anyone know?????0 -
I'd call TSA or Airportpinkflutterby said:Were going to Orlando in
Were going to Orlando in March, havent decided on flying or driving yet... but I am curious if we fly with the titaniumin my head sound off the alarms??? Anyone know?????
and ask what will happen if you wear prosthesis and don't want xray. I would think that the xray would clearly show that you have no weapons hidden under your prosthesis and that would be that, but I really know nothing. I just think it's a shame we have to consider these things. Having breast cancer should be enough.
Suzanne0 -
I understand
your concerns. I flew last Novemember and it was the first time since my dx and I was real nervous. I'm one that likes to fly under the radar so to speak and not be singled out for anything. This was the time when everyone was up in arms about the new scanning machines. I think it's a shame that we must make a choice over more radiation or getting groped by a TSA agent who might not "get" the prothesis we're wearing and think it's material to blow up the plane and I also don't understand why we should have to divulge our medical issues to some random TSA person in public. I flew out of an airport that just had regular metal detectors you walk thru. I have several padded masectomy bras that I use foam shells in to look "normal". That's what I wore and since we were doing carry on, I just left my prothesis at home. Since we were going to a very casual Carribean island it was no big deal. I did check the TSA website before we left and I either read there or someplace else that the silicone in the prothesis can show up and look suspicious but maybe that's an urban myth!
Good luck on your trip and enjoy! Hugs, Sally0 -
Box Elder's just a couple ofndsueaz said:Yes Williston has an airport
LOL Yes there's an airport there. We take Great Lakes Aviation out of Denver into Williston. Its been there for years. My sons were pilots for Great Lakes in 1999 and for a few years thereafter.
Back to security. What happens if I ask to have pat down. Do I have to mention breast prothesis before hand? Will they be able to tell by their pat down if I don't say anything. And then there's always the possibility that they do notice and wonder what I'm trying to hide in there!!! Oh my, that would be hard to explain. I guess that being up front and telling them would be best. Thanks for your help.
By the way, do you have just loads of snow where you are in SD this winter? Williston has had 75 inches since Oct.
Sue
Box Elder's just a couple of miles east of Rapid City, as the eagle flys. This year hasn't been bad for us snow-wise (not sure how much we have officially gotten) but has been the worst year I can remember ice-wise (we moved here in Nov. 1994).
So then we could fly to Denver and then to Williston? She's a couple/few years older now so don't know if she still wants to ride the train or not - I'll talk to her about it IF I can find a way to do it. I had even talked to local travel agencies (not just my on line checking) and none said that we could fly to Denver and then to Williston. BUMMER.
There was an elder lady lady in Canada recently that was asked when flying home (to Vancouver or Victoria I think) if she had any 'gel' with her. She said no - didn't think about her gel pros. and was quite badly/roughly treated/handled.
I do realize that we need security but there is no reason that it can't be done without respecting human dignity of those who have done nothing wrong.
Susan0 -
just completed 4 flights
I too was concerned to fly and to wear or not wear the prosthesis. Well, I decided to wear it (silicone) and was prepared if any problem to politely ask for a supervisor and I had a note from Dr. stating I wear a prosthesis. My husband also has clamps in his chest from opwn heart surgery, so he also carries a note in his passport. But, to my amazement...I just went through the metal dectector at Tampa and Miami airports and was not asked to go to x-ray booth or pat down. I also had my lymph pump machine with all the wires etc in carry on....no problem at all....They only asked to see it, asked what is was and patted it with the white pads. Did not even have to remove it from the bag. I will be making two flights again in 10 days........so the scenario will be repeated. If asked to step in x-ray booth, I will opt for the pat down, but immediately inform them of prosthesis. I in no way intend or will be willing to remove in public.... if that is necessary, I will ask for private area which exists. I did notice that the TSA staff have all become very much more polite that previous years.....and I flew very, very often...
@40-50 flights a year. So....relax, enjoy your trip, just plan enough time to deal with what you may have to.0 -
If any of you are concerned,pinkflutterby said:Were going to Orlando in
Were going to Orlando in March, havent decided on flying or driving yet... but I am curious if we fly with the titaniumin my head sound off the alarms??? Anyone know?????
If any of you are concerned, just have your oncologist write a letter that you will carry with you, stating what treatments you have had and if you have any titanium or anything left in your body. It couldn't hurt to have it with you.
Happy Flying!
Sue
0 -
@faithThere is a nice little t-shirt
"Yeah, they're fake my real ones tried to KILL me."
I believe the best defense is a good offense. I truly can appreciate your prophylactic fastidiousness, but having a friend that travels quite frequently I understand the TSA is going to do what the TSA is going to do.
As for the potential for being embarrassed, own the immortal words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
Dear Sue, you've been through cancer, for @#$%! sake...make eye contact and smile. Worry is not going to add one minute to your life.
My advice is to be comfortable, relax, and enjoy your trip.
I love your t shirt and love your thought on worry does not add a minute to your life!!!0
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