Airport security question

grams2jc
grams2jc Member Posts: 756
in Breast Cancer #1
Will be flying in a couple of weeks for the first time since starting treatment. Had left mastectomy with no reconstruction and a port insertion. I have left prosthesis and still have port.

I don't have lymphedema issues but did buy a sleeve that I believe I should put on 1 hour prior, so thinking after I am through security, and leave on an hour after the flight. The flight is only a little over an hour so that all doesn't scare me too much.

My questions are, will the body scanner pick up the port and cause me to have the whole patdown? My port is midchest just above my right breast so would be a little weird. And will the prosthesis show in the scanner? If I make it through just metal detector and no pat down, a possibility when flying out, I have it made but am worried about the hassle of anything else.

Any suggestions to make it easier? Any experiences?

I looked on the TSA site but really couldn't get a good answer and didn't want to call them. Also if I need some kind of paperwork from my doc I should be able to get it next week.

Thanks for the help, flying isn't my favorite thing but I like roadtrips even less.

Jennifer

Comments

  • mwallace1325
    mwallace1325 Member Posts: 806
    #2
    Security
    I haven't flown since treatment, but I've escorted my granddaughters through security to their gates on numerous occassions. I've never set off any machines. I know I had a card from my dr. and I showed it to a TSA agent the first time and asked her if I would have any problems, she said "no and congrats on being a fellow survivor". I've never set off the machines at Denver International, which is good because I'm just the person who would have stripped down right there to show them what they'd found, pointing out my port (when it was there) and any scars they might have been interested in. You can tell I have a rebellious attitude, but really, you should have no problem, just remember the sleeve since you don't want to develop any lymphedema issues.

    Have a good trip.

    marge
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    #3
    Flew to St. Louis
    in July and only had the metal detector no scanner, and since there's no metal I sailed through. They did xray my knapsack twice because I had a camera, batteries, MP3 player, etc. so lots of batteries & wires that I guess looked suspicious. I got a card and a rubber bracelet with my port. If you did too that should be all the paperwork you need.
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #4
    I am of no help since I do
    I am of no help since I do not have either-Just wishing you good trip! HOPE a vacation...
    not work.

    Denise
  • grams2jc
    grams2jc Member Posts: 756
    #5
    disneyfan2008 said:

    I am of no help since I do
    I am of no help since I do not have either-Just wishing you good trip! HOPE a vacation...
    not work.

    Denise

    No work
    My mom, sister and my mom's 1st cousin get together at least every other year for a Wed-Sun eating and shopping marathon. My mom and I come from KCI, my sister comes from wherever she is working (traveling nursing consultant)and the cousin drives in about an hour to Dallas. We stay in a hotel, shop, eat, drink, sit in the hot-tub and generally make an occasion of doing only what we want at our own pace. Last year we were not planning to go but if we had been it would have been cancelled due to all the "fun" I was having with surgeon visits and biopsies.

    Am REALLY looking forward to this, just a little anxious after hearing a few months ago how the new thing they would be watching for with terrorists was surgically implanted bombs..hope they have decided that isn't really a threat so my port won't get much scrutiny.

    Thanks for the advice ladies, I really appreciate it,

    Jennifer
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #6
    grams2jc said:

    No work
    My mom, sister and my mom's 1st cousin get together at least every other year for a Wed-Sun eating and shopping marathon. My mom and I come from KCI, my sister comes from wherever she is working (traveling nursing consultant)and the cousin drives in about an hour to Dallas. We stay in a hotel, shop, eat, drink, sit in the hot-tub and generally make an occasion of doing only what we want at our own pace. Last year we were not planning to go but if we had been it would have been cancelled due to all the "fun" I was having with surgeon visits and biopsies.

    Am REALLY looking forward to this, just a little anxious after hearing a few months ago how the new thing they would be watching for with terrorists was surgically implanted bombs..hope they have decided that isn't really a threat so my port won't get much scrutiny.

    Thanks for the advice ladies, I really appreciate it,

    Jennifer

    PAT Down No Problem!
    Hi Jennifer,

    I just flew and had no problems. I don't have a port, but do have a brace and of course a prosthesis. I can barely walk, so they give me a pat down which isn't as bad as they make it sound in the media.

    I have had so many now, that I just don't think anything about it. It doesn't take long and I let them do the pat down right in the open. It isn't embarrassing at all.

    Hope this helps. Have a pleasant flight and good trip.

    Doris
  • mamolady
    mamolady Member Posts: 796 Member
    #7
    Jennifer,
    If you don't have
    Jennifer,
    If you don't have the card, get something from your doctor. I don't think the prosthetic is a problem. I am not sure about the scanners though. Fortunately, San Jose and San Francisco don't use them yet.
    As far as the sleeve, I heard you should leave it on for same amount of time you are flying.
    It sounds like alot of fun!

    Cindy

    PS - In my experience, if you are accommodating, security isn't bad.
  • Kiantae
    Kiantae Member Posts: 29
    #8
    I had no problems
    I just recently flew for the first time since my treatment. I have a prosthesis and was really worried about going through security. Everything went suprisingly well. I did print out the card template from the TSA site and had it ready in case I needed to communicate that I had a prothesis without having to announce it. Here is the link: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/breast_prosthetic.shtm . The link for the card template is part way down the page. I just typed "Breast Prothesis", printed the card and laminated it. I had it ready with my Driver's license. You will do fine, I think the first time is the hardest because of the unknowns. I wore a sleeve and didn't have any swelling.
  • Bill.S
    Bill.S Member Posts: 177
    #9
    ports and flying
    I have a port- ports are made of titanium. You can have an MRI with a port so its not magnetic. I don't think it is going to show up but if it does ,so what just show it to a female officer and get on with your flight.
  • Clementine_P
    Clementine_P Member Posts: 518 Member
    #10
    I flew out of NYC with a port
    and we use the scanners here. It was no problem at all. Try not to worry about it and focus on a great trip!

    Best,
    Clementine
  • laughs_a_lot
    laughs_a_lot Member Posts: 1,368 Member
    #11
    the port
    When my doctor showed me the port it was not metal at all. I flew and of course it was no problem. I did not have to go through the ex ray as it was not an international flight. I flew from Michigan into Baltimore. I used the train for the second half of my journey so there were no problems there. I had called my oncologist about whether or not I needed a compression sleeve and he felt I would be ok without.
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #12
    ON radio news this am
    we have small local airport-I heard on the news today that they have new scanner that can detect any threats but not as INvasive as some in large airports over past few years. I will be flying in June-curious to see everyone goes through it like metal detectors etc..

    Denise
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #13
    Just flew home, international flight, 11 hours....
    I don't have a port now, but, when I did, I had no trouble thru security. AND a 'pat down' is not that bad...I've had them for all sorts of other reasons....

    I fly this 10 to 11 hour flight 4 times a year, and nothing has ever been selected out as a result of my cancers...I have implants, with no trouble either....

    As far as the sleeve. I found I couldn't tollerate it...so I am just VERY careful to do stretching exercises, and get up and walk the cabin (remember, it's 10 hours flying) every once in awhile. I'm no professional, but listen to your doc re: the sleeve as to proper use...everything should be fine, IMHO.

    If we stop doing things as a result of our fights with cancer, then, in a way, cancer has won. I travel alot, many times overseas, and go about my life as best I can. I have had 2 fights...breast and colorectal. The last required major surgery that removed a lot of my lower 'plumbing'. But I have made adjustments (such as eating beef the night before a long flight so that I don't get as hungry on board and so don't have a toilet issue from eating plane food... *smile*), and I have set my mind to NOT letting cancer have any more of my life than absolutely necessary.

    Sure, I have a laundry list...can't use my 'special' arm for lifting, dietary issues from the CRC, etc...but, again, I feel I gave cancer as much of my life as I want to...NO MORE!

    Enjoy your trip, don't stress about security too much...remember they are just doing their jobs...and, if one gets out of line, you can always report them (and they know that, too!).

    Hugs, Kathi
  • debi.18
    debi.18 Member Posts: 850 Member
    #14
    KathiM said:

    Just flew home, international flight, 11 hours....
    I don't have a port now, but, when I did, I had no trouble thru security. AND a 'pat down' is not that bad...I've had them for all sorts of other reasons....

    I fly this 10 to 11 hour flight 4 times a year, and nothing has ever been selected out as a result of my cancers...I have implants, with no trouble either....

    As far as the sleeve. I found I couldn't tollerate it...so I am just VERY careful to do stretching exercises, and get up and walk the cabin (remember, it's 10 hours flying) every once in awhile. I'm no professional, but listen to your doc re: the sleeve as to proper use...everything should be fine, IMHO.

    If we stop doing things as a result of our fights with cancer, then, in a way, cancer has won. I travel alot, many times overseas, and go about my life as best I can. I have had 2 fights...breast and colorectal. The last required major surgery that removed a lot of my lower 'plumbing'. But I have made adjustments (such as eating beef the night before a long flight so that I don't get as hungry on board and so don't have a toilet issue from eating plane food... *smile*), and I have set my mind to NOT letting cancer have any more of my life than absolutely necessary.

    Sure, I have a laundry list...can't use my 'special' arm for lifting, dietary issues from the CRC, etc...but, again, I feel I gave cancer as much of my life as I want to...NO MORE!

    Enjoy your trip, don't stress about security too much...remember they are just doing their jobs...and, if one gets out of line, you can always report them (and they know that, too!).

    Hugs, Kathi

    Have fun
    Jennifer,
    Sounds like a nice, relaxing, well deserved fun time! Enjoy!!

    Hugs,
    Debi

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