Thursday, October 17, 2013

Yay for TSA

This morning when I got up it was still pitch black and the sun wouldn't wake for a couple of hours. Pete and I waded through barely moving traffic and he dropped me off at the airport with just enough time to catch my flight. (More about where I am and why as soon as I get the go-ahead to share the project.)

No sun, but plenty of traffic.

As if the barely crawling traffic wasn't enough to stress me out, I approached the TSA bins at the security line and could see a full body scanner ahead. *sigh* When I got to the front of the line I politely informed the TSA agent that I was wearing a medical device that can't go through the full body scanner and I'd like to request a pat-down. I was waiting for the response I've always gotten in the past -assurance that it's fine to go through the scanner and that others with insulin pumps do it all the time. I've even been told once that "the pump companies just say the full body scanners can cause damage because they want to be able to void the warranty". I always politely stick to my guns and continue to request the pat-down, and eventually they comply.

I'm thrilled to say this experience was different. I was immediately shown to the waiting area where someone met me for the pat-down. No resistance, no arguing, no trouble at all. It felt much like I would expect the experience to go if I had contacted TSA Cares before my trip. (I didn't do so because the website said to call 72 hours before your flight and this was a very last minute trip.) My pat-down was thorough but respectful, and after a quick swab of my hands I was on my way.

Had my experience been less than stellar, I certainly would have blogged about it. So since it was wonderful I felt a responsibly to write about it too. Thank you to the TSA Agents at JFK this morning for making my security experience go smoothly and just as I hoped it would.

7 comments:

  1. Hooray for good TSA experiences! Can't wait to hear more about your trip when you can share...

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  2. Oh my gosh! Thank you so much for writing about it!!! I'm about to fly out in the morning and I did call TSA Cares and I'm still nervous, so glad to hear all went well for you.

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  3. I didn't know I shouldn't have my pump scanned. It was scanned and they made me do the pat down and hand wand thing anyway. They asked if I was wearing a belt and I lifted my shirt to show my pump. I have never done any of that before. They were nice about it. I just felt confused. Funny you would post about that the same day I flew and tweeted about it! Enjoy your trip.

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  4. Somehow, I think your news is going to be big-time. Can't wait to hear about it. Good luck!

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  5. I normally don't have much issue with the TSA because they can't make me go through scanners when having Duchess with me. Sadly in Orlando leaving even thought I did not set off the alarms I still got patted down. Thankfully most of my experiences have been positive. Glad to hear they were for you too.

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  6. I had a wonderful experience... like VIP experience actually... at Los Angeles Intl this summer. Which was certainly a refreshing surprise!

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  7. Thanks for sharing :) Always nice to hear about a good experience.

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