Airline travel / TSA

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This past week I had an interesting experience with TSA screening while wearing incontinence products.

My better half and I took a short trip to Niagara Falls as a last hurrah before our passports expire (no plans to renew). I wore a tabbed diaper on the flight out and was pleasantly surprised that I had absolutely no trouble at that TSA screening. I had worried the diaper might somehow get me flagged. I ended up being glad I made that choice as there was a fair amount of turbulence and could feel numerous leaks occur. When we finally arrived at our hotel I still felt comfortable.

My trip home was quite a different experience, however. I had packed reusable absorbent underwear with extra pads to wear during the trip. I made a last minute decision to wear a pair of reusable underwear (without extra pad) for the flight instead of a diaper. Mistake... I got flagged big time at TSA in Buffalo. According to the agent, those underwear hit on all the of major things they scan for which got me a VERY thorough pat-down. On top of that we had an unexpected flight delay and the underwear felt damp and irritating inside by the time we got home. Lesson learned -- will travel in diapers from now on.

Just wondering what experience others have had with TSA (or your equivalent)?

 

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@rlea64 - Given the first part of your trip, I bet that you thought that you were home free going home. Flying became a hassle a long time ago, even before all the crazies now. My husband and I have absolutely no wish to get on a plane again. For me - if I do, thank-you for the heads up. So sorry you had to deal with that, but that's what we have to do. - Pam

 

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We've heard many stories about embarrassed by the TSA.
Id suggest void in the restroom before TSA wearing simple ordinary underwear and change to protection be in restroom after TSA then board the flight.

Give your self a little extra time at the airport

 

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No plans to use the airlines in the foreseeable future, but @rlea64,
thank you for telling about your experience. I guess for you it's definitely lesson learned! As I see it, always better to do (or in our case wear) more, than less, especially with something as uncertain as airline travel is in 2023!
Other that the flight back, I hope your trip was great!

 

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My condom catheter is questioned every time I go through Airport security I usually have a small Conveen collection bag in a deep pocket but it always shows up on the body scan . I get escorted by 2 security people to a private room and have to explain and show more evidence of what it is . Usually handled very professional by security but can be a little embarrassing for me particularly if with friends a or business colleagues etc .

 

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Last week I was also patted down by TSA when I was flagged. I was wearing Depends pull ups with a max pad added. I saw the area that lit up for them to look at and it was my groin area. Quick pat down and I was on my way.

 

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I was stopped once by the security screening wearing a leg bag and was frisked by the security man. I explained what it was and he was fine with it. I didn't feel any embarrassment. Why should I? It's a medical condition and thousands upon thousands have it. I'm sure security people have to deal with lots of issues

 

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Thanks all for the feedback. I think we may take a break on airline travel for a while. It’s really become too complicated, expensive and stressful, and we’re both kind of sour on it for the moment.
I will be using diapers for car trips going forward as it made travel much more comfortable.

 

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Wearing diapers and going threw security doesn’t bother me anymore as I fly twice a year. Before security states to pat me down, I will tell them that I have a diaper on. This speeds up the process and they understand and don’t try to embarrass me by a big scene of a full padded down event.

 

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@rlea64 - You sure hit the nail on the head when you say "complicated, expensive and stressful" Flying has always been expensive. The stressful part was usually wondering if you were going to have
time to make your connection - until they started adding the fun part of getting to the airport only to be told that your flight had been canceled. Put in ANY other physical problem/problems just trying to get from point A to point B and forget it. Complicated is a nice way of describing it. - I'm with you. Traveling by car is complicated enough, and about as complicated as I need traveling to be. - Pam

 

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Sorry everyone has had a bad experience, let me share a quick story and possible solution. I have to travel for work. I wear a condom catheter most business travel and always a diaper (Bowel/Bladder issues). Diaper are always tabbed and plastic pant over (sometimes a booster if no catheter, that really lights up scanner!) Many years of the pat down I found it helpful to quickly explain what I was wearing right away and ask for their discretion, I was never questioned in a separate room, most of the time they do a wipe of pant leg and hands, do the scanner, quick pat down and on your way. Many years ago, I had someone actually approach me after an experience and tell me "... looks like you might have some incontinence stuff on, I wear as well, do yourself a favor and get TSA pre-check..." I did and have not had a pat down in the 9+ years I have had TSA pre check. Bonus, no taking off shoes, jackets etc and never a line. You simply walk through a metal detector and on your way.

Good luck and hopefully more happy flying...

 

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@totalinco - That's a really good idea! I forgot about the pre check option. - I still don't want to fly, but thank you! - Pam

 

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Hi. Getting ready to travel tonight. I’ll be on four different flights in the next three weeks.

I fully intend to wear a diaper as always when I travel.
I fly two or three times a year.
Usually, I wear a tabbed diaper, but recently I wore a simple pull up on my flight last month and got flagged. It’s the third or fourth time I got flagged and patted down in the last five years as I recall.

Hardly ever a problem, but I was pulled to the side my last two travels and flagged for inspection, or the pat down.
One time wearing the pull up and the prior being a tabbed diaper.
The tabbed diaper incident was probably the longest and most thorough pat down I ever received. Both times I did have a booster pad inside my briefs, perhaps that’s the reason it was more visible to the TSA scanners.

I was beginning to think the TSA digital viewers are getting more sensitive to this.

Some times I just keep the diaper in my carryon side bag, and then put it on in the terminal restroom after going through the TSA scanner.
However, sometimes I don’t have the extra time or convenience of planning for that.
It’s so much more convenient to get diapered, dressed and head out for the airport.
I guess I can just expect to get flagged more often these days.

It’s an awkward moment and feeling, but I just let it roll off my back like water on a duck.
Quack!

I’m quite curious now as to how it will go tonight when I fly out.
I will be wearing a tabbed diaper as my flight is 6-1/2 hours and leaves at 2am in the morning. I’ll intentionally put on the diaper prior to going through the TSA line.

Hope the flight is quiet, restful and comfortable.

I’ll report back on how my next four flights and TSA experiences go these next few weeks. I’ll post a TSA experience update asap.
Smile,
Joe

 

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I have to fly in a few months and will need a diaper. I’m not too worried about it as I don’t know them and they don’t know me. I don’t really care about an over clothes pat down but, there are a few stories out there of having to take off pants privately, swab and/or remove diaper etc. I doubt that would ever happen but I don’t really want to show it to them.
I’m just gonna do what I have to and whatever happens does, no other choice.

 

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I also had issues with getting flagged every time i go thru TSA wearing diaper and pad. Each time I explained to the agents they still put me through the testing they do. It didn’t bother me after the second time. However I got TSA Pre-check, Problem solved. About 8 months ago I got the AUS implant, since my wife doesn’t have Pre-check I go through TSA with her with no issues except for the long lines. So with AUS you’re just like any other person. I’ve been trying to get my wife to apply for Pre-check, I just can’t stand the long lines and the dirty floors.

 

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I've had Pre-Check for years. I find it really helpful - it takes the screening back to more like it was in the pre-9/11 days where you'd just walk through a metal detector and get your bags X-rayed.

The last two times I've flown, I've been with people who didn't have Pre-Check, and I've ended up waiting for them after the security checkpoint. Even when things aren't very busy, it saves time and hassle.

The downside is that it's (I think) $85, and has to be renewed every five years. If you don't fly more than a couple of times in the five year period, it might be difficult to justify the cost.

 

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Itapilot so glad to see you! Last heard you were heading into medical treatment and was concerned when you'd be up to rejoining the conversation.
Feel well!!

 

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I've always done well with the TSA people while diapered.

 

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I keep my Oxybutynin in my carry on and when questioned I quickly explain and show my medication and nothing else is said. Change right before you go through security (it's embarrassing to be seen/touched in a wet diaper)but expect to be flagged.

 

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Itapilot so glad to see you! Last heard you were heading into medical treatment and was concerned when you'd be up to rejoining the conversation.
Feel well!!

I've been flying all for medical appointments. I hadn't flown from before Covid until July, but now I've been on four different round trips and have another one next week. First time since 2019 that I've felt like my Pre-Check was worth it!

I'm a month out from having my colon, rectum, and anus removed and getting a permanent ileostomy - no reversal will ever be possible. A few months after that, I'll get a liver transplant, though the exact timing of that isn't set yet. Probably mid-May, but we shall see. So yeah, lots of medical stuff, and it's about to start getting pretty busy. Actually, with all the preliminary appointments and getting listed for transplant at two different centers, it's already been pretty busy.