Airport Security Experiences with an Ostomy

Be careful what you ask for super-hero, you just may get it. Hmmmm, could be very interesting. What do yall think angels??
Chow!

hey fiesty, so glad you are back. i think the other 2 angels were a bit worried they would have to carry on without you. come on girls... dont hold back.  let old charlie have a good dose of that wit and charm
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did i tell y`all that i had a phd, sure do... need to get a new handle for it though.  
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okay, that means pretty handy dude??  
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No, I didnt know, in what?

close carol, but phd=post hole digger.... lol got ya again.

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you know i`m not afraid of work....... can lay down right beside it and take a nap. back to you angels

Hi Guys, Charlie you speak like you 'think' you know what your talking about!! Unfortunately most men have those delusions at some time in their lives...so your forgiven,....for now...Charlie...can you tell me ..Handy with your hands? I need a 'handy' dude with an attitude..Hey that rhymes almost...(Oh gee, its getting worse)...lmao...I'm out of here before I start singing or something...back to you guys...
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How to Get Back to Fitness After Ostomy Surgery with Ryan | Hollister

ok miss T, you know us guys dont think.... we just have 3 brain cells one for hungry one for horney and one for i wanna see something naked... after 50 the horney cell transforms to "where the hell are my reading glasses" or "i need to pee real bad" depending on circumstances. the other two remain unchanged
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  all other functions are just instinct.
back to you angels
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Reminds me of that saying....If you dont see him with a hard-on,make him a sandwich....
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I travel a lot, and indeed have been patted down.  I once joined my boyfriend for a deep sea fishing trip on the west coast of Canada.  He left a few days before as I had tickets to a rock concert.  I sent my luggage with him.   That is likely why I came up on the airport security's radar.   A 56 year old woman who goes to rock concerts and travels with no luggage--It does sound a little odd!  As she told me what to do, I quietly said "I have an ostomy".  Her reply was on this side?  I said yes and she told me to let her know when she was getting close.    She was very discrete and professional---no worries.   I incidently, do not use the ostomy ID card.  After 4 years of living with an ostomy I am fine with it and no longer worry about it when I travel.   Just booked a 2 week holiday in Saint Lucia last night.  In the winter I travel to tropical destinations with friends, and in summer I travel with my boyfriend.  Anyone been to Saint Lucia?

Hi Carol I must tell you I flew into Dominican from Toronto and had no problem BUT upon leaving however it was another story..I walked through the xray machine and before I knew it I was being pat on the shoulder, I was taken outta the line where we were all collecting our carryons EMBARRESSING LET ME TELL YOU, I was frisked infromt of everyone bording with me I was trying to explain and telling her to stop pushing but there was a language barrier,then she called three more officers over by now everyone knows something was on my stomache and for heavens sake I couldn't really say it isn't a bomb because I am sure that would be the only english word they would understand,and who knows what would have happened .Then I was escorted to a room and stripped searched,the guard insisted on her opening my pouch and she did before I knew it she was trying to hand it back to me and I shook my head NO she then left the room quickly to wash her hands in another room,then before being able to board my flight I had to sign papers that were in spanish,that I don't know what had stipulated.But I did feel alot of stares while getting on my flight,So I suggest to you and to other ostomates along what I will do for now on is to get a letter from your surgeon stating what it is you have,(I'm not sure if he/she can assist you in other languages but I must share with you that just lastweek I heard there is a form you can get from the Ostomy Ass. that goes with your passport.Hope I was some sort of help,I also hope you got a laugh outta mt experience,I can now laugh about it unlike I did when it happened!Good luck!!

Well I just noticed this topic today, does that show you how often I check this site out?

Anyhoo......here's a funny but very real story for you all in regards to those wonderful TSA agents at our many airports.

Last year I had a total knee replacement and I received a card with a nice picture of my new knee. This past April I went on vacation and it involved flying to Florida.

Well here I am at the airport with my son and friend with my ID card out and I tell the agents I have a metal knee, would you like to see my ID card. The answer is no....well of course I set off the detector so it's like please step over here ma'am.

Of course they have to get a female to frisk me and she's going over me with the magic wand and then she starts to pat me down.....wouldn't you know it but she feels my ostomy clip, and says to me, I'll be right back....

I was like excuse me I know what you felt , can I educate you please? I then open my carry on bag, which they could care less about, and take out a box of pouches and a clip. Now I say to her, is this what you felt?
She looks at me and says yes......and then goes thank you and have a nice trip!

In all the years I've flown back and forth to different places since having my ostomy 22 years ago that is the first time that has ever happened to me!!

Good luck with the TSA agents, they lack a  sense of humor so educate them when you have the chance!

Great topic. Nice to see that the topic has lead to a lot of fun amongst a number of you. On the airport note... I fly about 2 - 3 times a month. Mostly in Canada, but about 5 times a year internationally. Only twice has the urostomy been an issue.

Once I left Cuba a few days before my visa's exit date. I was asked to step aside, and was asked (in bad English) why I was leaving. I explained in English that I had a Urinary Tract Infection and wanted to get back to Canada for more intense treatment. (Cuban medical is excellent, but it's only a 4 hour flight to Canada). Anyway, he didn't understand, so I switched to equally bad Spanish. He appeared to understand, but asked why I didn't stay in Cuba for treatment. So, in front of a number of people, I opened my pants and showed him and the rest of the crowd the bag. "Ah, yes, my father has one of those", was the comment in Spanish from a bystander. I was waved through with no further hassle.

Second time was in Canada. I was selected for a random search of carry-on and person. I always carry a couple of barriers and bags, and the security person didn't comment on what he found in the carry-on. Then with the pat-down, he asked if I had any metal parts. I said no, but a urostomy. During the pat down, he brushed against it, asked, "Is that it?", and when I said "Yes", he moved on, then waved me through.

So, in couclusion, I keep a sense of humour about it, let peopel know if they need to, and really don't care who knows. I'm OK with it. I've learned to accept (and love?) my rose-budded frontal opening. Not quite at the go-to-the-nude-beach stage yet, but maybe someday. That would be the epitome of cumfort with an osotmy. And the pat down was the closest anyone has been to that part of my anatomy since surgery. Sigh! Talk about cheap thrill  
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I flew  into Kansas city by way of los angeles Had no troble at all

Hi folks, well at long last I can say "I'm leaving on a jet plane"...lol...July I will be in the states,Colorado to be exact..And for someone who has never been overseas,I'd appreciate any and all handy hints I should know..Not worried about being frisked..or letting them know about the bag...just need to know is there ANYTHING ELSE I should be savy about?Got a letter from my doctor for the medication I take as its classed as a dangerous drug here.Know the bags need to be cut before hand,so scissors can go in cargo.But other than that,I'm going in blind...My scary thought is I'm going to get lost at some huge airport and miss my connecting flight....lol.Anyway, if anyone has some things they want to share, thanks heaps..awaiting a reply...cheers Tarababy
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Tara I'm so happy to hear you're finally going to  make it here to the states........
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that you'll be too far away from me to get to meet you in person though.

Many of the rules about what you can carry onto the actual plane have changed Tara and I believe that you now can bring a small pair of scissors with you. Last year and again this year when my son and I went on our cruise I had my small scissors in my box of pouches in my carry on and no one said anything to me.

Make sure you bring like double the amount of supplies that you think you're going to use while you're here. Also make sure you keep your supplies in your carry on, I do this and have yet to use all of them but I like to err on the side of caution!

As for the flight itself the one thing you really should avoid before and during that time is drinking anything carbonated. I experienced a minor but still annoying blow out when I flew to New Orleans the first time and it was most likely from the soda. If you're going to drink anything stick to juice or good old water!

I'm so looking forward to chatting with you soon! I want details lady!!! Until then....
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Hi Ann, thanks for that..But I think going from here to there...I'll keep the scissors down below..Be my luck some nutter is on board and finds them and ..yeah see why I cant think too deeply..lmao...I'm finding it all quite over welm...oh bloody confussing..theres taxes theres health insurance...arghhhh!! just want someone to do it all for for me..I just pay for it....too excited to think straight hey..I have enough to do like what am I going to wear? lmao. what do I take with me and all that big stuff...Was taking more supplies than needed..learnt early to do that here even...Looks like United Airlines might be the one so far,cheapest anyway..Does that mean they put me in the cargo hold? Ok thanks again Ann, chat soon and let you know all the goss...cheers  Tara  
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Hi folks,well, i made it into the country quite easy..Not once did anyone check my medication or the letter to go with it.Actually couldnt believe how easy it was...Maybe it will be different on the way back...I will laugh my head off if Australia is the only one who will do any checking...Like as i left Cairns,they swabbed my carry-on...What a crack-up it will be if i get held up on the way back...its cool,rather that way then on the way here..later guys....god this being a tourist is tiring isnt it!!Need to go home for a rest...
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....mwah!!!!!

No, have done quite a bit of local and international flying and never been patted down.  The only thing I have had is my medical kit (bag, wafer, scissors and plaster) opened an questioned.  I have checked with airport security and you may keep a scissors on hand luggage as long as the blade is less than an inch.  Happy travels!

I came close to being patted down flying out of Heathrow once, but that was about it and I do a moderate amount of flying. I put all of my ostomy supplies together in a container and put that in the suitcase. I have had my bags randomly checked, but nothing removed. I do, however, carry a single, completely assembled appliance with me on the plane just in case I have a leakage.

Hi

I had an experience when going through security in Manchester airport. I was frisked when I set an alarm off, the security guy acted like he had apprehended a drugs runner, he grabbed at my bag and yanked it, I reacted by pushing him away and telling him in a loud voice that it was a colostomy bag, obviously everyone turned and stared at this point. The security man apologised and I went through. So I guess lesson 1 should be for airport security to under go training and lesson 2 if i want to smuggle drugs I can stick them in my bag before I fly as if I yell 'Its a colostomy bag' at the top of my voice I get sent on my way!

Steve

Yes I have been searched at the airport. I waspulled out to secondary. When the lady came over with the ward and gloves.I told her that I have an ostomy. She was very polite and asked me were it was so she would not touched it.everything went fine. First I didn't panic and second be polite to them there just as embarrassed as we are when it comes to things like this.Chances are they have already have incountered the situation or this can be a teaching job for you and a learning experiance for them!

hi all i just came back from alaska and went through check point no alarms went off but was pulled aside after pat down  and sent to private room with 2 TSA agents and had another pat down, he must of heard my pouch rustle so he asked what it was and then i told him of my ostomy so he swabbed my hands and then had me handle my pouch and then swabbed my hands again, in the mean time the boarding agent was calling last call for my flight so my wife and i ran to the gate and boarded.  ron in mich.

That is one of my many fears to be searched at the airport, they are pretty strict here is the US, TMF check through is not very nice and they search babies, the elderly, people in wheel chairs etc.

I workout a lot and always worry about a leakage but I can't let that deter me.  We all need to hang in there.

All the best,
Cheers!