First-Time International Travel Tips for Jamaica Anniversary

Hello everyone and happy new year 

My question is about airline traveling and tips on travel in general. 
So in about a year and half I’ll be traveling to Jamaica to celebrate my 25 year anniversary. I’m just wanting to find out how and what I should be looking into starting now to get me through tsa and customs if that’s a thing. It’s also my first time traveling out of the USA. So I’m hoping to get some pointers and advice of what I can start doing now and through out the year into next to be prepared for this.

thank you 

Mindy 

Sorry I don't have any traveling tips except there's a card if you don't already have one that's for the airlines for people with an ostomy also you can show when you have to use the restroom in a emergency. It's a traveler's communication card.I think you can download it from www.uoaa.org

I orginally got mine from my ostomy supplier..You can also call them

( United Ostomy Associations of America)      1-800-826-0826

CONGRATS ON YOUR ANNIVERSARY 

Hope this will help you out a little 🙂

Thank you. Do you think I need to possibly get a letter from my doctor indicating my medical condition?

I think a letter would be good, but you may not have to use it. they are pretty good at the Airports in Australia, I don't know about America. Regards IGGIE

I wouldn't think so unless your taking some kind of medications that maybe questioned...I'd probally ask someone that has been outta the country before. 🤷🏻‍♀️

My Ostomy Journey: Keyla | Hollister

I’ve flown 3 times since September and going back to Arizona in about a month. The extent of going thru TSA was going thru a scan, they see my ostomy, they ask me to Pat the area and then screen my hands for explosive powder. Takes about 15seconds extra. No drama and no issues, very easy. 

Hello Mindy,

My wife & I have traveled extensively all over the world, been to Jamaica 6 times, all on cruises.  Visited all major Jamaican cities/beaches.  Last 2 visits, remained on the ship.  We were hassled alot when we did get off the 4 previous visits.  

I hope your staying at an all inclusive resort.  They are safer than being on your own in a hotel.  

If you would like detailed information from my experience, let me know, I'll private message you.

I would definitely  stay on the ship; if I ever went there again. The straw market is very scary.

I think you will need a passport. Try the 'trip advisor' site for more travel tips on where you are going.

We are staying at an all inclusive resort. It’s the Bahia principe. I’m not worried about not being able to enjoy myself, I just want to know what I’m walking into flying from the USA to another country and especially traveling with a colostomy. Due to me wanting to take at least 2 changes in my carry on with me.

If you are putting all your changes in your main luggage and only two changes with you on board, rethink it, I would take all my changes on board because if they lose your baggage you won't have any changes. Regards IGGIE

That happened to me in December traveling to Palm Springs from Winnipeg.  They don't care if you have a card.

TSA in the states is not a problem with an ostomy. Like Alex said, they will ask you to pat your bag and then they will scan your hand. I haven't had any experience outside the U.S. yet, but I am about to test Heathrow. :-)

Daniel

I'm sure you know this, but worth mentioning again.  Precut your wafers.  You can't have ostomy scissors in your carry on. 

And like IGGIE mentioned, if your checked luggage gets somehow lost.... 

Have a great trip.

Yep, that’s what I did. Took 1 precut one with remover wipes, barrier ring etc in my carry on and then packed extra necessities, still precut a few, in my checked in bag. 

I have no idea why people get so worked up about going thru TSA. 🤷‍♂️ Why bring out medical cards to show them and try to explain everything? All it does is slow down the process, bring attention to yourself, and put more stress/anxiety on yourself. Heck, in Phoenix all we did is walk by a sniffing dog 🐕, go thru a metal detector, and that was it, took literally 10 seconds. I never had to pat my ostomy or anything. 

With the amount of people going through airport security worldwide..... Ostomies and other medical conditions are routinely encountered.  

Always expect the unexpected.  

July, 2013, we were on our way to an Alaskan cruise leaving out of Vancouver.  LAX to SFO.  Then onto Vancouver.  We were taxing to our runway when Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crashed in front of us.  Our plane stopped, engines shut down.  We could see all the emergency vehicles driving around us.

Eventually we were brought back to a terminal.  Captain came on the PA, told us what happened, and said "go to a service desk immediately."  

Turns out few in the airport, at that time, knew what happened... it wasn't announced yet. 

My wife ran to a United desk.  And we spent 4 hours attempting to get a flight.  The line behind us was REAL long.  After arguing with a service representative for an hour, I took over and my wife walked down the line looking for other passengers with cruise ship luggage tags.  Found 2 couples and brought them to the service desk.  Now with 6 people arguing... we had more leverage. 

By now, cruise ship was long gone.  Our plan was to get ahead of the ship and meet it at a port stop.

Finally, we were booked on 2 flights to Seattle, leaving near midnight.  Didn't get boarding passes yet.  Had to get them an hour before takeoff.  It was now 3:00pm.

Crash damaged the main runway.  Only a smaller runway remained in service, 727 & 737 planes only.  So ALOT of cancelled flights.  Area around the airport was locked down, because of the possibility the crash was caused by a terrorist attack.

Our checked luggage was still on the plane.  It would be taken off later after being inspected.  But we couldn't go get it.  Once we left the secure departure area... we couldn't get back in.

Everyone in the airport was upset.  Imagine... all flights cancelled... all day.  Cell phones ran out of power.  People were walking around with charger cords searching for a power outlet.  This was before airports installed charging areas.  We met a few people who witnessed the crash... they were traumatized.

The airlines handed out hotel vouchers.  But... we couldn't leave the airport due to the security lockdown.

At 10:00pm, we started looking for a United service desk that was open, to get boarding passes.  Everything was closed.  At 10:30, I spied a guy at a service desk, hunched down behind a computer monitor.  We ran over.  He refused to issue a boarding pass.  My wife SCREAMED at him.  Clearly shaken... he printed out 6 boarding passes for us.  One flight out had been cancelled.... only one remained.  We turned to leave.. and hoards of folks were running toward us.  Service rep shut off his computer... and ran off.  Crazy.  We hot-footed it out of there.

At the gate, a huge crowd of extremely pissed off travelers trying to get on... but lacked a boarding pass.  Security was everywhere.  We got onboard, and crossed our fingers. 

After landing in Seattle.  We slept in the terminal.  Then tried to find a flight to Juneau.  My wife found a 727 leaving soon...with 6 seats left!  We called Princess, our cruise line, for help.  They got all of us booked!  

We landed in Juneau on a nice, sunny day.  Booked a hotel, had a great salmon dinner.  Next morning the Diamond Princess arrived. 

Cruise ship personnel knew we were there to meet the ship, and had everything ready. 

Only thing missing..  our luggage.  We had our carry on only.  This was a cruise/land tour, about 11 days.  We visited a Walmart, and bought clothes and suitcases.

Cruise line refunded us for the 2 days we missed.  Very nice of them.... our being late wasn't their fault.  Also lent us formal clothes at no charge.  Princess is the best for Alaska cruising.

Last day of the cruise.... our luggage showed up.  There were all kinds of tags on them.  Our luggage had went to Vancouver.  Back to SFO.  Then to LAX.  Back to Ketchikan, then Anchorage, then back to Whittier, where we boarded our bubbletop train to Danali.  Now we had too much luggage.  Had to give away most everything we bought at Walmart.

We had expensive travel insurance.  I filed a claim for trip interruption, hotel charges, clothes, and replacement stuff we bought.  Insurance said: "Since you didn't make it to Vancouver and board the ship... your trip never started.  Thus, was not interrupted." Hotel chages were denied as well.  For the Walmart purchases:  We had to itemize every individual item, its cost, and who it was purchased for.  This took weeks to decider the Walmart receipts.  Then insurance wanted a letter from United airlines management why our flight was cancelled.  HELLO!  The San Francisco plane crash was news all over the world.  Insurance didn't care.  Took us quite a while to get an official cancelation letter.  After a year... we were reimbursed about $200.  

Lesson learned.  Expect the unexpected.  Don't count on Insurance.  Our group of 3 couples had different insurance.  One couple had none.  Another couple bought cruise ship offered insurance.  I had purchased insurance on my own through a top rated carrier.  None of it made a difference.  Cruise line paid our flights to Seattle and Juneau.  Hotel we paid ourselves. 

I’ve travelled 4 times once my surgery in January. Saint Lucia, Costa Rica, California, and BC. Each experience was identical. No issues with customs. I don’t even tell them I have a bag unless they put me in that machine. What’s the point. When they do find out they don’t care. Just a quick bomb swab. (From my experience) but that’s 8 airplanes. 🤗

just make sure you pack your supplies in your personal bag and pre-cut/prepare everything in advance.

Legally, no one working at the airport/airline is allowed to ask you what your medical condition/disability is.  I have a letter on my mychart on file from my Dr that I can print off if I need to replace (which I don't know where the last one I used is anyways) which I keep in my carry on just in case. Pack your supplies in your carry on and double what you need since you'll be out of country and it's not like you can walk into a pharmacy in the US and get your supplies either when traveling (one trip I was down to samples). The gate agent can clear you for medical preboard if you feel you need extra time for anything. You just say you have a medical condition and need preboarding, they don't need to know any more than that.   Enjoy!!!! :)

I had no issue with the ostomy scissors since they are short and blunt... (but I wouldnt chance it if I was anyone else.) Airport wasnt concerned. We dont see but the airlines know thousands of people a year will go through with an ostomy appliance or any other medical contraption on, artificial everything! Be prepared but mostly, dont worry!!! YES! Carry all your ostomy supplies on with you! That just makes ense.

Travel itself should not be much of a concern. In the last few years, I have travelled to Galapagos, Peru, and Tahiti, all of which were long distance international flights. When going through a scanner at TSA, they will likely see your pouch. They will ask you to step aside so that they can do a pat down. At that time, I inform the agent that I have an ostomy. I do not have a card that explains what an ostomy is. Make sure you take sufficient ostomy supplies. You may have difficulties getting them in Jamaica if you run short. 

Hello - I love chatting about travel. I've had an ileostomy for 39 years and I travel all the time. The few times I've been stopped going through security at the airport I explain my situation and they've let me go right away. I pack ostomy supplies in my check in luggage and I bring supplies with me on board in my carry on. Don't bring a pointed scissors make sure it's rounded or they'll take it away. Other than that nothing else has ever interferrred with travel. I snorkel, scuba dive, you name I've done it. If you need any suggestions for swimsuits that hide everything and still look normal message me. I have tons of info for clothing. You should never have to wear your appliance outside of your clothing. Lots of ways to hide it. Don't ever let having an ostomy stop you from doing what you want!!! I'm living proof you can do anything especially traveling!! Have fun!!

I would suggest learning the word for "ostomy bag" in the language of the country you're visiting.  I was going through security checkpoint in Amsterdam when an agent touched my bag and started speaking to me in his language.  I repeated "ostomy bag" over and over.  He and I were both getting frustrated when I said "Sh!% Bag".  He pushed me away and through the checkpoint, probably thinking I just swore at him.  As I was at the gate getting ready to board an English speaking agent pulled me aside for a second "random" body search.  I told her about the altercation at the checkpoint and we both had a good laugh.  Rome, Barcelona, Paris all had similar proceedures as noted above.  Rub pouch and swab for explosive residue.  I've since got TSA PreCheck and that doesn't even happen now.  I have a post on travelling suggestions with a bag.  The topic of flushing on a airline toilet might be particulary useful.  

Hope that helps.  Enjoy your trip and life

SharkFan

I am not finding "flushing on a airline toilet." Do you have a link, please?
Rhonda

Rhonda, 

It took awhile to find this.  It was actually a response to someone who asked if it was worth it to pay for a seat close to a bathroom.  He wanted other tips on airline flights.  Here was my response: 

I've flown quite a bit since surgery, 6 flights in the past two weeks including Dallas. Your bag will show up, pretty detailed, when going through the security checkpoint. Expect to be stopped. When I am I say "my ostomy bag right?" You'll then be asked to rub your hands over the area and they wipe your hand with a towelette. They put it in a chemical detector and give you the go-ahead when the results come back clear. I've never needed the card. It's just one more thing to fumble with ID, boarding pass etc. It's very discreet and fairly quick. Remember, it may be uncomfortable for the TSA agent also. They have been more than accommodating. My only problem was in the Netherlands when there was a language barrier. After answering "Ostomy bag" numerous times I gave the answer "S*# bag". Needless to say I was pulled into a room for a quick visual check. Even there they were very accommodating and apologetic.

As for asking for a seat next to the bathroom, if it makes you feel better, do it. I usually fly Southwest and pick my own seat on an aisle and near the back. On any other airline I book an aisle seat. Personally, I wouldn't feel comfortable telling someone about my condition if I didn't have to.

10 minutes before boarding I head to the airport bathroom to empty and check the pouch seal. Carry a supply bag containing EVERYTHING you need for an emergency bag change. I had that incident once. Upon seeing the seepage beginning I panicked. I took a deep breath, calmed down and was done within 5 min. Depending on what appliance you use bring a chemical "hot pack" to hold over the new bag. This is a typical bag used as a heat pack for a sore back or similar situation. Key to this process is to expect it to happen. If you do that you'll already have a plan on how you will handle it and just react. This should lower some of the anxiety.

Over the years I have become a "bag petter", gently wiping my bag to push any waste down into the bag. If the flight still has a couple of hours to go I may head to the bathroom. One thing I suggest is to put toilet paper on the bottom of the toilet before emptying. Urinate after. As airline toilets work with suction, you will find yourself pushing the flush button many times without any liquid to help move the matter. This happened to me once. Walking out after flushing 4x was pretty embarrassing. About half the plane stared at me with the look of "Are you okay/is it safe to go in there???"

I found flying was a lot easier than I figured. Keep that supply bag with your carry-on and you'll be fine.

Don't worry. Enjoy your trip.

SharkFan

I travel internationally for work. The TSA has done a marvelous job educating its staff regarding ostomies. I have never had an issue with an TSA agent not knowing what it is. Frankfurt airport is a nightmare with those idiots. I don't even bother explaining what it is anymore. "Can you take it off?" "Is this from surgery?" are some of the questions I've had to answer. I don't answer them anymore, I just simply walk to the privacy screening area and they follow along. Schipol (Amsterdam) is great. Riyadh is good because they don't have real security like much of the middle east.  I recommend taking all your ostomy supplies in your carry on. Lufthansa once lost my bags for a week (they never left Dallas). I had several weeks worth of supplies with me, but I still was anxious as I was staying in Riyadh for 2 months. Luckily, the lost baggage guy at King Khalid International had a brother with an ostomy and he found my bags and they showed up the next night. Lufthansa was worthless.

Regarding the word for ostomy in other languages, as noted by SharkFan above, the word "stoma" is usually used versus "ostomy."

Metal detectors don't prompt further scrutiny, but scanners (where you raise your hands over your head) always do. When the TSA person starts asking you about it, I tell them I have an ostomy. They then tell you to pat your hands, which they screen for explosives, just as others have said. It comes back negative, and you move on. No need for any card or further explanation.

Very helpful. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Thanks for updating your profile. Definitely inspiring. With your strong spirit and perseverance, you were able to surmount the physical afflictions affecting your life.