TSA and flying

Has anyone had a poor experience with TSA? I recently went on a plane for the first time since surgery. I had a really tough time with TSA they had me lifting my shirt in front of a large group of people and probed me for a good 5 minutes. I fully understand security and how it need to be enforced but I was truly harassed. Has anyone else had an experience like this and does anyone have advice so I can avoid this embarrassment again? Thanks 

Contact their head off and tell them to train their staff better.

Regards IGGIE

I think TSA is part of homeland security... that woman wouldn't know proper procedure from habeas corpus. (Come on Americans, you know that's funny!)

Contact UOAA. They'll know the best way to file a complaint and may help you do it. 

Nope, never an issue. My bag pops up in the xray machine and I simply say I have an ostomy. They have me rub my hands over the area and then do an explosive swab test. Done in about 30 seconds and on my way. 

I found a card you show to TSA that explains what the bag is. 

Staying Hydrated with an Ostomy with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

I would guess that some of the first training they receive is about medical appliances so they don’t cause legal issues with those going thru TSA lines. 

In this instance procedure wasn't followed. They need to be held accountable.  It's unacceptable. 

Hi all i almost missed a flight from Alaska back to Michigan due to lazy tsa making me wait in a side room to do the swab of hands test, my wife knocked on the door and said last call to board so i just left and got on board.

Security, immigration, and customs are manned by all sorts of different people. Some take their jobs very seriously, some are a bit more understanding. Just like the many people you meet in life, some are nice, some are not. Amazingly, there is no set procedure for checking, it is as random as checking out every fifth passenger one day, every sixth one the next day and so on. Never been hassled at home airports, but have been through strict checks abroad sometimes and breezed through sometimes. I do look like a  middle east person and have a thick moustache which perhaps reminds some officials of what the villain looks like in many Hollywood movies. Have been lucky at most airports though. Best wishes and happy travels. 

Thanks appreciate it!

I had the card it didn’t make a bit of difference unfortunately

Thanks 

Thanks I put in a complaint and I’m waiting for a reply 

I always am up front and let them know about my pouch before stepping into the scanner.  I also always have to step aside, pat down and get my finger tips tested.  I'm okay with it.   I'd rather let them know prior and do the pat down then not say anything and be flagged I guess.  It's the world we live in unfortunately.

Good day: Canadian here. I've never had a problem in Canada; because I have a metal knee, I always let them know, and say I pee in a bag. I get the physical pat-down and wand (no Xrays for me), and they are careful around the ostomy,

When travelling via USA, I ALWAYS have a photo I took of my upper body down to my little friend, tell the agent if they want to see it in person I'll show. They then just wand me and pat around it. The xrays machine always shows it, and then it's the physical. I find the photo has always prevented anything else. Good luck! 

I've had TSA pull me aside because they thought I was trying to hide something in my pants. I told them I had an ostomy appliance and they asked what's an ostomy.

My experience is the same. Always been treated with respect. I usually fly out of major airports though. 
Good Luke in the future. 

I have flown once with my ostomy, from DTW to MSP. I hD printed out a card from the TSA website and stated on it that I had an ostom6bag. At DTW the agent thanked me for the card and after the scan then stabbed my finger tips, a very easy process. On the return trip I did the same thing prior to getting scanned, but the agent kind of ignored the card when I handed it to him. After exiting the scanner he says "where do you want to do this?" Not sure what he was was referring to I asked "do what?". He said I had something under my shirt and that he needed to search me, we could do it there or in private. I pointed to the card and said I told you I had something under my shirt. He again looked at the card and then called over a supervisor. The supervisor looked at the card, said thanks for the in and instructed the agent what to do and that he could not touch my bag. The agent I am assuming did not know what an ostomy bag was. TSA needs to train their agents.

Overall an easy process.

I have a card from UOAA but sometimes I still get pulled aside and they just pat me down and swab my hands. I tell them ahead of time before going into the scanner that I have an ostomy.  I've never had to pull up my shirt.  

Contact your local Congressperson!  Immediately!

They must respect your privacy and should have taken you to a private area. I have a card that states I have a "non-visible disability" and that stops anyone from going further usually 

You can get a TSA card for persons with a Disabilities Act card. I actually received mine from Coloplast when I asked for samples. They sent me a overnight bag for supplies, card was inside. It's good for security check and once boarded you show to flight attendant and you are able to use bathroom anytime you wanted 

Sad part is they were training an agent! 

🤦‍♀️

I've never had a real "problem", but I do get pulled aside quite often.  I tell them that I have an ostomy bag, so they rub my pants where the bag is, then they swab my hands with some type of bomb detecting stuff, and send me on my way.  The last couple of times I flew, surprisingly, I did not get stopped.

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Never had a broblem

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I've never had a problem with airports if they feel the need to do a more intamate search by law they must take you to a room to do this not in front of others I just make sure I have nothing that will set the alarm off when going through the scanner if they pad you down I just tell them i have stoma plus bag normally they just let you go on you way i have only traveled from the UK into Europe                                     save travels from me x

What do you mean by stabbed your finger tips?

It got to the point where I was so embarrassed I swore I would never get on a plane again. 

Fat fingers when typing. Meant to type "swabbed". That or darn auto correct.

Don't let this experience stop you. We can't let the ignorance of others limit us. 

I'm still mad for you. UOAA negotiated a process and it's supposed to be followed.  Grrr

That would be your choice.