Traveling with an ostomy pouch can sometimes be a bit challenging, especially when it comes to airport security checks. Here's a story of someone who had to go through a secondary search at the airport, and some helpful tips and advice for making your air travel experience smoother.

- Carry an ostomy travel card. The United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) offers a free, TSA-approved card that you can print from their website. ConvaTec also provides free samples, a travel-information video, and two cards—one for airport security and one for airline cabin crews.

- Understand TSA procedures and your rights. While a card or doctor’s letter won’t prevent a search, it can alert officers and potentially make the process quicker and more comfortable. You can request a private room, a same-gender officer, and have a traveling companion with you. You also have the option to decline the body scanner and opt for a pat-down instead, though this may vary by airport.

- Prepare before reaching the checkpoint. Make sure to empty or drain your pouch before going through security. Inform the officer at the x-ray queue that you have an ostomy pouch or a medical device attached to your abdomen before stepping into the scanner. Keep your supplies handy in your carry-on luggage in case of leaks or detachment.

- Be aware that smaller or less-busy airports might have staff with less training on ostomies, so you might find more consistency at larger international hubs.

- Many travelers find that proactively declaring their pouch, maintaining a calm or humorous attitude, and cooperating with hand-swab testing leads to respectful treatment.

- Remember, letters from surgeons or even airline presidents won’t override TSA protocol, so it’s best to rely on the official TSA-recognized card rather than personal letters alone.

- If you prefer, you can plan your itineraries through regions where pat-downs are less intrusive, such as Europe or Asia, or choose routes that avoid U.S. transfer points.

- For managing your pouch and luggage, consider using Hollister 78500 deodorant drops to control odor, Ileo-Gel packets to thicken liquid output and reduce noise and ballooning, and “No2 by Poo-Pourri” pocket spray to mask restroom odor.

- Lastly, consider advocating for clearer TSA guidance and ostomy-specific training by writing or emailing your federal legislators.