Airport Security Experiences: Share Your Stories!

I travel often, and the only problem I've had (and it was minor), was in Amsterdam. The body scanner revealed my bag and I was asked to step aside. The gentleman said "there's something here", and pointed to my bag. I said "it's an ostomy pouch, would you like to see it?" He was satisfied with that explanation and sent me on my way. I was asked about it once at an American airport (sorry...don't recall which one), and I asked to have privacy, and that was enough to wave me through. I think it was Detroit. I agree with the previous posters: just be bold. It seems to be more embarrassing for the security person than it does for you. I think they've finally gotten the message (at least in America), that we're all different, and there's no need to be rude to us, or assume the worst right off the bat.

Here's where my biggest issue occurred: At Heathrow...but that was because I fertilized my roses before I left the US. Fertilizer residue was detected on my carry-on. Let me tell ya...that's way worse than traveling with an ostomy pouch. Fortunately, I was at the airport plenty early, 'cause that took some explaining.

I'm presently in Jamaica, vacationing with my kids and having a ball, despite having a blowout yesterday. But as they say down here "every little ting, gonna be all right."

Google Travel or Flying with Ostomy or Colostomy and download check bag tags for airport security. They do work.

No Stress Air Travel is a site where you can get TSA cards and great info on security. https:///take-stress-air-travel-ostomy/

https://take-stress-air-travel-ostomy/

Has great info on airport security as well as TSA travel cards etc.

I flew out of the country with my family a few weeks ago. No problems. I carried a blue TSA card. Showed it to the agents upon entering the scanner. They patted me down gently and had me rub my hands on the outside of my shirt and checked my hands for explosives. No problems whatsoever.