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Posted 5/4/2010 12:40 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone had to fly with an ostomy since the scanners were installed at a lot of airports?  Any advise - I'm flying in a couple of weeks and so nervous about it I'm thinking of canceling a non-refundable ticket and plans to see my elderly father - who I only see only once a year as it is! 

What was your experience?  Did you go scanner or regular security?  Were you given a hard time and embarrassed by the screeners? 

Many thanks!

Posted 5/4/2010 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
I went through the scanner just fine. There are no metal products to set anything off with the pouch.

I had all my supplies in my carry on, course I didn't have the scissors in it. Everything was cut packed and ready for a week in Florida.

I had read where the pouch would fill full of air during take off and it did not do this. I never eat much when flying anyway - just empty the bag before getting on the flight and you'll do fine.

Don't worry about a thing - just have a great time!

Posted 5/4/2010 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
daisy:  thanks a lot.  I've flown w/the ostomy before and not had a problem.  Then the scanners went in and we had the underwear idiot and my first thought was that I was going to have body-cavity searches every time I flew from then on.  I wasn't worried about metal but the bag hanging there and the security guy in the other location not knowing what the heck it was!!  Did you mention the ostomy to the security guard before you got in the scanner? 
Posted 5/4/2010 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
Go for it cleo! I went through and no one said anything. I was secretly disappointed that they didn't, I was all ready to whip my shirt up and show Oscar off. Seriously though, they've seen or heard about ostomy's before. No biggie. Just bring extra supplies in your carry on, no scissors of course, and you'll be fine!!!!!!!! Oh....and the pouch blowing up thing....old wives tail. The plane is pressurized, and if it loses pressurization you have more to worry about then wether or not your pouch is full.

-Allie
Posted 5/4/2010 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
Allison: Why would I bring the extra supplies in my carry on - to show that this is a real ostomy or are they going to ask me to remove the bag? I know I'm being ridiculous about this but I don't like surprises - which I know sounds strange coming from someone who's been dealing with crohns for 32+ years!
Posted 5/4/2010 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
I always carry my supplies in my carry on in case my luggage was lost. I sure didn't want to have to find a medical store and etc. when I got to where I was going.
Posted 5/4/2010 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all of the information. That makes sense.
Posted 5/4/2010 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
i dont fly, im skert (lol) but you should always take like twice as much as you think you need!
I have wondered about them seeing the bag too.
On oen thread a someone said that they put some kind of sticker thing on the outside of her bag to check the contents. I guess to make sure she wasnt smuggling drugs in it or something
Posted 5/5/2010 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
yeah, we could smuggle diamonds with these things! hehehe tongue

cleo, no worries, have a great visit with your dad!
Posted 5/5/2010 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Exactly as Daisy said, in case your luggage gets lost you have extras. Also, in case anything does happen in flight, you are covered.

-Allie
Posted 5/5/2010 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
lol cece thats one of the things on my list of unexpecected perks of having an ostomy!
Posted 5/5/2010 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
lol cece thats one of the things on my list of unexpecected perks of having an ostomy!
Posted 5/5/2010 11:02 AM (GMT 0)
haha diamonds!!

I don't worry about the scanners...no modesty left here!!!
Posted 5/5/2010 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
It's not a modesty issue - like all of you I lost that particular trait about 3 years into this disease :) I just don't want to get strip-searched; or ordered because the TSA guy down the hall doesn't know what he's looking at when he sees my scan. Which is why I wonder if I should mention the ostomy to the person running the scanner?
Posted 5/5/2010 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
it sounded like a modesty issue from your first post...sorry.

If you are interested, you can log on to the TSA/Homeland Security website and follow their directions. Letter from your doc, etc... There is a thread somewhere on here you can search for.

I've never had an issue with them and have never told anyone either...they are more worried about people taking their shoes off eyes

TSA shouldn't be the reason you don't go to visit your dad!
Posted 5/5/2010 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Everyone. Im about to go on my first commercial flight since becoming an ostomate. I was reading through this post, and saw that everyone said not to bring your scissors. I did a quick google search and found that the TSA addressed this some time ago. Its okay to bring them as long as they are accompanied by your other supplies.

http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2005/press_release_0617.shtm
Posted 5/6/2010 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
has anyone been on a cruise with their supplies? I'm going to put some in a carry on bag, they dont check your bags for cruises do they?
Posted 5/6/2010 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
Unless things have changed for security reasons, I've always carried my luggage onto cruise ships. You might want to log onto their website to see what they have to say about it. Cruising is so much fun. Where are you guys going? cool
Posted 5/6/2010 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
she said that we will drop it off and they will load it and bring it to us. Like we wont carry all our bags on, did you carry all of them?
We are going to the bahamas, or as michael says, we are going to see the bamas! which ends up sounding like the Obamas, and people look at us like, wow! how did they manage that! :D
Posted 5/6/2010 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
I was worried too but I had no problems. Its a good idea to have a vented bag/pouch. I also had to carry-on some liquid supplies but had no problem... Check out the airport's web site- Ostomies are covered under disabilities. So if you really want to avoid any possibility of being held up- you might want to talk to someone before hand.

Happy travels.
Posted 5/6/2010 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Ive been on a few cruises now. Before you even get in to the check in area, a porter will take your bags. Be prepared to tip about a dollar a bag, and then dont expect to see them again till after dinner. They will be sitting outside your stateroom door.

Yes, they will definitely check your bag. Its dealt with by the TSA, exactly the same as at the airport. Although this time they are looking for........Alcohol. They want to make lots and lots of cha ching, so they are looking big time for bottles of alcohol. You will even probably see a big bin full of bottles on your way in from stuff that was confiscated.

Have fun on your cruise.
Posted 5/6/2010 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
thanks john!
Thats what they did with our bags last time, but i didnt have a carry on, or have to worry about supplies, and thats been like 10 years ago!
Posted 5/7/2010 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
My husband had an ostomy for 21 years.  He used to fly a lot on business, probably at least 200 trips in that time.  What he would do is cut all his wafers beforhand.  He would then put his supplies in his carry on bag. As far as I know they never went through his carry on bag at the security check point.

 

Posted 5/8/2010 4:31 AM (GMT 0)
I never flew commercially with my ostomy, but I did fly in a private non pressurized plane, without any problems. with excess air. I did have to change it several times, while at the convention. I was absolutely worn out, but this was february, and i'd had emergency surgery and a blood clot in november.
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