airline security and silicone, uh, body parts?

Binney4

I know we had a thread about this awhile back, but I can't find it. Do we have to declare our boobs when going through security now, or what? I have to accompany a handicapped friend onto the plane on Monday and thought I'd better be ready for dealing gracefully with...whatever!

Thanks, all you world travelers!
Binney

Erica3681

I traveled by air recently and didn't declare anything. I was wearing my unweighted forms and had my silicone ones in my carry-on bag, which went through the x-ray machine. No problem. The only thing I'd be concerned about is that some weighted foam forms have metal in them to provide the weight. If I had that type, I definitely wouldn't wear them. Otherwise, I don't think silicone or foam or puffy forms are a problem. I certainly hope not. It's bad enough having to remove shoes, belts, etc., without having to take off our boobs!

djd

Binney,

I wouldn't worry about it. If there's no metal, you won't set off the alarm. Now, if you have a spare pair in your luggage, there's no guarantee you will not get screened and suffer the indignity of watching them paw around in your bag, but there's nothing illegal about carrying the implants with you.

AmryAnn47

Binny,
My boss gave me a vacation to Hawaii in January and I flew there & back and then flew between the 4 major islands with prosthesis on; however, I had to wrap for the LE since mine is so aggressive that my sleeve doesn't provide adequate compression for flying and I wasn't about to allow worsening of the LE to ruin my trip!
I was pulled over 4 times out of 6--twice in Hawaii by young female security examiners after I explained that the bandaging was for a side effect of breast cancer treatment. They both had just had questionable mammos recently and wanted just to talk about what they should do.
It was always the bandaging and not the prosthesis which caused the extra commotion and then all they did was just wand & then swab with the sensor pads to check out whether or not I had been in contact with explosive materials. Not nearly the problems some of the people had who were in wheel chairs or who had knee or hip replacements (even with the cards they had explaining the situation).
I don't think they would have noticed the prosthesis at all but the bandaging caused me to have to answer lots of extra questions(sigh) .
I decided to look upon it as an opportunity that God gave me to counsel the young women who were so scared at the airports and also to show anyone else that asked (and plenty did) that one can enjoy a full life despite cancer & LE!

roseg

I think the TSA site states that prosthesis are OK.
But I'd be prepared. I've found that security varies a lot depending on where you are. Less busy airports sometimes are fussier. I suspect you're ahead to wear it rather than carry it on.
www.tsa.gov

Binney4

Thanks, all! I made it through with no problems. My friend and her wheel chair were another matter, though...aaugh!

All's well that ends well .

Binney

notme

I flew recently with mine and there was no problem. My husband works for the TSA, so I asked him how to handle it if I were to alarm. If you alarm, you would be screened with the wand by a woman TSA officer. You could tell her that you have a prosthesis. Also, you can request a private screening where they would take you into a room instead of doing it in front of everyone.

notme

Binney4

to the top for the lymphedema gals who are starting to wonder how they're going to make it through security with their bandages...

Mcalot

Had a very funny experience going through a check point while riding my motorcycle back from Cabo in Baja California. The young armed guard asked me to open my saddle bag then step back. I had decided not to wear my prosthetics that day as it was very hot and had placed them neatly, nipples up, under a fleece. He pulled the fleece off and just about fainted. He stepped back and told me to close my bag and that I could go. He walked over to the other soldiers and talked with them- they all just stared at me as I put on my helmet. My husband and friends continued to have every inch of their bikes searched. When we all gathered up a few miles after the check point we all had a good laugh!

OLBinNJ

The last time I flew, there was much discussion among the screeners (3!) looking at my carry on contents. They kept whispering and one of them kept saying "No, it's OK". I don't think the others had any idea what they were looking at, but at least they didn't make too much of a scene.

SoCalLisa

I have had my prosthesis now for six years and travel alot all over the world..I have never been questioned..

Binney4

OLB and Laurie, thanks for the chuckles! I'm heading north to AK in a couple of weeks, and I'll just have to remember to pack my sense of humor!
Binney

konquer

I wear those wonderful knitted prosthesis. I love them! They are soft, lightweight and cool. I tuck them in a sassybax bra- its been a wonderful combination, Anyway this spring as I was going through security I set off the metal detector. During the "wanding" process it became apparent that my knitties have a small metal button in the middle. Now I just pull them out of my bra and throw them in the tray with my shoes.  It is so easy. When I put my shoes on I just put my knitties back in my bra! Few people even notice. 

I don't  get many strange looks- even when I am wearing the ones that look like watermelons! But it amuses me to wonder what the TSA people think!

Binney4

Oh, konquer, that's wonderful! I'll bet it's true few people even notice--they're too busy fussing with their own concerns. But what do you imagine the TSA folks think they're seeing in the tray with your shoes? Hmmmm! But I agree, it is really a lot easier dealing with the knittties than the silicone.



The ones that look like watermelons, huh? Green at the bottom and red for the rest, perhaps? Your summer prosthesis, right? Macy and I were just talking about making some orange ones with faces for halloween...



Love it! Thanks for posting,

Binney

sahalie

Binney, Your sense of humor cracks me up.

I will be out of the country as of Oct. 9.  I didn't reconstruct so wonder if I could use the space for carry on.  Naw,

I bet the security people have seen everything possible. 

Happy travels everyone. 

purplemb

ohhhh halloween knitties....what a great idea...and christmas tree ones, ohhh and easter eggs.....lol....boy I must learn to knit faster....

MB  a true lover of knitty titty's

Ter

Oh I just remembered, I was told about a year ago when i flew up to Wash State by a member here to wear those tight arm things, due to the altitude, and not to take them off until an hr or so after you have landed etc..I wore mine due to lymphodema and kept it on and no problems..

Have a good time where ever you go to Binney.

hugs

Ter