Flying with prosthesis and opting out of airline screening

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georgie1112
georgie1112 Member Posts: 282
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy


I always ask for a pat down to avoid radiation as it isn't good for us. I will be flying this month and wonder if I should not wear my foobs? I would hate to have the TSA agent make me strip. Anyone else have experience with opting out of the radiation screening wearing a prosthesis?


Georgie

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  • Myleftboob
    Myleftboob Member Posts: 1,469
    edited November 2013


    I hope someone answers soon. Looking to travel to the US this winter and never really thought about it

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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited November 2013


    Most of the x-ray type radiation machines have been replaced by millimeter wave radiation technology, which I'm not as concerned about. I used to opt out of the prior machines and I never really had a problem. I always was patted down in public (I'm not modest, though privacy was offered), always by a female TSA agent, and they were always (except once) respectful (even that time the person barely touched the breast forms). Now I go through the millimeter wave machines and have never had a problem because of breast forms (once I was briefly patted because of a metal design on the back of my jeans--won't wear those through security again!). For me, though the security rules in general add a layer of hassle, I would never let it stop me from traveling. The biggest challenge to me regarding a pat-down is to make sure I keep the items I'm carrying in sight at all times. Sometimes, the agents have actually brought the items over to me.

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  • georgie1112
    georgie1112 Member Posts: 282
    edited November 2013


    Erica,


    Good to know you could have a pat down with your prosthesis. I won't go through the machines. I don't trust they are safe or calibrated from what I have read. It won't stop me from flying at all. I just want to minimize being embarassed.


    Thanks,


    Georgie

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  • georgie1112
    georgie1112 Member Posts: 282
    edited November 2013


    Thought I would google this and found TSA is not supposed to ask you to remove your prosthesis. But going through the screening machine, they may ask you to go through a pat down. They have a form you can print out to give to the TSA agent explaining you have a breast prosthesis so you don't have to say it in front of other people.


    Komen reports women have been asked to remove their prosthesis and have felt humiliated. Komen is interested in getting information on women's experiences, good and bad. Here is the TSA link that says you should not be asked to remove your prosthesis:


    http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/what-expect-if-you-are-breast-cancer-survivor


    http://ww5.komen.org/KomenNewsArticle.aspx?id=6442452866

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  • beacon800
    beacon800 Member Posts: 922
    edited November 2013


    Have flown numerous times with bilateral forms on. Never had any trouble. I always ask for the pat down cause I fear the machines (not because of the forms but because I don't think they are well understood). It's been very easy. They ask if you have any "medical devices" on your person, and I always say "no". I figure a heavily padded bra does not count for this!


    Don't worry too much, as I've been fine in a wide range of west and east coast airports.

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  • georgie1112
    georgie1112 Member Posts: 282
    edited November 2013


    Beacon 800,


    That is such great news. Thanks for the suggestion to say I do not have any medical devices! I'm sure they TSA feels plenty of bras that have foam inserts... Deep breath and one less thing to stress about! I agree with you about the machines. I already had radiation so I try to avoid any more.


    Georgie

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  • Mardibra
    Mardibra Member Posts: 1,111
    edited November 2013


    I travel quite a bit for work and I have never had a problem. If by chance I am pulled out for a pat down I simply tell the TSA agent that I am wearing a prosthetic. No problems ever.

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited November 2013


    I was going to respond exactly like Mardibra. I've never had a problem flying wearing them.





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  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited November 2013


    I have been pulled out of line for the full body scan. I told them about my prosthesis and wig and opted for the pat down. No biggie! I was more embarrassed by my son yelling out "do you have to take your wig off?" As we were removing our shoes!!

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  • georgie1112
    georgie1112 Member Posts: 282
    edited November 2013


    Thanks Jenjenl, Mardibra, Shoppygirl! Shoppygirl, had to laugh at your son's comment! Glad to know everyone here has had an easy time of it.

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  • georgie1112
    georgie1112 Member Posts: 282
    edited November 2013


    happy to say flying with a prosthesis was easy as others have said. Just asked for a pat down and I say I didn't have any external medical devices. I don't consider a prosthesis a medical device. TSA very kind. They didn't touch the padded part of the bra. Phew. The things I worry about.


    Thanks and hope everyone has just as easy a time as I had. Just worried about having to share that I had fake boobs in public around strangers!


    Happy holidays.

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  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited November 2013


    Georgie


    Glad everything went well!

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