www.incontinentsupport.org

I've seen much written about the new airport body scanners that are designed to detect underwear bombers, but no mention about how adult diapers go through the process. Has anyone flown recently? These new procedures are only a few weeks old. I've never had any trouble going through airport security, even with diapers in my carry-on bag, but has that changed? I read on one forum that one person was asked to strip but when spare diapers were found in his carry-on bag, they stopped the procedure and let the guy go on. That seems a bit scary to me. I've traveled with work associated and I don't feel I should have to reveal my medical condition just to get past security. Anyone have first hand experience?

I've not flown recently but if I need to I will and whatever they need to do to get me on that plane it what I'll do. I will probably see these TSA people one time in my life and if they ask any questions I'll answer whatever they need to know. I'm sure they see a lot of different things and I'm sure they see a lot of people protected downstairs. They probably could care less. They are looking for explosive devices or things that can hurt other people.

Don - I understand and agree that one doesn't have much choice when you need to travel but be aware, these new procedures are designed to detect "underwear bombs". I'm no expert on them, but one has to assume they are thick and located where people wear underwear, does that sound familiar? Beyond that, I have no idea what these underwear bombs look like, nor I expect does the TSA. I'm sure they can tell the difference between underwear bombs and adult diapers but at what point do they make that determination and what degree of humiliation does one go through to get to that determination? I'm sure that they get people wearing diapers fairly frequently, but I'm trying to gauge how TSA deals with this and what the traveler needs to do to limit ones exposure.

Hiya,
Personally I think there is a heck of difference between even the bulkiest adult nappy and explosives!
Like i am sure that the stuffing of a nappy is very different to the bulk of C4.

Here is a website which has pictures of the so called 'naked scanner'
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/11/giz-scans/

you can see that its not really naked at all, not inb the strictest sense as far as i can make out.

Mike[/img]

Hi Mike

Not sure what they are doing in Ireland, but apparently the US scanners are a little more anatomical

http://blog.tsa.gov/2009/08/imaging-technolgy-bigger-picture.html

The primary purpose is to find hidden devices anywhere on the body. It is obvious that a thick diaper is not the same as explosive underwear but what does it take to determine that? If they look at thickness of underwear, they will get very interested in a disposable diaper. Do they want a strip search? Do they pat you down to make sure there is a diaper? What about the state of the diaper? I am just wondering if people have gone through one of these new security screenings? I am likely to tell them I'm wearing a diaper, but if I'm with work colleagues, must I admit it in front of them or is there reasonable privacy? I think these are important questions that need to be asked and this forum is the perfect place to discuss them.

You must declare a medical issue. Then you tell them you want a private room. The TSA employees are aware of what you mean and will conduct a search in private. They are supposed to be trained to handle these situations. If you cannot control the problem you have then you should not be concerned of the extra measures the TSA has to go through to insure the safety of others. From what I have read you can quietly say you have a medical issue and they are supposed to respond with your dignity as top priority

Thanks Don, that help. Still interested in hearing from others who have been through the gauntlet

This link takes you to the TSA website and the medical end of things. View the video as the TSA has put in a medical line also:


http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... index.shtm

Hi again Dangoch,
I didnt realize the clarity was so clear, but again, there must be a difference between a nappy and someone strapped to the hilt with C4 or whatever.

I did write someplace else here, that the authorities are caught between a rock and hard place, plane blows up, they get accussed of not doing enough, they bring in all this technology, then they get accussed of invading peoples privecy. it is a battle they cant win on either moral ground.

I do understand peoples concerns about their incontinence and other medical problems being exposed, I have thse concerns as well!
But i wouldnt stand there and say if asked what is that? 'well hey i wet and soil my pants' in front of everyone. But i truely would have no problem saying i have medical issues, if you need to talk more about it will have to be in private.

the last two times i have travelled i have gotten a doctors letter listing my medical conditions and the treatment and management as well. never been asked for it, but i think it is a back up anyway.

but when you think about it, there are over three hundered and fifty oddn thousand people who suffer with incontinence in ireland, and that is outgoing, mobile people who travel, aged between 10 and 70 years old. england many more because of larger population, USA moreso, china moreso yet again.. surely we dont think that the airport authorities havent encountered passengers wearing all kinds of protection before?
I would certainly hope that they would be taught discretion as part of their training?

one would hope so!

Mike

Well today is the day that the public is supposed to boycott the TSA lines. I'm sure glad that I'm not flying out anywhere. If it happens it is going to cause a lot of delays. Should be interesting.