www.incontinentsupport.org

Hi all,

Last night we came home from seeing our youngest receive his Ph.D in Phoenix, Arizona. Proud parents!

Trip went reasonably smoothly and we were TSA pre-checked both going to and from. I flashed a TSA card saying that I wear diapers to one inspector and he just waved me past.

I tried some timed-voiding to extend the useful time of my diaper and had some success. I made it to the toilet the first couple of times going each way, and then did not, but I was able to complete the trip on only one diaper - better than I had predicted.

Now - on to the mystery. I checked two bags. One normal bag full of clothes and one full of diapers, absorbent pads, tape, rash cream, etc. I use cable ties to lock the bag as they give me indelible proof that TSA or other party has been into my bags. Here is the mystery - TSA searched the same bag both outbound and returning!! That defies the odds of chance, so, what did they scan inside that bag that triggered their interest?

The bag contained, in addition to a bunch of diapers and pull-ups, an emergency change of clothes, a bungee cord and plastic chain, an empty one-quart bucket, an enema syringe with a large nozzle (these latter three for my enemas), a bottle of Miralax, and a portable bathroom grab bar with suction cups.

I can only surmise that the grab bar probably has a metal rod inside the plastic which would show up on an X-ray. However, that should not trigger an inspection - or would it?

In another forum, someone previously speculated that, while a couple of diapers arouse no TSA interest, that a suitcase contains enough diapers that all of the absorbent gel crystals together somehow appear or are sensed as something more sinister.

That is your mystery - I would love to hear some theories!

--John

I really have no theory as I have yet to finish my morning coffee. but that is a mystery. were these checked bags that got searched? I'm sure something triggered the search for sure.

_________________
"Why is the rum always gone?" - Captain Jack Sparrow

"There is no human problem which could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise." -
Gore Vidal

Yes, checked bags and with both of us receiving a TSA Pre-check!

I have travelled before with lots of diapers and with no problems. This is the first time with the grab-bar. After my back surgery I use it not only when entering the shower, but also to help me get up off the floor after my enemas.

Creative thoughts?

--John

John, I'm sorry that happened. I'm guessing that it was just happenstance. On a trip to Williamsburg, VA in I think 2010 (before my stroke and subsequent need for protection went beyond pads & cotton underwear), my carry-on was searched twice at the Atlanta airport, both en-route to and from VA. The flight in was a connecting flight, and I was detained (not interrogated) for 20 minutes while they took my bag to another location and searched it (thoroughly). My husband, who was just ahead of me, had no problem. I never got an explanation.

Alternatively, the chain, bucket, enema kit and diapers may have led someone's mind to somewhere it shouldn't have gone. A few years ago, a woman packed a sex toy in a checked bag. It went off and triggered a bomb search as she was hauled off the plane and questioned on the tarmac with the other passengers watching.

Wetters

P.S. Congratulations and Best Wishes to your son.

Hi Wetters! Interesting story.

Yes, I admit the possibility of pure curiosity on the part of the TSA folks. However, in contrast, I always carry my primary enema kit in my carryon backpack and it has a BIG nozzle - really. Big enough that it is embarrassing beyond just being enema gear. It has to show up on the scanner. Yet no one has ever asked to inspect the backpack! Go figure. Of course, when we are going through the pre-flight TSA checkpoint they have little time to indulge in mere curiosity.

--John

My post-stroke travel supplies include pull-ups, a couple of surface bed pads, my glucometer/kit, and a med box, the size of which rivals that of a small pharmacy. It contains oral meds, eye drops (3) for glaucoma, insulin and syringes. I've never had the slightest problem with TSA with any of it in my carry-on (I never check luggage).

btw, I'm happy to hear that you had a great visit with your son.

Wetters

Could have been just about any of your items, from the creams to the nozzle and bucket... would loved to have been a fly on the wall when they opened that one up! Puffy

_________________
Puffy
BC, Canada
Fighting the "Bladder Battle" since 1995

I think you are right Puffy. Unfortunately I will never know for sure.

--John

I am suspecting it was the bottle of MiraLax. If that bottle was more than 3 ounces, you have your answer.

_________________
- Tom

Tom, the 3-ounce limit does not apply to the contents of checked baggage. Is it possible that when X-rayed the Miralax powder resembles something else more sinister?

--John