Yesterday, Wandering Aramean posted about a change to TSA’s longstanding policy on “opting out” of Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) scanning at the airport. Some travelers opt out of AIT screening for principled reasons and some opt out because they really think the machine increases cancer risk. Others, like myself, opt out because they wear an insulin pump.
Image courtesy of Medtronic
Some time ago I wrote a post about traveling with an insulin pump and “opting out.” It’s never been a real problem. However, let’s take a look at the most recent policy change on AIT scanning with a specific focus on this:
“TSA is updating the AIT PIA to reflect a change to the operating protocol regarding the ability of individuals to opt out of AIT screening in favor of physical screening. While passengers may generally decline AIT screening in favor of physical screening, TSA may direct mandatory AIT screening for some passengers as warranted by security considerations in order to safeguard transportation security.” (emphasis mine)
Why This Matters
I am not particularly “afraid” of AIT scanning. I could care less about privacy concerns. I do care about this information from the manufacturer of my insulin pump:
I’ve had more TSA agents than I can count tell me that the scanners will not harm my insulin pump while the manufacturer maintains otherwise. Further, news articles like this one and others lead me to believe that playing it safe by continuing to “opt out” of AIT screening is the best option.
I normally get PreCheck, and just pass through a metal detector, but sometimes I’m “randomly selected for additional screening” and directed to an AIT scanner which I politely opt out of. Will I continue to be able to do so? I don’t really know, but this is definitely a point of discussion for those of us that travel with diabetes controlled by insulin pumps.
-MJ, December 23, 2015
Read this, http://www.loop-blog.com/tsa-screenings-update-for-people-with-diabetes/#comment-6277 Yes, this continues, as of today, july 7, 2016, to be a problem. Medtronic will tell you verbally, and in this blog (replies) not to expose the pumps and CGM transmitters, to the airport scanners, even the newer ones without Xray technology. HOWEVER, they do not provide us with anything official in writing to state that this is the case regardless of the presence of X-ray technology or not in those scanners. It is incredibly frustrating. I posted on this issue about a year ago, and we are in the same boat. I just posted another comment… Read more »
Now that X-ray body scanner (imposing blue blocks) have long been phased out in favor of the millimeter wave scanner (the teleporter tubes), airport scanners all use radio waves instead of X-ray. So the risk to medical devices is more similar to using a cell phone or WiFi device nearby (which could be still be bad for some devices like pacemakers).
Your manufacture seems to be specific in warning about X-rays, so it’s probably safe from the millimeter wave scanner. If you don’t like body scanners on principle, the medical device argument probably won’t be a good reason today.
LHP,
I’ve been leaning towards that conclusion too, but I can’t get an answer out of Medtronic. Leads me to think they may not have tested with the newer AIT machines. Those blue block things just looked dangerous.
Thanks as always for bringing up the implications for diabetics with pumps. Before our last trip, I had a long chat on the phone with the TSA. The agent reminded me that I could always request to speak to the supervisor in charge of the screening area if I was concerned about protocol. Luckily, our 10 year old son is getting used to the extra pat downs and is starting to speak up (calmly) for himself – and we haven’t had the experience where he’s pulled some feet away crying and I’m being cautioned to be quiet and stay put… Read more »
[…] will now not always let you “opt out” of the nude-O-scope. This can be really bad for those who have an insulin pump that could be broken by the machine and TSA will not pay to fix it if they do break it. There are […]
As someone who normally does 100+ segments a year I care about privacy and exposure and will opt out. If I miss a flight, I will be calling the news and blogging it I can promise you!