implanted medical devices - airport security

[Himeno]

After a problem yesterday and going to the hospital, I ended up having a SPC installed until the specialists can arrange a surgeon (in Sydney) to fix the underlying problem. Hopefully that will fix the problem and the tube can be removed, however arranging that is expected to take 4-6 weeks and I have a short trip to Tokyo in 3.

Everyone at the hospital said that traveling with the SPC was fine. I've never had to deal with anything like this before. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with a similar device going through screening and flying in general.

My trip is on QF/JL, going through checkpoints at CBR, SYD, HND, SIN and MEL.

 

[drron]

Mrsdrron had a loop recorder implanted 6 days before our current trip. Has been through 3 security points with no problems.

 

[DejaBrew]

Sorry to hear you needed a hospital trip on Christmas Day

If you don’t already have one, it might be worth considering obtaining a letter from your GP or relevant medical specialist re: the temp device should any of the security checkpoints have an issue.

 

[elanshin]

Sorry to hear your situation and hope everything works out.

Sorry to hear you needed a hospital trip on Christmas Day

If you don’t already have one, it might be worth considering obtaining a letter from your GP or relevant medical specialist re: the temp device should any of the security checkpoints have an issue.

I remember reading/watching a case at MEL domestic where the security didn't care, even with letters that this was a required diabetic device for the safety of the child and that is annoyingly hard to remove/put back. They just forced a kid to take it off and wouldn't budge.

Supposedly there was upper management discussion post the incident about future incidents. Alot of the issue supposed arise from not having a national framework for medical devices and thus is up to each individual airport (and people on duty).

 

[Himeno]

That's unexpected.

Prior to the issue on the weekend, I was looking at quotes for travel insurance for this trip, but wasn't able to select anything before. So now I have to find something which will cover the issue, which involves a medical assessment.

All the places I've gotten travel insurance from in the past either won't cover any pre existing medical conditions if they aren't listed as automatically approved on the PDS or don't list the condition in their assessment condition database.

I just checked Qantas Insurance and they list it (or rather they list the inserted device then confirm that it wasn't inserted due to cancer).
Never gotten insurance through Qantas before. I guess this time I don't have a choice.

 

[Quickstatus]

SPC is all plastic - no metal bits . The mm Wave detectors will see the outside bits though. Just get a Drs letter. Happy to chat off forum

 

[Seat0B]

I hope you are feeling better @Himeno and well enough to travel.

 

[Himeno]

I'm feeling alright. It's mostly annoying with this tube and bag and working out/getting used to when I need to empty it.

The hospital doctors told me 2 weeks off work, but put 5/12/2024 as the end date by mistake (instead of 5/1/2024), so work won't let me go back until I have something newer to override that certificate.

Everyone thinks I should be in more pain then I am.

With how I've been over the last few days, I don't see any major issues with traveling. The main concern I have for now (besides possible issues at security checkpoints) is that the event I'm going to on the trip means 3-4 hours without quick access to a bathroom and thus far I've been needing to empty the bag every 2-3 hours.

 

[Quickstatus]

Unfortunately a leg bag cannot hold as much as usual bladder

 

[Himeno]

On this trip now.

CBR just did a etd swab on the area, didn't touch anything near the bag or tube.

SYD T1 took me to a private room.

 

[elanshin]

On this trip now.

CBR just did a etd swab on the area, didn't touch anything near the bag or tube.

SYD T1 took me to a private room.

Hopefully it won't cause you too much trouble (and HND/SIN security isn't too much trouble either on the way back).

Enjoy your trip.

 

[Himeno]

Hopefully it won't cause you too much trouble (and HND/SIN security isn't too much trouble either on the way back).

Enjoy your trip.

Given the report a few weeks ago, I'm more worried about MEL T1.

 

[Quickstatus]

thus far I've been needing to empty the bag every 2-3 hours.

What's your current solution?

 

[Himeno]

What's your current solution?

I've been getting 3-4 hours out of it lately. It's a 500ml bag, been emptying before it gets past 250ish. 350ish has been fine over the last few days

 

[Quickstatus]

500ml

I checked at work, apparently there are 750ml bags. Moot point as I understand you are now travelling.

 

[Himeno]

I checked at work, apparently there are 750ml bags. Moot point as I understand you are now travelling.

I got 2 500ml and 1 2l bag from the hospital, then the community nurse gave me another 2l and a bag of 500mls.

Would be nice if I have a date for the surgery and removing the tube when I get back.

 

[Quickstatus]

2L is big for leg bag

It's that time of the year unfortunately

 

[Himeno]

Didn't have any problems with security at HND or SIN.
MEL randomly tagged me for ETD, and both my cabin bags got pulled for manual checks.
They complained about having too many AAA batteries (which has never been a problem at any checkpoint I've been to before, including the same MEL T1 checkpoint).

 

[Seat0B]

They complained about having too many AAA batteries (which has never been a problem at any checkpoint I've been to before, including the same MEL T1 checkpoint).

I swear that security also lives by the QF motto of consistently inconsistent. I find this sort of thing very very annoying when I travel. I try not to, but I actually do

 

[elanshin]

They complained about having too many AAA batteries (which has never been a problem at any checkpoint I've been to before, including the same MEL T1 checkpoint).

I generally just fly without the batteries these days (and it's lighter!) and purchase in Japan as needed. Although that has resulted in a dumb moment in Singapore where I forgot to buy AAAs and had to run around a mall just before the event looking for places that sold them. (could you believe Donki SG doesn't carry AAA?!?)

Post automatically merged: Jan 19, 2024

I swear that security also lives by the QF motto of consistently inconsistent. I find this sort of thing very very annoying when I travel. I try not to, but I actually do

Wait til you see PVG. I went through there twice in 3 days.
One time I emptied half my bag in addition to what I already set aside.
The second I emptied literally everything . Cable coils, umbrella, power plugs, chrome cast - they were all NG this round.

Same bag, same items and on the first pass I emptied what I would do for normal Int'l security.