Hi Dianne,

I have flown several times with my ostomy.  Most of the time, they don't even notice and I go right through the line.  I make sure to empty before I go through security.  I have been stopped twice.  The first time, she said they noticed something on my stomach.  I told her it was an ostomy.  She said she would have to test my hands and put this stuff on my hands, waited just a bit, tested my hands, and when it was negative, I was allowed to continue on.  Just a little inconvenient because by that time all your stuff on the conveyor belt has backed up.   The second time, the same thing happened but I was told they would have to see it and was given two options: 1) go to a private room and show them 2) just lift up my shirt a little and show them the top and move on. I was in a hurry to catch my flight, and while somewhat annoyed, I just did the second, and she nodded and moved through quickly.  But like I said, MOST of the time, they have not said a word.  Good luck to your son.  I have seen your posts and I truly hope he has some relief for a while.

Keep moving, thank you.  I warned my son and husband.  He was going to call TSA and see what he can find out.  I'm also going to get a note from the doctor.  Good thing I won't be there because I'm likely to get pissy with them!

thanks again,

dianne

ATXGuy, thank you so much.  That will be a huge help.

everyone here is so nice and helpful.  What a great bunch of people all of you are, thank you!

Hi Diane, I've flown frequently since getting my ostomy.  I find that with the body scanners my ostomy always shows up, so I've developed a very easy method that has worked countless times.  I just verbally (quietly) let the TSA agent who is immediately next to the scanner know I have an ostomy and where I have my medical supplies ("Hi sir, I have an ostomy that's going to show up on your scanner.  Also, my medical supplies are located in that blue bag over there.").  

Experienced agents just have me touch my clothes over the bag with my hands and then test my fingers for bomb residue, as well as testing any liquids I carry over 3 oz (wound cleaner) if I'm carrying them.  Only once I got a light patdown, but it turned out it was the agent's first day and she didn't know what to do.  The whole thing takes an extra 90 seconds to 2 minutes usually, and everyone is really nice about it.  It makes me wish I could bring a camera along to show people that it's not nearly as bad as you might think (I wish I knew before I flew that first time, since I was so nervous!).

Hope that helps you and your son!

It really depends on the airport.  I recently flew to Tampa and they were using a canine and everyone waiting in line was sniffed by that dog, I presume for drugs and explosives.  Fortunately I did not see the canine (looked like a German Sheperd) alert to anything.  He sort of did a quick sniff of me and moved on.  I don't know how a dog like that would react to an ostomy but I would certainly tell the TSA agent before he gets to you.

Hopeful11, thank you!  I mentioned to him that they may question him, but not to get upset.  See, he also has Aspergers, so I have to warn him of every possible situation.   And as luck would have it, the kid gets to fly first class!  I'm so pissed, I've never flown first class.  This is his second time!  I used points for the flights and he and my husband were upgraded to first class.  Why can't I have that kind of luck!