[Forwarded from a friend of mine. "bravebuddies" is a support group for parents of children with juvenile diabetes. Interesting that French security is just as intrusive as TSA.]
To: bravebuddies@yahoogroups.com
Hi there,
I was going to post this after our travels last summer, and forgot, but thought now might be the right time. Before we left of vacation last year I prepared Jordan for all the security measures that she might be subjected to. Turns out we were in for a few surprises!
San Francisco to London: TSA spots the bulge from her pump and asks her to remove her cell phone. Once they learn it's an insulin pump she is pulled aside for a pat down. I go through security and wait by the exit for her. While she is waiting for a female agent I am repeatedly ordered out of the area. I kept smiling and saying that I'm waiting for my child. Third warning to me comes with a threat to call the supervisor. I tell him to do what he needs to do, but I'm not leaving my daughter unattended. The old style pat down takes place and I leave with Jordan before the supervisor arrives.
Paris to Washington DC: The Paris security spots Jordan's pump and pulls her aside for the special screening. I run into the same issue with them wanting me to leave. The screening in Paris is closer to what our new screening will be - and when the agent grabs the waistband of her sweats and pulls them forward to look down Jordan's pants I was shocked. Luckily it was over before I could react because my instinct was to rip her hands off my daughter. Jordan was horrified and she still talks about how violated she felt. Meanwhile as we're on the jetway boarding the plane an agent decides to pull me out of line and rescreen me. First order of business was to take my passport. It was a very long, completely thorough search/question session. Meanwhile my other daughter who was with me at the time was being ordered onto the plane (in French so she didn't understand) without me. Poor kid looked terrified. I was finally given my passport back and allowed to board the plane.
Washington DC to San Francisco: Once again Jordan is pat searched. This time no one is yelling for me to move along! After the search they take her to another area and have her handle her pump. After she does they wiped her hand with a tissue and ran it through a machine. They weren't rude but they didn't explain what they were doing and she was really confused.
So, my advice is that you talk to your child, maybe practice the pat down so they know what it will feel like. Explain that they might want to wipe their hands with a tissue and why. Jordan has never been allowed to just walk through the detector or be wanded... they have always pat searched her. Be ready to stand your ground should security want to force you to leave your child unattended, but explain to your child that while you won't leave the area, you won't be able to stay right with them. Prepare them for the chance that you are the one that is being selected for special screening and make sure they wait somewhere where they can see you. If you're going to major tourist destinations expect tight security screening there as well (the vatican for example). Btw, we never had any questions about all our supplies that went through the x-ray machines.
I was surprised by my visceral reaction to the search of my daughter in France and I'm not sure I can stomach someone touching her breasts and groin they next time we fly in the US. And if she is forced to endure that on every leg of every flight we ever take... we just might be driving everywhere for the next few years!
Happy Travels :-)