Airport Security Challenges with a Stoma

Hi all, my name is Saskia and I am new to the forum. I live in Northern Ireland and have been an Ostomate for nearly 3 years after cancer surgery.
Anyway, my family and I love to travel, and in general, airport security is fine. By now, I am used to my bag showing up on the airport scanner, and in general, when I inform the airport security that I have a stoma, they feel my bag through my trousers and off I go. But there is one airport that insists on taking me to a separate room every single time and asks me to expose my bag. Seriously???
Has anyone else had an experience like that? Is it worth emailing the airport to ask them to train their staff? They obviously claim it is an additional security measure. (Eye roll)

Thanks for letting me vent.
Saskia

Wow Saskia, I've never even been touched at an airport. They just wipe my hands with a cloth and have me place them over my shirt against my bag and then scan them, something like that. I can't imagine being taken into another room and asked to lift my shirt.

Welcome Saskia,

For the very first time, this makes me glad that I am not allowed to fly anymore due to my health. Because, oh wow, that would really get me angry! That is so disrespectful. Surely you can't be the only person they have ever seen who has a bag?
You need to complain in these situations because airport security should always respect an ostomate's privacy! Oh wow, this is getting me really mad. Our bags are a medical device, for goodness' sake!

I'm so sorry that you've experienced this sort of treatment, Saskia.

Greetings from the Waikato, New Zealand,

Gracie

This is unacceptable! Is there an ostomy advocacy group in Ireland or whatever country this airport is located in? I'd contact them and complain. They should be able to advocate for decent treatment in airport security.

Yes, email them. The more that complain, the better. It's been going on for years; some airports are known to be worse than others for it. I.A and C.A have been campaigning for years about it and are in talks with airports. Security staff at airports are 'supposed' to be ostomy aware now, but as you know from your own experience, it's not always the case.

How to Manage Ostomy Leaks with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

I've had no problem so far with my colostomy on USA domestic flights. Have not flown international yet.

Once, I did have a humorous encounter with a TSA agent coming home from Phoenix, Arizona. After I completed the chemical scanner, I stepped forward and told him I had an ostomy. He said, "Where?" (It's noticeable; large bulge showing through my shirt). I thought... "Really?" So I pulled up my shirt and showed agent Dufus. He was a bit "taken aback." Mrs. B was completely unamused. I caught hell the entire flight home. Lucky it was a short flight.

Hi: I have traveled several times to the Dominican Republic, and before they check me, I announce I wear an artificial bladder, and they understand either at Kennedy Airport in NY or at Newark Liberty Airport in Newark, NJ. If I were you, I would write a letter to them explaining your mistreatment at the specific airport. I think a letter is better than a simple phone call in which you stress the importance of this issue to your peace of mind. Blessings. Lenny.

Hi: I have traveled several times to the Dominican Republic, and before they check me, I announce I wear an artificial bladder, and they understand either at Kennedy Airport in NY or at Newark Liberty Airport in Newark, NJ. If I were you, I would write a letter to them explaining your mistreatment at the specific airport. I think a letter is better than a simple phone call in which you stress the importance of this issue to your peace of mind. Blessings. Lenny.

FWIW, I know UOAA negotiated the procedure that is supposed to be used at all US airports. They will ask you to run your hands over your bag in the area of the bag, then test your hands for explosive residue. It specifically states that you are not required to expose your bag to anyone.

However, that does not apply to other countries. So I was hoping there would be a group like UOAA that could help here.

That kind of treatment is unacceptable. People are entitled to their dignity.

If I expected this kind of treatment, I'd be sure to wear a clear bag with no cover. And I'd flash the whole airport! But that's me. I'm crazy. A normal person would feel humiliated.

Funny. I went to Mexico. No checks either way. Travel around the states. Get checked every time, patted down, questions. Tell him what it is, and they still go through the procedure.

Didn't bother me a bit. I'm not embarrassed or care if my Hollister clear plastic bag is.... not so clear. 😉

Usually, I'm instructed to run my hands over the stoma (on my shirt). Then a sample is wiped from my hands, then analyzed.

I'm sure agent Dufus won't make that mistake again.

Every time we fly, Mrs. B gives me a lecture. We're flying to Florida soon..... I'm already reminding myself.... "You must behave.... You MUST...........

Yeah, you are as crazy as I am.

Email the airport and complain to management and the director. You should always be treated with respect and dignity. They do not need to see your bag; you are not being arrested.

Technically, I'm pretty sure they can ask anyone to go to the private room for inspection of whatever. When we left Phoenix on Saturday, that TSA guy was all about feeling around my bag, and then I did the hand swab thing. 🤷‍♂️ Otherwise, it's usually just me rubbing myself, and then they test my hands. 🤭

Hello Ladybird13.
I am sorry that you were embarrassed by this experience at the airport and (like others have said) perhaps you should consider a written formal complaint explaining how you felt and maybe include the UOAA negotiated  procedure that is supposed to be used at all US airports that SusanT mentions. .
Personally, I am with Susan and Beachboy in my responses to this sort of thing.
Many years ago, my early attempts to make my own baseplates included some metal parts, which I expected would draw attention from airport security. However, it only happened once, when they escorted me to a small room and asked to see my device. 
My enthusiasm to show (& educate) them resulted in them asking if they could invite other members of staff to see. My response was 'the more the merrier'. It took about ten minutes to run through all  the experiments ( & logic) I had performed to come up with the device that was being used at that time and I apologised for the metal clips, but explained that I could not think of (or find) an alternative that would be secure enough to hold the device without accidents. I then ran through a few graphics of the mishaps I had had in the past. Elaborating on how embarrassing it was to to have shit spurting out all over the place, (when devices come adrift)  especially in shops and public places like airports. 
I think they got the message loud and clear. 
From that point on, they were extremely helpful and courteous, thanking me for the time I had taken to educate them into a small part of the life of an ostomate.
Not everyone has the desire or skill to  speak openly about this condition so, it seems appropriate that a few of us will do so when the opportunities arise.
 
The more confident you become
the more you can have some fun.

Best wishes

Bill

PS: My wife also does not appreciate the time I spend undertaking these public mini-lectures.

Airport security with a stoma

Hi Saskia. I'm originally from Belfast but now live in Dublin. I've had a stoma since 2019. We regularly fly, and I have never been asked about my stoma bag. I think I've only mentioned it to airport security once. Security in Dublin Airport is tight but generally respectful. One thing I do have is a letter from my stoma nurse stating that I have a colostomy bag. However, I've never needed to use it…. If you don't have such a letter, it might be wise to get one….

Let me know if I can be of any more help to you….

Best of luck in all your future travels. Angela

Thank you all for your support and replies. Some of them made me laugh out loud.
I am usually not a confrontational person, but I think I will follow it up with the airport as I was so annoyed.
As I said, I fly at least twice per month, and this has never happened before at another airport. I also wasn't embarrassed, just quite angry, as a lot of Ostomates don't travel in fear of treatment like that. It is difficult enough to plan ahead, sit on a plane, ensure you are not leaking all over the place, and finding a disabled toilet that is clean and unlocked.

It was a German airport, btw, and being German myself, I know how my country likes to follow rules and regulations, but they just have to find a better process.

Thanks again for letting me vent. It helped.
Saskia

I haven't flown since I have had my bag, but I think that would embarrass me to no end. I'd probably think it was unjustified. Since there is no metal involved, I would think it wouldn't be a big deal. I heard one person say they wanted them to take off their bag in an airport in one country, but I think I'd just refuse to do that. But to show your bag is wrong too. Like if they want to see a bag of poop, they are weird. It's a medical device; it should be respected as such. If they even pat you down, it should be gently so as not to hurt your stoma. They shouldn't ask you to lift up your shirt for the reason of looking at your bag. That is wrong. It's personal. As my Aunt Kathy says, it's private.

Hi Saskia,

I have flown internationally several times as well as domestically in Canada and the USA. In Canada, our security procedures state that you may be asked to undergo a private screening, and I have been subjected to an ignorant and rude male security guard trying to demand I lift my shirt in line in front of everyone to show what's under my shirt. I loudly refused and told him that I would be happy to deal with a private screening with a female security officer, but that I was not required to lift my shirt in public any more than anyone else. I had the private screening and immediately complained to his supervisor, and he was addressed. In my other travels, I have routinely been asked to touch my belt or stomach area and then had my hands tested for explosive residue. This is pretty standard in North America, but I do not have to allow them to do it in line and can ask for a private screening, etc.

Traveling to Cuba, no one cared and no exam.

Traveling to Costa Rica, we had to deplane and go back through security in El Salvador. This created some issues with the language barrier, and I was escorted to a private screening room. They were very good about it and had two female officers with limited English who were very apologetic but had to document the private screening. With some help from Google Translate, we got it sorted. They were overall good about it, just did not run into it often at all.

I have taken to traveling wearing a stealth belt which, for me, makes it easier to do the explosive screening right in line as I am not exposing anything and no one even notices. I would definitely complain to the airport, especially since you travel so often; they need to educate their staff better.

Cheers

Marina

You can get a card that says you have an ostomy from UOAA. You can also board the plane first with the card.

What is a stealth belt? I got my ileostomy in 2016, and I have not yet flown with it.

Jean

You can get information about it online. Google search: Stealth belt. They have a website that explains their product and its use.

I have only flown in the United States, but all airport security had me do is put my hands over my ostomy and then had my hands swabbed, but never asked to lift my shirt. I explain to TSA before going into the scanner that I have an ostomy. So far, no issues.

Hi Saskia,

You are my hero! You are describing my worst fear as an ostomate, lol. I haven't flown since Moana and I became BFFs. My anxiety about this is huge.

Terri

That's what I've had to do: run my hands over my bag, then they test my hands. They even said, "No, you don't need to show me." I also got a card from the internet specifically for flying that said something about my colostomy, and I showed it to TSA, and they seemed cool with it.

That makes sense. I've often wondered how they would know if it was not filled with explosives or drugs or...

Only place I've ever been asked to show it was leaving Frankfurt about 5 years ago. I thought it was quite discreetly done - we walked to a small tent set up inside the security area. I took my shirt off and showed the agent the bag; he apologized for having to ask me to do so and very politely, as Germans are, offered his hand, which I shook. The lady with her hand on her pistol standing at the door slipped quietly away! To be fair, our plane was drawn up beside one from Air Iran, so maybe the security was a bit hyper that day. Never had a problem at Dublin, Porto, Tallinn, Nantes, or Köln.

Hi Terri,

Oohhh, Moana is a fab name for your new BFF! Seriously, travel is still so much fun, and please don't be discouraged! 99.9% of the time, airport security has been brilliant, and all over the world, the staff know what to do when you tell them you have a stoma. And it gets easier every time.
New things are scary, and thoughts often get out of control in our heads, whereas in reality, you walk through a scanner, probably get a little check, and off you go.
Life is too precious to worry about what other people might think. You will get there.

I have only flown once so far, on a domestic US flight, and I had no problem. I am getting ready, though, for an international trip to Norway this summer, and I am anxious about many aspects of it.

I have gotten some good tips and info, though - empty your bag right before you go through security, have the UOAA travel card just in case, and know that TSA is not allowed to touch you or make you show your bag. I also learned about the Sunflower lanyard. That is a program started in the UK, but at many airports around the world, where anyone with a "hidden disability" can wear this lanyard, and it's a signal to airport employees that you might need extra assistance. I ordered a lanyard and intend to wear it on my trip. Check it out here: https://hdsunflower.com/

Wouldn't you have to take the lanyard off before going through the scanner? The scanner will show your ostomy. Then you'll have to tell the TSA you have an ostomy, and they do their scan/swab routine. Then, you put your lanyard back on. 🤷‍♂️