This is a timely topic for me, as I will be flying for a business trip in less than three weeks. It is a very short trip (2 days, 1 night), so I will have only a carry-on suitcase (the largest size allowed by the airline) and a personal item (laptop bag). Spare diapers, wipes, and baby powder will be in the suitcase.
In preparation for this trip, I contacted the TSA several weeks ago via their online contact form. Below are copies of my original message as well as the two replies I received:
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Message to TSA:I wear disposable adult diapers due to urinary incontinence. Based on what I have seen in the news, as well as on incontinent patient support websites, diapers sometimes cause issues at the security checkpoint, as the bulk and wetness is detected by the body scanner. Is there a way to discreetly declare the diaper to the screener prior to entering the body scanner so the screener will know in advance that there is extra bulk and/or wetness while keeping the issue private from bystanders?
Also, I use baby powder in my diapers…will that cause an issue with the screening process? Will a container of baby powder be allowed in my carry-on bag? What about individually-wrapped moistened wipes for cleanup during diaper changes (I plan to have several spare diapers in my carry-on bag)? If powder and/or wipes are allowed in carry-on luggage, will a manual inspection of the luggage be required? If so, can the bag be scanned in a private area rather than out in the open?
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1st reply from TSA:Thank you for contacting the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Contact Center.
You are not required to provide medical documentation to a Transportation Security Officer (TSO). While we encourage verbal communication with TSOs during the screening process, we understand that you may prefer to communicate in a more discreet manner. With this in mind, we developed the TSA Notification Card, which allows you to discreetly notify TSOs of any issues or concerns that may affect your screening. The Notification Card is available for download on our Disabilities and Medical Conditions page, which can be found by selecting “Special Procedures” under the “Travel” tab on
www.tsa.gov. Please remember, the use of this card or medical documentation does not exempt you from screening.
We strive to provide the highest level of security while ensuring that all passengers are treated with dignity and respect. To that end, we launched TSA Cares and the Passenger Support Specialist (PSS) program.
TSA Cares is a dedicated helpline that provides information on the screening procedures that specifically pertain to those with disabilities, medical conditions, and other circumstances. We also coordinate assistance through checkpoint screening via the PSS program. PSSs are Transportation Security Officers (TSO) who have received advanced training on helping passengers with disability, medical, or other circumstances through the screening checkpoint. The level of service will vary based on the airport’s resources. Some airports may have the resources to call or e-mail you ahead of time to coordinate a meeting point and others may simply notify the checkpoint of your estimated arrival time. You may always request to speak with a PSS or a Supervisory TSO when you arrive at the checkpoint.
If you believe you would benefit from this service, please call TSA Cares at least 72-hours in advance of travel. We will collect your travel dates, flight information, and the type of assistance needed, and forward the information to the airport. If you are unable to provide 72-hour notice, you may request to speak with a PSS or Supervisory TSO for assistance at the checkpoint.
The hours of operation for the TSA Cares helpline are 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern, weekends and holidays. You may call (855) 787-2227, Federal Relay 711, or e-mail us at
TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov.
If you need in-flight assistance or wheelchair assistance from the curb to the flight, please contact your airline before traveling. Airlines will generally work with you to try to meet your particular needs.
Please visit TSA’s Web site at
www.tsa.gov and go to the “Can I Bring…” application located on the right-hand side of the home page. By entering an item in the search field and clicking “submit,” the tool will tell you if the item can be taken in checked or carry-on baggage.
It is important to note; however, that even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns. Transportation Security Officers have the discretion to prohibit an individual from carrying an item through the screening checkpoint or onboard an aircraft if the item poses a security threat.
The prohibited and permitted items list is not intended to be all-inclusive. TSA reviews these lists periodically, and changes are announced and posted as necessary. In addition, individual airlines may have space limitations, size restrictions, or other regulations for carrying certain items onboard. TSA recommends that travelers contact their airline prior to departure to determine any additional restrictions for carry-on and checked baggage.
We encourage all passengers to familiarize themselves with TSA Travel Tips at http:\\www.tsa.gov\travel\travel-tips. The Web site has information about prohibited and permitted items, the screening process and procedures, and guidance for special considerations that may assist passengers in preparing for air travel.
TSA Contact Center
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2nd reply from TSA:Thank you for contacting the Transportation Security Administration. While many routine inquiries can be responded to in less than 48 hours, some responses that require additional information may take longer.
The Contact Center's frequently asked questions<https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions> page has answers to the most common inquiries we receive from the public.
If you are writing to find out if you can pack a certain item in your carry-on or checked bags, you can use our "What can I bring...?" tool located on the
www.tsa.gov<http://www.tsa.gov> homepage. After clicking the "What can I bring?" link, just type in the item name into the box, hit the "search" button, and the tool will tell you if it's permitted or prohibited in both carry-on and checked bags.
The Travel page<https://www.tsa.gov/travel> has a great deal of information, including acceptable IDs, traveling with liquids, tips for members of the military and people with special medical needs, the prohibited items list, and tips for packing and dressing to get through security quickly.
You might also be interested in TSA's new mobile web and iPhone app, that gives you 24/7 access to all of the above information. You can access TSA.gov from any smartphone by typing
www.tsa.gov<http://www.tsa.gov> in the web browser. You can download the MyTSA iPhone app for free on iTunes and Android.
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It is fairly apparent that they do not have any specific procedures to apply when screening passengers with specific medical conditions such as incontinence. That being said, it appears that some of the screeners ("PSS") have additional training (customer service) but no specifics were provided by the TSA.
I have decided to use the Notification Card. If additional screening (bag opening and/or pat-down) is triggered, I will request that it be done in a private room. I'm not particularly interested in my diapers and supplies being laid out on a table for everyone else in the airport to see. After I return, I'll post a follow up to let everyone know how it went.
Mike
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