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Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
My Recent Experience at Stansted Airport
I think there’s been a little misunderstanding around the point I was making, so I’d love to clarify.
When I spoke about the importance of communication, I wasn't suggesting that airport staff should reveal sensitive security procedures or operational details. Of course, we all understand the importance of discretion and unpredictability in aviation security - that’s vital, and I’m certainly not arguing otherwise.
What I was referring to is the human side of communication - things like clearly and calmly explaining to the individual what is about to happen next, offering reassurance, or checking whether someone is travelling alone if they’re being taken away from their belongings. None of that requires compromising security; it's about dignity, empathy, and inclusion.
People with medical needs (like insulin pumps or CGMs) often have to advocate for themselves - sometimes repeatedly and in stressful situations. A little clarity from staff - even something as simple as, "You'll be taken for a private search shortly, this is standard, and your belongings will be safe" - can go a long way in reducing anxiety, without revealing any sensitive procedures to the wider public. Arguably, part of the staff’s role is also to prevent panic - and that too is a vital aspect of security. There's often an assumption that everyone travels frequently and knows how things work, but the truth is, sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know, so people may not even realise what questions to ask in the first place or what things they should communicate to the staff.
I also absolutely agree that communication is a two-way street and being clear and direct as a passenger helps too. But even the most self-assured individual may feel overwhelmed, especially in a chaotic or unfamiliar environment, and especially if they’ve been unexpectedly separated from their luggage, partner, or travel group.
Ultimately, this isn’t about demanding exceptions or undermining airport security, it’s about creating an environment where medical needs are acknowledged and handled with compassion. That’s a win for everyone.
When I spoke about the importance of communication, I wasn't suggesting that airport staff should reveal sensitive security procedures or operational details. Of course, we all understand the importance of discretion and unpredictability in aviation security - that’s vital, and I’m certainly not arguing otherwise.
What I was referring to is the human side of communication - things like clearly and calmly explaining to the individual what is about to happen next, offering reassurance, or checking whether someone is travelling alone if they’re being taken away from their belongings. None of that requires compromising security; it's about dignity, empathy, and inclusion.
People with medical needs (like insulin pumps or CGMs) often have to advocate for themselves - sometimes repeatedly and in stressful situations. A little clarity from staff - even something as simple as, "You'll be taken for a private search shortly, this is standard, and your belongings will be safe" - can go a long way in reducing anxiety, without revealing any sensitive procedures to the wider public. Arguably, part of the staff’s role is also to prevent panic - and that too is a vital aspect of security. There's often an assumption that everyone travels frequently and knows how things work, but the truth is, sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know, so people may not even realise what questions to ask in the first place or what things they should communicate to the staff.
I also absolutely agree that communication is a two-way street and being clear and direct as a passenger helps too. But even the most self-assured individual may feel overwhelmed, especially in a chaotic or unfamiliar environment, and especially if they’ve been unexpectedly separated from their luggage, partner, or travel group.
Ultimately, this isn’t about demanding exceptions or undermining airport security, it’s about creating an environment where medical needs are acknowledged and handled with compassion. That’s a win for everyone.
Alan44
Moderator
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Ok guys, let me put a slightly different spin on things.
We live in troubled times at the moment, probably the worst I have known.
My last 10 years or so of working life were visiting military bases both US and UK, on occasions I could get on base with little fuss, on other occasions, my car would virtually be dismantled while I was held at gun point and it's not much fun having a gun pointed at you that you know is loaded, but that was always a guide to if the UK had gone up a security level for some reason.
I am guessing, I don't know, but I expect the UK is on the highest security level possible, for obverse reasons and that will include civilian airports and all entry points into and out of the UK.
@YvonneB has not had the best of experience at all, but in my opinion, it's understandable given the current climate we are living under.
Just a different on things
We live in troubled times at the moment, probably the worst I have known.
My last 10 years or so of working life were visiting military bases both US and UK, on occasions I could get on base with little fuss, on other occasions, my car would virtually be dismantled while I was held at gun point and it's not much fun having a gun pointed at you that you know is loaded, but that was always a guide to if the UK had gone up a security level for some reason.
I am guessing, I don't know, but I expect the UK is on the highest security level possible, for obverse reasons and that will include civilian airports and all entry points into and out of the UK.
@YvonneB has not had the best of experience at all, but in my opinion, it's understandable given the current climate we are living under.
Just a different on things
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Surely that would only apply if something different had been done in the private room @Alan44 ? I understood the OP to be saying that it was the normal pat-down stuff but done away from the queue where it’s normally done and where you can keep an eye on your luggage, including your crucial life-preserving meds.
I’ve been patted down numerous times. I once had my hair searched! (I’ve got a lot of curly hair) I’ve also had my hands swabbed and my pump swabbed. But all of that was done just to the side of the normal queue.
I’ve been patted down numerous times. I once had my hair searched! (I’ve got a lot of curly hair) I’ve also had my hands swabbed and my pump swabbed. But all of that was done just to the side of the normal queue.
Alan44
Moderator
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Not necessarily
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
So you’re saying it’s a kind of psy ops thing to disorientate the person? The OP said staff said it was procedure (to do pat-downs for med reasons in a room). I’m sure someone’s mentioned Stansted here before.
Alan44
Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I doubt it was anything to do with the OP
- Relationship to Diabetes
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I’ve only ever had a diabetes pat-down in the main security area, but @Alan44 raises an interesting point about the possibly heightened security status.
When travelling to a friend’s wedding in Northern Ireland I was once instructed to go to a private room, and asked lots and lots of pointy questions.
It was pretty-much the first flight I had ever taken (assuming a trip on a hovercraft doesn’t count!), and it was very disorienting. In the end they asked for an explanation of the x-ray of my bag. Which contained something that appeared not unlike a box with an aerial sticking out of it, but which was actually my watercolour paintbox and propelling pencil (rather than an explosive device and transmitter/receiver).
It makes me smile now, but looking back it was pretty harrowing, and I don’t know if my genuine confusion and naivety might have appeared to be sinister vagueness / question-dodging from their side.
Hope your feedback and suggestions are well received @YvonneB 🙂
When travelling to a friend’s wedding in Northern Ireland I was once instructed to go to a private room, and asked lots and lots of pointy questions.
It was pretty-much the first flight I had ever taken (assuming a trip on a hovercraft doesn’t count!), and it was very disorienting. In the end they asked for an explanation of the x-ray of my bag. Which contained something that appeared not unlike a box with an aerial sticking out of it, but which was actually my watercolour paintbox and propelling pencil (rather than an explosive device and transmitter/receiver).
It makes me smile now, but looking back it was pretty harrowing, and I don’t know if my genuine confusion and naivety might have appeared to be sinister vagueness / question-dodging from their side.
Hope your feedback and suggestions are well received @YvonneB 🙂
@YvonneB, are you familiar with the Medical Device Awareness Card and how it was introduced about 5 years ago? Note that it states screening processes may differ from airport to airport
Please see Introducing the Medical Device Awareness Card (YouTube video)
FYI Medical Device Awareness Card text:
Passenger side
• Don’t forget to bring your medical evidence (e.g. letter from a medical practitioner) toconfirm your medical device such as an insulin pump or Continuous Glucose Monitoringsystem (CGMs). Have this ready to show the Security Officer, along with this card.
• Make the airport Security Officer aware of the device, and exactly what it is andwhere it is located.
• If you are carrying a spare medical device, remove it from your cabin bag before thex-ray and let the Security Officer know.
• And do contact the airport if you have any concerns or queries before you travel: note that screening equipment and processes may differ from airport to airport.
• Please check with your return airport (if outside the UK) on their arrangements forscreening medical devices.
Security Officer side
• Passengers with a medical device such as an insulin pump or Continuous Glucose Monitoring system (CGMs) should not be screened by a securityscanner; if they opt out of this they must be offered an alternativescreening method.
• Passengers must never be asked to a medical device from theirbody for screening.
• Medical devices (including spare devices) should not go through x-raymachines. Alternative screening processes can be undertaken such as hand search, supported by ETD [explosives detection].
@Ieva DUK, does DUK support the Medical Device Awareness Card?
Please see Introducing the Medical Device Awareness Card (YouTube video)
FYI Medical Device Awareness Card text:
Passenger side
• Don’t forget to bring your medical evidence (e.g. letter from a medical practitioner) toconfirm your medical device such as an insulin pump or Continuous Glucose Monitoringsystem (CGMs). Have this ready to show the Security Officer, along with this card.
• Make the airport Security Officer aware of the device, and exactly what it is andwhere it is located.
• If you are carrying a spare medical device, remove it from your cabin bag before thex-ray and let the Security Officer know.
• And do contact the airport if you have any concerns or queries before you travel: note that screening equipment and processes may differ from airport to airport.
• Please check with your return airport (if outside the UK) on their arrangements forscreening medical devices.
Security Officer side
• Passengers with a medical device such as an insulin pump or Continuous Glucose Monitoring system (CGMs) should not be screened by a securityscanner; if they opt out of this they must be offered an alternativescreening method.
• Passengers must never be asked to a medical device from theirbody for screening.
• Medical devices (including spare devices) should not go through x-raymachines. Alternative screening processes can be undertaken such as hand search, supported by ETD [explosives detection].
@Ieva DUK, does DUK support the Medical Device Awareness Card?