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The good, the bad and the stupid

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.

SB2015

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
in holiday in USA so not posting much, but ...

The good
I used the Sunshine lanyard for hidden disabilities at Heathrow. No separate channel, but once at the front and having beeped I asked for a medical opt out. The security Officer was polite, asked me to take a seat, and pressed the buzzer to ask for a person to come. After two minutes he pressed again apologising for delay, and stating to the supervisor that he had a medical opt out and that I had been waiting for too long. Person arrived, usual pat down and swabbing of pump. Sorted. We both hit the green smiley face on the feedback.

The Bad
No lanyard system in USA but it has never been a problem with the pump here, however, ....
Confronted by the X-ray machine I asked for a medical opt out. I was told to sit down and informed “you will probably have to wait a good half hour as all the female staff were in break. It would be much quicker for you if you went through the X-ray”. I waited, and looked around, seeing a number of female security staff. I waited. He told me again it would save me time to go into the X-ray, I explained again that I couldn’t. Was told to go and sit down and wait. After a while I spoke to one of the female staff, explained that I was now without my test kit or hypo treatment, and had no idea what my levels were. I was taken straight through, given a pat down and an apology. The wait should not have happened. We both hit the red button on the feedback.

The stupid
There is a pool where we are staying at present and temperatures of 24C. I forgot my pump and did two lengths before realising!! The Combo is not defined as ‘waterproof’ but it survived.
 
Phew I am glad it survived it’s immersion. .

I am sure I don’t need to tell you , but I am going to anyway.
Enjoy your holiday
 
Blimey! - that was lucky! - the pool/pump incident. The US airport wasn't of course - but hold-ups happen - although I'd like to know the security guy had received - and taken on board! - proper training.
 
Once I was through security I spoke with the supervisor. I explained that it was very unusual for me to experience that in USA, and she was apologetic, explaining that he had not followed the procedure for medical opt out. When I pointed out the officer concerned she was not surprised and assured me that he would be given further training. As we were gathering our bags the officer concerned was called off the line by her.

Having looked at the Combo info since I gave it a dip in the pool, it shows that it is not classified as ‘waterproof’ because it does not meet the full requirements of that at depth. However it copes with a brief dip and the pool wasn’t that deep!! Not something to repeat but I was glad it survived.
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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