Airport x-ray thoughts?

Esbi25

Hi!

 I was just wondering if anyone has flown and had to go through those new x-ray machines while being pregnant? I have to fly for work on Sunday and I think I will request to not go through the machine. I just don't think they've been around long enough to know if they could be harmful. I think the alternative is having a pat down so I was also wondering if anyone has done that and if it was super awkward! Just wanted to get some thoughts! Thanks!

BellaElla79

I went through them. When I asked about them being harmful, they said they were not and they were technically not xray machines. But I say go for the pat down if you are uncomfortable.

Tippy05

I had a pat down with DS.  I was "randomly selected", but I still think they thought I was hiding something under my shirt.  Anyway, it's wasn't bad.  I'd rather do that than the x-ray.

mrsbecky07

I flew when I was 6 weeks pregnant. The first time I just "opted out" (you always have the option to opt out of the scanner) and got the "freedom grope" as i refer to it.  It was a bit more than a basic patdown (she felt the underwire in my bra, for example) but still nothing super invasive - I was actually surprised. You have the option to go to a private room though if you want for it.

When I flew home I told the TSA agent that I was pregnant and would not go through the scanner (the first time I didn't mention that I was pregnant) and she motioned me through the basic metal detector - no patdown, nothing extra. I noticed that families with small children were also going through the metal detector (even the parents, any other adults flying with them, etc - I saw 6 adults go through the metal detector with 2 kids since they wre traveling as a group).   It makes you wonder how necessary those scanners are if the alternative is just the basic metal detector for those who "can't" go through the scanner due to medical reasons (ie pregnancy) and traveling with children etc.

PotomacSt

You mean the full body scanners?

You shuold be able to opt out and be wanded or patted down.

 

They are SUPPOSED to be clearly labeled, so you know what they are before you walk through them. But my friend who's 9 weeks pregnant just flew through Boston and said it wasn't labeled at all, and that it was right behind the regular metal detector so she didn't even suspect she was walking through the body scanner.

So if you do want to avoid them... ask before you walk through anything!

ke19

We flew to Puerto Rico when I was 10 weeks and I did both options. On the way there, we were really late for our flight so I basically had to go through the x-ray machine due to time. They assured me it was completely safe and since I didn't really have a choice, I did it.

On the way back, I opted for the pat down and I have to say, it was pretty invasive. It might have been because I was wearing yoga pants, but she was literally grabbing my crotch. I know they have to very thorough, but even my DH was like "wow, she was really feeling you up!". It wasn't horrible, it just sort of surprised me how hands on they were. I would assume every airport and scanner tech person is different, so maybe I just got a very thorough person.

I'm not planning on flying anymore during this pregnancy, but if I was, I would probably still go for the pat down. There's just not enough research in my opinion on those scanner machines to see if they are 100% safe or not. GL!

KRB8

I have to go through TSA security twice per month for work.  I always opt out of the body scanners when I'm pregnant.  The pat down isn't too bad.  I'm just used to it.

If I was only flying once while being pregnant, I may consider going through the scanenrs.  But since I go "a lot" in my mind, I feel better opting out.

Ammers197

I've flown twice since being pregnant. The first flight i had i was all of 3 1/2 weeks pregnant and i went through the new machine, but during my second flight at 18 weeks and it was starting to be more obvious that i was pregnant, had me go through the regular scan instead of the new machine. And I think during the one i had to go through the new machine on, they still had to pat me down some too... so nothing is fool proof for security, but i think which ever way you go you'll be fine.

ChicagoErin20

I would never risk it. How many things are deemed "safe" and then later we find something out. They will say that so the lines moves faster. The less radiation or exposure to things, the better IMO.

katiemrob

i flew from Atlanta to Boston this past week and opted out of the body scanners. They just had me go through the metal detectors at both airports - no pat down. It was relatively easy and the TSA people don't seem to care one way or the other. It was very easy and not a big deal at all. 

mrs+harlow

I fly a lot and it is VERY hard to mistake a metal detector for a body scanner. You don't just walk right through a body scanner. You stand in  the middle of it with your hands and feet in a certain position as directed . An imaging apparatus goes around you 360 degrees. It isn't a quick process. Then you stand there and await clearance to proceed after they view your image in an offsite room.

The TSA will tell you it is safe to go through the body scanner. However, I don't trust that these machines are properly maintained and I fly a lot so I have opted out. Sometimes they will just send you through the metal detector and sometimes they will do a manual pat down if you refuse the search for any reason....this depends on the threat level and directive given for the day as well as the common sense of the agent you are dealing with. 

jkmoore82

I have opted out twice while flying.  The pat down was no big deal and the ladies that did them were very nice about it.  One guy acted like I was a little stupid for not wanting to go through it, but I told him better safe than sorry

lovetohike

I have flown 4 times this pregnancy and am flying again in 2 weeks. I do the metal detector but not the full body scanner. I opt out of that one.

kayla5412

DH and I both asked for the pat down and it was not awkward at all.

winter-shock

I went through it when I was pregnant with DD#1 and she is perfectly healthy.  I am flying again on Friday and hadn't even thought about it. 

STL34

I have flown a few times during this pregnancy.  However, I wasn't selected to go through the additional body scan.  I was not worried at all about the metal detectors.  In my local airport, there were signs posted to tell the agent if you were selected for the scan and were pregnant.  I was also carrying Lovenox during each flight and there were a couple where I also had PIO with me.  They didn't even really inspect the meds. 

ETA - If I had been selected, I wouldn't have done the body scan.  It isn't worth the risk. 

haylynn02

I traveled at 12 weeks and Dulles Airport has the XRay Machines, the TSA agent suggested that I do not go through it and they would do a pat down, so since they suggested it I did and I would do the same, not worth the risk

PunkRockPrincess1313

I always refuse to go through them anyways...so...I suffer the pat down. I am just not a fan of this level of what I concider to be my privacy ....especially since leaks of the images have been happening.

Not that anyone can tell it is me... but this is my mini stand against the man! hahaha

AbsoluteLM

ChicagoErin20:

I would never risk it. How many things are deemed "safe" and then later we find something out. They will say that so the lines moves faster. The less radiation or exposure to things, the better IMO.

This! When DS was 9 months, I made sure he didn't go through the body scan either. I don't mind both of us getting a pat down if it limits our exposure to radiation.  

fyziksgirl

I absolutely refuse to go through them. They are WAY too new of technology, and they were pushed through too fast, imo. I know there were concerns raised by medical personnel about it for people in general, let alone pregnant women, which were just dismissed by those in charge who wanted it out there.

Pregnant women are not supposed to get x-rays unless it is really, really needed. These machines are not technically x-rays, but they use the same kind of rays in a lower overall dose but that is uber concentrated on your skin, leading to potential issues. I see absolutely no reason to put my baby at risk by something that has not been directly studied. Any concerns raised have been dismissed because the overall dose is lower, but if you put a lower overall dose on a smaller area/volume (concentrated on the skin instead of spread throughout the whole body) that doesn't automatically mean it is safe! It makes me so angry when I see the videos they play saying it's safe for pregnant women, because I know the testing of the technology has not been done and they're just assuming it or proving it "by observation" when I think the reasoning is faulty. I used to be an engineer, so I get how such things work in the science world and how that kind of reasoning/proof can be legitimate..but in this case it's not.

I have been patted down repeatedly, because I always refuse to go through these machines. It is not fun, but it has always been professional. They run their hands along your arms and torso and up your legs until they "feel resistance" (hit your crotch). You would have a woman doing it. Be sure, if you want to opt out, you say, "I opt out." If you say, "I don't want to" or whatever, they may pressure you to go through. If you say, "I opt out" they are supposed to let you opt out without argument. Remember, it's your right to opt out.

Good luck!

fyziksgirl

mrsbecky07:

I flew when I was 6 weeks pregnant. The first time I just "opted out" (you always have the option to opt out of the scanner) and got the "freedom grope" as i refer to it.  It was a bit more than a basic patdown (she felt the underwire in my bra, for example) but still nothing super invasive - I was actually surprised. You have the option to go to a private room though if you want for it.

When I flew home I told the TSA agent that I was pregnant and would not go through the scanner (the first time I didn't mention that I was pregnant) and she motioned me through the basic metal detector - no patdown, nothing extra. I noticed that families with small children were also going through the metal detector (even the parents, any other adults flying with them, etc - I saw 6 adults go through the metal detector with 2 kids since they wre traveling as a group).   It makes you wonder how necessary those scanners are if the alternative is just the basic metal detector for those who "can't" go through the scanner due to medical reasons (ie pregnancy) and traveling with children etc.

 Agreed. It is also true that if you fly with a service dog you just go through the metal detector (at most airports, every airport has their own setup, but that has always been my experience), no pat-down, nothing. A couple times they patted down my dog (since he wears a vest) but never me. Have I mentioned that you just need to have a dog wearing a vest and patch you can buy off the internet to go through security "with a service dog" with no problem? Sure, it's illegal, but if you're looking to take down a plane you're not worried about that. With all of these obvious holes in security that anyone could find in a few minutes of thinking I cannot believe that security theater actually makes us any safer.

Obviously a hot-button issue for me. Not looking forward to having to teach my daughter, "No one is allowed to touch you in private places...except these minimum wage people here. Now spread your legs for them..." :-/

/rant

ETA The last two posts might have been confusing...I have a service dog who is legitimate but who is less critical for me now than a few years ago when my issues were worse for various reasons. So while I usually fly with my service dog, for certain trips I can go without him if I have other supports in place, which is how I have experience with "enhanced" pat downs, too.

Esbi25

Thanks for all of your information! I think I will opt for the pat down. I actually know someone who works for TSA and he told me that it happens all the time and it's not a big deal. Though, he did try to tell me that the machines are safe and they check the radiation daily. I don't think that provides any answers regarding the long term effects. It's nice to read other's experiences so I know I'm not the only one concerned