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December 2011 Moms
JMC11511
member
Flying across the country on Wednesday! Questions....
JMC11511
member
DH has an upcoming business trip to Philadelphia coming up this next week. We are going a couple days early and flying into NYC for a sort of "baby-moon" I guess. NYC/seeing a show on Broadway is on my bucket list and we are making BOTH of those things happen! I'm very excited. I do have some questions though.
1) I am planning to opt out of going through the x-ray scanner and request a "pat-down" (UGH!). Will TSA have a problem with this?
2) Is there anything else I should be prepared for? I don't normally get motion sickness, but the motion sickness has been kind of iffy since being pregnant. Should I go ahead and plan on taking something for it? Is Dramamine (or something else) ok to take?
TIA!
Because you're mine, I walk the line....
Landry Mark: 11/5/11
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Flying across the country on Wednesday! Questions....
Regarding the pat-down...
I recently flew out of CLT and out of MKE. CLT was HORRIBLE. Part of it was my fault for wearing a skirt, but I didn't realize she was going to put her hands up the skirt and proceed to flash everyone behind me. Humiliating.
When I was pulled to go through the full body scanner (the one where you put your arms up... the other ones-old school-are fine), I said I opted out. He stared at me and I proceeded to tell him I'm pregnant and was instructed by my doctor to opt out. He rolled his eyes at me and told me to stand in a certain spot and not move. I was trying to direct DH to my items (he was being pushed to get out of the way by TSA) but I was told to stop. I explained that he was traveling with me and I had a lot of valuable items that I didn't want to get stolen (computer, etc.) and I had to tell him exactly what it was and who was getting it. After much confusion, DH finally got all of my stuff (there were 3 black bags in a row that looked very similar, he was flustered enough trying to get himself put back together and our carry on, then my stuff).
After about 5 minutes, a lady came over and explained what she was going to do. I was asked if I wanted a private room and I said no, at that point I saw no reason to. She started at my legs and moved her way up, and that's when she flashed everyone behind me. I told her I would really appreciate her being more considerate and not flash everyone, to which she said that she told me I could have a private room and I declined, so she was just going to continue. I had to sit and she had to test my feet (because, you know, I've got something in/on my feet from being barefoot... but they're testing for something besides fungus from the airport nastiness). I was about in tears by the time things were all done, I was horrified.
On the flip side, I opted out in MKE after being pulled again. It was about another 5 minutes before a female agent came to do the pat-down, but this time they were much more understanding of DH trying to get my things (we were directed to 2 separate lines, which complicated things more). The lady was SUPER nice, especially after I told her what happened in CLT. DH and I both agreed that MKE had the nicest TSA agents out of all of the airports we've been to.
I will also add that I have big personal space issues and the thought of a stranger, even though they're doing their job, touching me really bothers me.
I didn't have any issues with motion sickness. As for meds for the potential, I'd call the doctor.
I opted for the pat-down flying out of DTW and it wasn't an issue. The woman was very nice about it. I did not go into a private room but was wearing pants so it was fine.
I didn't feel any motion sickness but I don't get it normally. I just made sure to drink lots of water.
Have fun on your trip!
To answer your questions...
1. Last time I flew, the TSA gave me no problem with requesting a pat-down (and I fly through O'Hare, so not exactly a small airport). I was really nervous about it but honestly it wasn't that bad. I mentioned to the agent that I was pregnant and she talked to me about my pregnancy through it, so she was really wonderful at both doing her job and trying to put me somewhat at ease.
2. I got really bad motion sickness while flying. Puked twice on the same flight. But then again, I would get motion sickness pre-pregnancy, but being pregnant definitely exacerbated things. Plus, you'll be in a confined space and have to smell other people/things, so if you're like me, and pregnancy has given you super-human powers of smell, it might make the problem worse. I was told that I could not take Dramamine, but they sell these wrist bands that can help (I forget what they're called). Also be sure to get some ginger ale with real ginger in it if you think you might get sick. And if you do get sick, just stick out your pregnant belly so people will understand.
Oh, and be sure to drink lots of water....airplanes are really dry so you'll be more likely to get dehydrated.
Ella born 12/21/11
Hi
I just flew from Los Angeles to Europe (for our babymoon) and I was told by my doctor to take a baby asprin when I left the house for the airport (so about 2-3 hours before the flight), drink lots of water, get up and walk every hour unless you're sleeping and wear compression socks.
As for the pat down, all the scanners I went through were the original/normal scanners so I went ahead and went through them. If any had been the back-scanner type I would have asked for a pat down.
1. You can go through the Xray scanner safely; it's only the new backscatter scanners (that are new ) that are more questionable. I did the pat down on the backscatter but otherwise request to use the Xray scanner if it's available.
2. When I have had nausea, I bring a sleeve of saltines in my bag to nosh on. I also buy ginger ale or club soda once past security. Basically whatever works for you when not flying is probably your best bet.
i have flown 4 times this pregnancy ( and 4 more times to go) i have had no problems with TSA so far. I totally endorse sea bands for motion sickness. my 2nd flight i ended up getting a bloody nose twice. it was kinda funny cause my DH was freaked out and didn't know what to do and it was making me laugh.
my last flight was yesterday and the landing turbulance sucked but there isn't much you can do about it. try to relax if you can. walk around or at least stand up on long flights. and water water water! that's all the advice i can think of. have fun! i want to go to NYC someday too 