Tell me if I'm being ridiculous - airport security

spocker · January 2014

We're flying out tomorrow and returning Sunday for a vacation (well, it's my vacation, it's a work conference for my husband). I'm planning to ask for the alternative to the full body x-ray scan at the airport. I understand this may mean a pat down. Yes I've read the CDC stuff and the webMD stuff that says it's probably safe, but I just feel very leery about it. am I being ridiculous? I have faith in you, my fellow A14 bumpies, to tell me things that my darling husband would not dare to say to my hormonal pregnant self IRL.

thank you for your input!

michigancam · January 2014

dani+california said:
Who cares? If it would put your mind at ease, regardless of the evidence you've seen...just skip it! Not like they have to detain you for an hour, it just takes a few minutes. Do what you feel comfortable doing! Safe travels!

This. I've done both when pregnant and she's right - it takes no time at all for a pat down. Just go early in case they want to be dicks and drag it out a bit. More importantly, remember to get up and walk around every 30 min of your flight if possible to help your circulation.

Enjoy your vacation!!!

hlm184 · January 2014

I always get the patdown, pregnant or not.

spano41 · January 2014

I personally do the metal detector but do what ever you are comfortable with! No need to stress about it!

Israfel · January 2014

I always ask for a pat down instead of a scan. I've read too much that leaves me ill at ease with those scans even when I'm NOT pregnant!

lcr23 · January 2014

I asked for a pat down when I flew even though my dr said the scanners were safe. It didn't take long and I felt much better for doing it.

spocker · January 2014

I wouldn't mind a metal detector, I just don't want the x-rays. Thanks to you wonderful ladies who have chimed in so far! Glad I'm not alone in my train of thought.

Linnea503 · January 2014

I'd do a metal detector but would decline the scanner thing and opt pat down. Have a fun trip!

LittleLady77 · January 2014

There is no Fing way I would go through that X ray thing pregnant. I don't care what they say about its "safety", the hard truth is those things are very recent and we just don't know how they preform over time. I even ask for the pat down when I'm not pregnant.

olenkapdx · January 2014

hlm184 said:

I always get the patdown, pregnant or not.

Same here. The machine may be safe but it weirds me out so much.

RedDawnsRevenge · January 2014

Id make them pat me down

AcaAwkward · January 2014

Just FYI - the scanner actually has less radiation than the regular metal detector. I fly regularly and don't have an issue with it, but if you're more comfortable with the pat down, do the pat down!

pineconey · January 2014

personally i'd perfer pat downs if flying frequently while pregnant. i only flew twice, so i'm not too concerned, which is not to say that i think they are necessarily "safe" either.

but you aren't ridiculous at all to ask for a pat down instead.

just be sure to allow a little extra time! and have fun!!!

jennypenny1014 · January 2014

poru said:
They just put me through the normal metal detector. I am carrying a baby on my front and have to also have my hand swabbed, but they never did a pat down. I don't think it's bad to skip it. It's not a big deal and the evidence is not clear. It's not like you are inconveniencing anyone.

This. If you tell them you're pregnant, they won't make you go in the xray... They'll send you through the metal detector, and only pat you down if you can't get through without setting it off after multiple passes. At most, they'll swab your hands with a dry pad to test for explosive residue. You'll be fine. Enjoy your trip!

spocker · January 2014

See, I thought the metal detectors basically worked via magnets, and did not emit the same kind of radiation as the x-ray scanners - ??

this is why I am not an engineer

AcaAwkward · January 2014

ellendee said:
See, I thought the metal detectors basically worked via magnets, and did not emit the same kind of radiation as the x-ray scanners - ??

this is why I am not an engineer

Eh, I'm not an engineer either

I do know that whatever radiation the scanner puts out is basically equivalent to the radiation every passenger on an airplane experiences in 2-5 min of flight... So the exposure received on the actual flight itself is much more significant (but still totally safe!) than what you'll experience in the security line.

Avion22 · January 2014

I went through the full body scanners when we flew over Christmas. Personally I believe they are safe. But as others have said, if YOU aren't comfortable with it, then definitely ask for the pat-down. It's not ridiculous. They give you options for a reason, and it's your right to ask for another option if you don't feel comfortable for whatever reason. You might want to allow yourself a little more time to go through security, but otherwise I think you'll be fine. Have a good trip :-)

britt33 · January 2014

I flew during my first trimester and requested a pat down. Only one of the 4 places made me feel bad about it, but I insisted. They can't force you through... Just say its medical. If they ask for more details, say you are pregnant and aren't reassured by what you have read and request a pat down. Not crazy at all.

avidkeo · January 2014

I work with xray so know its really minimal radiation...

That said i would avoid because i don't want people looking at me naked! I know what i see on regular xray... Let alone something like that!!!

MNeforos · January 2014

They don't use x-rays. It is different for the scan. I just flew and they waved me thru on one but not at a different airport.

mooncusp22 · January 2014

I've flown numerous times since my BFP. I too asked to bypass the big scanner & got a patdown. A few guards told me it was perfectly safe, but were fine with I opted out if it still.

snowclouds · January 2014

There is no way on earth I would go through that Xray thing while pregnant. You're not being ridiculous. I think there's not enough research on them yet.

I flew over Christmas break and one of the airports I flew through actually had these (they're not everywhere in Canada yet), but because K was with us we got sent to the family line which just has the regular scanners. So I didn't have to ask for an alternative, but I would have.

JuneDay2913 · January 2014

Heck, sometimes they still choose you for a pat down after you go though the xray. Takes a quick second

sugarrush · January 2014

I echo everyone else -- do the pat down instead if thats what makes you feel better! Ive flown four times since ive been pregnant and opted for the pat down each time myself!

Lindsay808 · January 2014

I flew over Thanksgiving break and requested the pat down. Even though, people kept telling me "you get more radiation while you're flying than you do in the machine," I just didn't feel comfortable.

I did have to wait FOREVER for a "female assist" both ways though but it was during peak Thanksgiving travel craziness.

Also, I guess I didn't look pregnant enough (20 weeks) but I asked if I could just go through the metal detector and he said no that it was for kids only. Then these kids got to through it AND their parents. Wtf. ...while I continued to just stand there and wait for another 15 minutes.

RebeccaY1 · January 2014

I refuse to go through the body scanner pregnant or not. It's way too invasive. I'm not keen on some stranger seeing me naked. The pat down also gives me the creeps, but it's better than some stranger leering at me on a television screen in private.

spocker · January 2014

Ended up declining the scanner and going through the pat down, it didn't take too much longer but there was barely any line.

Baltimore here we come!

porterlove525 · January 2014

I've flown several times this pregnancy and actually just flew this past weekend for the same deal (vaca for me, work conference for DH). The scanners are completely fine and have less radiation than a cell phone. Considering I've already needed 6 ultrasounds this pregnancy and x-rays early on, I'm not worried about the airport scanner.

Like PP's said, if you are super uncomfortable, just go for the female pat down, it's not bad, it can just take a while sometimes to get someone to help and of course do the check.

For me, the worst part of flying now are the BH, especially during take-off and landing. And of course, making sure I have an aisle-seat, can move around and get to the ladies room often.

MaryKathryn1987 · January 2014

I flew over the holidays and opted for the pat down.

hordol · January 2014

I flew after Christmas and didn't even think about the body scanners being harmful. Considering all the ultrasounds I've had though, and whatever else I do that regularly exposes me to radiation, I'm not too worried I suppose.

ZoeStar13 · January 2014

I had to travel quite a bit in the first trimester and always asked for a pat down. I had to leave a ton of extra time, because in busy airports it takes FOREVER. But in our home airport it never takes long and they're always nice about it.

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