Are you going through a TSA scanner while pregnant or Opting for the "pat down"?

dolewhipper · December 2015

I was wondering how many of you are choosing to forego the usual TSA security checks and opt for the pat down". I looked this morning and it seems that they don't actually use x-rays in their screenings. (LINK: https://blog.tsa.gov/2014/07/tsa-travel-tips-for-pregnant-passengers.html) I'm traveling this week and I know a few of you are while you are pregnant, and I wanted to see the reasons behind why you're choosing either or.

AudioLoveStory · December 2015

We just flew the other day and I requested the pat down. They just had me go through the old metal detector instead.

stephweinstein · December 2015

I just don't know enough about that scanner to feel comfortable with it. I requested "the pat down" during my first pregnancy and will request again with this one.

PugsandKisses · December 2015

You get more radiation from the sun in like 10 minutes than that machine. The Xrays is what scans your bags.

xc1148 · December 2015

I travel a lot, and have pre-check so I usually go through the metal detector. If I flew once a week I would request a pat-down, I would have no concerns over a one-time walk through the scanner

fleurdelakeview · December 2015

I went through the scanner. There was no one doing pat downs and one woman with a dog waited 20 minutes and was still not through. I also had to pee so bad I didn't care anymore. This might be a sign that I'm going to be a disastrous mother lol.

EasterEggs · December 2015

I opt for the pat-down every time, pregnant or not.

Taymiller · December 2015

Pat-down when I am pregnant. Tsa has given me crap for it before but I didn't care.

DobbysSock · December 2015

Is this an American thing? Or maybe just a major airport thing? I feel like I don't really know what you guys are talking about... (Canadian here). I'm not traveling by air this Christmas but I've never turned down any security measures while pregnant (although I've never been asked to do more than walk through what I thought was just a metal detector)

carrieandr · December 2015

Off-topic, but mmm...donut holes. @dolewhipper, your signature makes me want to eat your baby.

PinkLady2015 · December 2015

Says it safe, I'll go through it.

quartz02 · December 2015

{if I remember correctly, which could totally NOT be the case} I walked through an X-ray machine in lieu of the TSA scanner when I was pregnant with DD. On one leg of my journey, the X-ray wasn't available so I had the pat-down.

Puddles03 · December 2015

I know they say it's safe... But they also said it was safe to smoke during pregnancy, there just isn't enough info yet. I choose the pat down because I would rather be safe than sorry.

holly142 · December 2015

@DobbysSock, they are in big US airports, often not in smaller ones. I don't know about outside the US.

While pregnant with DD I went through it. Now that I am carrying DD in my arms they send us through the old school one, which I prefer.

noelietrex · December 2015

Just did this today. Opted for the pat down and had no problem whatsoever. Did get my boobs felt up by a lovely lady with a firm hand- it was kind of hilarious. I don't trust the machines.

htn1763 · December 2015

There are far greater things to worry about. I went through multiple times with DS and he only has 2 arms and legs.

Jmcc9713 · December 2015

Opted for the pat down when I flew last month and had a complete meltdown because they wouldn't let me just go through the metal detector with everyone else. I hated the pat down but I would rather go through that than go through the X-ray when I don't know a lot about it.

whatdreamsmaycome · December 2015

I always request a pat down, even when I wasn't pregnant. And I make my husband and children avoid it too.

sls628 · December 2015

Traveled 7 times within the first trimester and I've mostly gone through the metal detector (TSA Pre-Check), maybe the body scanner once. Each time with no issues or worries. I'm more worried about the health & wellness of a person patting me down. Traveling germs are gross.

htn1763 · December 2015

Now when it came to putting breastmilk through the X-ray machine I opted out of that.

dolewhipper · December 2015

CarrieandRoy said:

Off-topic, but mmm...donut holes. @dolewhipper, your signature makes me want to eat your baby.

No worries, I completely understand. When I saw my ticker change, I just haaaad to celebrate with a 12 pack of donut holes from Dunkin. Yay bebe growth!

EasterEggs · December 2015

DobbysSock said:

Is this an American thing? Or maybe just a major airport thing? I feel like I don't really know what you guys are talking about... (Canadian here). I'm not traveling by air this Christmas but I've never turned down any security measures while pregnant (although I've never been asked to do more than walk through what I thought was just a metal detector)

I'm Canadian, too, and they do have them in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, and Vancouver airports (but they don't make people go through them every single time). They are far more frequent in American airports.

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