TSA Confiscates Pregnant Woman's Insulin, Ice Packs-Tells Woman Isulin Vial Was An Explosive Risk

[kpete]

Source: Denver 7News

TSA Confiscates Pregnant Woman's Insulin, Ice Packs

Security Tells Woman Isulin Vial Was An Explosives Risk

Written by Marc Stewart, 7News Reporter


DENVER -- A Denver couple has filed a formal complaint with the Transportation Security Administration after a pregnant woman's insulin and ice packs were confiscated by screeners at Denver International Airport.

The couple has traveled around the world with her medical supplies, including insulin and syringes, and have never encountered any troubles before, they said.

......................

Nieman's wife was traveling alone to a baby shower in Phoenix when she was questioned by a TSA agent as she went through security around 4 p.m. Thursday.

"He's like, 'Well, you're a risk.' I'm like, 'Excuse me?' And he's like, 'This is a risk ... I can't tell you why again. But this is at risk for explosives,'” Nieman's wife said. She asked 7NEWS not to use her name for fear of retaliation for speaking out.




Read more: http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/28773212/detail.html

[emulatorloo]

1. I've never had trouble with insulin/medications either. A screw loose with the TSA guy.

[truthisfreedom]

2. Making the country safe one victim at a time.

She sure fit the profile. Pregnant and insulin supplies.

[marasinghe]

7. yep. could've been a bomb transplanted in the womb; insulin injection the trigger to set it off.

taken with the other 3 or 4 news stories, of police running amok - on DU/LBN,
it looks like everything's running on schedule for the new world order.
get Manchurian candidates into the major political offices - check.
rip off the world's resources & wealth - check.
hook the dumass mob segment of the population into sucking into the agenda - check.
populate the paramilitary segments of govt., with a majority of the lowest IQ sadists on the market - check.

[KansDem]

3. As someone who has flown with insulin and ice, I can sympathize with her...

...and wonder when I'll be pulled out of line for an enhanced patdown because I might be a "terrorist."

If a TSA agent attempted to take my insulin, I'd be tempted to give him an "enhanced patdown" of my own!...:grr:

[Downwinder]

16. I would consider it attempted murder if they confiscated my interferon.

[Ilsa]

4. At risk for explosives? Someone needs retraining. He better be glad she didn't need

Her insulin while he had it confiscated.

[LiberalFighter]

5. He needs more than training. I suggest termination.

In addition, whoever is in charge at the TSA.

[arikara]

6. They really do have a thing about medical conditions.

Its appalling. My Mr travels with his insulin all the time, if anyone ever tried to take it away I think I'd have to be bailing him out of the slammer.

[SoapBox]

8. TSA is out of control....

Outrageous.

[Liberalynn]

9. Just glad she didn't end up needing that Insulin while she was in flight.

Poor lady.

[Javaman]

10. I'm beginning to think that one of the qualifications to be employed by the TSA is

to have an IQ in the single digits.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[tanyev]

12. That's why we are planning on driving next time we go to Canada.

Hubby's a Type 1. We had tickets to fly back from Canada the day after the underwear bomber. What a mess. Haven't flown since.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

13. Guns don't kill. Insulin wielding preggers moms kill.

What I like about the overkill from the TSA is that the worse they act, the sooner we get to make massive, long overdue changes to the system.

[struggle4progress]

14. Diabetic supplies are supposed to be allowed:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1374.shtm

[Nuclear Unicorn]

15. Since it is too incredible to believe this scenario has never been

dealt with, discussed or conceived of prior to this incident I am going to conclude: what a stupid jerk

[hedgehog]

17. However, the TSA said agents did not confiscate any insulin.

"TSA’s initial review of this incident indicates that our officer did not take the passenger’s medication, only the unfrozen ice pack," TSA said in a statement sent to msnbc.com.

"The passenger was advised that she would not be able to bring an oversized, unfrozen ice pack through the checkpoint, but that she could purchase additional ice in the concourse."

http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/05/7268740-pregnant-flier-says-tsa-confiscated-her-insulin


I checked a couple diabetes forums. Some question the need to refrigerate insulin for the duration of a plane ride. Others indicate that you should pre-cool an insulated container with ice, dump out the ice and put your insulin in and you're good to go.

On edit: does anyone believe this is the first time the TSA guy saw insulin and syringes? My guess would be that at least one person on most flights is carrying insulin. I guess "woman doesn't think rules apply to her and gets gel pack taken away at Security " just doesn't fit the headlines as well.

[struggle4progress]

18. "unfrozen" ice pack may be the problem

[hedgehog]

19. Yeah, liquid or gel, I doubt it was in the 3 oz limit.

[dickthegrouch]

20. I gave up carrying packs

I have a small sealable ziploc container (with flaps to keep it closed) that I fill with iced water every 4 hours.
Many of my flights are 19-24 hours door to door and the packs just don't last until the first plane takes off. If I'm asked to dump the water and ice it's only for a matter of 20 minutes and then I can get more either on the concourse or on the plane. The stewards are always very helpful.

The biggest problem I have is getting it open again after landing since the pressure difference is so great.

It is essential to carry a letter from the doctor which says the medicine must be kept cool.