Travelling to NYC with my boss (J) today…
Thought I’d won when I remembered my Star Alliance Senator card would let me through the business and first class security check; they let him through too.
Sadly a massive slow moving queue was there to greet us…only one X-ray machine was working! Still not too bad, we finally get to the front and I say to J that I’ll meet him the other side as I’ve got some stuff that can’t be x-rayed and lots of medicine etc. so I take my things out, put them into the trays and get the attention of the man behind the belt.
I hand over my 2 spare CGMs (Freestyle Libre 2s – still in their sealed boxes complete with pharmacy labels, and inside a clear bag) and explain what they are and that I don’t want them x-rayed as per manufacturer recommendations. I also explain that I want a manual check instead of the whole body scanner in case of any damage to the sensors I am wearing. I have a letter from my medical team ready, but they don’t want to see it.
Next thing, a manager comes over, seems to know what the CGMs are and he takes them away (not loving my spare sensors being out of sight.) I’m told to stand to the side, which I do, there’s about 5 members of staff now seemingly deciding what to do with me and the sensors! Finally they come and take me through; the lady was quite aggressive to start with barking at me to take my shoes off so they can be scanned. I’m now left sitting for another few mins (with no shoes) before a guy comes over and I wants to swab the CGM I have on my arm.
I ask why, and get the usual response…
“It’s procedure, Madam”
I question if they have a procedure for every medical device available? Explain that this has never been procedure before… of course, I don’t get an answer. I explain it’s on the back of my arm and that I’ll have to take my shirt off to get to it. “No problem she says, will take you to a private room”.
I don’t like the sound of this but agree anyway. I stand waiting, nothing for 5 mins, then another 5 – I’m getting annoyed now. I ask how long this is going to take, am told they have to find a room and could be a while. So I say “It’s fine, just do it here” and I undo my shirt and take my arm out. A half naked woman in the middle of the airport makes them move a bit quicker – the security agent reappears and swabs my arm for drugs/explosives and tests it (negative!) and I’m free to go!
Overall not a great experience at Heathrow Airport. Have you had any similar experiences?