Fun with the TSA...

[laurelita42]

I'm flying across the country in a few weeks, when I'll be about 14 weeks pregnant. I was just reading the TSA guidelines and their 'official' stance is that the body scans are safe during pregnancy. I still think I'm going to opt out and get the pat down, although it's a hassle and uncomfortable for me to have someone feeling me up like that. Am I being unreasonable in opting out? I'm not usually one of those who sees danger in everything during pregnancy, but this just feels like the better call to me.

[diesel29]

I just flew at 12 weeks and had the scan... my Doc said there was no concerns. I am flying again in Feb and March and think I will opt for the pat down this time. It just makes me feel better. Do what makes you sense to you. TSA doesn't care one way or the other!

[xcrissx]

If that's what you feel comfortable with, go for it.

I don't think about things like that. I flew back and forth 1x when I was pg with DS and I didn't know until this very minute that some people opt out of the scan.

I did refuse to stand in front of the microwave though...

[andtheheartbreakers]

I think you should do whatever makes you feel comfortable!

[iris1264]

I agree with pp's, if you're not comfortable with the scanner, don't do it. A little hassle is worth piece of mind IMHO

[NariaDreaming]

I honestly just opt for the freedom frisk each time.

[bkroxfan003]

If you're not comfortable with the scanners then opt to be pat down. Usually they're pretty nice about it and don't care which one you do. You just have to ask whoever is standing there. I chose the pat down when I flew at 28 weeks.

[lebradford]

I doubt it's harmful, but don't feel pressured into doing it if you don't want to. Our whole family opts out every time we fly. IMO, those things are ridiculous.

[girlonabike]

You're exposed to more radiation during the flight than you are the scanner.

Personally, I don't want some stranger touching me.

But, in the end, its what YOU are comfortable with.

[AnnexationOfPR]

Meh, I don't generally believe anything people tell me, so I always take the pat downs. In 10 years, they'll come up with some issue these machine cause. The best was when I was 7/8 months in, and the agent was like "I'm now going to run my finger along the inside of your waistband". I kind of chuckled and said "good luck finding it!" (Full panel pants)

[cowplanet]

I've always gone through the scanner (not pregnant) and THEN get patted down. Never fails. In Denver they had two people pat me down, one after the other. I asked them if something was showing up and they ignored me. Now I feel outright molested in the name of faux freedom.

[ripplingmussels]

When I flew while pregnant, I always opted for the pat down. Most of the time they saw that I was pregnant and just let me go through the metal detector without the pat down. I did get frisked once at 7.5 months, it wasn't a big deal other than they checked my bra and pants at the same time because of the full panel.

[seamonster]

Jan 22, 2015 8:23:19 GMT -5 NariaDreaming said:

I honestly just opt for the freedom frisk each time.

Half the time I've gone through the scanner, I've had to be pat down anyway, so I only go through the scanner when I'm in a hurry. Otherwise, I let the government cop a feel whether I'm pregnant or not.

[ruemorgan]

I agree you should do whats comfortable. The scans are safe. But I personally dont mind the pat downs.

[wildflower810]

My LO is here now, but I flew when I was 13 weeks pregnant and had the same concern. My advice would be to scope out the security area as you approach it and see if there is anyone not going through the scanner and not getting a pat down. I flew out of Dallas/Fort Worth and one of their lines simply didn't have the scanner, only a metal detector. I went over to that line, stepped through the metal detector, and went on my way. It was probably part luck, though, because the guy behind me had one of those pre-screened fast passes and *still* got felt up.

[frig05]

I would do whatever is comfortable for you, as PP have said.

I was worried about this too, but my doctor said it was fine. I flew at 6 weeks, and again at 13 weeks. I have another business trip at 19 weeks. Then I'm done flying. I have gone through the scanner on the two flights so far.

[ashleylynn1220]

I'm so glad I read through this thread! I'm traveling across the US tomorrow and was nervous about walking through the scans. I'd honestly rather walk through then have someone pat me down right now. I'm newly pregnant and I just don't want to be touched really it seems. Seeing that it's safe to go through the scan has relaxed me a bit with it.

[hlm184]

I always opt out. Since having my kiddo, I have further realized that the easiest way to get through is to wear a baby. However, this then requires you to deal with said baby on the plane, so there are trade-offs.