Learn how to navigate airport security with an ostomy. Discover travel tips, screening procedures, and advocacy strategies to ensure a smooth and respectful experience at Canadian airports.
Two years ago, Ostomy Canada was involved in the development of training materials for more than 8,000 screening officers at more than 90 airports in Canada. The objective was to improve screening for people living with an ostomy. The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) had requested our input and support; hence our participation
CATSA trains and certifies screening officers to use various technologies, including handheld and walk-through metal detection equipment, explosive trace detection equipment and full body scanners, and on procedures for physically searching people, their baggage and items, including any mobility or medical aids. CATSA was looking to ensure the lived experiences of people with disabilities would be acknowledged and taken into account in their training programs. We were asked to identify the needs of persons living with an ostomy.
The new training was developed to help ensure screening officers would become better-prepared to perform the correct steps to facilitate each passenger’s passage through the screening process effectively. They learned to use empathy and discretion when communicating with persons with an ostomy and, more generally, to recognize and respond to persons with unique screening needs.
Many people living with an ostomy have difficulties while travelling, such as stress, leakage, a detached device, high output, extreme gas, odours and embarrassment over their ostomy and the bag of supplies. It is important to stop, announce your ostomy and move through security as directed. You can assist the screener by advocating for yourself and your ostomy.
Here are some more recommendations when travelling by air:
- Before your trip, download or request a Traveller’s Card from the Ostomy Canada national office, so you can present it to screeners.
- Store your ostomy equipment in a small bag within your carry-on bag.
- Carry a letter from your medical practitioner stating you have an ostomy and listing your drugs and equipment.
- Always eat lightly the day before and the day of travel. This will reduce gas, high output and frequency of emptying.
- Wear comfortable clothing.
- Just prior to boarding the airplane, use the washroom for a final empty.
- When they are x-raying your carry-on bag, they might notice and want to take out your equipment bag to search it. Tell the screener what it is. If they want to look through it, request that they change their gloves, as you don’t want bacteria from them.
- After entering security, when you are on the mat ready to be directed through, let the screener know if you have an ostomy on your right or left side and explain it is covered with a pouch to eliminate.
- Remove anything metal, such as a belt with a buckle.
The screener will ask you to go through a gate and to the side, where they will move a detection wand over your body and explain if they are checking for drugs. There is no reason for a device to beep. Further, if no detectors go off, there is no reason for you to lift your clothing and show your device. If asked to do so, you can request a private room.
We who live with an ostomy have a disability. Screeners are trained to deal with all types of disabilities. Remember to advocate for yourself by telling the screener you have an ostomy. Remember we have a hidden disability; the screener cannot see it upon entry.
Source
By Ann Durkee-MacIsaac, Director & Past Chair of the Board, Ostomy Canada Society
Following her ostomy surgery in 2002, Ann became a member of her local Ostomy Chapter in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Through her experiences, she recognized the importance of providing support within the ostomy community. Ann has served as the Past Chair of the Board and as the Past Regional Administrator for Atlantic Canada. Furthermore, she founded and leads the Disability Tax Credit Committee. Her involvement extends to being an active Director of the Board, member of the Advocacy Committee and co-leading the Ostomy Visitor Program. Additionally, Ann is a vital part of the South West Nova Scotia Peer Support Group, continuing to contribute and support others in her community.
6 Responses
How do I get a travel card from Ostomy Canada
Hi Penny, you have a few options:
– Download and print: https://www.ostomycanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/OCS_TravelCard_final_HR2.pdf
– Order via mail: https://www.ostomycanada.ca/resources/docs-request-form/
– Your local group may also have travel cards available at their meetings
If traveling with Air Canada, and perhaps others, inquire about the Sun Flower Lanard program. They are free at Air Canada check in. Here is website https://hdsunflower.com/ . The visiable sign for invisable disabilty.
Thank you so much for including the article on “Airport Security and Your Ostomy”. I recently had the worst experience at a Winnipeg airport. My previous trips, including one to Europe were great with no issues and people were very respectful and discreet. In this particular case, I let the first screening officer know I had an ostomy and that there was an ostomy bag in my carry-on which contained a small tube of cream, an aerosol remover spray and small blunt scissors. They said it wasn’t a problem. I placed my travel card on top of the carry-on before it went through the x-ray machine. What happened next was completely unexpected.
Once the bag went through the x-ray machine I was asked if I had scissors in my bag. I responded with a “yes”, and I reminded them that I had an ostomy bag with supplies which included the blunt regulation size scissors. The screening officer searched the ostomy bag and started pulling out my items. She tried to convince me that the scissors were not allowed and that the cortisone cream I had in the bag to treat skin irritation had to go in my clear plastic bag with the allowable liquids. She disassembled my bag in front of everyone and was trying to cram my cream into my clear liquids bag which was already full to capacity. During this whole time I continued to tell her that these are medical supplies and they all need to be together should I need them. Even worse, she didn’t change her gloves, exposing my supplies to unsanitary conditions and put them on public display when she disassembled my bag. She was inconsiderate, unwilling to listen and rude. When I finally managed to retrieve my bag and put everything back together, I called her over again and told her she should be more considerate when screening people with disabilities. She rolled her eyes and walked away. I hope I never have to experience this again! I am happy to hear that training materials are now being provided to airport screeners. However in this case, Winnipeg needs to do a better job using those materials to train their staff.
Ask for her/his supervisor right away
I doubt what they did was correct. All security is on video tape. Mark time, place, agents name and report to Transport Canada. No doubt this is lack of training by Company Management.