A queue full of people greeted me, as I approached the end of a long line. I began removing the watch from my wrist, unlooping the belt from my waist, and loosening the clasp on my Medic Alert bracelet. I shoved those items into the front pocket of my satchel. I pulled my wallet out from the front pocket of my Chinos, and my iPhone from the inside pocket of my Lost Highway jacket.
As I approached the conveyor belt, I grabbed two of the orange trays and placed my belongings onto them. Feeling more confident than the last time I did this, I approached the gate and took a step through.
BEEEEEP!
The shrill noise hurt my ears.
One of the security staff told me to take a step back, while asking if I was wearing anything that might set the alarm off.
I have type 1 diabetes. I’m wearing an insulin pump, I said, pulling it out of my pocket and gesturing wildly.
He told me to take a step aside, and onto the square mat behind a gate that was situated adjacent to the walk through. I watched as he motioned to his colleagues that I needed a pat down.
I was left scratching my head, convinced that my Animas Vibe hadn’t set off any alarms in the past.
Another member of security approached, and I was told to remove my jacket and send it through the scanner. The likely culprit, I later suspected.
I was escorted through the gate and asked if I wished to have my pat down conducted in a private room, which I politely declined.
He asked me where I was travelling today, which didn’t really make me feel any more comfortable.
As I stood there with my arms stretched out wide, I felt incriminated.
As comfortable and open as I am with my diabetes, I didn’t like this one bit.
They have different settings on those metal detectors so you can wear the same thing, eg a belt or something and not set it off on one end of the journey but it will at the other. Hope Melbourne treats you well this weekend. Look fwd to catching up with you & other D bloggers on Monday!
Yes it is different settings. I have made it through a metal detector at one airport and been flagged at another with less metal on my body. I think finding the accused zipper is a big step. I suggest eliminating it at first chance. Tell it to not expect a reprieve from the thread ripper.