Yes, a Tandem insulin pump can pass U.S. security with you, but avoid X-ray or full-body scanners and request metal-detector or pat-down screening.
Heading to a U.S. airport with a Tandem t:slim X2 can feel stressful if you are unsure about screening rules. The good news: federal rules and the manufacturer both allow you to keep the pump on your body while you clear the checkpoint, with simple adjustments. You’ll tell the officer you’re wearing a pump, skip any machine that uses X-rays, choose either the archway metal detector or a manual pat-down, and move on. Below is a clear, step-by-step playbook that fits real-world lines, busy checkpoints, and common questions travelers ask.
Quick Matrix: Screening Methods And Your Tandem Pump
Use this at a glance near the checkpoint. It matches manufacturer guidance and federal screening options in plain terms.
| Screening Method | With Pump On Body | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-Through Metal Detector (archway) | Yes | Tell the officer you wear an insulin pump; brief alarm is common and fine. |
| Hand Pat-Down (with visual check) | Yes | Ask for this any time you prefer not to use machines. |
| Advanced Imaging (full-body scanner) | No | Full-body units may involve tech the manufacturer tells you to avoid; choose pat-down or the archway instead. |
| Carry-On X-ray Belt | No (for the pump itself) | Keep the pump on your body; do not place it on the belt. Accessories can be hand-inspected. |
| Checked-Bag X-ray | No | Never send the pump in checked bags; keep it with you. |
| Swab/Explosive Trace | Yes | The officer may swab the device; this is routine. |
Tandem Pump At U.S. Airport Checkpoints: What To Expect
Walk up to the travel document checker with your boarding pass and ID. After that, you’ll place regular belongings on the belt, but the pump stays attached. Before you enter screening, tell the officer you wear a Tandem device and prefer the archway or a manual search. If you choose the archway, step through, pause when asked, and follow the officer’s lead. If you pick a pat-down, you’ll be guided to a side area for a short check and a quick swab of the device. Both paths are fast when you speak up early.
Airports can be loud and rushed. Keep your words short: “I’m wearing a Tandem insulin pump. I need the metal detector or a pat-down.” That single line signals the right procedure and keeps the process smooth. If an officer asks to send the device through the belt, say you can’t do that and ask for hand inspection of any loose parts instead.
Why The Archway Works And The Belt Does Not
Walk-through metal detectors do not expose the pump to X-rays, so wearing it through is fine. Belts and checked-bag machines use X-rays to see inside luggage, which the manufacturer says to avoid for the device itself. That’s the simple split that makes your choice clear at the line. If a full-body scanner is the only lane open, ask for a pat-down; officers handle that request all day long.
Official Guidance You Can Point To
Tandem’s travel instructions state that the device can go through metal detectors but should not be placed in any machine that uses X-rays, including the luggage belt or full-body scanners. You can show the officer a travel card or the on-screen page if you like. For federal rules, the screening authority allows medical devices and supplies at the checkpoint and notes that you can request alternate screening if a machine isn’t suitable for your gear. See Tandem’s traveling with a pump page and the screening authority’s pages on external medical devices and insulin pumps and glucose monitors for the exact language.
Step-By-Step: From Queue To Gate
Before You Leave Home
Charge the pump and clip a short note in your phone with two lines: device name and your preferred screening. Pack a small pouch with spare infusion sets, cartridges, and a length of medical tape. Place insulin and spare parts in carry-on, not checked bags. If you use a CGM, keep sensors and transmitters in your hand bag as well.
At The Checkpoint
- Tell the officer you wear a Tandem device and prefer the archway or a pat-down.
- Keep the pump attached; do not set it on the belt.
- If asked, disconnect at the infusion site only for a brief hand check, then reconnect.
- Expect a swab of the device or your hands if you choose a pat-down.
- If anyone points you to a full-body scanner, ask for the archway or manual screening.
After Screening
Reattach any tubing you briefly disconnected, tuck the line under clothing to avoid snagging, and check that the pump shows normal status. A quick look at IOB and current CGM data gives peace of mind before you jog to the gate.
Carry-On Packing: What Goes Where
Keep your therapy kit in reach at all times. The cabin stays within pump operating ranges, while holds can get cold or hot. Lithium-powered items belong in carry-on as well. Pack a simple layout: one clear quart-size bag for liquid meds; one soft pouch for sets, sensors, and cartridges; and one small case for the pump’s charging cable and backup power.
Handling Accessories, Sensors, And Spares
Most pump accessories are fine on the belt. Tubing, cartridges, infusion sets, alcohol wipes, and unopened sensors can go through carry-on X-ray without trouble. The one rule to follow is simple: the pump itself stays with you and avoids X-ray. If you prefer, ask the officer for hand inspection of supplies. Labeling helps; clear bags and original boxes speed the check.
Talking Points For Officers And Agents
Keep phrases short and confident. Here are lines that work under pressure:
- “I’m wearing a Tandem insulin pump. I need the metal detector or a pat-down.”
- “The device can’t go through X-ray. It can go through the metal detector.”
- “Accessories can be hand-checked if needed.”
These sentences match the manufacturer’s instructions and the screening authority’s own process for medical devices. Clear language helps the officer choose the right path without delay.
Documentation: What Helps And What Doesn’t
You do not need a doctor’s letter to fly, but a short note can help if you prefer to keep liquids separate from the 3-1-1 bag. A printed card from the manufacturer can also help speed a conversation. Keep digital copies bookmarked on your phone: the Tandem travel page and the screening authority’s medical device page are the two best links to show.
What If The Only Lane Uses Full-Body Scanners?
Ask for a manual check. Officers can switch you to a pat-down lane or run a quick hand inspection with a swab. Stay calm and repeat your line about avoiding X-ray. If a supervisor is called, show the manufacturer page on your phone. This avoids back-and-forth and keeps the line moving.
Backups, Flights, And Time Zones
Carry more sets than your trip requires. Pack extra cartridges and keep a spare charging cable in a second pocket in case a bag gets separated. If you cross time zones, decide whether to shift the pump clock to local time on arrival or on a set schedule. Many travelers change the clock once they land and finish their first meal; others wait until bedtime. Pick one approach and stick to it so bolus timing stays predictable.
Low-Stress Packing List For Tandem Travelers
Print this or save it as a note before you zip the bag. It folds your pump needs into a single, tidy list.
| Item | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Tandem pump (on body) | Yes | No |
| Infusion sets & cartridges | Yes | Only as overflow |
| Insulin (vials/pens) | Yes | Only if temperature-safe |
| CGM sensors & transmitter | Yes | Only as overflow |
| Glucose meter/strips/ketone strips | Yes | Only as overflow |
| Lithium-powered spares/chargers | Yes | No |
| Snacks/fast carbs | Yes | Optional |
Common Edge Cases And Smooth Fixes
Alarm After The Archway
If the archway alarms, that’s common. You’ll get a short pat-down and a swab. Keep the device visible at your waist or in the clip. The check takes a minute.
Asked To Remove The Device
If told to take it off for a body scan, reply that the pump cannot be placed in X-ray or full-body units and that the metal detector or a pat-down is the correct method. Offer the travel card or the link. Officers handle this request daily.
Traveling With Kids Or Care Partners
Parents can speak for a child and ask for the archway or a pat-down. Care partners can stay nearby during a manual check. Pack an extra set and a prefilled cartridge in a labeled pouch to shorten any hand inspection.
Link The Rules You’ll Show If Asked
Bookmark these two: the screening authority’s page for external medical devices and Tandem’s page on traveling with a pump. If an officer needs confirmation, those lines settle the question on the spot.
Frequently Missed Tips That Save Time
- Tell the officer about your device before you reach the machine. Short notice keeps the line smooth.
- Keep the pump on your body and skip any belt. Small signs near the lane can be easy to miss; your one-line request is faster.
- Choose the archway when it’s available. If the only option looks different, ask for manual screening.
- Pack all therapy items in your hand bag, not the hold. Cabin temps and access matter.
- Label spares and sensors in clear bags. Officers can see items fast and finish checks faster.
Flying Day-Of: A Simple Script
Here’s a script you can copy into your phone. It covers every step from the queue to the gate.
- At ID check: keep pump visible at your waist or clipped to a pocket.
- At bins: remove shoes if asked, keep the device attached, and place supplies in a clear bag.
- To the officer: “I’m wearing a Tandem insulin pump. Metal detector or pat-down, please.”
- After screening: check the pump screen, confirm tubing is secure, look at CGM data, and head to your gate.
Why This Works Nationwide
Screening rules and manufacturer instructions line up: you can keep the device on your body, you can use the archway, and you can request manual screening at any U.S. airport. The key is avoiding any X-ray path for the device. Once you use that single rule to guide choices, travel days feel much simpler.
Spare Devices And International Legs
If you carry a sealed spare pump, keep it in your hand bag and ask for hand inspection. On international routes, the same practical rule applies at connections: the device stays off X-ray belts, and you choose an archway or a pat-down. Keep a printed card with the key line about avoiding X-ray in English; add a second card in the local language if you have it.
Final Check Before You Board
Top off your reservoir the night before travel if you can. Pack a low-treat within reach at your seat. Keep the charging cable in the same pouch as headphones to avoid rummaging. A two-minute prep at home saves long minutes at the checkpoint and keeps the day easy.
Bottom Line For A Smooth Screening
Wear the pump through the archway or choose a pat-down; avoid any X-ray path; keep your supplies in carry-on; and speak up early with one clear line. That’s the whole recipe. With those steps, your device stays safe, officers have what they need, and you reach your gate without drama.