Traveling can be stressful enough, but for some, the experience is made even more taxing by frequent stops at TSA security checkpoints.
Because nothing beats starting off a peaceful holiday like being yelled at for not putting your metal items in a tray quickly enough.
Well, it goes deeper than that, as a growing number of travelers are sharing their experiences online, revealing an unexpected link between frequent TSA scanner alerts and underlying health issues.
TSA Scanners and Unexplained Alerts: A Widespread Concern
For frequent flyers, encountering TSA scanners can be a routine part of travel.
However, some individuals are noticing a disturbing trend: being pulled aside for additional screening more often than others.
Many have taken to online forums like Reddit to share their frustrations, with some users speculating that these frequent alerts may be related to undiscovered health conditions.
One traveler, a frequent flyer, shared her experience on a travel subreddit, highlighting the ongoing issues she faces with the scanners.
"I travel a lot. For years I've been pulled aside at times after going through the machine but now it's every time I fly," she explained.
Despite trying different clothing options - switching from leggings to jeans - the issue persists.
"They always have to check my crotch," she wrote.
"As a woman with thicker thighs, I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong in my pose. I pause in the instructed pose and try not to move and I'm still flagged for crotch check."
This woman’s experience raised the question: Could there be more to these routine alerts than just scanner glitches?
Some Reddit users suggested that her repeated stops might not be caused by her actions but by underlying health issues that could be triggering the TSA scanners.
Could Health Conditions Be the Culprit?
The connection between frequent alerts and potential health issues has caught the attention of many online.
One user pointed out that modern TSA scanners are not solely metal detectors - they function more like X-rays.
This can mean that certain health conditions, such as tumors, fibroids, or other forms of excess tissue, could be misidentified by the machines as suspicious objects.
The commenter advised the woman to consider whether she might have undiagnosed health conditions.
"Do you have endometriosis or fibroids? People with excess soft tissue or tumors/remnants of tumors have set the scanners off. Do you wear breathable underwear? Excess heat can throw the scanners off also," they suggested.
Additionally, the user recommended looking into TSA PreCheck or Global Entry to streamline the process, stating: "If you travel a lot, get TSA PreCheck and/or Global Entry (if available for you), it'll help this all immensely."
Why You Should See a Doctor: The Importance of Health Checks
The health-related discussion continued with more advice for travelers experiencing these types of issues.
The same user emphasized the importance of seeing a doctor to check for potential health problems that could be behind the frequent TSA alerts.
"If you're not having any issues or symptoms I'm sure you're ok! But yes, please take care of yourself and make sure if you are having issues, that you advocate for yourself!" they urged. "I had to push for treatment for my endometriosis and adenomyosis because I was under 40."
It seems that even if you’re not actively experiencing symptoms, a check-up could provide some clarity, particularly for conditions like endometriosis or fibroids, which could be responsible for unusual scanner alerts.