I think that both are at fault here. I'm not sure about ALL pumps, but my pump manufacturer specifically says not to go through any type of x-ray equipment. This girl should have known that. However, in my experience, TSA agents ALWAYS say it's safe to go through when in fact, they have no idea. I fly many times, and every single time, it is an argument about this very subject. Whether wearing an insulin pump or not, it is your right to opt out of a full body scan, yet they still will argue. I can also attest to the fact they TSA doesn't know what the heck to do when it comes to carrying juice. It's about a 50/50 shot on whether I can keep my juice or not. They really do need to be educated across the board on proper procedure.

I don't think TSA is at fault here! I've been through body scanners dozens of times in the past and my pump was never damaged. This past year, I've been removing my pump while walking through the scanner, just as an added precaution. Interestingly enough, my doctor and pump educator both told me that it's okay to wear the pump through a scanner, yet Medtronic's documentation says otherwise. Makes me wonder who is right in all of this, but I surely can't blame TSA for this inconsistent information. Gtuguy: My insurance covers 100% of my pump and associated supplies (even test strips), so it's really not fair that you make it sound like insurance covers nothing. It all depends on your insurance plan.

The TSA only provides a FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. There are many non-liquid and non-metal devices and chemicals which would be dangerous on an aeroplane which the typical TSA agent would not recognize as being hazardous. The continuing harassment from the TSA to children, obese aged women and now diabetics needs to halt.

Frankly I'm tired of all the B.S. surrounding the circumstances we've allowed to impact our lives all in the name of security. You know that "Old White Guy" named Benjamin Franklin was spot on correct and we've allowed it to happen to ourselves, it's high time we took back our Liberties and Freedoms which we allowed the Federal Gov't take away from us. I might add they did so under Bush and Obama so no one can claim being holier than thou on this. TSA needs to be rolled back as does DHS, we're throwing taxpayer dollars down a really deep dark hole and theres not going to be no filling it. Theres always going to be some new threat for the Feds to hold over our heads to try and scare us with the next boogyman and the next step toward ripping away another provision of the Constitution and Billof Rights. We need to make it crystal clear to our local, state and federal representatives that we want the Constitution and Bill of Rights reinstated to full force and if they don't "Get'r Done" then we'll replace them with those that will. The alternative is unthinkable but getting closer with every nail that we put into the coffin of our Republic. There isn't a person alive in this country that thinks the Executive Branch should have the ability to designate U.S. citizens as enemies and then indefinitely detain them. To search without warrant, our homes, persons or private conversations or correspondence at will just because the Feds feel like it. To feel up our children because we want to travel etc... you get where I'm going. These issues should be equally abhorrent to any U.S. citizen. We're allowing our country to be destroyed from within and the water is boiling, its time to jump out of the pot. It's time to clean up this mess and theres no better time than this election cycle to do it, and the next one and the next one until we get the job done.

I feel that there is a certain level of exaggeration on both sides of the commenting and possibly the story. I have had my insulin pump for two years and has traveled with it successfully many times. I walk through the full body scanner without any problems. My pump only cost $5k w/o insurance and the company provides an immediate replacement if damaged in any way as part of their warranty. I wonder what company made her pump - they should also be looked into regarding malfunctioning pumps during traveling. I definitely feel for this girl though, managing my diabetes was tough as a teen and the pump makes life so much easier. I wish I had one when I was a teen. It is difficult to go back and forth from manual injections and the pump but, sometimes that is what happens. I do not blame security, we are fortunate to have the folks that we have at our airports. I have traveled to third world countries where security is a hundred times more unforgiving and have no understanding for medical technology. In regards to carrying juice etc., it is always recommended for diabetics to carry glucose tablets in case of emergencies. I do not feel like the security folks had her "life in their hands" at that moment. I do feel though, that if her pump was damaged by their equipment, and they told her to walk through the machine with it, it would be prudent for them to replace it. I am always allowed to carry two bottles of insulin without question through security. That is a large supply. It sounds like she faced an airport that has never dealt with a diabetic ever. It is important for anyone who has a medical condition to research how to travel with their equipment and have back up plans if anything fails. I've been a type I Diabetic for 25 years and have faced many obstacles and challenges during my travels. I feel for Savannah and hope that she doesn't face this sort of debacle again in her future travels.

How about we do the prudent thing and do away with the inept group known as the TSA. They have done nothing to improve security from PRE 9-11 conditions. Just cost more money and harass millions of people daily. Not to mention those that they cause much more harm to. I'm sure the TSA is going to offer to handle the cost of replacing this medical device that they nuked.

There's no way we can expect TSA staff to know about all the medical conditions, equipment and medications out there. They're not hospital staff, and we can't expect them to have that level of knowledge. I've had Type 1 diabetes for 47 years, so I have a lot of experience traveling with insulin and my pump and supplies. I went through the scanner with my pump once. It malfunctioned after. Fortunately, the fix was simple: I called the manufacturer (Animas), who told me to remove and reinsert the battery. Easy as pie. I never took it through a scanner again, though, in spite of TSA telling me it would be fine. The main takeaway, I think, is that passengers must know their rights. That teenager had a right to request a screening. Somewhere along the line, she didn't learn that you can (gently, firmly, without belligerence) stand up to authority and insist on your rights. Another takeaway: Besides having a note from your doctor authorizing you to carry supplies, go to the airline's website, find where it delineates passenger's rights regarding medical paraphernalia, and print it out. Carry it with you. Educate the TSA. Don't just sit back and moan that they're stupid or evil. Education is a two-way street. When you find somebody's ignorant, don't just be victimized or moan about it. Instead, be prepared to help them become better at their jobs, and thereby help to avoid their inadvertently messing with the safety and well-being of whatever travelers next come across their path.

The thing that is reallly funny here is the fact that you guys take one person's idiot mistake and label all TSA. My husband works for TSA, and yes, I agree, a few of them ARE idiots but take a look around your job. How many people do you work with who are a waste of space? They just aren't being slaughtered all over the news when they make a mistake. I get told every day about the things that TSA stops from getting on the plane with you and your children, but you don't know about it. Only the negative stories hit the news.

This is insane. The TSA needs to be stopped now. This is a MAJOR violation of basic human rights, and I won't stand for it anymore. I say we boycott airlines until these ridiculous violations end. Whose with me? Oh, and Obama has nothing to do with this. You're a freaking moron if you think the president has that much control. Duh. I swear, people complain about politics, but they have no clue how it all works. Hence the reason they think Obama can control the gas prices. No, Obama isn't in control of gas prices, your beloved capitalist, greedy oil companies are responsible for that. All of your "keep government out of the market!" crap you're always whining about is why Obama has absolutely no control over the gas prices you're demanding he change.

I am a T2 and I have had bad experiences carrying my glucose machine, insulin, lancets, cool paks, etc. I had one experience where 10 people came up and had to analyze my cold paks to make sure there wasn't anything in it to explode. I had my insulin, prescriptions, etc. in the cooler with the coldpaks. I just patiently waited for everyone to poke and pass around my cooler and contents and prescriptions and my explainations until I could get through security. My family always has to go early to the airport for me with my Diabetes and my husband for his pins and plates in his leg. However airport employees should be made more aware of equipment that people wear for health issues and simply do what's necessary (without damaging) the people's medical equipment. Therefore the airport personnel should do the old school (take the extra few minutes) to pat the person down and not ruin the expensive medical equipment (that YES!! is necessary for life) those saying well she could get near a drugstore, don't know that when you are out of down, etc. It takes an extra jump or two to get things done because you are not in your hometown getting your prescription from your local doctors. Yes I do know this for certain. I'm from the North East and went to Florida and had to wait two hours on a prescription when I ran out because it could not be filled early b/c of my insurance. It was so much fun!