To think Manchester airport are discriminating

[BackOnceAgainWithABurnerEmail]

I have a couple of friends with colostomy bags. When flying through Manchester airport they have both been strip searched! This is purely because of the bag. They were hauled off by two guards and made to strip to naked and take off the bag and show what’s under it. All their stuff was left for anyone to nick on the conveyer.

Stoma charity say it’s a private airport and they can do what they like. But I think it’s awlful. I can’t stop thinking about it since I found out.

What can be done? Local mp has written to Manchester airport but no reply so far.

I have a stoma & have been taken to side rooms a few times at various airports, Manchester being one of them. I've only ever had to show around the site of the bag though and never been strip searched.

Perhaps security picked up on something else, which led to the more thorough search.

I really don't like having to leave my stuff though, but as I often travel alone I have no option.

I doubt they were hauled off!!

That must have been awful for them. I don’t understand why they had to remove their knickers, however I do understand the need for a further search and a check of the bag and stoma site.
There is no reason why the personnel could not have briefly explained with courtesy and apologetically though.
DD2 is severely disabled and in a wheelchair. Her chair is always swabbed as are her hands and shoes. They also body search quite closely over her clothes and sometime run their gloved fingers around the top inside of her continence pad. Some are nice, some are deadpan, but there is no need for brusqueness unless someone’s behaviour warrants it.

I'm very surprised they had to remove their knickers - I've been taken into that room three times.

Had to strip to underwear and frisked throughly, but never been told to remove bra or knickers.

I have a colostomy bag. I am literally never going to consider flying again now I've read that, I'm horrified. I was just starting to come to terms with having it and thinking about going on planes again.

Manchester airport security staff are some of the most rude, obnoxious people I've ever suffered, far worse than the staff at other UK and overseas airports. I think they must be specially selected on the basis of nastiness and arrogance. This report doesn't surprise me at all.

Manchester airport security is no worse than pretty much any other airport.

I fly out of MAN around 30 times per year, most years. Twice last week, in fact.

I'd rather they be as thorough and focussed as they are than have them operate the way many airports in the world do, with only a passing nod to searches and checks.

"Hauled off"

"Strip searched"

Such hyperbole. I don't actually believe you.

Manchester airport

I’ve an ileostomy and flew out of Manchester twice last month. One time was going through the body scanner, got an extra pat down but no further search. Nothing but polite from the girl, who to be fair was puzzled at knowing there was
Something she could see on the screen but couldn’t find it on the search!

Was it Colostomy U.K. they spoke to? Very surprised if it was as they have done a lot of work with the airports, including Manchester.

Having a Stoma, or wearing the hidden disability lanyard, doesn’t stop you being searched like everyone else. But for most people they don’t have any problems.

@MinistryOfTragic please don’t worry. I have flown loads in the 14 years I’ve had a Stoma and never had any issues.

Manchester airport security staff are some of the most rude, obnoxious people I've ever suffered, far worse than the staff at other UK and overseas airports. I think they must be specially selected on the basis of nastiness and arrogance.

^^this, definitely. Going through security at Manchester is much, much more unpleasant an experience than at any other airport. I’m sure it’s not because the staff are all from Wythenshawe

Gosh that does sound horrid.
I've been searched at the conveyor when I've somehow set the scanner off. It is instrusive. Sticking their hands down your jeans and up your top. I think I would have refused had I been told to remove all items of clothing.

@Doobigetta

Going through security at Manchester is much, much more unpleasant an experience than at any other airport.

Any other airport? You know that's nonsense.

What about Karachi, Beijing and Detroit to name a few I've suffered so far this year.

You can't honestly tell me that you've had better experiences passing through security at those than at any of the MAN terminals!

I've been searched at the conveyor when I've somehow set the scanner off. It is instrusive. Sticking their hands down your jeans and up your top.

They're doing a cursory check that you don't have anything strapped or taped in the waist band etc.

I think I would have refused had I been told to remove all items of clothing.

They wouldn't do that other than in a private cubicle.

And obviously they'd be fine with you refusing that. It would end well for you, I'm sure...

You're right OP. They could just request that stoma bags are empty while going through security and this would eliminate all issues. They can then take the person to the side if they're comfortable lifting their top up and they can have a look and take a swab if needed. If the person doesn't want to lift their top at the side, they can take them to a room and do the same thing.

No need for strip searches or anything like that!