Pensioner hits out over distress at airport stoma bag screening

'I FELT HUMILIATED ... AND TO WHAT PURPOSE?'

- By ANDREW FORGRAVE

A NORTH Wales pensioner claims to have been left humiliated and embarrassed by her treatment at Manchester Airport.

Phyl Oliver, 81, said she was made to "feel like a criminal" when passing through security because she wears a colostomy bag.

Security staff must be satisfied the bags, which are used to collect faeces, are not being used for illicit purposes. New-generation scanners have been installed and, according to Phyl, a regular flyer, not all staff are attuned to the sensitivities involved.

Since undergoing two operations for a cyst 25 years ago, she's able to travel with relative freedom. But in 2025 she twice encountered problems at Manchester Airport.

"When you pass through their scanners, the bag shows up on staff screen as a big orange blob," said Phyl, who lives in Llandudno with husband Alan, a retired police officer. "I was horrified when they began shouting out, 'colostomy bag!'

"For some bag wearers in a public queue, this could be embarrassing - imagine if you were a 14-year-old boy who's just undergone surgery, you'd be mortified.

"I was then marched off to a private room with two members of staff, where I was asked to reveal my bag. As this is worn under my clothing, it can't be done without undressing. After splaying my legs I was asked to feel under my bag - they want you to do this so they can test your hands for traces of drugs or explosives.

"Although the testing was relatively quick, I felt humiliated. And for what purpose? I'm an 81-yearold woman while my husband is aged 84 and carries a sleep apnoea machine - what are the chances of us being international terrorists?"

Computed tomography (CT) scanners have recently been installed at UK airports. The technology is designed to enhance the detection of banned items by using 3D imaging to create detailed pictures of carry-on items. AI is also employed for threat detection algorithms to speed up the process.