Walk-through Metal Detectors at airport

[chuckm]

Next week I will be flying with my wife and kids. How much does security hassle you at the metal detector? Does anyone have any advice that will help get through without a big deal?
It's a US domestic flight.

Chuckm

[bluedevilsadvocate]

I have flown both domestic and international flights, and I have never had any significant hassle.  I just tell the security people before I go through that I have a metal hip, and it's really not an issue.

Happy flying!

[obxpelican]

As was said, as soon as you walk up tell them you have a hip implant and that you will set off the detector.

At some airports you will end up with quite a frisking, probably the most erotic frisking you will ever get  LOL


Chuck

[Lauren Lee]

My doc gave me a card stating that I am the proud recipient of a BHR with his contact info. I don't know how effective it will be in helping to avoid a frisk.

[OtterDriver]

Hello Chuck -

As a fairly frequent flyer...and one who doesn't like the idea of going through anymore X-rays than I already do...my routine consists of the following.  As I'm taking belt, shoes, etc. off and loading the trays, I tell a TSA agent that I will be "opting out" (not going through the scanner) and would like a "male assist" (pat down search).  They put the call out and I'm usually met fairly quickly by some guy donning gloves.  It's over before you know it and you're on your way again!

Have a safe trip...hopefully somewhere fun!?

Bruce

[Granton]

If you tell them about the hip, they use an electronic "wand" to check the location and / or pat you down. Once, when I told them about it before the detector, they sent me straight to the body X-ray machine which are now appearing at airports.

It's not a big hassle, just part of the joy of travelling. I am flying from UK to Australia on Friday, so I'll get plenty of that!

I cannot see any point in being given (or trying to use) a printed card.

Bon voyage!

[fenceman]

The card does not help because the TSA agent told me they could be faked.  If you have the option, go though the body scanner.  The implants do not set it off.  If you have to go through the metal detector let them know you have a metal hip before you walk through and leave enough time to be frisked.

Have a good trip.

[jack]

I recently flew on 4 different flights. I never told them and no mention was made by TSA of anything. Went right through with no issue. Mine is a 56mm BHR so its on the large side too.

[chuckm]

Thanks everyone for all the responses. I guess it's not that big a deal really. No one has posted any horror stories (yet).
I'm off to Orlando. I have to fulfill my parental obligation and get the kids to Disney World while they are young.

Chuckm

[Miguelito]

Good luck! No real horror story, but I warn people who are flying home immediately after surgery to not let a TSA agent touch the incision site. I said "yes" when one asked if they could touch me and it hurt like hell. I did not expect he would have been stupid enough to touch the incision site after I had already told him I was flying back home after a hip replacement. I thought about filing an official complaint (as well as clocking him), but ultimately did not as I am sure it would not have accomplished anything.
 
Merry Christmas!

Mike

[oldsoccerplayer]

I just went through security today. I told them about the implant so they sent me to the line that has the newer-style screening machine, so no issues.

[woldaudio]

I always get the "pat down" after going through the X-ray.

[whyme]

I passed through 6 metal detectors at airports in the last 2 weeks, ranging from little hassle to nothing. Generally they seem to be aware of hip replacement. Of course, the younger you look the more surprised they will be. That is my case, ha ha!
In a couple of checks, one guy told to the other "another hip!", so they follow some sort of procedure.
Now I always take my shoes off before they ask.

[kimberly52]

I just flew international to Greece and Italy and over the course of 2 weeks I was on 10 different flights with 4 different airlines.  The worst or however you look at it the best thing to happen to me was to get patted down.  Only once did I have to go into the x-ray machine.  I don't have a card from the doc; he told me beforehand that it is useless with TSA.  I just told them what I had and they gave me the mini massage.  I jokingly thanked them for the rub down and was on my way.

Happy flying!

[KevinLHitt]

Hello everyone,

I travel quite a bit and let me tell you something unbelievable: I have yet to set off a metal detector with my metal-on-metal Cormet resurfaced hip! True story. I have done full body scanner and regular metal detector... nothing.

Quick story:  Walking up to one of security checkpoints, I told them I had a resurfaced hip.  They walked me through the detector and it went off.  They put me in a holding area and I waited.  When the male TSA agent walked up to search me, I walked through the detector again and... NOTHING.  It was my jacket that set it off, as I had taken it off after the first walk-through.

So... I dont know why, but my hip doesnt set off any of the devices used.

Note:  TSA doesnt recognize any medical cards.

[Jason0411]

Just back from Norway Normal routine take shoes off ready walk through get bleep point to hip get frisked then hand held scan. Then off you go. No Probs. Got a woman frisking me in Norway so that was a bonus.

[Arrojo]

I always try and go through the full body scanner if possible.  Otherwise I set off the metal detector and get the pat down.

[oldsoccerplayer]

I did set off the metal detectors at the Dept. of Homeland Security office I had to go to just a couple of weeks post-op. I think the agents there were more laid back than the ones at the airport. I told them about my surgery and showed them the scar, then when they asked me to remove my shoes (even though I was only wearing flip-flops) I told them I couldn't bend down that far because of the surgery. They just smiled and waved me through.

[patm]

I had surgery last July. In October we flew out to California ( from Ohio) on the way out we stood in the long line and I went through the scanner. Coming back we were pre-approved for the " fast lane" with the metal detector. I kept setting it off and we couldn't figure out why until my husband suggested that maybe it was my hip. ( this is how much you can forget that you actually even had tis surgery 3 months before) so I got the pat- down- which really is fine - the gal was very nice.