Flying Question

[james'mommy]

Has anyone ever flown with medical metal implements in them? I will be flying on September not long after foot surgery. I will have 4 pins in my foot. My concern is that they will set off the metal detector. I know the can wand me but with all the shoe removal policies I am concerned that wanding won't be enough. I don't think you will be able to see the pins through the bandages. I'm afraid they are going to make me unwrap my foot. Do ypu think a Dr's note will be enough. TIA.

 

[BankBunny]

I never have, but my mom has. She has screws in her ankle and I think something in her spine. I know that they fused parts of her spine together, but I'm not sure if there's any metal in there. Anyway, I know that she never had any problems (and both of her flights were international). Hope that helps.

 

[Hercules10]

Get a letter from your doctor saying you have metal pins. Someone here has a ton of metal in their leg and acquired some sort of card for security since his is permanant.

 

[MinnieMe87]

My grandma has metal in the repair of her knee and they gave her a slip of paper that explains what is metal and some other stuff on it so they know she's not loaded! Kind of like a permission slip to go through the metal detector with a free pass or something. Maybe you could ask your doctor about getting something like that? Hope that helps!

 

[tinkerella]

I have had plates and screws in my wrist since 2003. I Have several times and it has never set off the alarms. Have a good time!

 

[disneyfan67]

Get a letter from your doctor saying you have metal pins. Someone here has a ton of metal in their leg and acquired some sort of card for security since his is permanant.

You can get all the letters you want, but they won't help you. I had my hip replaced in January 2007 and went on vacation to Orlando in July of that same year. Going through Ohare and MCO (Orlando) I was taken out of line and given special attention with a pat down and they used the wand as well. I tried explaining the situation and showed the security team my letter from my doctor, but it didn't do much good. In fact the security guy at MCO said he didn't need to look at it and kept waving that stupid metal detection wand around my hip area. When my wife asked about the letter while I was in the special line, I told her loud enough for anyone around me to hear, I said the following.

I guess the doctor and his staff wasted their time with this letter and we would get more use out of it as toilet paper.


To the OP, just leave extra early to the airport and be prepared for more security checks than usual. Maybe a letter from your doctor will help in some cases and it's better to have it than not, I guess. Good luck.

 

[kmebee]

I have a plate and 5 screws in my hip. I travel quite a bit for work. I never have a problem.
But watch the underwire on your bra ... that got me "pulled over" once. How embarassing.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

My brother has enough metal in his body to build a small car and he has never once set off a metal detector yet others say that small pins have set them off I don't really get it.

I say get the letter but still be prepared that there could some delays in security... then again there could always be delays in security.

 

[Hercules10]

I told her loud enough for anyone around me to hear, I said the following.

I guess the doctor and his staff wasted their time with this letter and we would get more use out of it as toilet paper.

Wouldn’t recommend being loud and belligerent in an airport security line. They're just doing their job. Having documentation about medical conditions isn’t a free pass through security. Never said it was.

The gentlemen here presents his card, tells them his about the metal in his leg (kinda captivates them with how it got there) and cooperates with security. So it probably is best to allow extra time for extra security.

 

[disneyfan67]

Wouldn’t recommend being loud and belligerent in an airport security line. They're just doing their job. Having documentation about medical conditions isn’t a free pass through security. Never said it was.

The gentlemen here presents his card, tells them his about the metal in his leg (kinda captivates them with how it got there) and cooperates with security. So it probably is best to allow extra time for extra security.

I know what you're saying and I want to clarify two things.

I didn't say what I said, in a belligerent manner and I know what could happen to me if the security team deems me as disruptive person. I said it to my wife who asked a question, but I did it in a manner which was in a humorous tone and I guess you had to be there. It was a little humor to break up a ridiculous situation. I always make it a point to be polite to all police and security personal. You don't get anywhere by being rude to a cop, IMO.

I know my letter from my doctor didn't give me a free pass and wasn't expecting it to be. I just didn't care for the fact that after I set off the metal detection unit and explained why, I was ignored and so was the letter. I was just thinking it might have made the process smother, but the guard said he wasn't even interested as he kept waving the wand over me. I know they have a job to do, but they didn't have to be rude. The letter was a waste of time and I didn't need it appearently. I was just telling the OP my experience, no more, no less.

 

[Mkrop]

My mother just flew with a metal rod in her arm with no issues. She has a letter from her Dr but was never asked.

My brother has metal in his cervical area and he too has a letter and has had no one stop him.

Now the barette in my hair set off the detectors but none of the metal in thier bodies

 

[LuvTigger]

I went on some business trips with a guy who had a stent in his heart, which set off some of the metal detectors. He explained to the agents that he had a stent in his heart, and they would wand him, and let him go (this happened at at least two different airports).

IMHO, airport security is very inconsistent and you will never know what to expect at each airport, and with individual agents. I would say just be prepared as you can, try to be patient, and bring the note with you -- it may or may not help. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Good luck! I hope you'll let us know what happened after you return!