Metal plate in ankle.....security question....

[MrsBlovesDisney]

Just wondering if anyone can advise their personal experience regarding a metal plate and airport security? I broke my ankle back in March and am now the proud owner of a plate plus 9 screws. I will be traveling in November and wonder what I should expect at the airport. TIA!!

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

My boyfriend has metal plate in his face so we have the same concerns. I checked tsa.gov and read up in it. Apparently you will need to declare the plates to security. If they have the body scanner you should opt for that instead of the metal detectors. You may also have to have the pat down with the wand thingie. Seems like this is common for the tsa so I would just tell them when you get there and be cooperative if you have to have a little more screening. We plan to allot extra airport time just in case!

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/metal-implants

 

[SandyinMonterey]

My Mom has a pacemaker and can't thru the scanner. She carries a card with her stating she has a pacemaker and tells them. They do a pat down on her and make her take off her shoes. Do you have a card stating you have the plate? That would be helpful.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

My Mom has a pacemaker and can't thru the scanner. She carries a card with her stating she has a pacemaker and tells them. They do a pat down on her and make her take off her shoes. Do you have a card stating you have the plate? That would be helpful.

Ah yes, you can get one here: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/notification-card

 

[4everdis]

I too have a plate and screws in my ankle. I let the airlines know at the gate and had to go through the full body scan. I've flown three twice last year with no problems. :

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

Thank you all! I had already reviewed the TSA info. Also, regarding the card......my Orthopedic has advised security doesn't accept them anymore because they are too easy to duplicate like a license (with regard to brackets/screws anyway, I don't know about other medical issues).

I too have a plate and screws in my ankle. I let the airlines know at the gate and had to go through the full body scan. I've flown three twice last year with no problems. :

THANK YOU! That makes me feel MUCH better!!

 

[DVC-Don]

I've got screws in one foot, but it has never set anything off. My wife has had a hip replacement and sets the metal detectors off every time and then has to get wanded. She opts for the full body scanner if they have one and has no problem getting through that.

 

[mgsquared]

I have lots of plates and screws in my face from a jaw surgery. I remember at my last follow up asking the doctor for a note for airport security.
He laughed and said that they use a special metal that does not set off the scanners for these things.

Sure enough, it has been 7 years, lots and lots of trips worldwide- and I have never set anything off!

 

[ImDMous]

I've got screws in one foot, but it has never set anything off. My wife has had a hip replacement and sets the metal detectors off every time and then has to get wanded. She opts for the full body scanner if they have one and has no problem getting through that.

I've had the same experience. I've had a metal rod in my leg for 20 years. If I can wear a whole outfit with no metal at all (no zippers, no underwires, no grommets or anything) then I can get through without setting off the detectors. If I wear any metal, just that little bit will put me over the threshold and it will go off. If it goes off, I just get the wanding, tell them where the metal is and go on my way. The body scanners are awesome if available because the metal doesn't effect them.

I usually look like a bum when flying; sweats, t-shirt, sports bra. But it's faster that way.

 

[rwdavis2]

Thank you all! I had already reviewed the TSA info. Also, regarding the card......my Orthopedic has advised security doesn't accept them anymore because they are too easy to duplicate like a license (with regard to brackets/screws anyway, I don't know about other medical issues).

Correct about the card or any type of letter. TSA won't take them as proof of anything. I was told that by a TSA agent in Orlando a couple years ago. Too easy to forge.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Correct about the card or any type of letter. TSA won't take them as proof of anything. I was told that by a TSA agent in Orlando a couple years ago. Too easy to forge.

That TSA notification card is useless. It's just as fast to tell TSA that you have metal in your body.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I've got screws in one foot, but it has never set anything off. My wife has had a hip replacement and sets the metal detectors off every time and then has to get wanded. She opts for the full body scanner if they have one and has no problem getting through that.

I understood that they stopped wanding well over a year ago and now they feel people by hand.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I understood that they stopped wanding well over a year ago and now they feel people by hand.

Completely untrue. I was at IAD just yesterday and saw several people being wanded by TSA who had set off the metal detectors.

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

Thanks to all!!

I'm feeling MUCH better hearing your first-hand experiences!!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

 

[MaleficentRN]

DH has a plate and five screws in his ankle and has never set off a detector or needed secondary after the body scan.
Have a great flight!

 

[CPT Tripss]

I understood that they stopped wanding well over a year ago and now they feel people by hand.

Completely untrue. I was at IAD just yesterday and saw several people being wanded by TSA who had set off the metal detectors.

Well . . . I have to say that what you saw isn't what I have experienced over the last couple years. Nor is it what TSA says on their website - http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/pat-downs

If a passenger cannot or chooses not to be screened by imaging technology or a walk-through metal detector, the passenger will be screened using a thorough patdown procedure instead. A patdown procedure also is used to resolve any alarms of a metal detector or anomalies identified by imaging technology.

Or what TSA says here - http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/metal-implants

If a passenger cannot or chooses not to be screened by imaging technology or the passenger alarms a walk-through metal detector, the passenger will be screened using a thorough patdown procedure.

OP should be prepared for a hands on screening if the screening device alarms. I alarm something less than half the time; every time I alarm, I get the hands on job from the airport security screener.

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

OP should be prepared for a hands on screening if the screening device alarms. I alarm something less than half the time; every time I alarm, I get the hands on job from the airport security screener.

Oh joy!! LOL!! At least I'll be prepared!! TY!!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Well . . . I have to say that what you saw isn't what I have experienced over the last couple years. Nor is it what TSA says on their website - http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/pat-downs



Or what TSA says here - http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/metal-implants



OP should be prepared for a hands on screening if the screening device alarms. I alarm something less than half the time; every time I alarm, I get the hands on job from the airport security screener.

I only commented on what I have personally seen, and that is people being wanded only after setting off the alarm (just three days ago at IAD).

 

[goofy4tink]

I've also seen quite a few people being 'wanded' on my last two flights in June.

 

[CPT Tripss]

If they do wand someone and that person alarms again due to a metal implant, what then? Can't imagine anything but a hands on . . .