Stripped Searched at Miami Airport

[Jacky]

I think she should consult an attorney. Even if she doesnt win a settlement (which she very well might) it might prevent this from happening to someone else.

Poor thing.

Jacky

 

[flortlebap]

How terrible! I'd be so upset.

 

[Liliyana]

Something like this happened to my father about a year ago. He wasn't completely stripped, however! But, he has two artificial hips and they wouldn't even look at his card claiming so. He was pulled into the office and missed his flight.

 

[Katwillow1]

Schmeck,

There is no "official" documentation from doctors, etc., to the effect that a person has metal implants. I believe you're speaking here from assumptions and ignorance. I have multiple metal implants and there is not a standard, official document. I have a letter from one doctor, however, that's never asked for. There is no standard document, if there was, I'd have a book of them!

Interesting....I guess my Orthopaedic Surgeon was assuming me to be ignorant and gave me an "official card" when I had both of my knees totally replaced last year AND at the time also told me that I should carry it WITH my ticket and present it to the screeners PRIOR to going through. Frankly, if after that they choose to do a strip search then so be it. It is the law, they do have the authority. It's for my protection AND for everyone elses.

 

[scroot]

DW has a laminated card with x-ray pictures of her hips both and knees also both. Never had a problem including two weeks ago.

 

[disneyfanatic77]

There is SPECIFIC paper work that people recieve when they have a metal fixation. I know I am disabled and I have hip fixations. I have a piece of paper that I have to hand to the scanner, which they use to bring me over to a special area and hand scan me all over. I have had this paper for about 17 years now, so maybe they don't use them any more, but they did have them before, so Shmeck is correct.

 

[DisneyElf]

My nephew has a ton of hardware in his ankle - metal plates screws (total fracture of the ankle - all bones broken). At JFK - they made him just take off his socks - and the TSA officer could feel the plates (and see the scars) - so he had no issue.

What really scared me was flying back out of SFO - he didn't set off the detectors

 

[alisonbestford]

That's awful

DH has a titanium plate in his head which, thankfully, has never caused a problem with the scanners.
I've never really thought about asking his Docs to give him a covering letter although we often advised patients to get them when I was nursing.
How bad a wife does that make me.....?

I hope she's feeling better now Julie but I do think that she should write an official letter of complaint. Surely this is an infringement on human rights?

 

[LindaBabe]

I absolutely would complain and loudly! I see the situation as an abuse by ignorant people given a positon of power. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to work for TSA and our own government has handed them the power.

 

[Schmeck]

I hope she's feeling better now Julie but I do think that she should write an official letter of complaint. Surely this is an infringement on human rights?

Not with the Patriot Act in place - which, of course, is an infringement of human rights in itself...

 

[Ali and boyz]

That's awful

DH has a titanium plate in his head which, thankfully, has never caused a problem with the scanners.
I've never really thought about asking his Docs to give him a covering letter although we often advised patients to get them when I was nursing.
How bad a wife does that make me.....?

I hope she's feeling better now Julie but I do think that she should write an official letter of complaint. Surely this is an infringement on human rights?

Alison do you know if doctors here in the UK give out such letters or cards. Our sons neck is like Mechano been to america twice now , never had any documentation with us, there again didn't know we needed it. the scanners have never went off.
thanks

Ali

 

[alisonbestford]

Hi Ali

The consultants at the hospital I used to work in would write a letter if you requested it
I don't know that there were any special guidelines for them to adhere to and, like you, we've never had problems setting off the scanners but it may well be worth asking

 

[bgirldeb]

How awful!

My father had one of his hips replaced a year ago and has a titanium hip.

He was given a card by his surgeon to take with him in situations like this.

He flew over labor day weekend and was sure to have the card with him and in-hand when going through the screener.

 

[dzorn]

Do you realize how easy it would be to fake one of these cards? I hope security would not accept them. DSis has hip replacement and had to have additional screening. I was allowed to remain in site of her but not to touch her. She is developmentally disabled. The only thing she had to do was remover her hat. and shoes. They did a pat down. Not knowing (but assuming) if you friend was flying in from an international destination I would assume it was customs and not regular TSA security. So sorry she had to to through something so humiliating.

Denise in MI

 

[vhoffman]

Various cards, letters, and other documentation exists but there is no official, government ID type of documentation for artificial body parts. I've been given different types of cards, letters, etc., over the years, no two alike. There's not an official government type card. What about someone like me, who's had many joint replacements done over a period of years, all by different doctors? What if I pulled out 10 different types of documentation? That would raise even more suspicion--they can't all be valid

So many times people make assumptions based on something they've read, been told 4th hand, etc. I've had many joint replacement surgeries, I know there's not an official government documentation.

 

[pixiedancer]

My neighbor had knee replacement surgery. SHe had the doctor's note/medical paper saying that she had it done. The airport security made her go to another line and then patted her down making her feel very uncomfortable and like a criminal.

 

[vhoffman]

The whole procedure of going through another security line, being wanded, and patted down is something I'm just used to and take in stride. I've had artificial joints for over 20 years, so I've had plenty of experience setting off the metal detector! I just plan on it. I always allow plenty of extra time, usually 3 hours before flight departure. I've never been made to feel like a criminal. Its just life in the big airplane! Really, despite all the horror stories, i've never had a problem. A lot depends on your attitude. Relax, they see plenty of people every day with artificial body parts that set off the metal detector. Just go with the flow.

Oh, here's a bit of advice for anyone flying--don't wear an underwire bra. The wire does set off the metal detector, then you're in the awkward position of having your bra area wanded, perhaps patted down! I always use a non-underwire for traveling. I call it my airplane bra!

 

[agnes!]

She is english, white and a special needs teacher, not the profile they would be looking at.

She has been traumatised by this and gets weepy when speaking about it. She has bought a house in Mexico so she will look at flying into another airport next time.

I suppose at Miami Airport they have to deal with alot of hassles as it is the gateway to South Americia and the Caribbean. But, those officers were stressed out and 'over the top' and their attitude was alot to be desired too.

This is Julie not Johnny

My 83 year-old mother usually *always* gets pulled aside for extra screening when she travels and she absolutely does not fit any possible profile either. I actually think that sometimes the screeners look for opposites to any profile so they can balance out possible discrimination claims.

agnes!

 

[agnes!]

Oh, here's a bit of advice for anyone flying--don't wear an underwire bra. The wire does set off the metal detector, then you're in the awkward position of having your bra area wanded, perhaps patted down! I always use a non-underwire for traveling. I call it my airplane bra!

When airplane/airport security was first increased post 9/11, the metal detectors were set too high and gave many false positives. For instance a friend's DD was pulled aside for extra screening because a very tiny metallic bead in her hairbraid set off the metal detectors. It is my understanding that the metal detectors are now adjusted to allow for small amounts of metal - for instance I do not remove my wedding ring (even though I do take off all other jewelry).
I don't think underwires will set off the metal detectors anymore. I know many women who fly out of Washington Dulles and Reagan National all the time, some of them wear underwires & they do not have to go through extra screening...

agnes!

 

[ducklite]

Oh, here's a bit of advice for anyone flying--don't wear an underwire bra. The wire does set off the metal detector, then you're in the awkward position of having your bra area wanded, perhaps patted down! I always use a non-underwire for traveling. I call it my airplane bra!

This is pretty much a fallacy these days. 99% of wired bras are now made with plastic wires. I haven't worn a non-wire bra since I was in high school, and have flown over a million miles, and have NEVER set off the metal detector with my bra.

Anne