Airport security, what to do?

I have my first domestic airline flight next week since I got my PM. I'd like to know whether I should go through the normal passenger scanner or bypass the scanner and have them use a wand. I am not PM dependent, but I don't want to mess up my PM programming or cause any unnecessary fuss at the airport.

I have my PM ID card, a MedAlert pendant and will notify them at security.

Is there a clear consensus as to which is better?

Thx, Lou

8 Comments

airport

by Alma Annie - 2013-10-30 06:10:32

The wand is not good, the airport staff know this. I always show my card, and I have a pat down. (with a female officer in my case.) I always have to take off my shoes and they go through the scanner. It is not a big deal and only takes a couple of minutes. I believe the new scanners are ok, but so far we don't have them here in OZ.
There are many travellers with pm's and ICD's.
I did have the wand once, in a court situation, where I was refused a pat down. I felt very peculiar for 15 minutes. I was told to have them keep it 6 " from pm. They refused, and put it all over me. I will not be going to court again in a support situation and if it I had to as a witness or something, I would still refuse and demand a pat down or nothing. Someone told me I could always strip off in front of them so they could see I was not carrying anything dangerous!!
Alma Annie.

Airport

by sugar - 2013-10-30 07:10:18


I just arrived home from another trip. After checking in through the TSA who checks your license and ticket and before you put your things in trays and all, I give a signal to an agent at the machines and I opt out for the pat down. The signal is I tap with my right hand over the pacemaker site and they then will ask what you need. My specialist has asked me not to go into any scanners. TSA can be snots when they know better than your doctor and you owe no excuse but I want to opt out. The machines claim we can go through and some people do. The machine is operated by a person on the far side of the scanner and the computer is only as good as the agent pushing the buttons.
Talk to your doctor, we have these pacers for different reasons and I choose to be extra careful and I also choose to not take the advise of an agent that knows less than I do regarding my inside computer.
The only airport I had a problem with was two weeks ago in Boston. I understand Boston is Boston. Once I passed the main check area, the rest of the TSA people were great. GOOD LUCK
Sugar/Patty

Security scanners

by pacergirl - 2013-10-30 11:10:18

Hi, It depends on which airport I'm in as to what I do. If I fly from my hometown airport I always choose the pat down. If I am flying out of an airport with the new full body x-ray type scanner then I hold my hands up like everyone else and get canned. It hasn't been a problem. The wand is a big no-no. However, I am a believer that my PM will go back into regular settings for me once the wand has been removed, but why risk it is what I say. When we cruise, I also opt for the pat-down when I get back onto the cruise ship. So it's full scanner for me when in D.C. or a patdown when I'm in an airport that doesn't have the new full body scanners.

I also should mention that I too pat my left shoulder and always have my ID and my medical Pacemaker card with me when I travel. I would also like to add that I have rarely have a problem with security people. Of course I do smile a lot, use my manners and show some respect when I deal with people who deal with so many people everyday.

Good luck, have some fun!
Pacergirl

Thanks to ALL!

by lbdina - 2013-10-31 01:10:28

Thanks for the great responses, everyone. Sounds like the general consensus is to let them know, and if possible, get a pat down.

I sent an email to the Sorin rep and he gave me a rushed reply that anything would probably be okay - wand, scanner, etc. I'm not sure if that is because he was just so busy, whether they won't affect my Sorin Reply DR, or maybe just because I am not dependent and am unlikely to have any reaction. Interesting.

The pat down sounds like the best option. Regardless, I won't sweat it too much and will try to take the least invasive approach.

Appreciate it!!

Lou

Hi Lou !....................

by Tattoo Man - 2013-10-31 07:10:44


.........................I can only speak of my experience with European flights...as in, ten this year. I always hold up my PM 'Passport', having already told the guy putting my shoes, belt etc into the machine.

I have only experienced courteous and considerate treatment and am convinced that I get a more thorough search by the Very Thorough pat-downs that I have experienced .

I am with Pacergirl...a smile goes a long way with security people who seem to, in the main, have pretty joyless occupations .

Happy flying !

Tattoo Man

Airport Scanners

by jenny97 - 2013-10-31 09:10:08

The new Provision scanners are ok for PMs so if your airport has them, you can pretty much be just the same as everyone else. If the airport doesn't have them, then a patdown is probably in order. I've found in my hundreds of flights since my first PM installation that airport security generally knows what to do if I just mention that I have a PM.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Jenny

Airport Scan

by jbjlll - 2013-10-31 11:10:25

I had first pacemaker implant in 2003 and my second last year. Have been on all continents since 2003 and most of the time have gone through the scanners. If they realized I had a pacemaker they usually were more concerned than I was. So sometimes I had a wand or pat down. I never had a reaction to the scanners. Now I have had a hip replacement and have to go for the wand or pat down. That said, regardless of what I have done, I would recommend that you inform them and go for the pat down or wand. It just doesn't take that long so why take a chance.

Hi Lou

by IAN MC - 2013-10-31 12:10:43

In Europe I have always been asked to bypass the scanner and have had a wand below the waist only .

The exception was in Greece a couple of weeks ago, when I was told to walk round the side of the scanner and was then sent on my way to the departure lounge !
No wand, no pat down, just a big smile ( trusting people, the Greeks !! )

. Entering the States is always a real pain though because their non-smiling immigration people seem to treat every non- American as a terrorist and I had a pat down in Chicago which would have qualified as an Olympic event !

Everywhere seems to be different

Cheers

Ian

You know you're wired when...

The mortgage on your device is more than your house.

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I am 100% pacemaker dependant and have been all my life. I try not to think about how a little metal box keeps me alive - it would drive me crazy. So I lead a very active life.