Letter at airport?

The last time I travelled thru the airport, the security 'lady' asked for a letter confirming I had a pacemaker fitted. I told her that I had travelled lots since fitting and had never been asked before. She told me in no uncertain that I had better have one next time! I told her she could get a feel of my lump! ;)
Have any other UK residents had this? I've got a battered photocopy of a Euro Patient ID card, what do others have?

Cheers,
Adam.

11 Comments

Credit card

by Lotti - 2008-02-01 05:02:08

Hi. I have a credit card style plasticized card that I have to carry everywhere. This is for security people ans and medical people that may find me should anything untoward happen. I got this automatically from ELA after implantation.

Lotti

Pacemakers at airport

by Fluzy Suzy - 2008-02-01 05:02:25

Hi Adam
I too live in the U.K. I have travelled to different countries since my pacemaker inserted in 1987. So far all I have done is told them that I have a pacemaker and I have to be frisked. The worst airport was the U.K. coming back from Paris. I was frisked 3 times by different people. No other airport done this.
I do wear an identity bracelet to verify that I am a pacemaker wearer and notelet from the hospital.

a letter?

by heckboy - 2008-02-01 05:02:31

From whom? I've never heard of such a thing. Since my pm, I've traveled from the US to China, the UK and Vancouver, BC and never been asked for anything.

and...

by heckboy - 2008-02-01 05:02:33

I have never flashed a card, worn a bracelet or had to "prove" in any way that I had a PM.

Lamionated ID Card

by dward - 2008-02-01 05:02:39

I travel a lot in North America and use a laminated ID card issued by the PM company - showing my name, the serial number of my PM, the phone number for Medtronics, etc.
In fact, I have never had to actually show it to security. They are fine with my Medic Alert Bracelet.

What good would a letter do? That would be extremely easy to create by computer - even to look official.

new to me too!

by staffie - 2008-02-01 05:02:54

Yeah, it's not as if this is the first time I've travelled either, I've been on flights within the UK, numerous times throughout Europe, West Africa Russia and the USA. I did think that a letter would be a waste of time as any fool could copy and paste any logo into a word doc to make it look official.
I got a great long sheet of paper with my PM details on it after my op. I just photocopied the bits I thought I would need and plasticised that (not very professional looking though!)
Ah well, I have my annual check up in a couple of months, I'll try and remember and ask then......

Cheers,
Adam.

Depends on who is checking

by slarnerd - 2008-02-01 06:02:35

We are usually asked for my son's pacemaker card (from Medtronic) which has his device info and model numbers. Once we were also asked to show his scar ... what a pain, I had to take off his pants and unsnap his onesie. The same person also took his crib shoes off and had them xrayed ... b/c you know every 6 month old is a potential terrorist! Good grief. Why would anyone choose a pat down over a walk through?!

never

by jessie - 2008-02-01 07:02:31

i have never been asked for a card. i have been searched by hand and that is all. each time was pleasant no problem even thru security on a cruise ship. i have never heard of this . what country? what airlines? i will be sure not to go there . lol jessie

I Show my Card

by MHCHAMPION - 2008-02-01 08:02:27

I show the card I recd from Medtronic when I got my PM which has the serial number of the device and the leads on it and my Dr's info and have never had any trouble at airport.
I have flown only in the US since receiving the PM, tho.

I opt for the hand search and do not go through the walk through.

Sounds like you just got a 'smarty' security person trying to show their authority.

Take care.
Margaret

CARD UNUSED

by peter - 2008-02-02 04:02:03

I have flown a lot but have never been asked for my card. Its useless anyway as it could be easily forged by a terrorist. Only had 1 problem in Singapore where I was told by one security guard to walk through a gap in the barriers only to be accosted in no uncertain terms by a guard the other side with "where do you think youre going" he was quite angry with me.Cheers Peter

Got to agree

by staffie - 2008-02-04 01:02:38

"Sounds like you just got a 'smarty' security person trying to show their authority."

I'm sure she got outta bed the wrong side that morning!

You know you're wired when...

You have a $50,000 chest.

Member Quotes

As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.