Airport Security

Hi everyone,

Sorry I haven't been around lately, Hubbys' been really sick but we're going to LA for the rest of his recovery.....some sunshine ya know! lol

Living in Canada is great til you're housebound in January through March!

My question is this: I cannot remember the security measures for someone who is pacemaker dependent. I know I don't walk through the magnetic thingy but do I let them 'wand me' or insist on a pat down??

I'd really hate it if they shut down my pacemaker and Hubby can't help me at all, cause he's got his own major illness happening.

We're both taking wheelchairs through security.....yikes!

I'll soak up the rays for you, please let me know today!

Thankyou


Bionic Beat

7 Comments

pat down

by Tracey_E - 2009-03-08 01:03:36

There are members here who walk through with no problems, there are members who have had serious problems and had to be rushed to the hospital to have a pm reset. That's very rare and not supposed to happen but I don't take a chance! When I put my stuff on the belt to go through xray, I tell them immediately that I have a pm. They usually have me step to the side and wait until a female agent is available to walk me through. Using the wand won't do any good, it'll beep when they get it close to the pm.

Enjoy your trip!!! I hope your husband gets to feeling better.

No hassle.......

by CJD2007 - 2009-03-08 03:03:55

I have traveled several times since my PM implant in '07. I have my Medtronics PM identification card out with ID and tell them that I have a pacemaker. Like TraceyE said they will have you step aside and wait for either a female/male TSA Security Officer depending on your gender. Then they will take you over to where they will have you stand feet apart and arms outward and pat you down. This can be done out in the open where others can see you, or if you feel uncomfortable you can tell them and they will take you someplace private. I have always just gone with it done out in the open. They do not use the wand at all. It's a simple procedure and nothing to worry about.

Hope you and your husband have a wonderful and safe trip ;D

Airport Security

by richan - 2009-03-08 05:03:22

Hi Bionic,
My wife and I just got back from a trip to Austin, TX. I'd have to say that TSA has gotten better at this stuff. I just tell them that I have a PM (I do show them my PM card - seems like they ignore it) and they tell me to step aside. Fairly quickly, a TSA officer (male in my case) has me step over into an area for pat-downs. The officer grabs my stuff that went through the x-ray a brings it for me. The pat-downs seem to be uniformly pretty thorough). My wife thinks they go way beyond what is necessary. I guess that I am used to it - it really doesn't bother me (other than it sometimes takes too long). I usually thank them for doing their job.
I guess that is what we have to do if we want to fly.
Hope you and your husband have a good time!

Peace,
Richan

get pat down

by bowlrbob - 2009-03-08 11:03:09

i asked my EP and told him I had just been walking through the metal detector and a brisk pace. My EP is pretty liberal and he got all over me for that. He said ask for a pat down. He said it might not do anything but it also could reset the PM. I have special settings he does not want changed and neither do i. So I now get the added pleasure of a pat down. O'h what fun!!! Bowlrbob

Get patted down

by janetinak - 2009-03-09 03:03:27

Just wear loose clothes & easily removed/replaces shoes. No underwire bras, etc. tell them got a PM & as above they will use their heavy duty rubber kitchen type glove & a gal will pat you down saying all the time things like.."tell me if any place hurts"," I am using the back of my hands, not palms for private areas:, etc. Its no big deal. I just ask them to get my purse, etc off the belt when it goes thru & there is no problem.

Have some sun for me. We are getting much longer hours here in Alalska (gets dark now @ 8:30 PM) & some more sun but I think CA would be great now.

Janet

When Entering teh TSA Line

by gldoble - 2009-03-09 12:03:32

Hi there,

I travel way too much 107k miles last year and probably another 100k this year. When you entire the TSA line simply state Male or Female assist. Thye will ask why you state I or Husband has a PM. You will be wisked to the side away from the Scanners.

Do not let tehm use the Guardian wand some of the TSA folks ahve a hard time hearing when you say you have a PM or IDC. Other than that its quick. I have traveled so much in the last two years, that the regualr TSA agents in San Diego, Denver, Hong King and Mian Land China actaully recognize me. And we have pleasent chats.

But aside from simply stateing Male or Female Assist there is no problem.

Have an enjoyable trip

Pat down only

by ted - 2009-03-09 12:03:45

I'm glad that we are unanimous about avoiding the machine and the wand (which my doctor says is more dangerous). I got a lot of flak here some weeks ago because I got upset with some newcommer who said the machine was no problem for her and therefore it was ok for the rest of us. I refused to apologize for saying that she was giving dangerous advice. It is best to be aware of any devices that could cause a problem and not take chances.

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Hi, I am 47 and have had a pacemaker for 7 months and I’m doing great with it.