Originally Posted by
bzbdewd
If the hand wand can really impact the pace-maker I think this is a little more serious. True in this case there was no harm done but it could have been very serious and the TSA should be called on the carpet for it.
There is a notice from the FDA about problems like this. Its a real issue - metal detectors have relatively large electromagnets in them and they can easily effect the control circuitry of implantable medical devices. This is one of those situations where millimeter radar might be better.
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/easnote.html
Keep in mind here folks - when someone with a hand wand approaches a pacemaker implanted patient, and activates the wand near their chest, they can kill them. No harm done here, but these TSA jokers will end up getting someone killed if they ignore it when someone says they have a pacemaker. Most acts of TSA incompetence are just annoying, frankly. This one is much more serious. Still not actionable, I suspect - maybe the FA will take the case pro bono?
