Help, I might be radioactive
Apr 26, 2024, 2:53 pm
#19
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 3
I have a scan at my local hospital coming up shortly (exact date to be confirmed), and the process includes being injected with a radioactive dye to improve the image. I know somebody who had a similar scan last year and they said there was a poster on the wall of the hospital waiting room warning that a small amount of radioactivity remains in your system for a few days after the procedure. The poster advised that if you are travelling through an airport with sensitive scanners shortly after the hospital scan you may set off the alarms (close contact with other people after 24hrs is fine).
I have a flight from T5 in a coupke of weeks time and sods law the scan will be a couple of days before my departure. The only suggestion from the hospital is to carry a copy of the referral letter so the airport can see which procedure you have had.
Has anyone heard of this problem before?
I have a flight from T5 in a coupke of weeks time and sods law the scan will be a couple of days before my departure. The only suggestion from the hospital is to carry a copy of the referral letter so the airport can see which procedure you have had.
Has anyone heard of this problem before?
Apr 27, 2024, 2:10 am
#21
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 315
Apr 27, 2024, 4:16 am
#23
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Northern England
Posts: 1,540
Apr 27, 2024, 5:30 am
#24
Join Date: May 2014
Programs: USA UAL DAL
Posts: 35
I set off the geiger counters at DUB returning to EWR a few years ago at US pre-clearance after a thyroid-related whole body scan (assuming slightly higher dose than OP's situation?). Definitely have the letter with you. Note on my outbound departing US flight no issue. CBP have Geiger counters but at the time anyway TSA did not.
Critical: if they ask "have you had a recent medical procedure" answer "yes". I thought 'test' didn't equal 'procedure' and said no. I was pulled aside, assigned a watcher, and eventually they scanned me to confirm the isotope! Extra 20 minutes or so.
Critical: if they ask "have you had a recent medical procedure" answer "yes". I thought 'test' didn't equal 'procedure' and said no. I was pulled aside, assigned a watcher, and eventually they scanned me to confirm the isotope! Extra 20 minutes or so.
Apr 27, 2024, 8:05 am
#25
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: London / Brighton
Programs: BAEC Gold / M-Life Gold / HH Diamond
Posts: 1,697
Is this a serious post or tongue in cheek? There are Geiger counters in airports?!
Apr 27, 2024, 8:27 am
#26
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 64,267
You've not noticed them? Or heard them? No, it's not TiC, just have a look at that white wall and roof mounted strip as you move from the international baggage carousels to landside at T5. Otherwise known as the Putin Tea Detector.
Last edited by corporate-wage-slave; Apr 27, 2024 at 10:41 am
Apr 27, 2024, 10:36 am
#27
Join Date: May 2014
Programs: USA UAL DAL
Posts: 35
As they walked by they would look at my minder with some alarm, the minder reassured them everything was under control.
Outbound at EWR no one noticed or cared...Arriving at DUB no one noticed or cared...Arriving at EWR no one noticed or cared (functionally a domestic arrival after DUB pre-clearance)
Apr 30, 2024, 2:53 am
#28
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: London / Brighton
Programs: BAEC Gold / M-Life Gold / HH Diamond
Posts: 1,697
It seemed that each CBP officer had a radiation detector.
As they walked by they would look at my minder with some alarm, the minder reassured them everything was under control.
Outbound at EWR no one noticed or cared...Arriving at DUB no one noticed or cared...Arriving at EWR no one noticed or cared (functionally a domestic arrival after DUB pre-clearance)
As they walked by they would look at my minder with some alarm, the minder reassured them everything was under control.
Outbound at EWR no one noticed or cared...Arriving at DUB no one noticed or cared...Arriving at EWR no one noticed or cared (functionally a domestic arrival after DUB pre-clearance)
Apr 30, 2024, 10:14 am
#29
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: BA Exec Blue
Posts: 91
The sort of tunnel that looks like an oversized metal detector arch? I assumed it was for radiation monitoring but Ive never heard them click or the like.
Apr 30, 2024, 2:14 pm
#30
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+, BAEC Silver
Posts: 3,691
