Apple Watch and passing through security -- Your experiences
Apr 10, 2016 | 10:23 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 9
Apple Watch and passing through security -- Your experiences
I have done some research and it seems like there is a bit of a gray area on this one. Some say they've passed through security without taking off the Apple Watch, some say they set off the alarm. It's hard to find a good answer on this topic.
So what are you experiences? It would be great if you listed the airports you frequent.
I've had the watch for about a month and have put it in my carry on like any other watch. If I could keep it on it would be one less thing to do after passing through security!
So what are you experiences? It would be great if you listed the airports you frequent.
I've had the watch for about a month and have put it in my carry on like any other watch. If I could keep it on it would be one less thing to do after passing through security!
Apr 10, 2016 | 11:22 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott LTT + Ambassador
Posts: 80
my home airport is PHL and I frequent ORD and SFO - I never take my Apple Watch off through security and have had no issues. Just traveled to LHR and CPH and also had no issue. For what it's worth, I have the Sport - so the band may make a difference.
Apr 10, 2016 | 11:26 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: STL
Posts: 1,574
Trying to think which airports I've been through with it lately....STL, DTW, DFW, SYD, AKL, MEL, ATL, PUJ. Maybe one more I'm forgetting....but no issues with it yet.
Apr 10, 2016 | 12:25 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 817
I don't have an apple watch, but I've always been allowed to wear my "smart watch" through 
I opt out, never been an issue. Metal detectors don't seem to mind it either.
I opt out, never been an issue. Metal detectors don't seem to mind it either.
Apr 10, 2016 | 12:48 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
There's nothing special about Apple watches. It's all about the volume of "stuff" on you. Add a watch, a belt buckle and one more thing and you will alarm in some places.
Once you know roughly what you can carry through the mag (presuming pre-check), you can decide what's easiest to toss in your carry-on.
Once you know roughly what you can carry through the mag (presuming pre-check), you can decide what's easiest to toss in your carry-on.
Apr 11, 2016 | 8:43 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: enjoyed being warm spit for a few years on CO/UA but now nothing :(
Posts: 2,825
I have gone through checkpoints with people wearing wrist-watches weighing upwards of 300 grams and they did not suffer alarms. I suspect your Apple watch will be fine, too.
Apr 11, 2016 | 10:42 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: KSUX
Posts: 919
I've only taken one trip since I've had mine and only in one airport did they ask me to take it off but they were telling everyone they saw with a watch on to remove it. On that trip I went through my hometown SUX (yes I've heard every joke about it), ORD, and CUN. I think it was in Cancun they asked me to take it off along with my belt. FWIW it wasn't an issue when I went to the Sears, erm Willis Tower Skydeck and went through the WTMD with it on.
Apr 12, 2016 | 5:23 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Arizona, USA
Posts: 2,424
It's been a problem a few times for the full-body scanners but never the metal detector. That's not unique to the Apple Watch. They sometimes have wristwatch obsessions for everyone with the full-body scanners.
I love having my boarding card on there. It makes the document check and boarding especially easy.
I love having my boarding card on there. It makes the document check and boarding especially easy.
Apr 12, 2016 | 5:28 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
Apr 12, 2016 | 9:56 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,543
It depends on the scanner. I went through the scanner at our local courthouse with metal that I knew was acceptable at the airports--and set it off.
Apr 13, 2016 | 8:38 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: enjoyed being warm spit for a few years on CO/UA but now nothing :(
Posts: 2,825
Apr 13, 2016 | 11:54 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
I can imagine. I take off my watch before the WTMD (Omega Seamaster) because it's set off the WTMD in the past - I believe it's around 150g. Just goes into my bag with my wallet.