Watches and Necklace on or off when being scanned?
 

Hi All
When they had metal detectors I removed my necklace and watch just in case, so no delays. And I continued doing it when I go thru the scanners now. I only keep my ID in my hand and raise them.

But on my last trip I saw some people keep on their watches.

Is this allowed?

Thanks

Yes it is

Please continue to follow this discussion in the TS/S Forum
Thanks...
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

It appears different locations have their detectors set at different sensitivities.
In China -for instance- a watch, belt buckle, and/or metal framed sunglasses might trigger the "red beep". The same items will not sound in the USA.
Although they are allowed, I also take watches and belts off in order to hopefully prevent a secondary screening/pat-down.

Added:
I see OP seems to be talking specifically about the new scanners. The scanner will definitely "see" the watch, necklace, and point to its location on the crude body image on the monitor.
It would be up to the security personnel to determine if that is worthy of secondary screening or verification. To improve the chance of "clear passage" I still recommend to take those items off.

My general advice is to remove it. If you get the beep for secondary or at the discretion of an officer for the body scanner or a pat down, then it just creates needless hassle.

As far as actually alerting at the WTMD, It depends on the tolerance of the metal detector. The overwhelming majority in the US won't trigger for a watch, even if it is metal. Neckklace would depend on the size and metal content.

One metal detector I am aware of with an insanely low tolerance is the WTMD at IAH Terminal A Precheck lane. That would trigger for both my shoes (leather with no visible metal) and my belt (only metal is a small buckle, rest is leather). I would go through there once a week for about a year and people would see me taking off my belt, shoes, and taking out a laptop (I had two) and lecture me on how to use the lane properly :( (In contrast, I had to still remove one laptop at IAH Terminal C, but the same belt and shoes did not trigger the metal detector there, or dozens of other US airport checkpoints).

Like Often1 I just put these key items into a pocket of my carry-on bag and put that in the X-ray before walking through the metal detector.

I am so sorry, I confused everyone as I do not write well.
My question was if I can wear a watch and or necklace when being scanned by those <whole body scanner> machines, not metal detectors. sorry

The body scanners have detected a clarinex pill (2 millimeters by 1 millimeter tops) in the corner of my pocket. If you leave a watch or necklace on, it is highly likely to be detected by millimeter wave or back-scatter x-ray body scanners.

Moderator's Note - Please Stay on Topic
 

Folks,

This thread is about wearing watches and jewelry while being screened in whole body scanners, not while passing through metal detectors.

If you wish to discuss wearing watches while going through the metal detectors, we have an active thread on that topic:
Posts have been moved.

TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator

Hi All
I will just try it and see what happens. Like I said, I saw several people go thru the whole body scanners wearing their watches...
I took mine off and my necklace, I was just wondering if it was required to remove them.
Thanks

There are no universal rules, not only do different countries have different rules but different ports have different technology even within a single country and so may well have different procedures.

I wear a dress watch and silver ring, the former I take off and the later stays on and never had an issue. The Mrs does similar but has much more jewelry (silver, gold and platinum). She's had to go through body scanners a couple of times and never been asked to remove anything (and in fact cannot remove her wedding band even if she wanted to)

Thank you TWA884
During whole body scanners, I now keep my watch and necklace on, while keeping my ID in my hand.

When you show your ID at front of security checkpoints, but you don't have show your ID to screener again after you cleared at security. Just put it away. You put ID in your wallet.