Watches and necklaces on or off when going through whole body scanner?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 92
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
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
#4
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,275
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.
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.
Last edited by narvik; Mar 19, 2018 at 7:35 pm Reason: added
#5
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New York
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott LTPP, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 1,065
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.
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.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 92
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
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
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
Last edited by TWA884; Mar 20, 2018 at 8:01 pm Reason: Term better left for the Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate forum
#7
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New York
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott LTPP, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 1,065
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.
Last edited by TWA884; Mar 20, 2018 at 8:02 pm Reason: Conform to moderator's edit of quoted post
#8
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,481
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
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
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 92
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
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
#10
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: London, UK
Posts: 163
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)
#12
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: AA Gold AAdvantage Elite, Rapids Reward
Posts: 38,295
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.