Metal Detector
May 9, 2006 | 4:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
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Location: Sarasota, FL
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Metal Detector
I fly a lot but this summer I am having a surgery that will install two pacemaker type devices in my body. I can not go through the metal detectors as it will deactivate the devices. So, what is the procedure for being hand screened? Do I just ask? Do I need a note from my doctor? I'm 31 so I'm not your typically age for them to necessarily just believe me. Also, what happens to my bags while I'm being screened? Do they just sit on the security belt until I'm done? I ask because I often have my laptop. Thanks for your help. I'm trying to make this added security step as painless as possible.
May 9, 2006 | 5:43 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: CHS
Posts: 2,274
This TSA has a brief overview on this webpage:
http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/e...orial_1376.xml
...I'm sure other passengers can provide further info, or maybe one of our TSAers.
http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/e...orial_1376.xml
...I'm sure other passengers can provide further info, or maybe one of our TSAers.
May 9, 2006 | 8:21 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Fracture repairs
My son is flying next month. Its the first time that he will be flying after a badly broken arm that required metal (titanium I believe) plates and rods.
He can go through the metal detector, but does anyone know (or have experience) if this will set it off?
He can go through the metal detector, but does anyone know (or have experience) if this will set it off?
May 10, 2006 | 6:55 am
#4
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Originally Posted by Mr. Vker
My son is flying next month. Its the first time that he will be flying after a badly broken arm that required metal (titanium I believe) plates and rods.
He can go through the metal detector, but does anyone know (or have experience) if this will set it off?
He can go through the metal detector, but does anyone know (or have experience) if this will set it off?
Stainless steel and titanium are both diamagnetic materials. However, some titanium alloys are paramagnetic (weakly attracted by magnetic fields). Also, some stainless steel is ferromagnetic due to its alloy content, but I believe stainless implant alloys that are made today would be most likely to be paramagnetic or diamagnetic.
Short answer: probably will not set off the WTMD, possibly will set off the hand-held scanner.
Last edited by Spiff; May 10, 2006 at 7:02 am
May 10, 2006 | 10:11 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Originally Posted by Spiff
It all depends on the alloy. If it's ferromagnetic, it will. Otherwise, it's unlikely to.
Stainless steel and titanium are both diamagnetic materials. However, some titanium alloys are paramagnetic (weakly attracted by magnetic fields). Also, some stainless steel is ferromagnetic due to its alloy content, but I believe stainless implant alloys that are made today would be most likely to be paramagnetic or diamagnetic.
Short answer: probably will not set off the WTMD, possibly will set off the hand-held scanner.
Stainless steel and titanium are both diamagnetic materials. However, some titanium alloys are paramagnetic (weakly attracted by magnetic fields). Also, some stainless steel is ferromagnetic due to its alloy content, but I believe stainless implant alloys that are made today would be most likely to be paramagnetic or diamagnetic.
Short answer: probably will not set off the WTMD, possibly will set off the hand-held scanner.
Thank you for the heads up. It was a compound fracture of both bones from a bicycle accident. It required a lot of metal to fix. My wife has confiscated the bike.
If it does set it off, he some horrendous scars to prove the surgery.
May 15, 2006 | 9:43 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Colorado
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Anyone can request a patdown for any reason. You do not have to give a reason. If it is due to medical reasons, you are entitled to confidentiality and can remain silent about it. TSO's are not supposed to ask what the reason is.
Contrary to another poster, ALL metal causes a reaction to the metal detector, the deciding factor is the amount of reaction in the form of "induced magnetic field" that the metal implant or jewelry returns. Some metals like gold for example impart a very low return field. It has nothing to do with the iron content of the metal.
Contrary to another poster, ALL metal causes a reaction to the metal detector, the deciding factor is the amount of reaction in the form of "induced magnetic field" that the metal implant or jewelry returns. Some metals like gold for example impart a very low return field. It has nothing to do with the iron content of the metal.
May 15, 2006 | 7:00 pm
#9
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i found this article interesting: http://origin.www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/easnote.html
May 18, 2006 | 5:11 pm
#10
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Just flew through MXP. Big signs on the WTMD's in English and Italian state that anyone with a pacemaker is forbidden to pass through the WTMD and should identify themselves to the security personnel (for separate screening).