I have had two knee replacements, so my knees are full of metal. I always tell the staff and try to go through the X-Ray scanner if one is available, because going through the archway I always ring the bells. I still usually have to be wanded and sometimes patted down.
I always offer to show my scars, but the offer is declined.

Nowadays, I always plan to arrive early at the airport, knowing that security will take a long time.

PS: There's no point in getting a card or certification to say you have metal implants, because the security staff take no notice of it. They still have to check you properly.

The following page at the TSA web site explains their procedures. Select "Implants & Internal Medical Devices" from the drop-down box.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures

Thanks very much for the follow ups. He'll be sure to inform the TSA. My husband's appearance is such that the metal detector would always "happen" to go off whenever he went through*, even before any metal implants so this should be interesting. I'll be sure that we allow extra time for security.

* a coincidence, I'm sure.

Hi, just back from two international trips with my 2 titanium knees. At Beijing, Singapore, Denpasar, Sydney, Nadi airports they usually had "metal detectors" and I told them before going through that I would set it off. Get a very light patdown and wanding each time. Nobody wanted to see my scars, nobody asked for a card or letter, nobody seemed very interested. Only interesting thing was in Fiji they are not fussy about getting a "female assist" for a patdown on a female. I did not care, just wanted to get on with it.
The interesting thing in the US is when they do insist on running me thru the scanner, I still get a patdown. I get "positives" on one or both knees nd usually some other random body part, different parts even on the same day wearing the same garments. LAX T7 is not good about letting you keep an eye on your stuff. IAD is very good about that.

The only thing the "pacemaker card" does is inform the "authorities" that you cannot go through the hoop.

Good point Radiogirl, it is sometimes difficult to keep n eye on all your stuff. I have DH go through with all of ours then step to the side to say I have to have a pat-down.

Over the last 14 years I have had a few hundred pat-downs, or in some cases molestation's.

I choose to travel so it is what it is, definitely not a secondary.

My daughter has titanium plates and some 25 or so screws in her face and she can go right through, doesn't set anything off.

Maybe you will be fortunate and whatever is implanted in you doesn't set off the alarm.

I had a fracture repair with a metal plate about two months ago. I asked the orthopedic surgeon about metal detectors. He said that the metal probably would not set it off and that a similar plate in his own leg doesn't. It depends on the alloy and, he said, somewhat on the depth.

I have two small plates and screws in my back. No problem with metal detectors so far. You'll know after a couple of passes.

LOL.

FWIW, I do not tell TSA or any agent that I have a pacemaker. It just creates more work for everyone and there's ZERO risk of anything happening to me in airport security. At JFK/LGA/EWR (home airports), I've never had an issue. In smaller airports, I usually get the wanding/pat down. At LGA, they will actually take you out of the PreCheck line and send you back in the general line, so I would highly recommend NOT sharing the info.

It's been interesting seeing how this is treated worldwide. At PVG, if you have a pacemaker you go through security screening with the airline crews. Never a line, so it's a huge perk! They do a pat down but it is brief, and then they write your name in a book. I was never asked for any proof of had to show a card. My friends hate when I get through security before them.

There are some perks to being battery powered :)

Pacemaker with a Defibrillator - Recent Experiences at Security Checkpoints?
 

new metal knee
 

I recently had total knee replacement for my right knee/ My left has quite a bit of metal as the result of a broken tibia plateau fixed 10 years ago. Since the recent knee replacement I find that I set off the metal detectror every time I go through. I didn't set it off before the nee replacement operation.
So, does this machine register the TOTAL metal or does it just look for hotspots? I guess what I'm asking is if I reduce all other metal content on my person, such as jewlery, belt buckle, zippers, etc is there a chance I can go through the metal detector?

Thanks for any help with this. It's very annoying as a frequent flyer with Pre to have to go through the Xray every time.

Moderator's Action
 

Hello [MENTION=38035]thebat[/MENTION],

I merged your post into the relevant thread.

TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator

Metal implants clearing TSA & International
 

Hey All, does anyone have any experience or knowledge about clearing security with multiple metal implants ( specifically stainless steel vs titanium)? Recently had knee repair with a stainless steel plate used to stabilize the fracture and titanium to repair a wrist. I'm afraid my days of clearing via PreCheck in seconds are beyond me. And internationally I'll never know what to expect until on the ground.

Many Thanks

TSA help
 

I'm not certain where this should be posted, so here goes. About 18 months ago I had my second spinal fusion operation. As a result of the operation I have quite a bit of new "hardware" in my back. On a recent flight, the only one I've had since the operation, I had a serious "pat-down" by TSA, as the newer machine technology just show "block areas" rather than images. The block area picture was generated by some screws that provide security for two titanium rods that support the spine that are attached into the pelvic bone.

As a result I had a significant and aggressive pat down of the groin and upper left leg areas. Done by the TSA agent very courteously and professionally, but not something I was pleased about.

So the question is there anything I can do to mitigate/reduce the pat-down? I do have several pictures of x-rays taken after the operation that clearly show what I'm describing.

Any ideas or suggestions?

You might consider applying for TSA's Precheck which might steer you to the WTMD (Walk Through Medal Detector) on some trips. Question would be if the implants would trigger the WTMD taking you back to square one. Good luck.

I have two rods from my head to shoulders and wonder what issues that will present when clearing TSA. Flying next month so will soon know.