My friend and neighbor Agnes (who also is my catsitter when I have to travel) just got a pacemaker but is planning to go to Houston, Tx in July.

She is woundering if there is a special kind of card that she would need to let security and airline personnel that she has a special device.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.


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MEOW! MEOW! MEOW!!!

Catman --

I'm not sure if there's any card for pacemakers, but she may want to ask her doc, as there would seem to be enough metal to set the detector off. (I've only seen one pacemaker out of a cadaver.) As for the flight, it'd probably be best for her to note her condition with the airline (Conti I assume?) as a precaution. Usually the FA onboard will let her know that they know, just in case. Also, she probably knows that some cell phones cause problems with the pacemaker firing, so she may want to stay away from people using cell phones in the terminal. Interestingly there has been new stipulations (by the FCC, I beleive) requiring that new cell phones not cause such interference.

Also, just as general recomendations, tell her to allow herself plenty of time, so she's not doing the OJ dash through the airport, and don't get excited, anxious, or annoyed with the "rigors" of travel.

she may want to ask her MD for a prescription--I know that folks who have artificial joints (my grandmother) has a prescription to let the examiner know what is sounding off.

Catman -- I was checking around, and Shoreland's (a travel health company, consultants) recommend a statement from her physician on the doc's letterhead stating her medical condition and any medical devices (implanted or otherwise) that she may have with her. Also let her know she can request a wheelchair, assistance. She'll have to make that decision depending on her max level of physical exertcertion she's capable of.

Thank you all for your help and prompt response (even on a holiday weekend!)

Agnes thanks you too. She sees her doctor this week and I told her to get a statement a.s.a.p.

And her family insists on a wheelchair. If you know EWR... it's a hike ANYWHERE (and worse if you are pushing 77 years young!)


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MEOW! MEOW! MEOW!!!

While this is later than Agnes' trip, and it's not about a pacemaker, it relates. I wear programmable hearing aids and carry a control unit that sort of looks like a beeper. When I go through security, I take the control off and put it in the basket. Invariably, I'm asked "What's this?" I tell them and I'm passed on. Never have I been asked to prove it. It could just as easily be the remote for the bomb in my luggage. I'm not asking for more security - I think it's tighter than needed today - I do think, though, that those airport security people should make me push all the bottons, just to make sure something doesn't explode somewhere.