TSA Precheck question
 

Today was my first time using the TSA precheck benefit from my newly minted NEXUS, trusted traveler card. I was flying out of DCA to SYR. I passed through the nearly empty precheck line, Put my bags through the scanner, put my watch, phone, keys wallet etc in the dish and sent that through the scanner.
I still had to pass through the metal detector. I knew this would be a problem, I have two knee replacements and I always set off the buzzer, and I did this time. I immediately told the attendant about my knees. But, she said I had to get a body scan. I was escorted to the body scanner, about 100 feet away and allowed to get ahead of the line. Meanwhile my bags, watch, wallet etc. are sitting on the belt way over there, out of sight. So they pick up on the metal in the lower part of my body and wand and pat me down. I was given the OK and I returned to my possessions and gathered them up. Everything worked out OK, this time.
There must be a better way. When I was in Austria, recently, they asked if I had Knee replacements and directed me to put my leg, one at a time, between these two pillars. I assume they x-rayed or did some metal scan of my leg. That was it. It was very fast and easy.
Is this something that happens frequently to others? Many people have artificial joints, I have a card my doctor gave me, but they ignore that. I really like the precheck privilege of keeping my shoes on and leaving my laptop in my bag. Any suggestions?

Sadly, it's something you're going to have to get used to. Keep trying with the Medical Card but this seems to be standard.

The only real advice I offer is to put all your personal items inside your bag and if possible lock it while at the checkpoint. That will prevent individual items from being taken which is far more likely than an entire bag.

I understand; I have a metal hip. Although I don't fly in/to the USA, I frequently set off the WTMD at airports in Australia, Asia, Europe, etc, and have to get a patdown or handheld metal detector wanding. For the most part these are polite and quick, occasionally there's an attitude of "well it's your fault for having a hip implant so I can be as rude/slow/intrusive as I want."

My first suggestion is one thing you can always do. You know now that you will set off the WTMD and require some sort of secondary screening which may put your belongings out of your reach and/or sight. So put your watch, phone, keys, wallet into your carry-on bag well, and then lock your carry-on with a combination lock. Ideally, do this before you get to the checkpoint line, so you can just put your bag into the x-ray machine. Don't leave anything of any value in the dish. It's harder for someone to take your whole bag than to pick up a watch or wallet.

The last time (as in, never again) I was at LAX, my husband got picked for a random secondary and I picked up his wallet, watch, etc from the dish. It wouldn't have been obvious that we were related or traveling together and yet no one tried to stop me from taking another passenger's valuables.

My second suggestion is not always possible, but when you can, insist that you be able to see your belongings (which, if you followed my first suggestion, is just your carry-on). Stand near your bag when they tell you to "come over here" for the body scanner, and say "I need to keep my possessions in sight." It's up to them to find a solution - either they can wand you here where you can see your bag, or they can bring your bag to where the secondary search is. Position yourself to see your bag while they use the HHMD; when they tell you to turn around, stay put and suggest they go around behind you. If you make positive statements about what you are going to do ("I'm going to keep an eye on my bag") rather than questions ("is it okay if...") or negatives ("I don't want to...") or about them (ask them to change their routine) you may have more success.

ETA: Yoshi has replied while I was typing. The medical card is useless; don't even bother. Even in civilized countries no one cares. Anyone can make a laminated card, so it doesn't really prove anything.

Just my 2 cents, if you know you will likely alarm a WTMD then ask if you can do Pre in a lane with AIT. Otherwise you're not gaining any benefit from Pre and should go through normal screening.

The Pre line, especially at DCA, is measurably faster and if you are Pre and require a secondary, as OP did, an Officer will escort you to the head of the line. While an annoyance, it will still be a good deal faster than the standard line.

As to the carry-on stuff, do put it all in your carry-on and simply ask the Officer to bring the bag with you when he escorts you for the secondary.