I have metal pins/screws holding my ankle together. I expect to set off the metal detectors at every airport (and concert and whatever) I go through, I imagine for the rest of my life. I have flown twice since the surgery (well, two round trips), but both times I was in a wheelchair/on crutches and wearing a big giant brace. Both times it was Procedure, imparting in me great empathy for people who use a wheelchair/braces/prothetics/assistive devices full time. (When I tell you I can’t stand on my own, and you make me stand anyway, don’t get mad at me because I’m swaying around like a drunk trying to balance on one foot)
Anyway, I’m flying back east to see my family at Christmas. I am totally healed and walking fine, but I’ve got the metal. I was hoping others who have metal in them might have tips for making it as smooth as possible, seeing as I know I’m going to beep and get additional screening and can’t avoid that. I’m going to try and bring as little carryon as I can, but I will have a books and a laptop and a few things I need for the flight (warm shirt and socks, toothbrush, a snack etc). I was thinking of maybe putting each item in it’s own ziplock bag so it will pack/unpack faster. Or will they need to open the ziplock?
I’ve always been so careful to have a no-fuss security screening. No metal in my clothing (not even the bra wire) and plastic shoes, no questionable items. Can’t help my foot though.
I’ve got plates and screws and stuff in my ankle too, and I’ve always worried about airport scanners, but I’ve never set one off. I don’t carry a doctor’s note or anything; I figure I can always hike up my pants leg and show the scars to any overly-enthusiastic screener.
I can set off the metal detector I use to find underground utilities though, which is amusing.
What kind of metal is it? I have a back full of titanium (2 18" rods plus various screws, pins, etc) and have never set off a metal detector, ever. And I’ve flown a ton and been hand wanded.
Security Officer will offer you a private screening once it becomes known that you have a metal implant or implanted medical device.
If your Doctor has indicated that you should not go through the metal detector or be handwanded because it could affect the functionality of your device or the magnetic calibration of your device, or if you are concerned, ask the Security Officer for a pat-down inspection instead.
Security Officers will need to resolve all alarms associated with metal implants. Most alarms will be able to be resolved during a pat-down, therefore clothing will not be required to be removed or lifted as part of the inspection process.
You many not need to worry. My Dad had a shoulder replacement several years ago. He’s flown many times since then, and as far as I know, he’s never set off an alarm. He used to have some metal in his belly as well (hernia repair with steel wire) and that never registered on the metal detectors either.
The wife has a total knee replacement and sets off metal detectors when she gets within 5 feet of them. She travels with a note from her doctor and an X-ray photo of her knee. They still pat her down every time (I guess to make sure she doesn’t have a gun strapped to her leg) but it’s quite routine and considerably less of a hassle than, say, when my belt buckle sets off the detector.
I’ve had a screw and some wire in my knee for 20 years and have never set off an airport detector. A wand will pick it up, but not the main walk-thru detector.
In my son’s case, he jumped from the second story roof of his old junior high school to the first floor roof. Voila! Shattered ankle requiring a metal plate and nine screws.
Boys, I’ll tell ya, they are CRAZY. I asked him why he did that and he said he’d done it a lot while in junior high . . .
I was carrying a stack of books down my front stairs, missed a step, fell, and rolled and folded my foot under itself (breaking the foot) and landed the full weight of my body on my ankle, on granite pavers.
It was. . . not fun. Six weeks on crutches and a cast. Didn’t heal right, tons of tendons torn, walked with a cane for 4 more months before surgery fixed it (hence the metal), 2 1/2 months in a cast and crutches and then walking boot, 3 months physical therapy and some more time with the cane. It’s only recently (a little more than a year past the original fall) that I feel totally normal.
People expect it to be something dramatic-- at least a car accident. Just tripped on the stairs.