# Metal at the airport **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 9, 2012, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-at-the-airport/621439 "2012-05-09T22:57:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2012, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-at-the-airport/621439/21 "2012-05-11T17:29:01Z")
> [@MaltLiquor](#): > > I would think that your rod is not being detected because it is buried in enough flesh as to block the signals coming back. Human flesh is decent shielding for this type of thing. Wait, wait, wait. Am I really the only one to point out that when your rod is buried in flesh, you want the signal to come out? Ok, not very elegant, but if that statement were to be completely ignored, I think we would all be ashamed. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2012, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-at-the-airport/621439/22 "2012-05-11T23:31:16Z")
> [@August\_West](#): > > Absolutely correct, according to my informal polling of TSA people. I have a few plates and screws in my right ankle and most of the time it doesn’t set off the detectors, but when it does I’m wanded and patted. I was told there is no card I could carry that would exempt me from “the personal touch” It’s not the “personal touch” that my spouse has encountered as a problem, it’s _being denied boarding_. He understands that he’s going to set off the detector (he often warns folks that he will set one off) and doesn’t have a problem with the wanding/pat-down. It’s going through all that and then being told no, he still can’t board the airplane. It’s happened more than once, and frankly, if he’s going to have to drive anyway we might as well plan that from the get-go. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-at-the-airport/621439/23 "2012-05-12T01:57:59Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > It’s not the “personal touch” that my spouse has encountered as a problem, it’s _being denied boarding_. He understands that he’s going to set off the detector (he often warns folks that he will set one off) and doesn’t have a problem with the wanding/pat-down. It’s going through all that and then being told no, he still can’t board the airplane. It’s happened more than once, and frankly, if he’s going to have to drive anyway we might as well plan that from the get-go. How recently did that happen? It seems that TSA has streamlined and standardized their processes, if [the information in this TSO blog](http://blog.tsa.gov/2008/02/why-we-do-what-we-do-additional.html) is accurate. Was it the same airport each time? Did you make a complaint via the ADA? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-at-the-airport/621439/24 "2012-05-12T02:05:48Z")
I have about an ounce of metal wire in my head. It’s never set off any detector, but if they ever develop a one-ounce metal gun that can be detected, I’m probably going to be in for some extra scrutiny. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-at-the-airport/621439/25 "2012-05-12T02:14:48Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > How recently did that happen? It seems that TSA has streamlined and standardized their processes, if [the information in this TSO blog](http://blog.tsa.gov/2008/02/why-we-do-what-we-do-additional.html) is accurate. Was it the same airport each time? Did you make a complaint via the ADA? Most recently 2002. Frankly, it was such a bullshit and stupid experience that we just don’t want to go through it anymore. There’s no appeal, and you’re treated like a criminal/terrorist/whatever. Complaining does no good. ADA? It is to laugh - everything is secondary to the “security” concerns. I don’t trust them not to have a last-minute change in the rules to batshit crazy. After being told a card isn’t needed, then is needed, then has to be from the original surgeon, then isn’t needed, but wait, yes it is… Like I said, if we have to just drive anyway we can just plan that from the start without having to purchase plane tickets (which we couldn’t get refunds on later) and deal with the airport bullshit first only to be told he’s not welcome to fly. Bottom line - we don’t trust them anymore. If we had a pressing reason to fly to, say, Europe or Hawaii we’d have another go at it (though if he’s refused _again_ we’re SOL) but for within North America? Screw it, it ain’t worth the trouble. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-at-the-airport/621439.md?page=1)