Guest guest Posted March 7, 2003 Report Share Posted March 7, 2003 Lynn, I have not been through Newark lately, but since it's a huge airport you'll probably encounter something similar to what happened to me in Charlotte, NC last summer. I don't remember anything beeping before I was instructed to stand in a certain spot while a guard waved a baton-style detector over my various body parts. it beeped as she passed it over my back. She said, " May I touch your back? " I remarked nervously that I have a metal implant in my back, and she simply repeated her request. So I said " Yes " , and she did and then waved me on. Many people now-a-days have metal surgical implants, so I'm sure the airport security people encounter everything. I wasn't keen on having my back frisked, but it was a small enough price to pay for safety in the air. I suppose you could carry documentation, but it probably isn't necessary. (You may wish to call the airport to be sure.) When requesting proof, did you contact your orthopedist's office? Perhaps your primary care doctor would be willing to vouch for you, if s/he has seen your x-rays. All the folks at the airport want is to ensure that you don't have a gun, knife, or nail clipper (LOL) strapped to your back. Good luck. Sharon in southern New Hampshire :^) Congenital scoliosis w/ spina bifida and other vertebral anomalies 1971 fusion T5 to L4 w/ single Harrington rod Flatback, congenital thoracolumbar kyphosis, L5-S1 degeneration, etc. At 08:03 PM 3/6/03 -0000, you wrote: > Has anyone flown out of Newark Airport recently? > If so, I was wondering if there have been any problems getting thru > the metal detectors. I have 1 Harrington rod left in and have never > set it off in the past. However now I believe the metal detectors > may be more sensitive. > My doc's office said they would only supply me with my op report as > proof.(Surgery 1970) I doubt the security agents will > " " . > Any advise or experience would be appreciated. > Thanks > Lynn > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2003 Report Share Posted March 7, 2003 Hi-Re the metal detectors...I recently set had a hard time getting through the metal detector at the Empire State Bldg. over Christmas. My daughter has this tremendous need to go on the tallest building in whatever city we're in. We were on the top of the World Trade Center on 7/11 and for those who never got to get up to the 110th story--what a great site it was! Anyway, re the Empire State Bldg., I got through security after I emptied everything out of the pockets, held up my arms, patted down my own pockets, and let them scan me (reasonably) closely. I told them I had a metal rod in my back & it was probably setting it off. That seemed good enough. I used to have a card that stated I had a Harrington rod, but I lost it and I don't know that it would have a lot of credibility in this day and age. The only other time(s) I have problems is when a store buys a metal detector and they set it to a too sensitive setting. Then you have the thrill of people stopping to stare at you as you come INto the store! But I'm warped--I think it's funny as heck based on the looks on people's faces. In small stores when that's happened (last time about 6 yrs. ago) I've told the sales person and let him/her know what I think set it off; larger stores I let the security guy know as I'm coming in so I don't get a hassle on the way out (where once again I would set it off). About 6 years ago I set off a whole series of alarms because a number of stores in town had simultaneously bought new detectors and set them way over the top. My daughter was with me the first 4 or 5 (or 8 or 10-don't forget you get to ring the bell on the way out again too!) times it happened and wouldn't go w/ me for two weeks after that (no fun, that one! By then the stores had obviously realized they were a little 'touchy' on the detection and things went back to normal. I don't know if any of this helps you, particularly w/ regard to airport security as I haven't flown recently enough to relate. Good luck. Donna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2003 Report Share Posted March 8, 2003 Lynn, Maybe you could get your doctors to write " internal Harrington metal instrumentation " - at least the security folks would see the word " metal " and maybe get it. Before my last op I was loaded with instrumentation - two H rods plus C-D instrumentation from L3 to the sacrum but I didn't set off any metal detectors on that trip. (Milan, Chicago, Traverse City Michigan). I did set one off in Geneva once and had a letter but they didn't believe me and called a policewoman to do a strip search. I was also wearing a brace at the time that had lots of metal and that's what probably set off the alarm. Anyway, good luck. from Italy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2003 Report Share Posted March 8, 2003 Hello Lynn, I have 2 harrington rods (circa 1985)and have flown out of several international airports since 9/11 with only one sensor to go off. I think it was actually my jewelry, but when they had me move over to the wand person I just told them I had instrumentation. When they waved the wand over that area they just said " okay " . Lately, I go ahead and take off all my jewelry, shoes, hair clips, etc. The last 4 times I have flown in this last year, I set nothing off. I would not worry about it, but I know how you feel! I felt just as you do! Take care! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 26, 2004 Report Share Posted October 26, 2004 In a message dated 10/26/2004 3:11:29 PM Pacific Daylight Time, mcnamarasean007@... writes: I've had my N24 for 5 years now, and not once have I ever set off any detectors so, is there a reason that N24 is not setting off alarm? I have N24C and had been beeped EVERY TIME.... the last two times, my dog wasn't with me, and I had NO metal on me, other than in my head.... Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 Hi All, I've just got to put my two cents worth in here....I can't speak for the CI processors, etc. but I do know about beeping with a body aid hearing aid. That really sets off the alarms at the airport! Someone told me that if I would turn the hearing aid off before I approached the sensor, that I would pass through with no trouble. They were right! The next time I went through the airport gateway, I turned the hearing aid off and absolutely no alarms went off. (I've even been through military installations with no problems). The answer lies in the electronics which can also set off the alarms. So, I suggest turning off the processor and see if that doesn't eliminate the problem. --Gayle Atlanta N24C, 09/27/04 Hook-up 10/06/04 ------------------------------------------------------------------- > > In a message dated 10/26/2004 3:11:29 PM Pacific Daylight Time, > mcnamarasean007@w... writes: > > I've had my N24 for 5 years now, and not once have I ever set off any > detectors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2007 Report Share Posted January 7, 2007 In a message dated 1/7/2007 5:38:36 AM Eastern Standard Time, carolannwooster@... writes: me crazy. ha hahaha I'm wondering if anyone has actually set one off with thier hip replacement Happy sunday I've flown twice since my TKR in August and i set it off both times....I told them in advance and handed them the card, so they take me off to the side and "wand" me all over and pat me down..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2007 Report Share Posted January 7, 2007 Yes. I set them off regularly with a pair of metal joints. The hand-held wands are designed for ferrous metals (iron/steel), and don't beep, but the more sophisticated ones (gates in airports, government buildings, certain banks, etc) play a loud concert. I keep a copy of a letter from the hospital that put in both implants, so I don't get surrounded by guards, but tell them in advance that I'll " ring the bell " . The worst problems I had were in Brazil two years ago, where all banks have the detector gates (not against terrorists, but against bank robbers). Having a letter on hospital stationery attesting to bi-lateral hip implants in English, French, German and Hebrew wasn't much good there... Most folks only know Portuguese. Luckily, the word " prothesis " is a Portuguese word, too. Keep your sense of humor, and don't let the physical search tickle... Unless the searcher is a hottie (or, in your case, a hunk!). Greywolf - RTHR-2003; LTHR-2004 mdavison@... metal detectors Before my surgery, I told everyone I can't wait to go through metal detectors to set them off. You can call me crazy. ha hahaha I'm wondering if anyone has actually set one off with thier hip replacement Happy sunday -------------------------------------------- My mailbox is spam-free with ChoiceMail, the leader in personal and corporate anti-spam solutions. Download your free copy of ChoiceMail from www.digiportal.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2007 Report Share Posted January 7, 2007 I have never set the detectors off at airports w/ my hip replacement, and my pin goes almost to my knee. Since I last flew I had my tibial plateau repaired so I'm full of plates and screws . . . I'll have to see if I can set it off now. Pat > I'm > wondering if anyone has actually set one off with thier hip replacement > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2007 Report Share Posted January 7, 2007 I have had both of my joints in my jaw replaced with metal and there was one time I did set the detectors off. I carry a piece of film with me just in case it would happen again. I also carry a card too. When the detector's went off all these security personal came running after me, you would have thought I had killed someone, after they viewed my card and film they let me go. They say this does happen every now and then. But this has been about 2 yrs ago too. Has not happened since. Take care and God bless. Went to the Colts game yesterday and a great time. Edna PacerLady, ColtsFancarolannwooster05401 <carolannwooster@...> wrote: Before my surgery, I told everyone I can't wait to go through metal detectors to set them off. You can call me crazy. ha hahaha I'm wondering if anyone has actually set one off with thier hip replacement Happy sunday __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2007 Report Share Posted January 7, 2007 Since a lot of the software for the security metal detectors comes from here (Israel), I've had the chance to translate manuals for a number of airports that bought particular software packages for their security machinery. It seems that there are different levels of detection (all based on cost). The lower-end programs are set up only for ferrous metals (steel & iron, like most of the hand-held wands), while the higher-end programs will also catch titanium, platinum, silver and even some of the carbon and ceramic-metallic composites that have come into vogue in recent years. It all depends on the detector's software and what your implants are made of. The X-ray machines your bags go through show everything solid. As a traveler, I've "rung the bell" over the past four years in Tel Aviv, London, Madrid, Paris, São o and Porto Alegré, as well as a number of government buildings in Israel with security measures at the entrances and a couple of banks in Brazil. Greywolf - RTHR-2003; LTHR-2004 mdavison@... From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of edna krebsSent: 07 January, 2007 8:46 PMJoint Replacement Subject: Re: metal detectors I have had both of my joints in my jaw replaced with metal and there was one time I did set the detectors off. I carry a piece of film with me just in case it would happen again. I also carry a card too. When the detector's went off all these security personal came running after me, you would have thought I had killed someone, after they viewed my card and film they let me go. They say this does happen every now and then. But this has been about 2 yrs ago too. Has not happened since. Take care and God bless. Went to the Colts game yesterday and a great time. Edna PacerLady, ColtsFancarolannwooster05401 <carolannwooster@...> wrote: Before my surgery, I told everyone I can't wait to go through metal detectors to set them off. You can call me crazy. ha hahaha I'm wondering if anyone has actually set one off with thier hip replacement Happy sunday My mailbox is spam-free with ChoiceMail, the leader in personal and corporate anti-spam solutions. Download your free copy of ChoiceMail from www.digiportal.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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