Re: avoiding airport hassles

[Guest guest]

DEAR JUDY DID YOU GET A SPECIAL CARD FROM YOUR DR SHOWING YOU HAD A KNEE REPLACEMENT? I WAS GIVEN A SPECIAL CARD TO SHOW THEM THAT IT WAS DONE AND IT GIVES DATE AND DRS NAME AND TELEPHONE TO CONTACT HIMJudy <jdytart@...> wrote: Sorry to have to tell you, but this is what they do - they use thewand and they pat you down - I have only flown a few times and I don'tparticularly like it either, but this is a fact of life post 9/11. Mydoctor told me to warn them before going

through the metal detector,"I have knee replacements and they are going to set off the alarm." Ithink this is a good idea. They are polite but there is no way theyare going to let you past without this.-- In Joint Replacement , "Peg Nichols"<po382@...> wrote:>> Is there any way to ease/shorten the difficulty of getting through > airport surveillance portals?> > Last week I flew for the first time since knee surgery on June 11. > When I set off the alarms at the Tulsa airport I was shuttled into a > separate fenced area. They used a wand, which did buzz when swept > near my knee. But then they "patted" me down pretty much all over. > Took a good ten minutes, fortunately there was not a crowd at the > time.> > Departing at the Phoenix airport I set off the alarms

again. I was > given the choice of being "patted down" or going through the "radio > scanner." I chose the scanner thing, hoping it would be quicker. The > scanner was a tall, oval-shaped thing with glass walls. I had to > step inside and put my feet on the foot-shapes on the rug. I was > supposed to raise my hands in the air. I tried that, but felt out-of-> balance, so I put my hands on my head, and was immediately told that > my hands could not touch my head. Then turn sideways.> > After I was allowed to step out of the capsule, I was still "patted > down" extensively around the rear pockets of my trousers, where I > had stashed some dollar bills (for easy accessibility when needing > to tip the shuttle driver).> > The whole thing took a good twenty minutes, fortunately once again, > there was not a waiting crowd.> > Has anyone been through this and have

any suggestions?> > Peg Nichols>

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Sorry to tell you that we the new metal knee owners cannot escape the patting. I travelled extensively from India to Boston, Boston to San Fransisco, San Fransisco toTexas and back; and then from SanFrancisco to Boston and back to India. I give you details of my trip for you people to know how many times I have been frisked. Of course I did warn them before hand about setting off the alarm. As soon as the alarm set off , I was rushed to a secluded corner. One consolation was that all the security (only women officers)staff were very kind and gentle. They even enquired about the pain and trauma I had undergone. I do carry a photocopy of my hospital records but it is of no use. Frisk you they will. I have stopped feeling uneasy . I have learnt to enjoy this discomfort. LakshmiJudy <jdytart@...> wrote: Sorry to have to tell you, but this is what they do - they use thewand and they pat you down - I have only flown a few times and I don'tparticularly like it either, but this is a fact of life post 9/11. Mydoctor told me to warn them before going through the metal detector,"I have knee replacements and they are going to set off the alarm." Ithink this is a good idea. They are polite but there is no way theyare going to let you past without this.-- In Joint Replacement , "Peg

Nichols"<po382@...> wrote:>> Is there any way to ease/shorten the difficulty of getting through > airport surveillance portals?> > Last week I flew for the first time since knee surgery on June 11. > When I set off the alarms at the Tulsa airport I was shuttled into a > separate fenced area. They used a wand, which did buzz when swept > near my knee. But then they "patted" me down pretty much all over. > Took a good ten minutes, fortunately there was not a crowd at the > time.> > Departing at the Phoenix airport I set off the alarms again. I was > given the choice of being "patted down" or going through the "radio > scanner." I chose the scanner thing, hoping it would be quicker. The > scanner was a tall, oval-shaped thing with glass walls. I had to > step inside and put my feet on the foot-shapes on the rug. I was > supposed to raise my hands in

the air. I tried that, but felt out-of-> balance, so I put my hands on my head, and was immediately told that > my hands could not touch my head. Then turn sideways.> > After I was allowed to step out of the capsule, I was still "patted > down" extensively around the rear pockets of my trousers, where I > had stashed some dollar bills (for easy accessibility when needing > to tip the shuttle driver).> > The whole thing took a good twenty minutes, fortunately once again, > there was not a waiting crowd.> > Has anyone been through this and have any suggestions?> > Peg Nichols>

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[Guest guest]

There is no way to avoid or shorten the security search at any portal (not only at airports-- there are plenty of other places you get checked).

I travel as part of my profession, and can tell you that if you meet the security people halfway, speak to them politely and explain about the implant before you go through the metal detector gate, they are also invariably polite. This holds true for the following airports: Tel Aviv (where the security is VERY stringent), London, Paris, New York, Sao o, Johannesburg and Porto Alegre, as well as Israeli & US Embassies in the UK.

One hint, which I use from time to time: when you book in at the airport, explain to the person checking you in that you have a joint replacement and find it hard to stand in line for long periods. Larger airports have a " VIP Line " for the first-class passengers, and if you present a letter from the medical center or a joint replacement ID card, they\ll put you in that shorter line-- it works for me at Heathrow.

RTHR - 2003; LTHR - 2004

On Nov 20, 2007 2:26 AM, Judy <jdytart@...> wrote:

Sorry to have to tell you, but this is what they do - they use thewand and they pat you down - I have only flown a few times and I don'tparticularly like it either, but this is a fact of life post 9/11. My

doctor told me to warn them before going through the metal detector, " I have knee replacements and they are going to set off the alarm. " Ithink this is a good idea. They are polite but there is no way they

are going to let you past without this.-- In Joint Replacement , " Peg Nichols " <po382@...> wrote:

>> Is there any way to ease/shorten the difficulty of getting through > airport surveillance portals?> > Last week I flew for the first time since knee surgery on June 11. > When I set off the alarms at the Tulsa airport I was shuttled into a > separate fenced area. They used a wand, which did buzz when swept > near my knee. But then they " patted " me down pretty much all over. > Took a good ten minutes, fortunately there was not a crowd at the > time.> > Departing at the Phoenix airport I set off the alarms again. I was > given the choice of being " patted down " or going through the " radio > scanner. " I chose the scanner thing, hoping it would be quicker. The > scanner was a tall, oval-shaped thing with glass walls. I had to > step inside and put my feet on the foot-shapes on the rug. I was > supposed to raise my hands in the air. I tried that, but felt out-of-

> balance, so I put my hands on my head, and was immediately told that > my hands could not touch my head. Then turn sideways.> > After I was allowed to step out of the capsule, I was still " patted > down " extensively around the rear pockets of my trousers, where I > had stashed some dollar bills (for easy accessibility when needing > to tip the shuttle driver).> > The whole thing took a good twenty minutes, fortunately once again, > there was not a waiting crowd.> > Has anyone been through this and have any suggestions?> > Peg Nichols> -- on, AST

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[Guest guest]

I have just travelled overseas to the

Middle East and Europe, going through some 8 or 9 airports. It didn’t matter

than I warned people about my knees, I was still patted down at every airport.

I just accepted this and did what was asked. I didn’t have any problems..just

need to be prepared to be taken off (in the middle eastern airports) to a

private room away from my gear for a minute) they were all very polite..just

doing their job

ne

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[Guest guest]

I just returned home after my first airplane trip following my RTHR. Good news

(or not depending how you look at it) is that I DID NOT set off the alarms on

the metal detectors.

I walked through each time holding my breath for the lights and sirens to go

off and NOTHING happened. It is kind of a relief for me that I don't have to go

to secondary security.

Just thought I would share!

on <greywolf852@...> wrote:

The card, just like my letter from the medical center is only the

justification for not going through the metal detector, it doesn't exempt you

from being patted down and wanded. Regulations are pretty much the same all

over, not just in the US, and no one goes through without being checked.

Just remember, it's for your own security, and the security personnel are just

doing their job-- helping make sure you fly safely and arrive at the destination

you wanted to reach. Keep your sense of humor and your good grace intact, it's

not such a big deal.

TRHR - 2003; TLHR - 2004

[Guest guest]

You are lucky. I guess there isn't as much metal in a hip. But I flew out yesterday with my TKR and went through the whole setting off alarm, pat down, wanding. They were very pleasant but I'll have to go through it again tomorrow in Chicago as I go home. I think knees are more metal but also I have an extra metal spike they hammered into my tibia for support of the knee so I have lots of metal.

-----Original Message-----From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ]On Behalf Of iamflustered insocalSent: Sunday, November 25, 2007 6:20 PMJoint Replacement Subject: Re: Re: avoiding airport hassles

I just returned home after my first airplane trip following my RTHR. Good news (or not depending how you look at it) is that I DID NOT set off the alarms on the metal detectors.I walked through each time holding my breath for the lights and sirens to go off and NOTHING happened. It is kind of a relief for me that I don't have to go to secondary security.Just thought I would share! on <greywolf852gmail> wrote:The card, just like my letter from the medical center is only the justification for not going through the metal detector, it doesn't exempt you from being patted down and wanded. Regulations are pretty much the same all over, not just in the US, and no one goes through without being checked. Just remember, it's for your own security, and the security personnel are just doing their job-- helping make sure you fly safely and arrive at the destination you wanted to reach. Keep your sense of humor and your good grace intact, it's not such a big deal. TRHR - 2003; TLHR - 2004

[Guest guest]

Yes I guess I am lucky and thankful. I do have a titanium rod that goes down into my femur and a titanium cup with a plastic liner and a ceramic head. So go figure. I do have metal but maybe it is below the thresh hold of setting off the detectors....again not sure if that is good or not. Do I feel safe flying? Not sure, plus I am not a happy flier anyway. Just glad I did not have to get the pat down in public :-) DeRouen <asd@...> wrote: You are lucky. I guess

there isn't as much metal in a hip. But I flew out yesterday with my TKR and went through the whole setting off alarm, pat down, wanding. They were very pleasant but I'll have to go through it again tomorrow in Chicago as I go home. I think knees are more metal but also I have an extra metal spike they hammered into my tibia for support of the knee so I have lots of metal. -----Original Message-----From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ]On Behalf Of iamflustered insocalSent: Sunday, November 25, 2007 6:20

PMJoint Replacement Subject: Re: Re: avoiding airport hassles I just returned home after my first airplane trip following my RTHR. Good news (or not depending how you look at it) is that I DID NOT set off the alarms on the metal detectors.I walked through each time holding my breath for the lights and sirens to go off and NOTHING happened. It is kind of a relief for me that I don't have to go to secondary security.Just thought I would share! on <greywolf852gmail> wrote:The card, just like my letter from the medical center is only the justification for not going through the metal detector, it doesn't exempt you from being patted down and wanded. Regulations are pretty much the same all over, not just in the US, and no one goes through without

being checked. Just remember, it's for your own security, and the security personnel are just doing their job-- helping make sure you fly safely and arrive at the destination you wanted to reach. Keep your sense of humor and your good grace intact, it's not such a big deal. TRHR - 2003; TLHR - 2004

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[Guest guest]

It's a shell game. My hip replacements always set off the alarms. It depends not only on the amount of metal, but on the sensitivity and range of materials that the detectors are set for. As an example, most of the low-cost wands used in Israel at shopping malls didn't detect my implants, but the gateways always did.

Just recently, I was in the Israeli Consulate in London, and because I didn't have the letter from the hospital, they wouldn't let me enter-- I had to address my questions to the security guard, and he shuttled back and forth with the questions and answers.

Just for the record, knee replacements have a lot less metal than the hip implant. Take a look at any implant manufacturer's web site (Zimmer comes to mind).

Personally, I'd have worries about the real level of security in an airport where the gates didn't go off because of my implants.

TRHR- 2003; TLHR- 2004

On Nov 28, 2007 1:52 AM, DeRouen <asd@...> wrote:

You are lucky. I guess there isn't as much metal in a hip. But I flew out yesterday with my TKR and went through the whole setting off alarm, pat down, wanding. They were very pleasant but I'll have to go through it again tomorrow in Chicago as I go home. I think knees are more metal but also I have an extra metal spike they hammered into my tibia for support of the knee so I have lots of metal.

-----Original Message-----From: Joint Replacement [mailto:

Joint Replacement ]On Behalf Of iamflustered insocalSent: Sunday, November 25, 2007 6:20 PMTo:

Joint Replacement Subject: Re: Re: avoiding airport hassles

I just returned home after my first airplane trip following my RTHR. Good news (or not depending how you look at it) is that I DID NOT set off the alarms on the metal detectors.I walked through each time holding my breath for the lights and sirens to go off and NOTHING happened. It is kind of a relief for me that I don't have to go to secondary security.

Just thought I would share! on <greywolf852@...> wrote:The card, just like my letter from the medical center is only the justification for not going through the metal detector, it doesn't exempt you from being patted down and wanded. Regulations are pretty much the same all over, not just in the US, and no one goes through without being checked. Just remember, it's for your own security, and the security personnel are just doing their job-- helping make sure you fly safely and arrive at the destination you wanted to reach. Keep your sense of humor and your good grace intact, it's not such a big deal. TRHR - 2003; TLHR - 2004

..

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I've set off these things for years. First I had a Fulkerson on each

knee which inserted 2 rods through each femur. Now I have a pair of

TKRs. It gets really old and tiresome to go through this every time I

have to travel. I don't mind the wanding, but I always get the fool

how insists on seeing scars, pat-down, shoes everything but an annal

probe. It normally costs me an extra 20-minutes to half an hour. If

these fools has half a brain cell, a simple pat around the knees and

wanding would be all that is needed and in 2-minutes you're on your

way. But of course they have to hire minimum wage high school

drop-outs to do the job.

Alan in NJ.

> The card, just like my letter from the medical center is only the

justification for not going through the metal detector, it doesn't

exempt you from being patted down and wanded. Regulations are pretty

much the same all over, not just in the US, and no one goes through

without being checked.

>

> Just remember, it's for your own security, and the security

personnel are just doing their job-- helping make sure you fly safely

and arrive at the destination you wanted to reach. Keep your sense of

humor and your good grace intact, it's not such a big deal.

>

>

> TRHR - 2003; TLHR - 2004

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make your

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