airport x-ray screening

[Guest guest]

Current airport security measures now may include the use of a kind of

walk-through x-ray. I have not seen this discussed here (maybe I missed it).

Here is how it worked for me on a recent flight. First, I asked at my last

checkup and my cardiologist said this technology was safe for cardiac implants.

At the airport, when I went thru the security line, I told one of the agents

that I had a pacemaker (which is what I always do because I find everyone

understands that, but not all know what an ICD is). I was directed to the line

with the x-ray. After I put shoes and everything in the plastic trays as

everyone has to, I stepped into the x-ray machine which is sort of like a

telephone kiosk, open on both sides, not intimidating or shut in or anything. I

had watched the procedure of people who went ahead so I knew to hold my hands

above my head and stand still for a few seconds until they told me to move out.

Up to this point it is the same for everyone, I think. Then I was told to wait a

moment outside the machine next to where they were doing pat-downs. The screener

knew I had an implant and could see a screen that had instructions on it, not my

image. The screen apparently gave instructions which were read out loud for my

benefit, for a partial upper body pat-down, or words to that effect. I was

given a pat-down from neck to waist by a same-gender agent, thanked, and told I

could go. Every airport pat down I have ever had, including this abbreviated

one, has been handled courteously, professionally, without awkwardness or

discomfort. That is my experience. I hope this helps anyone who might be

wondering what to expect with the new technology. I watched for a few minutes

after I was done. People who had left things in their pockets, even stray

tissues or coins or anything, took a lot longer, had to go through more than

once. So the main thing is to have no pockets or empty them totally.

[Guest guest]

Yes, I travel often and prefer this method. It is safe and faster.

Many time I don't even get the pat down and I am on my way -- I fell

cheated - cuz I want to see the scan -- but it gets sent upstairs

and then radio the technician letting them know it safe to send me

on my way!

~guin

On 4/12/2011 11:40 AM, lanakilakui wrote:

Current airport security measures now may include the use

of a kind of walk-through x-ray. I have not seen this

discussed here (maybe I missed it). Here is how it worked

for me on a recent flight. First, I asked at my last

checkup and my cardiologist said this technology was safe

for cardiac implants. At the airport, when I went thru the

security line, I told one of the agents that I had a

pacemaker (which is what I always do because I find

everyone understands that, but not all know what an ICD

is). I was directed to the line with the x-ray. After I

put shoes and everything in the plastic trays as everyone

has to, I stepped into the x-ray machine which is sort of

like a telephone kiosk, open on both sides, not

intimidating or shut in or anything. I had watched the

procedure of people who went ahead so I knew to hold my

hands above my head and stand still for a few seconds

until they told me to move out. Up to this point it is the

same for everyone, I think. Then I was told to wait a

moment outside the machine next to where they were doing

pat-downs. The screener knew I had an implant and could

see a screen that had instructions on it, not my image.

The screen apparently gave instructions which were read

out loud for my benefit, for a partial upper body

pat-down, or words to that effect. I was given a pat-down

from neck to waist by a same-gender agent, thanked, and

told I could go. Every airport pat down I have ever had,

including this abbreviated one, has been handled

courteously, professionally, without awkwardness or

discomfort. That is my experience. I hope this helps

anyone who might be wondering what to expect with the new

technology. I watched for a few minutes after I was done.

People who had left things in their pockets, even stray

tissues or coins or anything, took a lot longer, had to go

through more than once. So the main thing is to have no

pockets or empty them totally.

[Guest guest]

Thanks to you both for the info on the airport screening. I

have yet to experience it and have wondered about it—didn’t know if

it was safe or not and forgot to ask my IP. I wasn’t worried about harming

their equipment or causing it to alarm, but was worried it might set my ICD off

and I’m willing to do almost anything to avoid a shock.

Best wishes to all,

Teri