topic Re: Metal detector question? in Community Chat

Metal detector question?

Shorty2U — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 17:04:28 GMT

Hi, does anyone know if titanium plates (in my neck) or the screws (don't know what they're made of) will set off a metal detector?

The reason I ask is, we are going to 2 events in a few months (a concert and G-daughters graduation) that have installed metal detectors.

I looked online and the answers are mixed with yeses and nos. So I thought Id ask here b/c lots of you travel etc. (When I heard about the detectors it dawned on me, I haven't flown in a plane or gone through any detectors since I have this metal in my body).

I do not carry a card stating I have metal, but of course I could probably request one at my next Dr appt. (I just don't want to be caught off guard and refused entry because of metal in my body!).

Re: Metal detector question?

Tinkrbl44 — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 17:12:42 GMT

@Shorty2U wrote:
Hi, does anyone know if titanium plates (in my neck) or the screws (don't know what they're made of) will set off a metal detector?

The reason I ask is, we are going to 2 events in a few months (a concert and G-daughters graduation) that have installed metal detectors.

I looked online and the answers are mixed with yeses and nos. So I thought Id ask here b/c lots of you travel etc. (When I heard about the detectors it dawned on me, I haven't flown in a plane or gone through any detectors since I have this metal in my body).

I do not carry a card stating I have metal, but of course I could probably request one at my next Dr appt. (I just don't want to be caught off guard and refused entry because of metal in my body!).

@Shorty2U

Get the card .... STAT .... and make a copy, laminate them, and carry one in your wallet. Without one, sooner or later you will be detained and could miss a scheduled flight or preferred seating. Be prepared!!

Re: Metal detector question?

Plaid Pants2 — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 17:15:53 GMT

Even with a medical card, if your implants set off the metal detector, you will be referred for a pat-down. (at an airport)

Re: Metal detector question?

Angus15 — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 17:38:35 GMT

I have many pins and plates in my body and I've never set off a metal detector.

Re: Metal detector question?

sam96 — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 17:56:57 GMT

I have a family member that has a titanium fusion in the back but has never set off metal detectors, and doesn't carry a card, but I'll ask him if he has one.

Re: Metal detector question?

Tinkrbl44 — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 18:09:27 GMT

Based on how things are right now, whether someone has set off a metal detector in the past or not, it is embarrassing to be pulled aside as a suspicious person .... IMO, it makes sense to be prepared for the inevitable screening when the ALARM goes off. It will happen.

Re: Metal detector question?

ChynnaBlue — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 18:15:43 GMT

I the answers vary because metal detectors vary, so you need to be prepared for a yes. They are not all calibrated the same way, so there's wiggle room in what does or does not set them off.

The Texas Capitol building has 4 entrances and metal detectors at each. In addition, they have people with wands for anyone who sets off a metal detector. I can wear the same thing with the same accessories and go in and out of the building and set off one detector out of 4 and it may not even be the same one each time. Sometimes a hair clip does it, sometimes the button on my pants, sometimes the metal in the underwire bra. Again, same day, same clothes, same accessories, I may set of 0 detectors or 1 of the four, but not all.

It's the same with the wands. They may be set differently, so I may set off a metal detector and one wand beeps over my bra strap in the morning and another beeps over my hair clip or pants button in the afternoon.

Get a card from the doctor and carry it. My mom has screws in her shoulder and has never needed the card, but she always carries it.

Re: Metal detector question?

AuSableRiverLivin — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 18:15:46 GMT

I also have a titanium plate and screws in my neck (fusion at the C6-C7 level). I've traveled many times since the surgery and have never had a problem with metal detectors. I've travelled internationally and had a small package of aspirin (in a foil packet) in my pocket which set off the detector in Istanbul, but the titanium plate and screws have never triggered the alarms. I do not carry a medical card as the surgeon told me the titanium would not set off the detectors.

Re: Metal detector question?

muttmom — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 18:44:45 GMT

Sometimes I set off an alarm. When I do, I show my scars and have never been questioned any further.

Re: Metal detector question?

Suziepeach — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 21:09:21 GMT

First time my husband traveled with his new hip he had no problem. The metal detector didn't even go off.

Re: Metal detector question?

I am still oxox — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 19:48:40 GMT

One our last trip to FL, I wore jeans with embellishments on the pockets, well guess what I set off the full body scanner. I had to be patted down and had my hands swabbed for explosives, it was not a pleasant experience

Re: Metal detector question?

Kachina624 — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 23:28:11 GMT

@Plaid Pants2 wrote:
Even with a medical card, if your implants set off the metal detector, you will be referred for a pat-down. (at an airport)

I can verify this...it happened to me. Easy to falsify a card so they carry no weight.

Re: Metal detector question?

spix — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 23:34:33 GMT

I volunteer at O'Hare Airport, am there at least once a week, have a titanium bar in my leg with many screws, surgeon at the time told me it would not set off any alarms, he was right I've never had a problem, even when the situation is such that the alarms are "upgraded" so to speak, but I can't speak for any International Airports.

Re: Metal detector question?

CatsyCline — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 23:38:16 GMT

no, i have a titanium cage and have flown a bunch of times and no alarms went off.

i was pulled aside for a full body and swab in Orlando once! it was embarrassing. i thought it was because i was wearing two tank tops plus a loose T over capri leggings. it was likely just random. Orlando is crazy tho.

Re: Metal detector question?

Shorty2U — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 03:09:04 GMT

Ok thanks so much for your replies. I think I will get a card in case. I was thinking well if I show them the scar on my neck maybe that would help too, but you never know. But hopefully as many said here (with titanium) the detectors wont go off.

Re: Metal detector question?

september — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 03:48:37 GMT

@Plaid Pants2 wrote:
Even with a medical card, if your implants set off the metal detector, you will be referred for a pat-down. (at an airport)

True. I have an implant and have never considered getting one of these so-called cards and no doctor has ever suggested it. With full body scanners at airports...it doesn't matter, and with a metal detector, you're going to get scanned whether you pull out a card or not. Just be prepared for it...it's not embarassing...just know you'll need a little more time to get through security.

Re: Metal detector question?

Stray — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 00:59:50 GMT

I have hardware and travel extensively and have never set off the detector for that but my bracelets have set off the alarm. I get to the airport in ample time to check in leisurely. I am not particularly bothered by the pat down, wand and being pulled aside; many people are pulled aside. But, if you feel you would be bothered by security checks, get the card. But, you would never be prevented from boarding your plane.

Re: Metal detector question?

Sister Golden Hair — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 01:18:51 GMT

@Shorty2U I got pulled aside because I was wearing an underwire bra.

My husband has metal in his wrist, shoulder and ankle but he went through no problem.

Re: Metal detector question?

Drythe — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 01:35:46 GMT

My "replaced" knee always sets off the alarms. I tell them it will > I go through the scanner.

I always op-out of the "x-ray" and have pat-down. With my autoimmune issues + as often as I am x-rayed for health issues + as often as I fly my Docs agree that I should refuse the x-ray.

Re: Metal detector question?

shoesnbags — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 02:23:02 GMT

@Shorty2U I've had a knee replacement (titanium) for 8 years and in all that time, no one has ever been interested in the card my surgeon gave me. The knee does set off all of the metal detectors, but then they want to wand you and pat you down. Period. I always announce that I have a knee replacement ahead of time so no one is surprised. I think the problem with the card is that anyone could produce one of those nowadays. Mine actually has an X-ray of my knee on one side, but how does anyone know that's actually my knee? Personally, I wouldn't bother getting a card.