Metal detector question?

Shorty2U · ‎03-09-2010

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!).

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make~ The Beatles

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@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!!

Plaid Pants2 · ‎03-14-2015

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

Angus15 · ‎02-18-2016

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

sam96 · ‎05-05-2015

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.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

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.

ChynnaBlue · ‎05-22-2012

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.

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AuSableRiverLivin · ‎04-22-2015

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.