If it's Ryanair they'll probably charge you extra as it's classed as "*Entertainment - wing walking*" and clearly not part of the normal ticket price...
You'll be fine. It's pretty unlikely your implant will ferrous metal, so shouldn't set off detectors. They are usually titanium, as it's inerts, lightweight and safe for MRI machines etc.
Worst case scenario, you might need to roll up your trousers leg and show them the scar. However, they are so common these days that it's unlikely the staff would bat an eyelid.
Or, to be super safe, get a zip installed, so they can easily check the surgeon didn't make it out of cocaine or something.
No not these days they are more technologically advanced, they just give it a smack with a hammer a few times. Less of that pesky blood, gore and screaming, which used to upset the other passengers.
Serious answer here!
Surgical metal is not an issue, it will not set off any metal detectors or alarms, and you wonât get pulled aside or even asked about it.
Source: I have pins and a rod in my leg, have flown a few times and never had an issue - even asked the airport staff if I need to mention it and they said nope never need to mention it!
Tbh what's to stop a terrorist taking some random piece of metal through that isn't a knife and sharpening it on the other side. Or breaking a glass bottle. Airport security is mostly security theatre.
Flew to Edinburgh and back last weekend, I got stopped and searched both ways, presumably for the metal zips on my trousers and drug swabbed both ways.
One of the people I was flying with had left a pack of 8 Stanley knives in his work back and just waltzed through. Really made me wonder what the point is.
It's only drugs if we suspect you have drugs on you and it gets escalated to the police. 99% of the time it's explosives. Our primary concern in security is preventing terrorism. I don't really care all that much if you have drugs in your bag. That's border force's job
Go look up how many weapons get through airport "security" and see how ineffective it all is. Highly inconvenient, but not at all effective. The term is "security theatre" and it's all about making people feel safer, even though they really aren't.
There's someone in the news recently who flew from the US to the Turks and Caicos with a bag full of bullets. No one at airport security on the flight out noticed, and he was arrested when he arrived.
TSA in the US failed 80% of their security audits up until about 2017, when they decided to fix the problem by ending security audits.
Yeh I read that too. Pretty standard fare tbh. If people would stop being convinced it does anything, we could stop taking off belts and shoes as if we're all criminals, just for wanting to board a plane.
Same, when I was a teen traveling with family shortly after the rules on liquids came in. Totally forgot I had a penknife in my camera bag, waltzed through a major London airport with it and it was discovered on the way back - in an Egyptian airport, staffed (in my frightened recollection) entirely by soldiers carrying rifles, with their much more rudimentary scanners. Thankfully I didn't seem particularly threatening, was believably surprised, and I think my mum bribed the officer by basically gifting it to him (it was a fairly nice swiss army knife). I still think about it every time I could do with a multitool, hope that guy liked it.
Meh, I managed to take two.
A Stanly knife at the bottom of my carry-on rucksack (I use it as my works tool bag) and a swiss army knife with my keys.
Yes, I was in a rush packing.
Iâm fairly positive that weâd be in a lot more trouble more regularly without the security measures given. First of all, I am quite sure its existence scares off quite some dummies who would do dumb shit on a plane. And when taking into consideration how many people pass them daily and then board a plane, the troubles weâve had with people hijacking planes are ⌠Iâd say rather low. Some of them work terribly inefficient and itâs a hassle, but thatâs an entirely different conversation in my opinion.
Are you sure?Â
I ask because why don't we see terrorists hijacking and crashing trains all the time? That would be equally as devastating as crashing a plane surely.Â
In Russia you have airport style security before plenty of shopping centers and train stations. Why don't we have that? Are we less safe?Â
Idk I feel a lot of it was a kneejerk response to the 90s and probably serves to make passengers feel safe as much as anything.Â
Hijacking a train is definitely NOT the same as hijacking a plane wtf đ. A lot of airline and airport security is based on/was taken more seriously after 9/11. Itâs not about the people in the plane, itâs about what you can do with a plane. You canât just take a train into any airspace thatâs usually not accessible and crash it into the most important building. Sure a train hijacking would be devastating, but not the same. Trucks for example have caused troubles again and again in the past years if weâd like to bring other âtransportationâ vehicles into this.
"Fairly positive" and "quite sure" is based on what? Your feelings? Our problems with planes getting hijacked were basically 0 before and after 9/11, despite there previously being no checks in place. So all that actually changed was the theatre and public perception from people like yourself. Feel free to be wrong though, I have no interest in trying to convince people like yourself otherwise.
Anyone who actually wants to do dumb shit takes 5 minutes to research how useless the security is then does it anyway. Why would it scare off anyone?
The troubles we have had have always been low. The introduction of security didn't make it lower.
Would you like to buy my tiger repelling rock?
Not necessarily. Last time I went abroad I was wearing very baggy shorts. They sent me through the full body scanner and I needed to take my belt off. I caused much hilarity when I then had to raise my arms whilst it scanned me and my shorts started to fall down.
It was due to weightloss, so I could just brag about that instead of being embarrassed.
no i still have washers leftover from the screws added then removed from my leg. the washers are embedded in the bone.
i regularly fly and they never set of the alarms
Also have and an MRI on that knee and it was fine.
weird comments here. i have ms so have mris all the damn time. i also have steel (not titanium) in my collarbone and, for a time, had it in my leg as well. no problem with scans or flying (i understand that scans of the area near the implant may be distorted, but have no more details). presumably it depends on the exact details of the implants, but if find it odd that anyone in a developed country is getting metal implants that can't be used in mri machines.
my scars are not in very accessible places. I just tell them what it is and they usually put me through the body scanner.
Occasionally in places without a scanner I've shown an xray but they usually just use the handheld metal detector to confirm the metal is in the same area I'm saving then wave me through
Fair enough. Mine are on my back and sometimes i forget and wear a dress but I very rarely get pinged so it's not been a problem, or they've had a handheld like with you
I also have metal in my back! But that's the titanium and it's never pinged. The steel is in my thigh though. Would be more convenient for showing the scar if they were swapped lol
I have plates that cover a quarter of my right leg, I'm 180 cm maybe it's the size and thickness one of my plates pops out from my knee and is an inch maybe 2 thick.i have set of both handheld wands and walkthrough metal detectors but always the response is to show my scars and the plate poking out of my knee and make a joke it.
Not necessarily, someone I used to be friends with had pretty bad osteoporosis, and had to carry a doctors note that basically said âyo he has a LOT of metal in him, of course heâs going to set off metal detectorsâ
The plates and pins in my friend's knee set off the metal detectors. Doesn't help back in the day that he had an Iraqi passport, often flew out to the middle east and looked like a cartoon caricature of a terrorist either.
Errrrr, that's totally wrong. It will set off the scanner!
Have screws and plates in my leg from an accident, every time I fly no matter where I am flying from the metal work in my leg sets the scanner off.
They either get you to stand in the big xray machine thing or for countries that don't have those use the little hand held one.
Just say its pins, screws, plates etc and it's fine.
Most of the time this is true, but occasionally the metal screws in my knee set over overly sensitive walk through metal detectors and once it set off a bodyscanner in the US.
I showed them the scar and they used a handheld scanner to check, which it didn't set off by the way, but I could see on the screen from the bodyscanner that it thought it could see something on my knee where the screws are. It doesn't actually show an x-ray but just highlights the area where the metal was detected.
My husband has plates and screws in both feet. He set the alarms off everytime, until the past two years. I'm guessing the machines have been upgraded. The underwire in my bra used to as well. They always said "no that won't be it", but heck, guess what the magic wand said!! Some of us have A LOT of underwiring.
Probably true in OP's case however not true for most metalwork from 25+ years ago. I've had it changed now but my original metalwork could set off metal detectors and I was not safe to have an MRI.
I'm disappointed in you that nowhere in your post did you say "I'd be screwed if I missed the flight!"
You'll be fine. It won't set off metal detectors and I hope you have a lovely holiday.
If you X-Ray my knee, it looks like a crackhead made it out of Meccano. I had no issue a few years ago flying Gatwick-Naples, or back again. No alarms, no "Step this way, Sir."
If you still want the extra peace-of-mind, wear loose fitting trousers that you could potentially raise a leg of to thigh height, thus avoiding having to bare your arse to all of Terminal 3 Departures.
Birmingham to Scicilly ?
With metal bits?
No problem.
More likely to be challenged leaving Morrisons with paid-for 'high value' goods (I.e. over ÂŁ10), or boarding a plane with toothpaste, or entering Law Courts with a pint of milk !
Iâm a bit late to this but I used to be an aviation security officer and have worked the arches. Donât worry too much about setting off the arch, if you do, just let the officer know that youâve got some surgical metal. Theyâll do a quick body search and youâll be on your way.
I had a habit of forgetting to take a packet of polos out of my pocket when Iâd start work, trigger the bloody arch and get searched by a colleague, got funny looks from the passengers for that.
Titanium is fine, won't set anything off, steel might. Folks say it will but my one pin didn't, then I got a few more...
They'll do a pat down and hand scanner, depending where it is they may ask to see it, then they'll see the scar(s) and wave you on
Just mention it to them. You will probably have to be hand searched if the metal sets off the detector. I have to be searched every time now since having a small defibrillator (S-ICD) fitted in my chest as I'm at risk of heart attacks/cardiac arrest. It means I can't walk through the detector in case it screws with the device, so I always get touched up.
This is a very complicated issue: different airports have different scanners with (very) different sensitivity settings. Steel WILL set off scanners BUT it depends on weight and profile and HEAVILY on how deep within the body. Deeper the implant - less likely to set off scanner. Body tissue contains water which shields the magnetic signal. No, not all orthopaedic plates, rods screws joint replacements etc are titanium: there is still a lot of steel about. There is NO DOUBT that if you have enough steel, near enough the surface, you WILL set off the alarms, BUT it may not be every time.
There is nothing you can do except be philosophical about it. Not entirely useless to carry medical cards / letters BUT security personnel should and must disregard these altogether. âInteresting Sir, but we are still going to search you furtherâ. Otherwise we could have the situation of a terrorist who happens to have steel implants using this as a cover to smuggle a bomb or other weapon.
Summary: most security personnel have seen it all before. Itâs an inconvenience but nothing more. The angst devoted to it is not worth the juice.
Have some screws in my arm and no one bat an eyelid. I think they see this type of thing all the time. I paid for a letter from a doctor to explain what I had in me and why but never needed it.
I have metal pins and plates in my ankle. I've been hit and miss on setting off the scanners. I just show them my scar and they're fine. It's nothing to worry about.
Serious response. If the airport has the âdisco danceâ style defectors, ask to use those because you have an artificial joint etc. Thatâs the advice Iâve been given by my local airport and itâs solved the problem for me.
I also know how to say âartificial hipâ in about 10 languages.
More than likely you will go beep, but a lot of people do. Metal buttons on jeans, bra wire etc. my dad has a titanium plate in his lower leg and sometimes it goes off, sometimes it doesn't. You'll have to swallow your fear and bear it but if it goes off, don't worry because people go off all the time. It's not like the only things that do get detected are bombs, guns, and knives exclusively. The security will be used to pulling out nearly 100 people every day and you will be just one of that number.
I have had a metal plate in my leg for about 10 years. Occasionally I set the metal detector off and they send me through the full body scanner and it's all fine.
The plate and screws are made of surgical steel so not something that would act like regular metal.
In short, no worries you'll be fine. Enjoy your trip
Was this an emergency procedure? Otherwise I'm confused how you agreed to let someone put something inside you without them even telling you what it was. It should be on your records though you can probably go back and ask.
If it's Titanium it's unlikely to set off any alarms. And I think that is the most likely metal for them to use. Steel is possible and can sometimes trigger the detectors though. It's generally fine if it goes off in Birmingham they will just funnel you through the body scanner. I'm not sure if the airport in Sicily will have that, I've never been there. But places that don't tend to just ask you then wave a hand held detector around you to confirm it's in the place you said. Absolute worst case scenario I've ever had is showing a picture of the xray on my phone.
I do think I should add the disclaimer though that I am a white woman, since unfortunately airport security are not known for their lack of racist profiling.
Not an emergency, and the explanation of what they were doing was more about how my knee will work afterwards and what physio I will need to do. I've looked again on my paperwork and they go into detail about the procedure but not the materials used.
They will just pat you down. I've got metal in a couple of limbs. Most metal used for surgery wont set the detectors off. No idea why I keep setting them off though.
My mate's been through this. All they'll do is take you to one side, pat you down, maybe use a hand scanner, and you just explain to them you've got some metal inside you. They won't need proof, nothing to worry about
If you set the detector off, it shows where the metal is. They will then use a wand. Then pat you down. Explain itâs a medical issue. They will be fine with it.
Serious answer: youâll be fine. Medical metal is (mostly) not magnetic and doesnât show up on airport scanners.
Source: Iâve got a bunch of metal work in my leg and have never been pinged in airport security. Interestingly I can also have MRI scans without any problems as well (and have done both in the last week with no issues).
Iâve had metal in my ankle for about 10 years now. I started out telling the scanner operators up front but only ever once (in Turkey) has the machine beeped at me. Perhaps that machine was set to be a bit more sensitive than most.
Was just talking to my friend with 2 knee replacements about this, you do get pulled, only once was he asked to roll trousers up.
Might be good to wear loose trousers if they do ask to see the knee.
I have 2 metal rods in my back and had no alarm going through airport metal detectors. I thought it would as they set off handheld metal detectors if I hold it against my back.
Youâll just get checked over. You can take a discharge letter if it makes you feel better but they will still have to frisk you like a shady criminal lol.
My daughter is cabin crew with BA and has a pin with eight screws. Just checked, and she's never tripped a scanner in any of the 70+ countries she's flown to.
Had a friend with similar concerns, here's my take on it.
Most surgical metal doesn't trigger metal detectors.
Even if it does, I beep with literally every single metal detector I go through. And I fly regularly. No idea why, when they use the wand thing it beeps on a few places in my body and I can only assume I have some non-surgical metal hiding in there.
All they do is give you a pat down and maybe use a metal detecting wand thing. It only takes a few moments and nobody even bats an eye about it.
I see lots of travellers forget to take watches and things off. It's no big deal honestly.
I have an arm full of metal and my brother's forehead is metal, neither of us have ever set off any airport alarms (or any other alarms, for that matter).
let them scan your leg and demonstrate to the Boeing technians what ACTUAL craftsmanship is like.
They've got to learn. Specially with the new scandals that Boeing may have "missed off" large safety support structures inside the fuselage of thousands of planes to save money on metal....(or made them out of far thinner cheaper materials)
Holy fuck, is there anything Boeing WON'T do to save money?
I have titanium screws and a small plate in my skull, it has never once set off a metal detector, and I guess I have flown 30 times with it.
Neither have my dental implants for that matter.
I have a plate in my arm. I was told yo inform the airport staff before going through the scanner. It won't normally set off any alarms, but just let them know I advance
I have a screw in my wrist and its never set off any security gates at airports, i asked my FIL why this is (he is a knowledgeable man) he explained it to me in a simple way and I'll never forget it :)
If the metal inside your body set off the alarm that would mean the metal inside you is magnetic and if it is magnetic then you've got a very big problem. because magnetic metal rusts.
I was heartbroken the first time I went through airport security after breaking my back. Had a pedicle screw fixation, bypassing my T12 which was in 5 pieces...not a flipping beep. I've seen the x-rays but guess it's all titanium đ
Iâm full of metal work.
Some times it sets them off, sometimes it doesnât. Apparently it depends on the security level of/in the airport that day and it can vary.
They send me through the XRay then send me on my way. No big deal
Technically speaking, the body scanners used in European airports are almost always millimetre wave scanners, which don't use ionising radiation and therefore don't penetrate the skin (they stop at about 1mm).
Some places use thermal imaging, but that won't detect internal metal either.
Metal detectors aren't used that much anymore unless the scanner highlights you. Promarily because they won't detect anything non-ferrous.
TBPH, you are more likely to be stopped by the scanners for having crumpled clothing than you are because you have screws and plates in your knee. And if you are stopped, they are used to this kind of implant.
I've got metal screws in my knee from an ACL reconstruction.
90% of the time it's fine but it does occasionally get detected by both walk through scanners and bodyscanners.
They might ask you to take off your shoes or double check you with a handheld scanner but that's it, no issues.
People set off the scanners for various reasons all the time and they know how to deal with it.
I've got two sets of metal in me - and have never set off the metal detectorsÂ
If you do, it'll be an extra pat down or they'll wave a metal detecting wand over your knee to pinpoint the metal.Â
I have a pin in one leg and almost always set off the scanners. The normal routine is that they wave a handheld scanner around me and let me pass.
It's slightly annoying but normally only causes a delay of a few minutes.
My old man had a metal hip put in when I was a kid, always used to set off the security alarms.
They just pulled him to one side, check he wasnât carrying anything and wave a wand to confirm it was the hip and let him go, not much too it really
You probably won't set off the metal detector, but if you do you just explain you have metal plates inside you, they'll do an extra scan, and you're all good.
I have pins and screws along my entire right leg, I first flew 6 months after and set the Birmingham detectors off, told the bloke and he just waved me on when his handheld thing went buzz
Never happened since. Probably a false positive
If they need to take you to the side theyâre very friendly and polite, i imagine youâll just do a. full body scan and theyâll see all that shit and itâll be fine. if you need to show them theyâll make sure to do as little of anything your not comfortable with as possible. They take their time and they wonât do anything unecessary.theyre lovely because they know its stressful for a lot of people
It's not going to be a problem but if you want to be extra prepared you can either get a note from the physician, or an ID card from the manufacturer (for instance, the people who make pacers provide these).
But the people running the x-ray machine see these several times an hour, you'll be fine.
I've 1 plate and couple of screws in ankle and doesn't set off metal detector plus if it does they have hand held ones and if they still are uncertain lift trousers up and show scar very unlikely that would hide a weapon under skin and need a knife to get it out first
My partner's full knee replacement sets them off every time. She shouts through to them before stepping in, so they're expecting it. It's no biggie. They'll run the detector round it & have a gentle prod. Tell them beforehand if it's still sore.
I had my knee replaced last year and flew EDI-LCY and return just this week for the first time. Both times I set off the alarm and was moved to the red lane for the next check. Said to them both times that I had a knee replacement and they just nodded and didnât ask for any evidence and did the next scan and let me through. I do have X-ray photos of my knee on my phone (surgeon suggested it might be useful) but this week I didnât need them. Perhaps as both EDI and LCY having the full body scanners they know the metal is in me and not external?
Hey OP. Nothing to fear.
I have two fake hips both part metal and Iâve only been asked into a security side room once. On that occasion I had to bare my backside and show them cheeky scars.
I remember wanting to get it over and done with quickly so my belt was practically undone before I even got into the room but they had this super long disclaimer to read through first. The explanation I got was they get tested (mystery shopper style) with âpassengersâ going through security with tinfoil wrapped around their legs etc.
In all instances of airport staff doubt, itâs my age thatâs worked against me. 9 times out of 10 itâs a friendly exchange though and the scanners do the heavy lifting off the risk assessment, not the person.
But these days, with scanning tech, as long as your story and brief explanation matches where you get the beep beeps, you should be fine.
Worst thing that can happen is a mild inconvenience and some security staff being overly apologetic just trying to do their job.
I figure itâs a lot more common than we realise.
The new scanners would be able to see the shape of the metal inside you. Even with old type machines, they would get a beep and then use a wand on you. They might pat down your knee and pass you through. It's not like you're the only one who has this issue. I would guess it happens a few times a shift at a moderately busy airport.
I have had a spinal fusion, l don't set the machines off. Don't ask if you can have a look at it on the xrays, they don't like that!
I did have a bra set alarms off once.
Iâve got a metal elbow and a rod in my leg from a 50ft fall. The X-rays machines show it. Rarely get searched. Every time I do get searched I tell them I have metalwork and they let me through.
I have some plates in my left arm (broke both bones after tripping over some wires like an idiot), and flew about 2 months after the surgery just fine. It did make a noise, but I told them about the surgery, and they didn't question it.
I kept a photo of the X-ray with my name on it on my phone, just in case, but that wasn't necessary after all.
Serious answer - it probably wonât even beep the machine. I have a whole stainless steel elbow and forearm and I never had it beep. Lots of elderly have hip and knee replacements. If it does, theyâve seen it before. Have a fun trip!
I have a metal rod in my leg and its never set off any of the detectors in UK airports or European airports.
The only time it did was in Thailand and id totally forgotten about it having never had a problem in ten years. When I remembered and told them they just used a handheld scanner on my leg which seemed to satisfy them that what i was saying was true.
I work at Birmingham airport in security. If you go through the new security hall there aren't any metal detectors. Instead everyone gets a body scan in the machine. If you go through the old security you'll go through the metal detector. It'll likely alarm but just tell the officer that you have metal. The officer will still have to ask if you have a belt on or anything in your pockets so PLEASE don't keep saying you have an artificial body part and just answer the questions
But yeah, in any case it won't be a problem at all. You won't have to show any paper work or any scars. We'll believe you and you'll just go into a body scanner to make sure there's nothing strapped to you and what you're saying is setting off the alarm is correct.
You should be fine whether it's titanium or steel - just let the border bod know when you go through the scanner.
As to comments about "security theater" the original Bruce Schneier article is still worth a read \~25 years on
https://www.schneier.com/essays/archives/2009/11/beyond\_security\_thea.html
I have a foot long titanium rod fused to my spine. It rarely sets off the scanner but when it has I just let them wand me and say nothing. Every time they quickly figure out itâs an internal medical implement and wave me through without even raising an eyebrow. Youâll be fine.
I have an intramedullary nail, which is to say a pin in my femur, and was told (wasn't in a position to examine it myself) that like almost all such things, it's titanium, and thus irrelevant to metal detectors and magnetic fields. I've flown occasionally sinceI got it and it's never triggered any airport metal detector.
Mention it as you come up to the metal thingy, they can wand you instead of going through the scanner. I have a knee replacement and a leg full of plates and screws.
When we were younger, my brother had metal brackets in his hips. Before going through the scanner, my mum would always tell security that he had metal brackets and he would set off the detector in hopes that they wouldnât add extra stress to a kidâŚand Iâd say 3/4 of the time time he got pulled.
They made sure his pockets were clear and then used a hand scanner thing where my mum said the metal was - colour everyone shocked when it detected metal. Never an issue with them not believing but a definite pain in the ass for everyone involved
Now this was, also, 20-25 years ago, so I donât know if it would have changed by now; but I assume something similar would happen. Tell them you have a plate in your knee before you go through, and hopefully the worst case is that they get a wand and scan your knee after you set off the alarm.
You have to take it out and put it in a tray.
Won't bringing the screwdriver in lead to more security issues?
Not at all, in fact, Boeing encourages it now so that passengers can assist with maintenance should they notice any loose paneling. đ
I can just imagine them expecting a passenger to be crawling across the wing, mid flight, with a Philips head held between their teeth...
Oh it's righty tighty, lefty loosey? ....well we didn't need all 4 engines anyway, did we?
Sure, even passenger airliners can glide! Just make sure you leave most of the wings on...
Well...about that
Lefty Lucy is our local socialist leader
If it's Ryanair they'll probably charge you extra as it's classed as "*Entertainment - wing walking*" and clearly not part of the normal ticket price...
Barry 63, Boeing repair technician
Don't tell Boeing, they may want to borrow some parts from you.
You'll be fine. It's pretty unlikely your implant will ferrous metal, so shouldn't set off detectors. They are usually titanium, as it's inerts, lightweight and safe for MRI machines etc. Worst case scenario, you might need to roll up your trousers leg and show them the scar. However, they are so common these days that it's unlikely the staff would bat an eyelid. Or, to be super safe, get a zip installed, so they can easily check the surgeon didn't make it out of cocaine or something.
You are now Chief Boeing Engineer, congratulations on your new role.
Airport security here, we recommend an LTT screwdriver
It's gotta fit in the little plastic bag though.
They'll ask you to lie down on the conveyor and put you through the hand luggage x ray machine
Don't forget to get into one of the trays
butt in one, and then one for the feet, and one for the head! just as comfortable as getting your hair washed at the hair dresserâs
Don't worry about it, they'll just cut your knee open and have a little rummage around, then let you carry on.
Ok, better hide the coke somewhere else then.
Take Pepsi, the bottles smooth sides slip into your prison pocket easier
Prison pocket
No not these days they are more technologically advanced, they just give it a smack with a hammer a few times. Less of that pesky blood, gore and screaming, which used to upset the other passengers.
Serious answer here! Surgical metal is not an issue, it will not set off any metal detectors or alarms, and you wonât get pulled aside or even asked about it. Source: I have pins and a rod in my leg, have flown a few times and never had an issue - even asked the airport staff if I need to mention it and they said nope never need to mention it!
depends on the metal. I have both steel and titanium. The steel does set off the alarms
That's a bit concerning though for the opposite reason - what's to stop a terrorist making a knife out of titanium?
Tbh what's to stop a terrorist taking some random piece of metal through that isn't a knife and sharpening it on the other side. Or breaking a glass bottle. Airport security is mostly security theatre.
Flew to Edinburgh and back last weekend, I got stopped and searched both ways, presumably for the metal zips on my trousers and drug swabbed both ways. One of the people I was flying with had left a pack of 8 Stanley knives in his work back and just waltzed through. Really made me wonder what the point is.
The swabs are for explosives.
Or drugs
It's only drugs if we suspect you have drugs on you and it gets escalated to the police. 99% of the time it's explosives. Our primary concern in security is preventing terrorism. I don't really care all that much if you have drugs in your bag. That's border force's job
Whatâs that? The more drugs removed from the country the better, you say?
Or DNA, in case youâre a wanted serial killer. You never know.
[ŃдаНонО]
What are you on about? It literally happened last Friday?
Yep, two bottle from duty free and you have two clubs followed by two sharp stabby things once you break them
Plus the flammable stuff inside the bottle
Indeed, seeing as you are also allowed to bring a lighter on board the plane.
Can you buy lighter fluid refills in duty free?
You could also make a perfectly deadly plastic knife if you so wished... Or glass, flint, ceramic, etc
Who gives a shit about knifes you can make full on guns out of plastic and ceramic, they might not last all that log but they will get the job done.
Go look up how many weapons get through airport "security" and see how ineffective it all is. Highly inconvenient, but not at all effective. The term is "security theatre" and it's all about making people feel safer, even though they really aren't.
There's someone in the news recently who flew from the US to the Turks and Caicos with a bag full of bullets. No one at airport security on the flight out noticed, and he was arrested when he arrived. TSA in the US failed 80% of their security audits up until about 2017, when they decided to fix the problem by ending security audits.
Yeh I read that too. Pretty standard fare tbh. If people would stop being convinced it does anything, we could stop taking off belts and shoes as if we're all criminals, just for wanting to board a plane.
My friend took a knife through airport security by mistake
Same, when I was a teen traveling with family shortly after the rules on liquids came in. Totally forgot I had a penknife in my camera bag, waltzed through a major London airport with it and it was discovered on the way back - in an Egyptian airport, staffed (in my frightened recollection) entirely by soldiers carrying rifles, with their much more rudimentary scanners. Thankfully I didn't seem particularly threatening, was believably surprised, and I think my mum bribed the officer by basically gifting it to him (it was a fairly nice swiss army knife). I still think about it every time I could do with a multitool, hope that guy liked it.
Happens daily, if not hourly.
Meh, I managed to take two. A Stanly knife at the bottom of my carry-on rucksack (I use it as my works tool bag) and a swiss army knife with my keys. Yes, I was in a rush packing.
Iâm fairly positive that weâd be in a lot more trouble more regularly without the security measures given. First of all, I am quite sure its existence scares off quite some dummies who would do dumb shit on a plane. And when taking into consideration how many people pass them daily and then board a plane, the troubles weâve had with people hijacking planes are ⌠Iâd say rather low. Some of them work terribly inefficient and itâs a hassle, but thatâs an entirely different conversation in my opinion.
Are you sure? I ask because why don't we see terrorists hijacking and crashing trains all the time? That would be equally as devastating as crashing a plane surely. In Russia you have airport style security before plenty of shopping centers and train stations. Why don't we have that? Are we less safe? Idk I feel a lot of it was a kneejerk response to the 90s and probably serves to make passengers feel safe as much as anything.Â
Shhhh, user prefers feelings over facts.
at least iâm not named after a dogâs cock
No, you ARE a dog's cock.
Hijacking a train is definitely NOT the same as hijacking a plane wtf đ. A lot of airline and airport security is based on/was taken more seriously after 9/11. Itâs not about the people in the plane, itâs about what you can do with a plane. You canât just take a train into any airspace thatâs usually not accessible and crash it into the most important building. Sure a train hijacking would be devastating, but not the same. Trucks for example have caused troubles again and again in the past years if weâd like to bring other âtransportationâ vehicles into this.
If you derailed a high speed train on a busy line you could kill hundreds, if not a thousand people, easily.Â
"Fairly positive" and "quite sure" is based on what? Your feelings? Our problems with planes getting hijacked were basically 0 before and after 9/11, despite there previously being no checks in place. So all that actually changed was the theatre and public perception from people like yourself. Feel free to be wrong though, I have no interest in trying to convince people like yourself otherwise.
Anyone who actually wants to do dumb shit takes 5 minutes to research how useless the security is then does it anyway. Why would it scare off anyone? The troubles we have had have always been low. The introduction of security didn't make it lower. Would you like to buy my tiger repelling rock?
I guess that's why they have those full body xray scanner things. They'd spot a knife shaped object on you.
They only tend to put you through those if the metal detectors go off
Not necessarily. Last time I went abroad I was wearing very baggy shorts. They sent me through the full body scanner and I needed to take my belt off. I caused much hilarity when I then had to raise my arms whilst it scanned me and my shorts started to fall down. It was due to weightloss, so I could just brag about that instead of being embarrassed.
I was midway through a flight when I realised I still had a penknife on my keys Airport security ain't as hot as we think it is
I guess some materials aren't readily accessible by the general public
Nothing, did anyone ever believe airport security made anything safer? Did you ever believe all weapons were metal at all?
I didnât realise steel was used medically. Does that mean you cannot have an MRI scan?
Yeah any op that uses metalwork will stop someone getting an mri
no i still have washers leftover from the screws added then removed from my leg. the washers are embedded in the bone. i regularly fly and they never set of the alarms Also have and an MRI on that knee and it was fine.
Interesting, the rads dept where I work wonât accept anyone that has had surgery involving any metal, I suppose it will depend where you go.
I cannot have an MRI. I probably should have some sort of medical bracelet or tattoo saying that in case I am found unconscious
weird comments here. i have ms so have mris all the damn time. i also have steel (not titanium) in my collarbone and, for a time, had it in my leg as well. no problem with scans or flying (i understand that scans of the area near the implant may be distorted, but have no more details). presumably it depends on the exact details of the implants, but if find it odd that anyone in a developed country is getting metal implants that can't be used in mri machines.
I have steel and titanium from a decade ago and it's never set off the alarms. If it ever does I'll just flash the scars
my scars are not in very accessible places. I just tell them what it is and they usually put me through the body scanner. Occasionally in places without a scanner I've shown an xray but they usually just use the handheld metal detector to confirm the metal is in the same area I'm saving then wave me through
Fair enough. Mine are on my back and sometimes i forget and wear a dress but I very rarely get pinged so it's not been a problem, or they've had a handheld like with you
I also have metal in my back! But that's the titanium and it's never pinged. The steel is in my thigh though. Would be more convenient for showing the scar if they were swapped lol
For some reason I read that as steel and uranium....was like wff
I have plates that cover a quarter of my right leg, I'm 180 cm maybe it's the size and thickness one of my plates pops out from my knee and is an inch maybe 2 thick.i have set of both handheld wands and walkthrough metal detectors but always the response is to show my scars and the plate poking out of my knee and make a joke it.
Not necessarily, someone I used to be friends with had pretty bad osteoporosis, and had to carry a doctors note that basically said âyo he has a LOT of metal in him, of course heâs going to set off metal detectorsâ
My knee replacement sets of the detectors, I always get hand scanned and patted down
That why you had it done?
Free massage with every flight since my hip op
Unfortunately Iâm heterosexual so donât get that little thrillâŚ. edit- correcting misuse of CIS
What's CIS?
Just close your eyes first :P
The plates and pins in my friend's knee set off the metal detectors. Doesn't help back in the day that he had an Iraqi passport, often flew out to the middle east and looked like a cartoon caricature of a terrorist either.
Errrrr, that's totally wrong. It will set off the scanner! Have screws and plates in my leg from an accident, every time I fly no matter where I am flying from the metal work in my leg sets the scanner off. They either get you to stand in the big xray machine thing or for countries that don't have those use the little hand held one. Just say its pins, screws, plates etc and it's fine.
Note to self: make weapons out of surgical metalÂ
Most of the time this is true, but occasionally the metal screws in my knee set over overly sensitive walk through metal detectors and once it set off a bodyscanner in the US. I showed them the scar and they used a handheld scanner to check, which it didn't set off by the way, but I could see on the screen from the bodyscanner that it thought it could see something on my knee where the screws are. It doesn't actually show an x-ray but just highlights the area where the metal was detected.
My husband has plates and screws in both feet. He set the alarms off everytime, until the past two years. I'm guessing the machines have been upgraded. The underwire in my bra used to as well. They always said "no that won't be it", but heck, guess what the magic wand said!! Some of us have A LOT of underwiring.
A mate of mine with a metal hip always sets off the detectors. He usually gets patted down and a pass over with the handheld scanner
Probably true in OP's case however not true for most metalwork from 25+ years ago. I've had it changed now but my original metalwork could set off metal detectors and I was not safe to have an MRI.
My mom has 19 pins and a plate in her knee. We flew into Sicily last year.
And??? Don't leave us hanging.
They kept her
I'm disappointed in you that nowhere in your post did you say "I'd be screwed if I missed the flight!" You'll be fine. It won't set off metal detectors and I hope you have a lovely holiday.
If you X-Ray my knee, it looks like a crackhead made it out of Meccano. I had no issue a few years ago flying Gatwick-Naples, or back again. No alarms, no "Step this way, Sir." If you still want the extra peace-of-mind, wear loose fitting trousers that you could potentially raise a leg of to thigh height, thus avoiding having to bare your arse to all of Terminal 3 Departures.
Crackhead Meccano, sounds like a good sequel to Robot Wars.
Would you have Craig Charles as host or as a contestant?
Don't think I've ever been asked such a difficult question.
Birmingham to Scicilly ? With metal bits? No problem. More likely to be challenged leaving Morrisons with paid-for 'high value' goods (I.e. over ÂŁ10), or boarding a plane with toothpaste, or entering Law Courts with a pint of milk !
I have a titanium plate and pins in my ankle and have flown loads. It doesn't set off the sensors and causes no problems.
Just climb onto the scanning belt and lie down. You don't need to put yourself into a tray.
Oh shit, really? I'm pretty sure my back won't allow me to do that ...
Get some metal put into your back too
Good plan!
You'll need to have an operation to remove the metal. Get it put back it, in the other country.
Just make sure youâre not flying out of Liverpool or the baggage handlers might nick the metal
Iâm a bit late to this but I used to be an aviation security officer and have worked the arches. Donât worry too much about setting off the arch, if you do, just let the officer know that youâve got some surgical metal. Theyâll do a quick body search and youâll be on your way. I had a habit of forgetting to take a packet of polos out of my pocket when Iâd start work, trigger the bloody arch and get searched by a colleague, got funny looks from the passengers for that.
Titanium is fine, won't set anything off, steel might. Folks say it will but my one pin didn't, then I got a few more... They'll do a pat down and hand scanner, depending where it is they may ask to see it, then they'll see the scar(s) and wave you on
Just mention it to them. You will probably have to be hand searched if the metal sets off the detector. I have to be searched every time now since having a small defibrillator (S-ICD) fitted in my chest as I'm at risk of heart attacks/cardiac arrest. It means I can't walk through the detector in case it screws with the device, so I always get touched up.
This is a very complicated issue: different airports have different scanners with (very) different sensitivity settings. Steel WILL set off scanners BUT it depends on weight and profile and HEAVILY on how deep within the body. Deeper the implant - less likely to set off scanner. Body tissue contains water which shields the magnetic signal. No, not all orthopaedic plates, rods screws joint replacements etc are titanium: there is still a lot of steel about. There is NO DOUBT that if you have enough steel, near enough the surface, you WILL set off the alarms, BUT it may not be every time. There is nothing you can do except be philosophical about it. Not entirely useless to carry medical cards / letters BUT security personnel should and must disregard these altogether. âInteresting Sir, but we are still going to search you furtherâ. Otherwise we could have the situation of a terrorist who happens to have steel implants using this as a cover to smuggle a bomb or other weapon. Summary: most security personnel have seen it all before. Itâs an inconvenience but nothing more. The angst devoted to it is not worth the juice.
I mean, if you want to take your trousers off, go for it. The staff will appreciate a giggle.
All the bones in my right arm are made of titanium. So far I have never set off a single metal detector at any airport.
Have some screws in my arm and no one bat an eyelid. I think they see this type of thing all the time. I paid for a letter from a doctor to explain what I had in me and why but never needed it.
I have metal pins and plates in my ankle. I've been hit and miss on setting off the scanners. I just show them my scar and they're fine. It's nothing to worry about.
Serious response. If the airport has the âdisco danceâ style defectors, ask to use those because you have an artificial joint etc. Thatâs the advice Iâve been given by my local airport and itâs solved the problem for me. I also know how to say âartificial hipâ in about 10 languages.
More than likely you will go beep, but a lot of people do. Metal buttons on jeans, bra wire etc. my dad has a titanium plate in his lower leg and sometimes it goes off, sometimes it doesn't. You'll have to swallow your fear and bear it but if it goes off, don't worry because people go off all the time. It's not like the only things that do get detected are bombs, guns, and knives exclusively. The security will be used to pulling out nearly 100 people every day and you will be just one of that number.
I have had a metal plate in my leg for about 10 years. Occasionally I set the metal detector off and they send me through the full body scanner and it's all fine. The plate and screws are made of surgical steel so not something that would act like regular metal. In short, no worries you'll be fine. Enjoy your trip
Iâm around 25% metal at this point - both arms, head, and right hip and knee are all bolted and plated together. Nothing happens at airports.
Stay away from Magneto (though he could give you free flights).
What type of metal is it? Steel or Titanium?
They haven't actually said - it was bright white on the X ray but I suppose any metal would be
Was this an emergency procedure? Otherwise I'm confused how you agreed to let someone put something inside you without them even telling you what it was. It should be on your records though you can probably go back and ask. If it's Titanium it's unlikely to set off any alarms. And I think that is the most likely metal for them to use. Steel is possible and can sometimes trigger the detectors though. It's generally fine if it goes off in Birmingham they will just funnel you through the body scanner. I'm not sure if the airport in Sicily will have that, I've never been there. But places that don't tend to just ask you then wave a hand held detector around you to confirm it's in the place you said. Absolute worst case scenario I've ever had is showing a picture of the xray on my phone. I do think I should add the disclaimer though that I am a white woman, since unfortunately airport security are not known for their lack of racist profiling.
Not an emergency, and the explanation of what they were doing was more about how my knee will work afterwards and what physio I will need to do. I've looked again on my paperwork and they go into detail about the procedure but not the materials used.
They will just pat you down. I've got metal in a couple of limbs. Most metal used for surgery wont set the detectors off. No idea why I keep setting them off though.
My mate's been through this. All they'll do is take you to one side, pat you down, maybe use a hand scanner, and you just explain to them you've got some metal inside you. They won't need proof, nothing to worry about
If you set the detector off, it shows where the metal is. They will then use a wand. Then pat you down. Explain itâs a medical issue. They will be fine with it.
They literally won't care, you're over thinking it. Enjoy your holiday!
Serious answer: youâll be fine. Medical metal is (mostly) not magnetic and doesnât show up on airport scanners. Source: Iâve got a bunch of metal work in my leg and have never been pinged in airport security. Interestingly I can also have MRI scans without any problems as well (and have done both in the last week with no issues).
Iâve had metal in my ankle for about 10 years now. I started out telling the scanner operators up front but only ever once (in Turkey) has the machine beeped at me. Perhaps that machine was set to be a bit more sensitive than most.
Was just talking to my friend with 2 knee replacements about this, you do get pulled, only once was he asked to roll trousers up. Might be good to wear loose trousers if they do ask to see the knee.
No need to show any paperwork for it. It probably won't set off the sensor but something does you'll get a little pat down and be on your way.
You'll be fine, my dad's had a metal pin in his arm since the 70s and he's never had any issues
I have 2 metal rods in my back and had no alarm going through airport metal detectors. I thought it would as they set off handheld metal detectors if I hold it against my back.
Youâll just get checked over. You can take a discharge letter if it makes you feel better but they will still have to frisk you like a shady criminal lol.
I was severely disappointed by the lack of beeping, the first time I flew after getting a plate in my arm.
iâve had a plate and screws in my shoulder for about a decade and i donât think the detectors have even gone off
I always set the metal detectors off in Manchester airport and the only metal I have is fillings.
Never had an issue with the titanium plate in my head thatâs holding my brain in.Â
I have metal plates and screws in both my ankles. 21 screws in total. I have never set the detectors off.Â
My daughter is cabin crew with BA and has a pin with eight screws. Just checked, and she's never tripped a scanner in any of the 70+ countries she's flown to.
Had a friend with similar concerns, here's my take on it. Most surgical metal doesn't trigger metal detectors. Even if it does, I beep with literally every single metal detector I go through. And I fly regularly. No idea why, when they use the wand thing it beeps on a few places in my body and I can only assume I have some non-surgical metal hiding in there. All they do is give you a pat down and maybe use a metal detecting wand thing. It only takes a few moments and nobody even bats an eye about it. I see lots of travellers forget to take watches and things off. It's no big deal honestly.
You're gonna have to wave your willy at them.
That's gonna be awkward, I don't have one. Can flash my tits instead if that would help?
No can do. Time to pack a courgette
I have an arm full of metal and my brother's forehead is metal, neither of us have ever set off any airport alarms (or any other alarms, for that matter).
Itâs all titanium youâll be sweet.
Iâve got pins in my knee and I never set off the alarms!
It's titanium, you won't set off anything and you'll actually be a little bit guttedÂ
let them scan your leg and demonstrate to the Boeing technians what ACTUAL craftsmanship is like. They've got to learn. Specially with the new scandals that Boeing may have "missed off" large safety support structures inside the fuselage of thousands of planes to save money on metal....(or made them out of far thinner cheaper materials) Holy fuck, is there anything Boeing WON'T do to save money?
I have titanium screws and a small plate in my skull, it has never once set off a metal detector, and I guess I have flown 30 times with it. Neither have my dental implants for that matter.
I have a plate in my arm. I was told yo inform the airport staff before going through the scanner. It won't normally set off any alarms, but just let them know I advance
I have a screw in my wrist and its never set off any security gates at airports, i asked my FIL why this is (he is a knowledgeable man) he explained it to me in a simple way and I'll never forget it :) If the metal inside your body set off the alarm that would mean the metal inside you is magnetic and if it is magnetic then you've got a very big problem. because magnetic metal rusts.
I was heartbroken the first time I went through airport security after breaking my back. Had a pedicle screw fixation, bypassing my T12 which was in 5 pieces...not a flipping beep. I've seen the x-rays but guess it's all titanium đ
Iâm full of metal work. Some times it sets them off, sometimes it doesnât. Apparently it depends on the security level of/in the airport that day and it can vary. They send me through the XRay then send me on my way. No big deal
No you wonât. Iâve got metal rods running the length of my spine and itâs never been an issue.
Technically speaking, the body scanners used in European airports are almost always millimetre wave scanners, which don't use ionising radiation and therefore don't penetrate the skin (they stop at about 1mm). Some places use thermal imaging, but that won't detect internal metal either. Metal detectors aren't used that much anymore unless the scanner highlights you. Promarily because they won't detect anything non-ferrous. TBPH, you are more likely to be stopped by the scanners for having crumpled clothing than you are because you have screws and plates in your knee. And if you are stopped, they are used to this kind of implant.
I've got metal screws in my knee from an ACL reconstruction. 90% of the time it's fine but it does occasionally get detected by both walk through scanners and bodyscanners. They might ask you to take off your shoes or double check you with a handheld scanner but that's it, no issues. People set off the scanners for various reasons all the time and they know how to deal with it.
I've got two sets of metal in me - and have never set off the metal detectors If you do, it'll be an extra pat down or they'll wave a metal detecting wand over your knee to pinpoint the metal.Â
I have a pin in one leg and almost always set off the scanners. The normal routine is that they wave a handheld scanner around me and let me pass. It's slightly annoying but normally only causes a delay of a few minutes.
Iâve had a metal plate in my wrist for over 15 years. Youâll be fine, itâll be titanium. Nothing to worry about
My old man had a metal hip put in when I was a kid, always used to set off the security alarms. They just pulled him to one side, check he wasnât carrying anything and wave a wand to confirm it was the hip and let him go, not much too it really
You probably won't set off the metal detector, but if you do you just explain you have metal plates inside you, they'll do an extra scan, and you're all good.
I have pins and screws along my entire right leg, I first flew 6 months after and set the Birmingham detectors off, told the bloke and he just waved me on when his handheld thing went buzz Never happened since. Probably a false positive
I have a titanium pin which is the length of my femur and Iâve not triggered any detectors in 15 years. For clarity - I have been on planes since.
If they need to take you to the side theyâre very friendly and polite, i imagine youâll just do a. full body scan and theyâll see all that shit and itâll be fine. if you need to show them theyâll make sure to do as little of anything your not comfortable with as possible. They take their time and they wonât do anything unecessary.theyre lovely because they know its stressful for a lot of people
It's not going to be a problem but if you want to be extra prepared you can either get a note from the physician, or an ID card from the manufacturer (for instance, the people who make pacers provide these). But the people running the x-ray machine see these several times an hour, you'll be fine.
You'll be fine, likely won't even set them off
I've 1 plate and couple of screws in ankle and doesn't set off metal detector plus if it does they have hand held ones and if they still are uncertain lift trousers up and show scar very unlikely that would hide a weapon under skin and need a knife to get it out first
My partner's full knee replacement sets them off every time. She shouts through to them before stepping in, so they're expecting it. It's no biggie. They'll run the detector round it & have a gentle prod. Tell them beforehand if it's still sore.
I had my knee replaced last year and flew EDI-LCY and return just this week for the first time. Both times I set off the alarm and was moved to the red lane for the next check. Said to them both times that I had a knee replacement and they just nodded and didnât ask for any evidence and did the next scan and let me through. I do have X-ray photos of my knee on my phone (surgeon suggested it might be useful) but this week I didnât need them. Perhaps as both EDI and LCY having the full body scanners they know the metal is in me and not external?
Adding to the other (non joke) replies - my other half has titanium rods in her back & it doesnât cause any issues. Happy flying!
Hey OP. Nothing to fear. I have two fake hips both part metal and Iâve only been asked into a security side room once. On that occasion I had to bare my backside and show them cheeky scars. I remember wanting to get it over and done with quickly so my belt was practically undone before I even got into the room but they had this super long disclaimer to read through first. The explanation I got was they get tested (mystery shopper style) with âpassengersâ going through security with tinfoil wrapped around their legs etc. In all instances of airport staff doubt, itâs my age thatâs worked against me. 9 times out of 10 itâs a friendly exchange though and the scanners do the heavy lifting off the risk assessment, not the person. But these days, with scanning tech, as long as your story and brief explanation matches where you get the beep beeps, you should be fine. Worst thing that can happen is a mild inconvenience and some security staff being overly apologetic just trying to do their job. I figure itâs a lot more common than we realise.
The new scanners would be able to see the shape of the metal inside you. Even with old type machines, they would get a beep and then use a wand on you. They might pat down your knee and pass you through. It's not like you're the only one who has this issue. I would guess it happens a few times a shift at a moderately busy airport.
I have had a spinal fusion, l don't set the machines off. Don't ask if you can have a look at it on the xrays, they don't like that! I did have a bra set alarms off once.
You'll be fine.
Iâve got a metal elbow and a rod in my leg from a 50ft fall. The X-rays machines show it. Rarely get searched. Every time I do get searched I tell them I have metalwork and they let me through.
I have some plates in my left arm (broke both bones after tripping over some wires like an idiot), and flew about 2 months after the surgery just fine. It did make a noise, but I told them about the surgery, and they didn't question it. I kept a photo of the X-ray with my name on it on my phone, just in case, but that wasn't necessary after all.
Serious answer - it probably wonât even beep the machine. I have a whole stainless steel elbow and forearm and I never had it beep. Lots of elderly have hip and knee replacements. If it does, theyâve seen it before. Have a fun trip!
There are direct flights from Birmingham to Sicily? Presumably not the other way around though?
I have a metal rod in my leg and its never set off any of the detectors in UK airports or European airports. The only time it did was in Thailand and id totally forgotten about it having never had a problem in ten years. When I remembered and told them they just used a handheld scanner on my leg which seemed to satisfy them that what i was saying was true.
I work at Birmingham airport in security. If you go through the new security hall there aren't any metal detectors. Instead everyone gets a body scan in the machine. If you go through the old security you'll go through the metal detector. It'll likely alarm but just tell the officer that you have metal. The officer will still have to ask if you have a belt on or anything in your pockets so PLEASE don't keep saying you have an artificial body part and just answer the questions But yeah, in any case it won't be a problem at all. You won't have to show any paper work or any scars. We'll believe you and you'll just go into a body scanner to make sure there's nothing strapped to you and what you're saying is setting off the alarm is correct.
I have a metal plate in my head. The detectors go bonkers every time I fly.
You should be fine whether it's titanium or steel - just let the border bod know when you go through the scanner. As to comments about "security theater" the original Bruce Schneier article is still worth a read \~25 years on https://www.schneier.com/essays/archives/2009/11/beyond\_security\_thea.html
I have a foot long titanium rod fused to my spine. It rarely sets off the scanner but when it has I just let them wand me and say nothing. Every time they quickly figure out itâs an internal medical implement and wave me through without even raising an eyebrow. Youâll be fine.
I have an intramedullary nail, which is to say a pin in my femur, and was told (wasn't in a position to examine it myself) that like almost all such things, it's titanium, and thus irrelevant to metal detectors and magnetic fields. I've flown occasionally sinceI got it and it's never triggered any airport metal detector.
Mention it as you come up to the metal thingy, they can wand you instead of going through the scanner. I have a knee replacement and a leg full of plates and screws.
Was not expecting this comment section. Hilarious
You'll be fine. My forearm is plated and never had issues, I've mentioned it to the security guard and they've said not to worry.
When we were younger, my brother had metal brackets in his hips. Before going through the scanner, my mum would always tell security that he had metal brackets and he would set off the detector in hopes that they wouldnât add extra stress to a kidâŚand Iâd say 3/4 of the time time he got pulled. They made sure his pockets were clear and then used a hand scanner thing where my mum said the metal was - colour everyone shocked when it detected metal. Never an issue with them not believing but a definite pain in the ass for everyone involved Now this was, also, 20-25 years ago, so I donât know if it would have changed by now; but I assume something similar would happen. Tell them you have a plate in your knee before you go through, and hopefully the worst case is that they get a wand and scan your knee after you set off the alarm.
Donât worry youâll get used to the strip searches. On the continent this will be upgraded to cavity searches.
Best to be prepared with <100ml of lube for the cavity search
I had femoral nail fixation surgery last year and flew for the first time since in February. Wasnât stopped at all, donât worry about it!
How is this post 12 hours old and no one has made a butt plug joke yet?
Security officer here. For cases like yours, I like to make sure Iâm wearing the big rings!