I have a metal rod in my leg which will set of airport metal detectors. How do I get around this?

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Karla A

If traveling in the US and going through a checkpoint ran by TSA there is NO way around the additional screening. A lot of people have their cards showing they have metal implants, but we are trained basically to not trust anyone, even though you have a card doesn't mean you for one actually have a implant, you could be hiding a weapon, so if we let everyone who has a medical card stating they have an implant would you feel safe? Remember, people can make fake ID's of all sorts now a days on the computer. Second, as far as I know TSA doesn't do body searches as far as what I think a lot of people are saying about other countries.

Barney

I have an artificial knee which sets off the detector every time I go through one. You cannot get around it....tell them you have an a metal joint but they will still do the full scan. Never been subjected to a full body search, and we travelled back home from Europe during the recent terrorist action.

loggrad98

You have one of 2 choices: 1) Get a card and carry it with you when you travel. 2) Submit to extra scanning of the affected body part. I have 18 metal plates in a fusion of my spine in my neck and upper back and regularly have to be "wanded" at the airport or even at federal buildings. When they pass the wand over my neck and see that there is no way I have anything there, they let me go through. Have never had a body search due to this, but that may be different if it is in a place where you could hide things (like a hip being near a pocket).

soda pop

My mom has a metal shoulder and my brother has metal plates in his face. Both of their doctors' gave them a small business card size picture to carry around just for that reason.

ginger13

my son has a titanium rod in his leg and he carries a Medical certificate with him in his wallet all the time. You must have one also if you travel.

Crazymom

It depends on the metal. My sister has a titanium rod in her leg and she has yet to set off any detectors. (Kinda scary eh?) She does carry a medical card thogh just in case. Better to be safe than sorry! I know I don't want to go thru a body search at customs!!!!

YourGuardianAngel

Hvae a medical note from your doctor, or let the guard know in advance

sexymama

My dad has metal in his shoulder, I'm pretty sure you need something. Call your doctor and have them get you a letter or something just in case.

Mimi

Bring you X-ray film...

smoooth_71

Yes, I think it would be in your best interest to get a medical certificate. I recently saw a older man going through turmoil because of the same thing.

ututrifan

Have a medical certificate with you, but expect a body search anyway. They might let you thru even without the medical certificate after a complete body search. So be ready for that.

Fleur de Lis

I'd bring a note just in case.

Otonita

I have metal in me too :) However it's made from titanium (a lightweight strong metal which does NOT set off metal dectectors). My guess is that your metal rod (unless it was done many years ago) won't set off the alarms.

john b

I have titanium screws in my shoulder - this does not cause a problem. Perhaps it is the metal that is used. You could carry a copy of your xrays. If a problem does exist here you can be sure that you are not the first to experience it - the airport people know what procedure to follow.

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