Airport worry.

Hi everybody.
Any advice would be good in rather worried as i am sposed to be going on holiday in 2 weeks ( the holiday was booked befour i was ill ) i had my pacemaker a week ago, the doc says if i feel up to the holiday it will prob be good for me,
I live in the UK and ill be going to lanzotote, i shall be travelling from Manchester Airport, im just stressed about all the security scans etc, im scared something will re-set my pacemaker etc, and i have read some airports insist you go through them, i really don't want this spoiling going and returning from a much needed holiday. Any help guys would really help ....Thanks. Kat

10 Comments

soreness

by Tracey_E - 2013-11-19 01:11:17

If you can't raise your arm or are sore, just tell them. They are used to it and have never been anything but polite to me. Often, they ask before they do a pat down if there are any sensitive areas.

Hi Kat

by IAN MC - 2013-11-19 01:11:58

I flew back from Lanzarote Thursday of last week ( to Gatwick ). The security people at Arrecife airport were great . I didn't have to show them any PM card , I just pointed at my shoulder and I was directed around the side of the scanner where a very friendly guy gave me a pat down.

We had stunning weather, I hope you do too !

Ian

Hi Katz...........................

by Tattoo Man - 2013-11-19 07:11:28


............................you should be just fine. My experience of European airports has been universally positive.

I tell the people before the old 'shoes off in the plastic tray' section and they often call ahead to the Arch Scan people.

I wave my PM Passport in the air and have always been told to bypass the Arch to get a more than thorough pat-down !

Enjoy Lanzarote..enjoy your PM.

Tattoo Man..East Midlands

no need to worry

by Tracey_E - 2013-11-19 07:11:53

Flying is not a problem! I've flown more times than I can count with a pm and it's never been an issue. If they have the new 3d scanners, they are perfectly safe for us because they're x-ray technology, not metal detector. We can go through most metal detectors, also, they won't damage the pm but there is the chance of setting it off so I always just ask for a pat down. When they ask for id and boarding pass, I always include my pm id card and ask them if they have a preference which line I should get in. If they have a new scanner, I get in that line. If they only have metal detectors, they usually have me step aside and wait for a female assist to do the pat down.

Me To

by Peaches45on - 2013-11-19 07:11:59

I had my pacemaker put in 3 weeks ago. I am still having dizzy spills and will see the pacemaker clinic tomorrow and hope they can figure out why I am dizzy and have a headache. My GP thought it was a medication so I haven't taken that for a week, but didn't help.

I also am schedule to fly on Dec. 7th. and just keeping my figures crossed that he says it is ok. I think maybe I am stressing so much that I might not be able to go that it is causing me feel worse than I do.

Me too

by Jonny - 2013-11-19 08:11:03

Hi Kat, I'm off through Manchester also in a two weeks time heading for Asia. I had my 3 month check up last week and spoke to the technician about it. She advised basically what Tattoo Man said. The detector will NOT affect your PM but as it is titanium it will almost certainly set off the alarm, so let the people know before hand. Apparently with the new PMs the wand is not a problem either, should they use it instead of a pat down. Enjoy your hols, I'm certainly not letting the thought of going through the scanners for the 1st time affect me. John

Perfectly safe

by Beckes76 - 2013-11-19 10:11:31

I have flown dozens of times with my PM.....I just have my PM card with me and if they question it I pull it out. The new scans I have gone through a few of them. Not all airports have them. If I see that they have them I don't even question them and just go on through with no worries. If they don't I just tell them that I have a PM and would like to be patted down. they do ask if you would like to have it in private or out in the open. I have done it so many times that I do it right then and there.

Becky

Scanner?

by SaraTB - 2013-11-19 12:11:32

Kat, I fly between the US and the UK a couple of times a year, with no issues. We PM users are safe to go through the new scanners, but it does occur to me that having had the surgery so recently, if they direct you to one of those, you need to tell them you just had surgery and can't raise your arm above your head yet (unless your doctor advises it's OK).
I've found the security people at Heathrow to be friendly and courteous. As everyone says, just tell them when you get to the belt for your hand baggage "I have a pacemaker" and they'll send you around the metal detector arch for a pat-down check. It will be by a woman (or man if a male traveller). Keep an eye on your hand baggage (or get someone travelling with you to watch it)!.
I went on vacation 5 days after my initial implant, and it was lovely, after all the bother of the procedure and adjustment to my new electronic life!
Have a great time.

Watch the backpacks!

by Bostonstrong - 2013-11-20 06:11:13

My biggest issue with flying post pm is getting whacked in the op site with people's backpacks as they pass you in the aisle when boarding. I've learned to hold my left arm across my chest if I have an aisle seat. Have a great trip!

Thanks

by katz - 2013-11-20 07:11:47

Thank you everybody for your helpful comments, you have all put my mind at rest....x

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My pacemaker is intact and working great.