Flew International & Got Carded

I have seen conflicting posts regarding the travel experiences of our members and whether showing our PM card is necessary at airports. Most have never been asked to show it but I have.

My husband and I just returned from a business trip to Israel on Friday. (We got out just before the ground assault began.) Just like the last time we were there (in May), I told security that I had a PM. Once again, they summoned a supervisor and he asked me for my PM card. He also asked me my name and when I had the device implanted. All of this is on the card, of course, so he was testing me. He also asked me if I was carrying any weapons or explosives, to which I chuckled. I do NOT look like the type and he knew that. No pat down after the questions either - just like the last time.

In Philadelphia, they didn't ask for my card but they gave me a very serious pat down. Grand Rapids: took me through the scanner where you raise your arms above your head and said I didn't need to show my card.

As for me, I'm keeping the card at the ready. You may never need it in the US but, depending on where you're traveling or where you live, you just might. In addition, security levels might affect whether one is carded.

10 Comments

Thanks for the advice NiceNiecey !

by IAN MC - 2014-07-22 02:07:45

I have to fly to Italy ( from Heathrow ) in a few weeks time.

I had been planning on taking 500 jars of peanut butter but after your comments I will revise my plans !

My top horror airport is JFK, New York where smiling, or any sign of friendliness by security staff appears to be absolutely banned in their terms of employment !

Ah; the joys of travelling !

Ian

Did I Offend Cabg Patch?

by NiceNiecey - 2014-07-22 03:07:50

I detected a bit of nastiness in that response. Who said anyone was seeking attention? I appears I may have struck a nerve with you. Please let me know how I offended you so that I don't repeat the behaviour.

I always tell them

by ma_ku - 2014-07-22 04:07:30

in case I set off the detector. No big deal.

You WILL see conflicting posts ..

by IAN MC - 2014-07-22 06:07:17

because every airport is different !

Even within the same airport it seems that individual security officers may act differently as far as looking at PM cards is concerned. It probably depends on how they feel on the day and on how villainous you look

It is all part of the joys of being a bionic air traveller ; enjoy the surprises along the way .

Ian

Also on cruise ships!

by flutetooter - 2014-07-22 06:07:40

Got a pat down at each port as I came back on the same ship. I had even had a talk with the security director. I have decided that my being pleasant and cooperative is the best solution, since they have the right to do much more invasive searches than pat downs, even strips and body cavity searches. Once I asked two friendly airport female "pat downers" who used a wand also "What if my body had one of the large pessaries for pelvic prolapse that contains metal and the wand showed metal in that area. Would they have to do a cavity search" The answer was a blush and a definite "no". I guess what they are saying is that it was more likely that I would hide contraband in my breast tissue like an explosive pacemaker.

airports

by Tracey_E - 2014-07-22 07:07:34

I always have my card,have never once had it looked at at an airport. I'm not surprised that Israel would be the exception. They have much higher security levels than anywhere else.

Israel, Detroit, and London Heathrow!

by NiceNiecey - 2014-07-22 09:07:43

Those are my top three for security insanity - especially Heathrow! Surprisingly, I find Israel to be the least of these. Their security is so well trained since they've all been in the army, they KNOW who might be a threat. Thankfully it's not me.

Here in the US, we have taken racial profiling, and profiling of any type to an extreme. I've seen old ladies who could barely walk, interrogated, searched, etc just because they couldn't walk through the scanner. The feeling is, of course, "we are equally opportunity searchers!"

In Israel, I show the card and I'm asked a couple questions and they don't ever touch me or scan me. It's because they know by looking in my eyes that I'm not a threat. Can't they all be trained in Israel?????

And Ian is right: from station to station at any airport, it varies. And Ian, if you're traveling out of Heathrow, please don't bring peanut butter! Wow! That was a horrible threat I didn't know about in my carry on. It could be used to hide explosives or something like that. Because the PB I had was in individual containers, I was finally allowed to pass - after an HOUR of nonsense. No PM trouble, just PB trouble! Lesson learned!

Ha!

by NiceNiecey - 2014-07-22 10:07:47

That's a great comment on the pessaries. And I'll keep the cruise liner info in mind. I got my first PM two days AFTER stepping off the ship!

card

by Alma Annie - 2014-07-22 12:07:43

Here in Australia, I have always just flashed my card, and they automatically find a female officer and give me a pat down. I am quite happy with this procedure. I have never had my card read for the details.
Alma Annie

i just quietly tell them

by jessie - 2014-07-28 01:07:53

that i have a pacemaker.all they do then is ask me if i want a private search. i say no it is fine here. i always point to where my p.m. is and say it is tender so please don't push on the area. they just pat me down then and i have to show them the bottoms of my shoes. why i dont know. most likely due to 9-11. so very uneventual time. jessie

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I have had my pacer since 2005. At first it ruled my life. It took some time to calm down and make the mental adjustment. I had trouble sleeping and I worried a lot about pulling wires. Now I just live my life as I wish.