1st Time with TSA

PM implant 5 1/2 weeks ago. Traveled to sunny Florida Sat. No problems. I showed my card; the metal scanner was not begin used; I couldn't hold my left arm above my head yet per doctor's instructions; I got a quick pat down along the ribs only. Quick and easy! In one week I can use my left arm for mild swimming. Great!

3 Comments

Congrats!

by Ck - 2014-03-17 06:03:49

I traveled two weeks after my implant. Was still wearing sling, so I got some sympathy help from airlines folks and other passengers.
A lot of the larger airports have the new scanners that you can go through without hurting your pm. If the airport has one, but it's for a different line, just ask the TSA person if you can switch lines. They're usually pretty nice about it.

Update on TSA

by flutetooter - 2014-03-30 03:03:16

On the trip back from Florida, I showed my card and was put through the "glass telephone booth" security system. This time I was able to hold both hands above my head, but was wearing an underwire bra, which of course labels me as a terrorist. The wires supposedly can contain explosives, so I was not only patted down, but then had my hands swabbed with a flat plastic "wand" with a moist pad on the end to collect the explosive powder residue. All this time my husband sailed through with his CPAP machine. Obviously men with sleep apnea could not possibly be terrorists. No problem, really, and a bit amusing. However, what I have learned is this -- next time wear no bra at all! lol In April I will let you know how many TSA agents were called for the pat down. :p

Not so amusing this trip

by flutetooter - 2014-04-26 11:04:12

We went on a one week Caribbean cruise this week, which has been delayed because of the PM implant earlier this year. I had 6 "pat downs" in 7 days at airports, the port before boarding the ship, and one each time I returned to the ship after visiting an island. The pat downs varied from a light swipe down the outside of the arms, to firm feels down the outside of both arms, the sides of the rib cage, up and down both legs one at a time from ankle to crotch and back, front full breast feels and middle of back. Is all that really necessary when I am boarding the same boat over and over again and they know me by name?

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