Travelling

A very happy new year to everyone! I would appreciate information on airport security as I will be taking my first trip pre p/m and do not know what I should do or tell them. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks ! Kuricat

4 Comments

Airport security

by Theknotguy - 2016-01-02 03:01:47

Carry your pacemaker ID card. Show it when they ask for your ID. That way, no surprises for the TSA people. After that follow their instructions.

I haven't had any problems with any of the airport security devices as far as the PM goes.

I've even had to go through one of the non-approved security devices - still no problems with my PM.

Even had a guy sneak up behind me and run a wand over my PM before I knew he was there. No problems. So you shouldn't have to worry about wands.

Went over to the UK and back. Was getting the, "Yeah, yeah, you gotta pacemaker. Now get in line!" response. No problems with the pacemaker but they were giving me fits about my CPAP machine.

Hope you have a good trip.

no problems

by silver star - 2016-01-02 06:01:45

After the nightmare of air travel with a Zoll Vest the pacemaker is no problem. The Zoll company isn't very helpful however the pacemaker companies have translation cards.

PM travel

by 0300hours - 2016-01-02 10:01:04

I have taken several flights between the US and Canada and across Canada and across the US since receiving a pacemaker nine months ago. I have always carried my PM card with my passports and boarding passes and nobody has ever asked to see it. Twice I have had the full body X-ray scans instead of the metal detectors. Usually they pull me to the side and use the wand over my pockets and legs and a full pat down for my, upper arms, torso and swim suit area.

Either way, I have never felt apprehensive about denial for travel but i have slipped my shoes back on a little later than those passengers who had been standing behind me in line on the other side of security because of the extra time for the pat down.

Airport procedure

by Hairy - 2016-01-02 11:01:11

Hi ...

Part of this is a repeat of a comment that I made to someone just before you. I apologize if it is redundant.

When you are in the security line, you will approach a scanner, perhaps two different kinds. Tell the security person that you have a pacemaker and that you want to go through the larger, full body scanner. If a full body scanner is not available, do not go through the smaller one that detects metal. Instead, ask for a pat down. In the USA, you can always ask for a pat down instead of going through any kind of scanner.

In the USA, I either go through the larger scanner (full body scanner where you hold your hands above your head) or ask for a pat down. With a pacemaker, you should not go through the smaller scanners that basically detect metal. If a full body scanner is not available, tell them that you have a pacemaker and they will pat you down. In Europe, full body scanners are often not available and they willingly pat you down.

Try to avoid having a wand pass over your pacemaker. It is OK if they wand your shoes or lower part of your body.

All this said, I have went through metal detecting scanners, either by accident or because a third world security type insisted on it. I have been thoroughly wanded. Nothing adverse happened. Maybe I have been lucky.

You probably have walked through a metal scanner at the door of a bank, retail establishment, or government building.

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