TSA concerns

Airport security

by crustyg - 2019-09-12 04:05:49

Hi:

I share your concerns, and recently had something as frightening happen to me, although with a good outcome at the end.

You are very unlikely to fail the metal detector or millimetric body scan just because you have an implanted device.  But your docs etc. are indeed vulnerable.  Most sensible places (except Tenerife it seems) specifically ask that you do *not* put mobile phones on their own in the trays for X-ray as they are very aware how easy it is to steal them - and losing your wallet with your PM/ICD card would be a real issue.

My recent experience: I kept all of my electronics in my carry-on bag, separated out computer and e-reader, liquids and went through.  Carry-on bag was rejected and I was instructed to remove *all* electronics into separate trays - five of them.  And that's where I lost track of my big laptop, but at least I was able to shadow my trays as I'd already been through personal metal detection.  Their smart guy spotted the laptop tray was unattended and took it to one side, and I was able to prove that it was mine and all was well at the end - but an uncomfortable minute or so thinking it had been stolen.

In my experience as a reasonably well travelled person, Israeli airport security is still the best in the world - not most agressive, or unpleasant, just smartest and really, really careful.  I was stopped coming through Tel Aviv some years back as my x-rayed baggage had them worried (this is the baggage that I was checking in).  All was well after a quick visual inside, but these folk are super-smart.  If I were a sneak thief, an Israeli airport is the last place on earth I would ply my trade...

But there's no possibility that we can reassure you with words.  You either prepare, and trust and hope and go, or you don't.

I would go!

My Cunning Plan

by IAN MC - 2019-09-12 07:26:41

My mobile phone and laptop are so ancient, worn and unattractive that no-one would ever steal them.  The electronic gadgets in the other trays always look much better than mine.

My strategy has worked so far.

Ian

TSA

by Tracey_E - 2019-09-12 09:50:49

Outside the US isn't TSA so every country will be different. With TSA it's best to have a friend or family member grab our stuff, but all you have to do is tell them you are traveling alone and they will let you stand so that you can keep an eye on your things.  Any time they've had me move, they let me grab my stuff, or point it out and an agent grabbed it for me.  I've been paced 25 years, fly regularly, and never once been treated unkindly or disrespectfully by TSA and I've never had a problem with my belongings being out of my sight.

I traveled alone with my kids from the time they were infants so I did security with a double stroller and a pacemaker. When they outgrew the stroller, they learned to grab our things and stand to the side where I could see them until I was done. TSA always was polite and helpful, and I never lost a kid lol. 

However, that is old news. Newer pacers can walk on through, no need to tell them anything or avoid the metal detectors. I haven't been to Israel but I walked through without saying anything in London and Paris, no issues. 

TSA PreCheck is worth every penny, you can leave your shoes on, leave your electronics in the bag so if you do end up with a pat down, your stuff isn't scattered all over. 

Airport security

by LondonAndy - 2019-09-12 19:05:44

Like Tracey_E, I don't tell the security people that I have a pacemaker (mine is 5 years old) and I go through the arch etc like everyone else.  No problems, and as I am 100% paced I am sure i would notice if there was!

I take basic precautions whilst travelling that are nothing to do with having a pacemaker - my luggage never looks valuable, and even in Madrid, where I had two pickpocket attempts on me whilst en route from the airport to the city centre and ended up having some cash stolen from my supposedly secure holiday apartment (I really do think parts of Spain have a problem here) I had no issues at the airport.  I have noticed more perspex screens alongside the conveyor belts as hand luggage emerges from the scanners, so perhaps that has been a security measure, to minimise the time the luggage is accessible. 

I travel every week... for the last 20 years

by CyborgMike - 2019-09-12 23:16:08

I've traveled just about every week for the last 20+ years. On business trips international, domestic, and all over the planet. 5M+ miles. I've never had anything stolen or heard of anyone having anything stolen on the other side of the x-ray. It would have to be a pretty dumb thief with all the cameras and officers and nowhere to go. Since getting my pacemaker (St Jude ICD), I go through the x-ray just like everyone else with no problem. It does not set it off and I don't skip a beat (I'm 97% paced). I get randomly selected, occassionaly, for secondary screening, but due to the PM. The only caution I exercise is with the hand wands. Outside the US a lot of checkpoints use hand wands. I don't let them get it near my PM, as they carry a lot stronger magnetic field. Skip the hassle and just walk through.

travelling

by jessie - 2019-09-13 12:23:58

when i travelled throughout asia and south america i would mainly  inform them the airport personnel at security i had a p.m. i would then get a patdown and be on my way. most recently on a domestic flight within canada it hadnt changed much. i remember the handwands and i always refused which was not a problem. i often felt tho that personel were not that educated on what to do and it wasn't a great feeling. it sounds like internationally things have improved for the icd and pacemaker travellers. its good to read a this site as much is learned about new policies.

airport security

by ROBO Pop - 2019-09-14 17:22:10

Air travel is the same for us as it is for people without a device...it's what you make of it. It can be a miserable experience or a fun exciting adventure. Got nothing to do with your device. Stop worrying about nothing and enjoy your trip. And by all means, if you enjoy a good grope by a hairy gorilla named Bubba, tell security you have a device and want a free pat down, they're happy to accommodate.