airport screening

by mtibben
2008-08-11 02:08:54
General Posting
1939 views
20 comments

My husband and I are going to Maui at the end of September, to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversay and to celebrate life. Since April I have had 4 stents put in and a month later my pacemaker. My question is about airport screening. A little leary about it and need assurance that they treat people with PM's with respect. We will be going through LAX Los Angeles Inter'l airport.

Any info would be greatly appreciated

20 Comments

not a problem

by Tracey_E - 2008-08-11 02:08:10

I fly all the time! First of all, FAA will tell you it's not safe to walk through the metal detectors but if your pm is newer, it's shielded and will not hurt you to go through. Some pm's will get through without beeping but I don't usually bother trying. I found that it's faster to tell them immediately that I have a pm rather than wait for the machine to beep that I have metal. Others here just walk through, it's up to you if you want to try it.

I always tell them when I hand them my id that I have a pm and ask if there's a line that they prefer I use. Most airports don't care but a few of them only have one gate to walk through so if your bags are in another line, you'll lose sight of them. So, I ask just in case.

Put your carry on stuff through just like everyone else. When you get to the metal detector, tell them you're a pm and they'll tell you to step to the side and call for a female assist to escort you through. Sometimes you have to wait but usually it's pretty fast. They have to do a pat down because the wands will just beep. They will offer you a private screening if you want it but I always decline. It's no big deal, it's faster to stay where you are, and I like to keep a close eye on my bags and my kids. But they'll take you behind the wall to do it if you prefer.

They tell you what they are doing step by step. They use the backs of their hands on sensitive areas. I've never been treated with anything but the utmost respect.

p.s.

by Tracey_E - 2008-08-11 02:08:30

Have a great time on your trip!!!!!

also see

by ccmoore - 2008-08-11 04:08:37

TraceyE has some good comments. Also,
Go to the 'Travel & Work' tab under Forums for a lot of good information and suggestions.

Charlie

airport

by thomast - 2008-08-11 05:08:05

I have not flown since I got my PM/ICD in 05, but I just have to comment on LAX. It is my most hated airport, nobody knows anything, and if they do they will not tell you. Anyway lots of luck, you will emjoy Hawaii.

Thomas

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by thomast - 2008-08-11 05:08:13

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by thomast - 2008-08-11 05:08:17

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by thomast - 2008-08-11 05:08:20

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by thomast - 2008-08-11 05:08:22

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by thomast - 2008-08-11 05:08:23

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by thomast - 2008-08-11 05:08:23

airport screening

by mtibben - 2008-08-11 05:08:32

TraceyE and Charlie
Thanks for the information on airport screening it was the exact information I was hoping for. Now I will know what to do and expect.
Margurite - the bionic mom

messages

by thomast - 2008-08-11 05:08:33

I don't know what happened

Thomas

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by thomast - 2008-08-11 05:08:49

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by thomast - 2008-08-11 05:08:49

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by thomast - 2008-08-11 05:08:50

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by thomast - 2008-08-11 05:08:57

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by thomast - 2008-08-11 05:08:58

Have a great trip!

by bini - 2008-08-12 08:08:14

I agree with TracyE.
I have traveled to a few different locations since getting my PM last year. I have not been through LAX yet, but I would assume they will treat you just as nicely as the other airports.

If you do have to get screened it really is not the bad, they will ask you if you want a private room to be screened in...(this will take a little longer)...or they will screen you right then and there. Before they pull you aside for the screening make sure your husband can grab your bags, shoes... thru the baggage check. Have your PM card handy so you can give it to them. You will get fully patted down while standing (front and back) then they will have you sit down and they will check your feet.
If your PM site is senstative to the touch tell the screener that, she will be extra gentle around that area.

Anyway, I hope this helps...and have a wonderful time in Hawaii!!!!!!!!!!

Christine

lax

by jessie - 2008-08-13 12:08:36

i went thru lax a few times before my pacemaker. like thomast. i arrived there at 1:30 in the a.m. on a hot day from toronto and was to board a plane for kuala lumpur where my husband was meeting me. the whole was wall to wall asians. i swear i was the only white person there. i asked a question and noone on the staff spoke english. finally a person did and told me i did not have a seat on this flight. i explained i could not reach my husband as he was travelling to k.l. to pick me up. finally i was after 3 hours given a seat. it is a crazy airport. i have travelled a few times in the past few years with my p.m. just tell them you ahve it and i have not had a problem. they search you by hand and you don't have to go thru the sensor. i ring anyway with my two hips. anyway don't worry it is has never been unpleasant. they just pat you down. have fun in hawaii jess

Never really had a problem

by Tinman - 2008-12-12 12:12:07

I've had my PM/ICD for 2 years and have flown domestically several times in the USA. Have had no problems. I have noticed some inconsistancy though about the screening process though. Some airport security staff wants you to wait in line with everyone else and then tell them at the last moment before you entrer the metal detector, other airport security have told me to NOT wait in line, but just to go the "exit" area and motion to them I have a PM. (A pat over the chest area seems to be the international sign! LOL). Be sure to wear socks/stockings as they always make me take off my shoes during the search.

Tinman

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