My girlfriend has a titanium rod in her leg and got a card from her specialist. It allows her to skip the metal detector or something like that.

I have had 4 permanent screws in my ankle for 10 years and have flown many times without setting off alarms.

Tomboy,

My husband has a plate in his arm and his leg and he does not set off the alarm when he walks through the metal detector at airports. However, recently he was randomly selected for a more thorough search and the hand wand that they use was set off by the metal plates. It was not a problem at all. He told them about the plate. You especially should not have a problem since the wand would direct them to your wrist....and you can show off your scars. Don't worry about hauling around x-rays. These plates are not that uncommon.

Happy travels.

"...and got a card from her specialist. It allows her to skip the metal detector or something like that."

Say What?! I sure hope thats not true!

I have a plate and 6 screws in my arm and have never had a problem going through security. I did actually get stopped for the first time going through on an interisland flight in Hawaii last August and was pulled aside and wanded, but as soon as the girl saw my scar, she just shrugged it off and continued. From her reaction, I got the impression they see it all the time. I mentioned that I had never had that happen before and she said the equipment is getting more sophisticated. So I wouldn't worry about it.

My mother has a titanium knee replacement, and she got a wallet card from the company that made the knee showing a photo of it, and with the date of her surgery, doctor's name, etc. Ask your doctor if there is a way to get something similar.

This is the official word from theTSA website.

"Persons with Disabilities & Medical Conditions

Pacemaker, Defibrillator, Other Implanted Medical Devices, and Metal Implants

If you have implanted medical device, that you would like to remain private and confidential, ask the screener to please be discreet when assisting you through the screening process.
It is recommended (but not a requirement) that individuals with a pacemaker carry a Pacemaker Identification Card (ID) when going through airport security. Show the screener your pacemaker ID, if you have one, and ask that the screener to conduct a pat-down inspection of your rather than having you walk-through the metal detector or be handwanded.
It is recommended (but not required) that you advise the screener that you have an implanted pacemaker, other implanted medical device, or metal implant and where that implant is located.
Screener will offer you a private screening once it becomes known that you have a metal implant or implanted medical device.
If your Doctor has indicated that you should not go through the metal detector or be handwanded because it could affect the functionality of your device, or if you are concerned, ask the screener for a pat-down inspection instead.
If you have an implanted bone growth stimulator or other device that operates under a specific magnetic calibration, which cannot be x-rayed because the calibration of these units cannot be disrupted, you may request a physical inspection of your device in lieu of being x-rayed.
Screeners will need to resolve all alarms associated with metal implants. Most alarms will be able to be resolved during a pat-down inspection and should not typically require the lifting and/or removal of clothing. "

My mom has metal pins in her hips and her doctor issued her a special card to carry in her wallet just in case she sets any alarms off.

I have 2 plates in my forearm, which sometimes set of the alarm. I carry no special cards, but security generally does a quick scan, and when they see or even feel the scar the reaction is similar to that reported by "Cruisin_Tigger". It never takes much extra time when the alarm sounds.

I have twelve screws and a plate in my ankle. If the sensors are set really high, they set off the alarms. Usually do not. I also usually wear a brace on that leg. Travelling to Tokyo last summer, wasn't thinking and was wearing a jogging suit with tight cuffs over the brace - had to be marched by two women in uniform to the ladies to drop my pants in the handicap stall and allow them to see the full brace. I now always wear the brace on the outside of whatever pants I'm wearing.

Please stop with the "special card" theory. Think logically. Anyone with half a brain could print something very official looking on any computer. Certainly these cards and letters exist - but they do not let you bypass any part of the screening. The TSA person will look at them, but don't think that gets you a free pass.

My mother - who has 2 metal knees, 2 metal hips has flown several times with these recently. It will set off the standard metal detector - and then she gets additional screening, ranging from a full pat-down to wand screening or both. Interestingly, the "I can see you naked" scanners will show the implants - so no further screening was necessary at airports using these.

I have two metal hips since January, and have traveled by air 6 times since: here's what I have learned.

The cards/xrays/dr's letters, etc, are not relevant -- as gail points out, anyone could get one.

If you are willing to go through the particle scanner, and if the airport has one, it will be faster.

Some airports are using the new-new scanners, which don't show you naked, they just have a sort of outline sketch (although I assume the operator must be able to ``home in'' on anything suspicious-looking, or what would be the point).

When you show your id to the first checker, mention that you have metal implants and ask if there is a particular line to stand in -- he/she can point out which lane is using the scanner, if any (sometimes they don't have them all turned on.)

2. If there aren't any particle scanners, or you don't want to use it, you can go through any line -- let them know beforehand that you expect to set off the metal detector, so they can ask for the wand-person to come to your lane.

After you set it off, you'll be wanded and patted-down by a security person -- they'll want to know where exactly the implants are. (It may take a while for the security person to get to you, in my experience, which is the source of the delay).

Particle scanners seem to be more common in US airports -- the airports I went through in Canada and UK didn't have them.

This thread is 8 years old!

My SIL has a rod in her spine due to surgery for scoliosis. She always has her xrays when she flies - and tells the security staff about this before walking through the screener.

X-rays can be faked, too, or at least have manufactured identity data added.