Airport Security
 

We are going to visit Italy this year.
What type of airport security do they have there?
My husband has a deep brain stimulator implanted and must be hand checked. He can't go through a security gate or even be wand checked, or do they have that kind of security?
Will there be any problem?
Is there any way that I can communicate with them to let them know to hand check him?
He has a card that states that he has the implant but will anyone at the airport in Italy be able to understand even if I ask to have him hand checked?
Thanks

Italy has both security gates and wands.

Your husband's situation would seem -- I write with no medical knowledge -- as grave or even graver than that of someone with a severe allergy.

My recommendation would be the same as the recommendations allergy-sufferers have been given: Have your husband's card (which presumably explains that either procedure would be harmful to him) professionally translated into Italian, printed on a card and laminated, so that you can show it to airport personnel.

Relying on oral communication in a language that may be incompletely understood by either party -- English by the airport staff, Italian by you -- would, I think, be dangerously unreliable.

IMO, security at major European airports is superior to that in the US.

Good advice from Eloise.

I suggest that you go to www.slowtravel.com, post the material on the card and ask for translation help.

They have native Italians on that board.

((I))

Dick: Then why are flights halfway across the Atlantic before it's discovered a passenger is on the "No-fly list"?

The "no-fly list" is *American*. What do you suggest European airports do: board people four hours in advance and have them sit on the tarmac until the passenger list has been sent to the U.S., and the *American* authorities have put it through their *American* computers?

I am hydrocephalus and I have a programmable valve implanted. I also cannot go through security gates and never had a problem here in Spain or England but I do speak the language :) Maybe you can tell about it to your airline and they can do some arrangement in your behalf. Anyway, if you have a card stating his condition, the only thing that can happen is a bit of delay if the security people doesn't speak English while they find someone who does :)

Eloise: Apparently you know much more about the "American" no-fly list than I do. Perhaps the "Americans" could develop/coordinate a computer-based system shared by all. That way, passengers wouldn't have to sit on the tarmac for four hours, as you believe I would have them do.

Here is a paragraph from a press release issued by the TSA itself:

Passengers on international flights will continue to be checked against names in the consolidated TSC database <b>by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP),</b>, through its Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS). These checks are mandated by U.S. law.

You can read it yourself at the Transportation Security Administration Web site:

http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?co...000519800c6c77

You don't really think the TSA would allow any foreign country to access its list through shared computers, do you?

Eloise: thanks for the info.

And you seem to know a lot about what &quot;I really think&quot; or want to &quot;suggest.&quot;

Have a nice day.

the no-fly list is hardly the same thing as good security. many of the alerts are false and a good many are questionable at best (Cat Stevens????).

anyway, i thought everyone knew this was an american database. the stories about it have been well publicised.

Sera

To me, you appeared to question Eloise's knowledge of the procedures, then get &quot;huffy&quot; when she supplied exactly those details.

&quot;You don't really think&quot; in her post appeared to me to be a question, rather than a supposition.

In Europe, it is not uncommon for security people to carry automatic weapons.

There was a time, after 9/11 that our airports had very visible and well armed security. i just don't seem to see that as much in our airports anymore.

Thanks to Eloise and kenderina. I will sure do as you advised.

I sure didn't mean to open a can of worms about that no-fly subject.
Lydel

implants on persons who have indeed Lydel-first of all, I've just skimmed through the posts here, but it seems people have gotten off on a tangent about the &quot;no-fly&quot; list. I don't have any idea in Hades what people think this has to do with your husband's problem, but I do know this: however well-intentioned, the &quot;no-fly&quot; list has NOTHING to do with your husband's issue-and your husband's medical implant issue is a HUGELY important one, not just for him, but for many hundreds, maybe thousands like him who are traveling both domestically and overseas and must handle the prospect of the screening checkpoint.

Without going into details, I happen to know a fair bit about this particular issue with respect to domestic hand screening (and problems that have arisen therefrom) of persons with medical implants. I should say that there could well be problems in Italy at the screening checkpoint regarding this sensitive matter. Some research is necessary in order to determine the best way to handle this issue abroad.

TSA screeners are thoroughly trained in this country with hand checking of persons with medical implants. To that end, I'd like you to read the following information on the TSA website regarding persons with medical implants:

www.tsa.dot.gov/public/display?theme=156

Italy has hand wanding and magnetometers just like in the US. Now I know that Italy must have procedures for hand screening of persons with medical implants, what I don't know is how an international traveler who does not speak Italian handles that matter at the screening checkpoint in Italy, and presents their medical card in English. Some screener supervisors in Italy should speak English, I'm sure, but you can't absolutely count on that.

Accordingly, I would advise you to contact TSA and put the question directly to them using the following email address:

[email protected].

TSA should do some research on this matter and get back to you within two days with information, and/or someone to contact.

In the meantime, I will make some inquiries on my own as to whether there is some printed guidance on this matter for international travelers, and/or contact TSA personnel who deal with disabilities at the screening checkpoints. (they have an entire office that deals with these matters).

The airlines, although they have security contractors who work for them abroad at check-in and do some questioning and redundant screening-DO NOT do the primary screening in Europe-that is handled by the governmental airport authority in each European country. However, they may be able to assist you and your husband while you are at the screening checkpoint. I would therefore encourage you to speak to a customer service supervisor for the airline you're traveling with as well.


The problem with your husband and sensitive hand-wands and magnetometers is such that, were al screener to mistakenly bring the hand-wand near your husband's head, very serious injury could result. Your husband's brain implant is a new one to me- I am primarily familiar with pace-makers and gastronomic implants on persons who have in fact incurred serious injuries as a result of a mistaken hand-wanding.

The point is, mistakes do happen, but I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. You must insure that it does not, and that you and your husband are armed with all available information BEFORE you leave this country. Like I said, I will do some checking on this issue as well, and get back to this post-because it is a question that is applicable to a certain segment of the traveling public with special needs, and I am unaware what, if any current information there is on the matter.

My brother in law has an implant in his spine and he was advised by his MD to take with him a set of offical X-rays showing the implant - with the name of the MD and the hospital. The MD provided anofficial letter - on this letterhead - and suggested translations into the language of the countries through which he was traveling.

I know that security people are used to certain common types of implants (hips etc) but for anything unusual I would bring as much info as possible.

Spygirl, thank you so very much for all your information. I too will try to find out as much as I can about security at the airport in Rome.

My husband's brain surgery implant is called a DBS (deep brain stimulator) This process has only be used about 10 years and is mainly for people with Parkinson's but in my husband's case it was done for a hand tremor he's had for years. The good news is that it has cured his hand tremor.

We are going to be traveling with a tour group and I'm wondering if someone at the travel agency can give me some help with this matter. They know my husband's situation but haven't said anything about it to me.
The owner of the travel agency is also going along. Maybe he knows Italian or can give me some suggestions on who to contact.
But for now, thanks again, Spygirl.

A good thing to do , nytraveler, because it's not only the &quot;trouble&quot; at the airport. One doesn't want to think about that when in vacation, but you maybe will need to have that info translated (even if it is only a written letter from your doctor)in case you need going to an ER or something like that.

Spygirl,
I forgot to mention that the deep brain stimulator is like a pace maker except it's for the brain.
The stimulator is implanted in the same place on the chest, just below the shoulder, the same as a pace maker.

unfortunately, many people from the middle east use the same name (ie, cat stevens became yusef salam, &quot;john dooe&quot;).

that's why people are stopped at customs. how many muhamad ali's can there be?

Lydel, in fact I've explained what I have to some policemen saying &quot;it's like a pace maker but in my head, give me your hand, touch, touch&quot; (mine is not in the brain, it's just under my skin and you can notice it touching). It was funny, they get embarrassed and say &quot;no , noooo&quot; and they go quickly to find the hand checker , ehehehe.
Some others not even asked for explanations.

My husband has a mini defibrillator impla. He has the medical card from Medtronics and his doctor information. We went through security in both US, Germany, and Norway last summer, with no problems. He told the check-in clerk, who directed him to tell (show) the info to the first Security peson, and they directed him to a special area where only hand screening was done. Of course, that left me with the carry-on bags, etc., so that is something to think about.

I think having the info about the DBS implant translated into the languages which will be used in the countries you will visit, is a very good idea. If you check in as a group, maybe your tour leader can be helpful. mhm

A great big THANK YOU to all who replied to my post. You are all very thoughtful people.
I deeply appreciate it.

&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;
unfortunately, many people from the middle east use the same name (ie, cat stevens became yusef salam, &quot;john dooe&quot;).

that's why people are stopped at customs. how many muhamad ali's can there be?
&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

in what societies do people NOT commonly use the same names? certainly we do in europe, in america, definately in east asia, india, etc....???

LYDEL:

I have contacted US representatives in Rome, and explained that there are Americans traveling through Italian airports in the next few months, the husband has a medical implant and is concerned about possible problems at Italian screening checkpoints, given the medical card is in English, and that hand-screening is a necessity.

The US rep. has advised that they will be in contact with Italian authorities today at Rome's Fiumicino-and will query as to Italian screening procedures for persons with medical implants. Question arose as to which airports in Italy you will be traveling through? I stated (without being specific) that Rome's Fiumicino would be the gateway and possibly one other. Any additional information you care to provide can be passed along.

Spygirl,

&quot;contacting US representatives in Italy&quot;

I like your style...great work!

From my persoective, Italian airports are serious about security. I don't know how smoothly you might bypass the detectors and wand scrutiny.

I have steel implants in my spine. I always get herded through the metal detector, then almost always trip the metal detaector, and get a wand search, often accompanied by a pat-down.

Not sending someone through the detector would be en exception to the boarding process and may require security staff to refer the matter to a supervisor. And you have no guarrantee that your certification will be understood by any of the security personnel. Many speak English, but possibly not to the degree necessary to understand that he simply CAN'T go through the detector.

I suggest that you contact the embassy in Washington for more information. Perhaps they can tell you how to get a certified translation of your card or other documentation that will stand up to scrutiny. And most importantly, reduce the anticipation and potential aggravation of security problems. Definitely budget extra time, just in case.

I hope everything works out OK for you. Good luck!

Embassy of Italy
3000 Whitehaven Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C., 20008
Tel (202) 612-4400
Fax (202) 518-2154
http://www.italyemb.org/Contact%20us.htm

Why can't your husband &quot;be wand checked&quot;???

Spygirl and Shutterbug, I can't thank you enough for all the trouble you went through to get so much info. regarding my husband's safety going through security at the Rome airport. How sweet that was of both of you!! I really do appreciate it.

I don't know yet which airport we will be arriving at since it is too soon for the travel agency to be sending our documents.

And Intrepid1, my husband's implant is so intricate that if he goes through the gate or gets checked with a wand it will set off the security alarm but worse than that, my husband would have to go back into the hospital and have his stimulator removed from his chest and reprogrammed and that would entail a lot of surgery, almost as much as what was done in the beginning. That's the reason he must be hand checked (patted down).
I have a letter from the doctor stated that but I need to find someone who can translate it into Italian for me in case there are no English speaking checkers at the Rome airport.

I still have time so that's what I will be working on from now til we leave in October, finding someone who can do that for me.
Thanks again to everyone for being so very thoughtful of our situation.

I don't mean to sound an alarmist, but if security sensors can mess up your husband's electronics, you may have to pre-plan your visits carefully. Metal detectors are used at the St. Peter's Square to screen visitors before mass. As part of today's preparedness against terrorism, similar security devices are in place at other attractions and government buildings as well.

Good luck!

Of course, shutterbug. I also cannot walk through security sensors. But the problem is in the airports because you can't avoid to be checked (you can't say &quot;forget it,I don't fly&quot; and because the potential of the sensors is higher than in any other place. But if you really want to make a particular visit, yes, it's better to know it first if they have sensors :)
By the way, anyone knows if they have security sensors at the British Museum in London ? :)

My father has a cochlear implant which entails electronics and a magnet embedded in his head. It has a rather interesting looking wire that connects to the side of his head externally via another magnet and runs to his hearing device. (The grandsons love to &quot;stick metal stuff&quot; to the magnet in Grandpa's head!)

He also would be in dire trouble - maybe dead - if he were scanned.

On a trip through to Ireland in '03, he made it through security with no problem domestically, in Amsterdam (twice) and Dublin simply by showing his card and pointing to the device. He was moved aside and inspected by hand. Can your husband discreetly show his? It might help.

I think the research and translation you're doing is really great, but probably unncessary for airport screening. Millions of travelers have medical implants, the screeners see them every day.

The translation could be invaluable, however, if (heaven forbid) he were unconscious and couldn't inform ER personnel of the dangers of an MRI or some other procedures. Does he wear a med-alert bracelet? Just a thought.

Good luck.

Dick : &quot;i just don't seem to see that as much in our airports anymore.&quot;

You don't see your car's starter motor, but you are aware that it is working, correct?

It was frequently reported that the security would be less visible, and that armed marshals would keep you safe.

What message do our gun-toting armed forces send to travelers in airports? Does this increase our travel and our spending? No.

This really isn't the thread for that kind of debate.

LYDEL:

I have just heard back from our US representatives in Rome, they had a discussion on the matter with the Italian officials at Rome's Fiumicino Airport yesterday. (I see now that you don't know in which airport you will be arriving-but this is applicable to all the international airports in Italy).

They have advised that persons at all airports in Italy with a medical implant are NOT hand-wanded, they will be screened separately, and with a physical search.

The Italians have advised that you are to contact your airline agent when you arrive at the airport and tell them that he must be hand-searched. If you have a card printed in English, there is NO NEED to get it translated, the card &quot;assists in the process,&quot; that persons with implants are hand-screened daily at Italian airports with no difficulties. At Rome's FCO Airport, the airline counters and the screening checkpoints are located almost next to each other, so the airline agent can be right there to assist with the screening agents.

I was sure that Italy's airports had a hand-screening procedure, but did want to verify this, in the hopes of allaying concerns by other Americans traveling internationally with medical implants. It is also good, I think, for the Italians to be aware that the US has raised this issue with them, as it &quot;elevates its profile&quot; so to speak. I should also add that the US and the Italians have VERY strong working relationships in the area of aviation-very strong.

So you and your husband should go to Italy, enjoy yourself and have no worries about the screening process. If there are any other questions you may have that are related to this matter, post back again, and we'll see what's up.

Spygirl: You are a sweetie. I'm interested in this discussion because of the work I do but you have really gone out of your way to help someone. Nice to know that people like you are still out there.

Spygirl, Ditto to Sharon G...you are a real doll. The world would be a better place if there were more people like you in it, so considerate and caring.
Thanks for everything,
Love ya.

Gee, all this luv! Thanks guys, but really, as I'm sure you know, the whole world is but an email away...

And Lydel, I feel strongly that your post has general applicability to others who may be concerned about passing through European screening checkpoints with the same or similar medical issues, which is why I felt it important to provide information that comes right from the source. If this information allays any such concerns for others, then that is of course a positive thing.

Oh, and btw, Ms. Spygirl got herself a VERY nice invitation out of this little exchange from the Rome contingent to, shall we say, trip the light fantastic Roman-style, when I arrive in &quot;la citta eterna&quot; in two months. Now that's what I call productive! (smile)

Spygirl,
I am sooo glad that you are getting &quot;rewarded&quot; for all the hard work that you have done to ease my mind, you deserve it.

Have fun tripping the light fantastic,
grazie!

Spygirl, just another example of karma and you deserve it.