Hello, has been quite awhile since I've posted here but have a specific question re: airport screening at FCO and haven't been able to find the answer....

My travel companion has had a knee replacement so will most likely need to go through a body scanner at security at FCO this month.

Anyone have any experience with this at FCO? If so, can you tell me about it? Am wondering if we might expect a longer delay or if they have enough screeners available to handle this sort of screening?

Thanks,
JH

I think body scanners are the norm at Fiumicino. The last time I was there, going from an Aer Lingus flight to an Alitalia flight, the entire process was automatic, and included a body scanner. It also depends on where you're coming from and where you're going.

If your itinerary originates in Rome, and if you're going to the US or to Israel, you have to check in at Terminal 5, which is off-site. A shuttle bus will take you there from Terminal 3. Then after "special destination" screening, you'll be bused back to the departure gate area. This process eats up time, and it's advisable to arrive at the airport three hours ahead of departure time.

For domestic and inter-Schengen flights, 1 1/2 hours should be enough, and for most extra-Schengen destinations (except the US and Israel) 2 hours should suffice.

Specific answers to the security area are likely to be obsolete when you go through. They change procedures often. I have had sailing through experience last year as well as having my passport checked at least seven times through never ending number of check points at other time.

There are some correlation to whether you are flying peak/off peak time (not stated), flying to the U.S. or to another Schengen country (not stated), whether you are eligible for fast track line, etc., as well as happenstance circumstances you encounter on the day.

Also, screening may not the only time consuming part of the process. You might have to spend even more time in the queue to check your luggage.

You can take a taxi DIRECTLY to Terminal five and I suggest you strongly consider doing so.

Regardless of the destination, I think you're most likely going to go through a body scanner unless you object.

If you are going to the US on Alitalia or other non us or non Israeli airlines you go straight from terminal 3. The scanning is the same for everyone.

My SIL has a hip replacement as well as a rod in her spine due to scoliosis and carries copies of her xrays with her - labeled with her name, date and MD info.

Says she only needed to use them once but always takes them just in case.

Thanks very much for the replies. To fill in the blanks a bit, we will be flying into and out of FCO from the U.S. this month and yes, we are eligible for fast track. My concern was whether or not they use scanners at this airport and if they have enough people manning them. Some airports have enough staff (who are able to operate the scanners) while others have to call specific personnel in, which can sometimes mean a much longer delay. This is why I wondered if anyone had had first had experience with this at FCO. We are staying at the Airport Hilton the night before and plan to take their shuttle to Terminal 5 3 hrs before our flight back to the U.S. which leaves at 11:30am..... does this sound like a reasonable amount of time?