implanted medical devices - airport security

[p--and--t]

They complained about having too many AAA batteries (which has never been a problem at any checkpoint I've been to before, including the same MEL T1 checkpoint).

A few years back, after checking in and wandering off to await my flight I was paged at BKK and instructed to go immediately go to baggage services.

I had to open my locked suitcase while Airport staff searched it and they removed a small hand torch.

Airport staff opened the torch and removed the single AA battery and threw it in the bin. I was then left to repack my bag and lodge it to be re-added to the baggage waiting to be loaded to the flight

 

[RooFlyer]

A few years back, after checking in and wandering off to await my flight I was paged at BKK and instructed to go immediately go to baggage services.

I had to open my locked suitcase while Airport staff searched it and they removed a small hand torch.

Airport staff opened the torch and removed the single AA battery and threw it in the bin. I was then left to repack my bag and lodge it to be re-added to the baggage waiting to be loaded to the flight

That’s good, right? Whatever scanning they did worked and they acted so that the forbidden battery was taken out of the checked bag.

 

[p--and--t]

That’s good, right? Whatever scanning they did worked and they acted so that the forbidden battery was taken out of the checked bag.

Except that same torch with an AA battery has been to 70 countries (some several times) and dozens upon dozens more transits and never been questioned.

 

[TravellerTim]

After a problem yesterday and going to the hospital, I ended up having a SPC installed until the specialists can arrange a surgeon (in Sydney) to fix the underlying problem. Hopefully that will fix the problem and the tube can be removed, however arranging that is expected to take 4-6 weeks and I have a short trip to Tokyo in 3.

Everyone at the hospital said that traveling with the SPC was fine. I've never had to deal with anything like this before. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with a similar device going through screening and flying in general.

My trip is on QF/JL, going through checkpoints at CBR, SYD, HND, SIN and MEL.

Sometimes my metal knee is detected by a metal detector, at which times I get checked with a metal detecting wand.
I carry a confirmation letter from my surgeon, although I have not had to produce it yet.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Except that same torch with an AA battery has been to 70 countries (some several times) and dozens upon dozens more transits and never been questioned.

MrsTMA carries a a pair of plastic scissors, approximately 0.5 cm long, found in a Christmas bonbon, to cut medication satchels. Never a problem in 15 years of domestic and international travel. Were confiscated at Canberra airport for domestic flight.

 

[Franky]

Sometimes my metal knee is detected by a metal detector, at which times I get checked with a metal detecting wand.
I carry a confirmation letter from my surgeon, although I have not had to produce it yet.

I have had two TKRs since 2009, and can say that few airports have the same routine. The silliest one was in Abu Dhabi when I was arriving, and waved to the bloke in the white robes and turban on the other side of the screen and pointed to my knees. He ushered me thru and then said pull your trousers up and show me the scars, which I did. He sent me on my way with a grin, but I guess that meant that the screen was probably not activated. A letter is probably not worth the paper it is printed on as anyone can fake one of them.

 

[bPeteb]

I'm now very used to getting pulled aside every time we fly.

My ostomy bag glows bright on the screen but I do say before I even step in that I have a bag. I get a gentle wand over and an explosives swab. The contents might be a bit explosove, but not that kind of explosive.

Only once have I been asked to 'take it off'. That was when we flew to NZ last year and the supervisor quickly came over and explained to the screener what do when an ostsomy bag presents on the scanner.

 

[Seat0B]

Sometimes my metal knee is detected by a metal detector, at which times I get checked with a metal detecting wand.
I carry a confirmation letter from my surgeon, although I have not had to produce it yet.

I’ve had metal knees for a while now (2003 for Left and 2015 for Right) and they never ask for the surgeon’s letter. It’s always a wanding, often a pat down and sometimes even a visit to a private room for a viewing, after removing shoes-trust me, it’s NOT the shoes. That’s why I love love love the new scanners that mean none of that palaver is needed.

 

[ausfox]

I was stopped in Helsinki some years ago for an item in my wet pack. It turned out that my little torch was also a cigarette lighter. Ten years and maybe 200 or more flights and it hadn’t been detected.

 

[Franky]

I'm now very used to getting pulled aside every time we fly.

My ostomy bag glows bright on the screen but I do say before I even step in that I have a bag. I get a gentle wand over and an explosives swab. The contents might be a bit explosove, but not that kind of explosive.

Only once have I been asked to 'take it off'. That was when we flew to NZ last year and the supervisor quickly came over and explained to the screener what do when an ostsomy bag presents on the scanner.

I thought I had seen a post in the past few days from someone who would seem to be an ostomate who said they had a good experience leaving Perth Airport recently. When I retired in 2009, I became a volunteer at the WA Ostomy Association, who provide all ostomates in WA with their supplies FOC. About a year or so ago the Secretary of the WAOA made contact with all of the senior administrators providing the security services at the airport. She took samples of the products ostomates use, and showed them where they would be found on their body, and what they were for. They were very amenable to learn what an ostomate has to go thru in their daily life. As there is a large workforce in the security areas who not only change shifts, but change jobs as well, WAOA now has monthly meetings with these service providers to update all the new staff. WA has about 10% of the ostomates in Australia, but it would be great to have similar information exchanges with all of the airports around Australia, though I imagine the numbers of ostomates on the other side of the country might be too numerous for this.

 

[bPeteb]

Apart from the one incident it's been nicely handled.