Hip replacements and airport security?

Question

My grandparents had hip replacements a few years back and now every time they go through security they buzz (due to metal put in their body durinf the hip replacement). My grandma hates this and she is treated like a criminal in front of many people. How can we get proof that she had a hip replacement, other than a doctors note because they seem to dont care about that. (This is at Orlando Airport)

Answer 1

Your grandparents are not alone.  They perceive that they are being "treated like criminals" but there are many people in this world with metal in their bodies for various reasons and many of them travel on airplanes.

I have had both hips replaced and so I expect to set off every metal detector.  It's become routine and I have always been treated with courtesy and respect.  It only takes a couple extra minutes and the patdown is always done by a same-s*x TSA employee. I tell the agent that I have metal hips right before I walk through the detector.  My husband always goes first and collects my stuff after it goes through the machine.  

Doctor's "notes" or copies of xrays will do no good.  I have a couple of cards that say "this patient has a hip replacement" but I don't even carry it any more.  It's too easy for someone to forge such documents.  I'm actually glad that TSA DOESN'T accept them for all our sakes.  Above all, we want to be able to continue to fly safe on the airlines.   In the current climate, TSA has no other option than to do the inspection themselves.  Your grandparents always have the right to ask that the inspection done in private rather than at the security line if this would help them feel less embarrassed.

They will just have to get used to it.

Answer 2

I carry a card from, the Ortopaedic Surgeons office in my wallet for identification that I have had Hip Replacement, these card are issued after the Surgery, and I also have a card for my wallet that I have had Cataract Eye surgery. I have not traveled recently, however these cards are issued just for such a purpose. Your Grandparents should ask their  Ortopaedic surgeons office to issue them such a card for identification that they can carry in their wallet, that will be acceptable, at the Airport. There is no need for embarisment, most people will know that at their age they may have some kind of metal implant. a lot of Senior do. You could call and chek with the Orlando Airport, and ask them just what they require your Grandparents to have as a proof that they have  had replacement metal implants?

Answer 3

It is just a fact of life.  The replacement joint sets off the alarm and it must be verified.

Answer 4

My wife had knee replacement, so it's a similar situation when she travels.

There is a card their doctor can issue, but it honestly doesn't matter... TSA is held to a standard that they must identify the source of any alarm, and rule out whether or not a threat to safety/security is present. The doctor's note & medical cards are for avoiding a more rigorous screening... but they are going to be scanned/wanded nonetheless, just to make sure the alarm isn't for something other than the metal joint replacements.

What I would suggest is:

* Use the "Family" security screening lines, not the "Expert Traveller" lines. This will keep a businessman in a rush from breathing down their necks as they go through the checkpoint.

* Make sure they have ALL other metal off their bodies before going through the scanner. This will shorten the amount of time they have to be waved with the wand.

* Warn a TSA officer in advance that they will likely set off the alarm due to a surgical implant... that way they can get a male/female screener lined up for them.

* Your grandparents should carry their ID, medical card, and boarding pass in their hands as they walk through the scanner... quick access to those documents will shorten the time being screened.

* Have the first grandparent walk through the scanner, while the second one waits with their belongings. After the first grandparent has cleared, the second pushes the carry-on items into the X-Ray machine.  This way one grandparent has an eye on their belongings at all times.

* Regard it as a funny, silly circumstance rather than an embarrasment. Find some humor in the situation to make it easier to endure.