BS: steel plate/flying

Subject: BS: steel plate/flying
From: greg stephens
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 07:16 AM

I dont fly very often, but will be shortly. Since the last time, I've acquired a steel plate in my jaw. Pretty much where your everage terrorist might conceal a knife blade in his mouth, I would think. What is going to happen when I walk through the old metal detector? Anybody got any experience of awkward metal additions to their bodies?

Subject: RE: BS: steel plate/flying
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 07:22 AM

Yeah....For awhile the staples holding my sternum together was a problem. That's fine now but after I had the artificial mitral valve replaced, a sensitive detector will pick it up. I have a card that says I have one and the one time I used it, things went fine. Not a bad idea to have a note from your doctor!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: steel plate/flying
From: greg stephens
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 07:29 AM

That's a good idea, Spaw. I'm seeing my doctor next week, I'll ask for an affidavit.

Subject: RE: BS: steel plate/flying
From: greg stephens
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 07:34 AM

Spaw: shouldnt those staples be holding something else together, in your case? Or maybe that's what sternum means, in your part of the world?

Subject: RE: BS: steel plate/flying
From: Rapparee
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 08:32 AM

Your doctor can give you a card attesting to your condition; just show it. My mother-in-law has a hip replacement that set off every metal detector at the White House on a tour last Christmas -- she showed her statement and everything was cool. (An 88 year old woman is gonna attack the White House? Riiiiiiiiiiiiight!)

Any terrorist worth his or her salt wouldn't use a metallic weapon anyway. This official paranoia is dumb, dumb, dumb but it makes the politicians feel good, I guess. (I don't object to a reasonable amount of scrutiny, but it's gotten silly.)

Subject: RE: BS: steel plate/flying
From: artbrooks
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 09:09 AM

My wife's aged grandmother had much the same problem with her steel corset stays. The suggestion of a note is a good one.

Subject: RE: BS: steel plate/flying
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 09:12 AM

Leave your jaw behind in England Greg, it will save all that hassle with airport security.

Subject: RE: BS: steel plate/flying
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 09:52 AM

Rap, what makes my mitral valve interesting is that it not only sets off the detector but if you listen closely, it ticks as it opens and closes!! In this day of suicide bombers, having a bomb in your chest is not as ridiculous as it once was!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: steel plate/flying
From: Homeless
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 11:32 AM

I've got a 10" steel rod in my back, along with assorted wires and buttone, and have never set off an airport metal detector. Even flying into Baltimore, MD two years ago.

I was told that any metal completely enclosed within flesh will not set off the detectors, tho I was told that pre-9/11.

I agree with the others tho - if you're concerned, get a note from the doctor.

Subject: RE: BS: steel plate/flying
From: Rapparee
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 12:33 PM

Seems to me that if someone has a bomb implanted within them all the airport security in the world will fail. Actually, you're allowed on planes with belts, pens, pencils, shoelaces, and all sorts of stuff that can be used as weapons.

But, take Spaw. Suppose he's got a bomb implanted in him, one that requires him to light a fuse or something to detonate it. If he tries that, folks around him are most likely, these days, gonna sit on him until the aircrew comes along with a shot of valium and plastic handcuffs. Prior to 9/11/01 this might not have happened, but Things Have Changed.

We flew back to ID from Providence, RI last week. My wife had her (thin-soled, not atheletic style) sneakers inspected "because they met the profile." There was NO metal in them, but "they met the profile." My Sperry Topsiders flew through, on my feet, without a blip. These soles are just as think as her's.

My response to much of this is "Official Paranoia That Makes Politicians Feel Good."

Spaw, can you work the ticking into a piece of music? Maybe "The Syncopated Clock" or "My Grandfather's Clock" or something?

Subject: RE: BS: steel plate/flying
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 01:25 PM

Heart tick, why do you miss, when my baby kisses me?

With apologies to BH.
Giok