Airport Security Nightmare

[MC Cindy 0]

I had a horrible experiance at the Edmonton Airport yesterday. Going thru security my port set of the system. I was prepared, I had my lapband card ready with my ID. Of course it was a man checking me with the wand. I handed him my card and he just stared at me. He wanted me to tell him what kind of surgery and details of what kind of device it is. THEN HE YELLED OUT I NEED A FEMALE OFFICER SOME KIND OF GASTRIC WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY DEVICE>>>

It felt like a minute of silence people just stopped and stared at me. Got some really funny looks.

I was escorted to a private room with 2 security officers as they carried my purse and magazine. I felt like a criminal. I had to unzip my jeans and allow the female gaurd to touch where the port was so she can rule out the device being a knife.. WHAT THE HAY!!!!! I was mortified , truly ashamed, embarrased and I felt so violated. I didn't want to argue as i needed to get on the plane.

IS THIS GOING TO HAPPEN ALL THE TIME? WHAT CAN I DO WHEN I FLY NEXT TIME?

[lizzie_07 0]

That's strange...I went through the airport 4 days after my surgery and my port didn't set anything off.

[kacee 3]

I've flown six times since I was banded and never a peep from the metal detector. It must have to do with the type of band or something. Sorry you went through that, but it's an unfortunate fact post-911. My 83 year old Mother gets everything but thrown on the ground and frisked when she goes through because she has two artificial knees and sets off every alarm known to man.

[sirusman 0]

Me too i passed through security 2 days after surgery and no problem.

[snowbird 2]

Did you set off the metal detector, or did he just start that whole deal because of the card? My daughter, husband, and I have all flown post-LB surgery and never set off any alarms. The band doesn't have much metal in it that I know of, so I wouldn't think it would be a problem.

[Kat817 19]

I too have flown several times since surgery, one of them being home from the surgery---and no issues. Of course detectors are getting more sensitive all the time.

Sorry this happen to you.

My SIL is dark skinned, and falls into the racial profiling they look for, so she is ALWAYS singled out, they plan extra time for her to be checked out!

My new issue is that my name and birthdate fly a red flag. A woman in Tennessee....is the cause, but any of us with matching names and birthdates suffer, it was an ordeal to even get my driver license renewed. It is scary! I cannot get a pass port! I am considering hyphenating my last name with my maiden name (legally) to get past this.

Kat

[RinR 0]

My band has never set off the detector and I also have a back fusion. It may have been that you had to much metal on ie: watch, earrings, necklace, rings, metal on your jeans etc., however the man should have never mentioned your device and even in private screaning you are never to unzip or even lift up your clothing. You can write to the department of homeland security and tell them what happened. The more letters the public writes the better things will get. Unfortunaty your card will not help in this situation, anyone can print up a card stating they have some sort of implant, The officers need to resolve any alarm they get.

Rebecca

[wendy1263 0]

Good grief...I guess I was thinking the whole band didn't have any metal in it. That's too bad you had to go through that. I wonder what was in the band that set it off? :cry

[Jachut 487]

I've never had a problem flying, never even mentioned my lap band, never set off the metal detector.

[18 again 0]

I was banded in Toronto by Dr Yau as well. Never flown said I never would But, I so wanted this surgery. I would have been terrified if that happened to me. I was banded on October 25/07 and flew back home to Alberta on Ocotber 26/07. Everything was fine. I hope next time things are better for you.

[juliegeraci 7]

Mine didn't set off an alarm either. Sorry that happened to you.

[KelinTx 1]

Wow, i must say that is very odd! I have a metal rod and 11 screws in my arm and am a frequent flyer. I have never set off a metal detector.

Banded 9-13-06

as of today lost 144 lbs

[Boo Boo Kitty 3]

I am sorry, same thing happened to me on the 14th when I flew. I flew last year and had no problems, but now I think I set it off because it is no longer surrounded by fat.

[MC Cindy 0]

18 again, After my surgery at TLBC it set off the alarm at the Toronto airport on my way back to Edmonton and it was not an event like it was flying here. I have the midband, I go in the morning for my first fill so I am gonna ask the Dr why this would be happening. It is just so violating.

[Chelle B 0]

I had a horrible experiance at the Edmonton Airport yesterday. Going thru security my port set of the system. I was prepared, I had my lapband card ready with my ID. Of course it was a man checking me with the wand. I handed him my card and he just stared at me. He wanted me to tell him what kind of surgery and details of what kind of device it is. THEN HE YELLED OUT I NEED A FEMALE OFFICER SOME KIND OF GASTRIC WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY DEVICE>>>

It felt like a minute of silence people just stopped and stared at me. Got some really funny looks.

I was escorted to a private room with 2 security officers as they carried my purse and magazine. I felt like a criminal. I had to unzip my jeans and allow the female gaurd to touch where the port was so she can rule out the device being a knife.. WHAT THE HAY!!!!! I was mortified , truly ashamed, embarrased and I felt so violated. I didn't want to argue as i needed to get on the plane.

IS THIS GOING TO HAPPEN ALL THE TIME? WHAT CAN I DO WHEN I FLY NEXT TIME?

That is really weird - the port is titanium and should not set off a security device. I have flown so many times without incident. I am sorry this happened to you.