I Was Frisked Again.
By Jabo
@jaboUK (64354)
United Kingdom
November 22, 2015 8:38am CST
Have you ever set off the alarms at Airport Security?
I had a hip replacement nearly a year ago, and when I travelled in March I was mortified to hear those beeps as I walked through. I was thoroughly frisked, and it turned out that the metal in my new hip was responsible.
When I mentioned this in a post, several of my friends suggested that I obtain an explanatory doctor's letter, and that's what I did this time.
So at the airport this week the bleepers duly went off, and I produced this letter. They took not a bit of notice of it, saying that it didn't mean a thing as it would be easy to fake.
So I had to go through the whole rigmarole again - shoes off, arms and legs akimbo while a (fortunately female) officer frisked me thoroughly. Believe you me, if I had been carrying anything she would have found it. She explored parts of my body I'd forgotten I had!
Anyway, though it was undignified and embarrassing, if that's the price we have to pay to keep terrorists at bay - so be it. I'll just have to get used to it.
Have you got any artificial body parts that set off the airport's alarms?
53 people like this
65 responses
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
22 Nov 15
@hereandthere That certainly should be the case.
5 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
22 Nov 15
No, but I have flown while wearing a "boot" to protect an injured foot. They wiped it down looking for explosive particles. Sheesh. Has a little gray haired woman ever caused a problem on a plane? Isn't it always younger men?
12 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
22 Nov 15
@ElixabethWallace - Oh yes, but the younger men might masquerade as little old ladies
. Anyway in todays world I suppose they can't be too careful.
. Anyway in todays world I suppose they can't be too careful.7 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
22 Nov 15
@jaboUK Sure, like that is possible? They are all too tall and unwrinkled. Only Hollywood can pull that off. 
7 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
22 Nov 15
For some unknown reason I end up setting off the alarm almost 3 out of 4 times that I fly. It is so common that I consider it routine to be frisked at the airport and on the rare occasions that I walk through without issue I end up wondering why.
7 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
22 Nov 15
No but in Dublin I was frisked again and no real explanation was given. Just lucky I guess lol
5 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
23 Nov 15
@BelleStarr Lol - I thought of writing (after fortunately female) 'or perhaps unfortunately, as I take all I can get at my age' but then thought - nah- bad taste!
5 people like this
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
27 Nov 15
@BelleStarr and another humourist! Thank you for my second laugh of the day so far!
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
22 Nov 15
I have a knee replacement and if its warm enough to wear a skirt or shorts its obvious so it doesn't slow me up. I've never been groped only because it was my knee...you made me laugh about parts you have forgotten...
5 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
22 Nov 15
@PainsOnSlate I'm happy that bit amused you Marilyn, thanks.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137258)
• United States
1 Dec 15
@jaboUK @painsonslate Uhm... yep! That is the part that made me roar with laughter! (I'm still giggling a little, even though I have read through about half of this thread now!)
2 people like this
@allknowing (136416)
• India
23 Nov 15
How embarrassing that must have been for you. On account of a few the general public suffers. But passionate travellers should be prepared for such discomfort.
All what I have is natural (lol)
3 people like this
@allknowing (136416)
• India
23 Nov 15
@jaboUK I am a senior Janet
.Wear some nice underwear (lol)
3 people like this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
23 Nov 15
@jaboUK I just hate knowing that I am going to draw attention to myself the moment I step through that barrier. But it is reassuring to know that everyone else who sets off the alarm has to do the same thing. It makes me feel safer.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
23 Nov 15
@allknowing When you get to my age you may need 'spare parts' 
. Now I know that the doctor's letter carries no weight, I'm resigned to being searched every time.
. Now I know that the doctor's letter carries no weight, I'm resigned to being searched every time.3 people like this
@rebelann (112878)
• El Paso, Texas
22 Nov 15
Oh you poor thing, that would be mortifying for me. However, under the circumstances, it is understandable that they take all these precautions.
I don't fly, ever. I hate letting anyone take control of my life so if I can't drive to where I want to go I'm just not going. Besides, I've had such fun taking vicarious vacations through the beautiful photography so many have supplied, yours is lovely, it make me feel warm ... Ok, it's warm here right now anyway but still 
... plus it looks so fresh and clean, now that does not apply to this region, it's usually very dusty here.
... plus it looks so fresh and clean, now that does not apply to this region, it's usually very dusty here.3 people like this
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
27 Nov 15
That reminds me that my husband is due to have his overactive thyroid zapped again . Not that we are travelling anywhere soon
@jillybean1222 (6407)
•
23 Nov 15
that doesn't sound much fun. my mom has had hip and knee replacement surgery, but she doesn't every fly anywhere
5 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
23 Nov 15
@jillybean1222 Your mom would definitely set the alarms off with both hip and knee replacements.
3 people like this
st about the paper clip
@Tampa_girl7 (50250)
• United States
22 Nov 15
I know that must be a pain to go through. Unfortunately it's something we must be subjected to for safety these days.
3 people like this
@VivaLaDani13 (60794)
• Perth, Australia
18 Jan 17
@jaboUK Oh my! Well I do agree that it's good they still go to great lengths to make sure all is well. As someone who is terrified of flying, I'm happy people seem to be doing a good....thorough job!
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
18 Jan 17
@VivaLaDani13 Yes, it's a minor inconvenience for me to be frisked, and it's good that the authorities are so vigilant.
2 people like this
@VivaLaDani13 (60794)
• Perth, Australia
20 Jan 17
@Daljinder You go through an area where you put your bags down, they go through those....things...I don't know the name but where the security can see what's in your bag. Then you walk through a metal detector.
2 people like this
@Daljinder (23236)
• Bangalore, India
19 Jan 17
@VivaLaDani13 How were the security measures when you flew to Sydney?
2 people like this
