I Was Frisked Again.

My own - sun and sea in Spain.
By Jabo
@jaboUK (64363)
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?
54 people like this
66 responses
@LadyDuck (455009)
• Switzerland
22 Nov 15
I have not artificial body parts, but I can easily imagine how this procedure is annoying. At least you had a female officer frisking you. I have seen photos of male officers frisking women and I believe that this is not acceptable.
13 people like this
• Philippines
22 Nov 15
@jaboUK @ladyduck i thought male-to-male/female-to-female would be standard
7 people like this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
22 Nov 15
@hereandthere That certainly should be the case.
5 people like this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
22 Nov 15
@LadyDuck I wouldn't have stood for a male doing it - no way! As you say, that would be completely unacceptable.
8 people like this
• 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 (64363)
• 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.
7 people like this
• 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
@dianadee (1778)
• South Africa
29 Nov 15
Never can tell these days..people also pose as women so they will not be recognized!
2 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
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
22 Nov 15
@jaboUK I have enquired a few times and have been told that sometimes it is random. However, it always picks me out.
4 people like this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Nov 15
I have a lot of static electricity in my arms that set off alarms too plus a watch thats oredinary will not wok
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
22 Nov 15
@Asylum So you've no idea why you set them off? At least I know for sure - the bleeper goes mad when it's held over my hip.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• 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 (64363)
• 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
@sofssu (23662)
23 Nov 15
I understand your pain and It is embarrassing.. and as you say its the price to pay for our safety. I have no metallic stuff in my body though.
6 people like this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
23 Nov 15
@sofssu Yes, it's a small price to pay for keeping everyone safe.
3 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• 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 (64363)
• United Kingdom
22 Nov 15
@PainsOnSlate I'm happy that bit amused you Marilyn, thanks.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137251)
• 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
• Canada
1 Dec 15
@DaddyEvil isn't she the funniest and coolest lady you've ever met?
2 people like this
@allknowing (130088)
• 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 (130088)
• India
23 Nov 15
@jaboUK I am a senior Janet .Wear some nice underwear (lol)
3 people like this
• 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 (64363)
• 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.
3 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90727)
• Philippines
23 Nov 15
At least they are thorough in their frisking all the passengers .
4 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90727)
• Philippines
23 Nov 15
@jaboUK Correct !
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
23 Nov 15
@SIMPLYD Yes, and it is better that they should do that than let a terrorist through.
3 people like this
@rebelann (110776)
• 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.
3 people like this
@rebelann (110776)
• El Paso, Texas
22 Nov 15
Aw com'on @jaboUK did ja really think that'd stop me naggin?? yeah, uuhhh, no...........
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
22 Nov 15
@rebelann Well it might for 5 minutes!
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
22 Nov 15
@rebelann I thought I'd put a stop to your nagging by putting up a picture of my own! Yes, it is beautifully clean here, a tractor smooths the beach every morning, and there's never any litter around.
3 people like this
@Juliaacv (48242)
• Canada
22 Nov 15
Wow, that is a real check over isn't it? I would set the alarms off also. I had a steel plate put in my head after my brain tumor was removed, I'm sure that it would get the alarms going too.
4 people like this
@Juliaacv (48242)
• Canada
22 Nov 15
@jaboUK This might sound strange, but I think that its shifted in time. I have an indent on the top of my head.
4 people like this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
22 Nov 15
@Juliaacv Oh goodness, don't you think you should get it checked out?
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
22 Nov 15
I remember you telling us about your tumour Julia, and your steel plate would certainly set the beepers off.
3 people like this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
22 Nov 15
No but for three months after radioactive iodine therapy I had to carry a yellow radiation card in case I set off the airport detectors.
4 people like this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
22 Nov 15
@boiboing So they took notice of your card? I suppose that was a bit different from a letter.
2 people like this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
22 Nov 15
@jaboUK No, it was never an issue as I never set off a detector - but it looked pretty official. I have a colleague who used to travel with an x-ray of his broken finger to show the security people.
4 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
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 (64363)
• United Kingdom
23 Nov 15
@jillybean1222 Your mom would definitely set the alarms off with both hip and knee replacements.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (203755)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Nov 15
I've been frisked. I don't really care. Just a minor distraction. As long as I'm not in a rush, that is.
4 people like this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
22 Nov 15
Was that at the airport? I don't think they'd take long enough to make you miss your plane
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
22 Nov 15
@TheHorse Ok, understood.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (203755)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Nov 15
@jaboUK it was. I just meant that it would only make me slightly impatient if I was cutting it close.
3 people like this
@Vivenda (583)
• Portsmouth, England
22 Nov 15
I see one hip replacement, and I raise you one hip replacement and two knee replacements. Last time I was frisked it was a case of one inch further and she'd have had to marry me!
5 people like this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
22 Nov 15
@Vivenda I think you trumped me on this before on B, and you are so funny.
2 people like this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Nov 15
I =have a shoulder joint replacement so Iwou ld have problems tooi ilf I were to l y somewhere but lack of funds prohibits me from that so Im aokay that way. lol
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
23 Nov 15
@Hatley A shoulder replacement is quite unusual, isn't it? I remember you telling us about it, and you would definitely set the bleeper off if you did fly.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
23 Nov 15
Goodness, I think a letter from the doctor is still believed in this part of the world. But, you've reminded me of a time I was frisked for other reasons, I think I'll write about it
3 people like this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
24 Nov 15
@maggs224 read my post about the paper clip
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
23 Nov 15
@valmnz Look forward to your tale Val
2 people like this
@maggs224 (2320)
• Alicante, Spain
23 Nov 15
@valmnz That sounds interesting Val do tell lol...
3 people like this
@marlina (154183)
• Canada
22 Nov 15
What an ordeal it must have been.
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
22 Nov 15
@marlina It wasn't pleasant, but more embarrassing than an ordeal.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48855)
• 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
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
23 Nov 15
Yes, it's a small inconvenience but if it helps to keep everyone safe, that's ok.
1 person likes this
@norcal (4890)
• Franklinton, North Carolina
22 Nov 15
The airport in Sacramento has those full body scanners now. Since they installed that, I can safely wear a dress or skirt on the plane. They do occasionally pull somebody out of line for a physical search though.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
22 Nov 15
@norcal That's what I had to pass through - a full body scanner, that's where I set the bleeper off. Anybody that does that is frisked.
2 people like this
@norcal (4890)
• Franklinton, North Carolina
22 Nov 15
@jaboUK I guess it's pretty sensitive. It picked up my hair tie. One they felt that was what was there, they waved me through.
2 people like this
@norcal (4890)
• Franklinton, North Carolina
22 Nov 15
@jaboUK At Sac, they wave that wand over you before you go into the scanner. I would think that would pick up the steel hip.
2 people like this
@VivaLaDani13 (59989)
• 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 (64363)
• 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
• 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 (23222)
• Bangalore, India
19 Jan 17
@VivaLaDani13 How were the security measures when you flew to Sydney?
2 people like this