Passengers with a knee implant or metal rod in their bodies may set off the metal detectors at airports in the near future.
As airport security is all set to get beefed up with highly sensitive metal detectors that can pick up metallic implants, passengers will have to inform security officials about surgical and cosmetic metal parts in their bodies.
According to sources, metal detectors, including Door Frame Metal Detectors (DFMD), at airports will be recalibrated, increasing their range of sensitivity to metals.
“So, if you have a hip or knee replacement, metal screws, plates or rods or any other orthopaedic implants, like dental implants, you may end up buzzing the metal detector at airport security,” said an official.
Carrying medical reports is recommended, but it does not preclude being asked to step aside for examination. Surgical scars and giving security prior intimation about one’s medical history will help both parties as the exercise is aimed at enhanced safety for everybody.
Air travellers may even be required to remove their shoes to check for bombs built into them. The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and other airports that are ranked in the highly sensitive category will soon be equipped with the most advanced of DFMD and other search equipment.
Before being scanned by these, passengers will have to remove their shoes.