Travelling with a first time flyer with steel rods in his legs.

Travelling with a first time flyer with steel rods in his legs. In May I am taking an employee to the US and he has never travelled before. He has had many operations on his legs over the years and has steel rods in both legs. I suggested to him to get a medical certificate stating the situation to avoid lengthy or embarrassing times at the airport security scanning. He thinks he'll be okay as he hasn't had problems with domestic travel, but I am not so sure with US security. Thoughts or advice?

If we're talking United States security protocol, I'd definitely get that letter. I would recommend making it an instruction to your employee to get that letter.

Happy Christmas and happy travels.

These would be picked by the body scanners and metal detectors.  I would have a medical certificate or letter and present  if asked.  

Better to have it and not need it...

He should take a medical certificate with him to stop any delays or embarrassment .  

Thanks guys, I will insist he has a certificate for his trip.

You shouldn't have any issues. 

I was in the US mid-year and I have a rod in my lower leg (no med cert) - I've been checked with normal detectors and full body scanners, and never had a problem - the operator can clearly see it's within the bone and not external. Otherwise you can opt for a pat down - and it should be pretty straightforward too.

 

Have travelled with 2 replacement knees for the past 5 years, I dont think a letter will do much for you.  You are going to trip the alarm as you go thru the monitor in any event, and I now just point to my knees and wear the pat down. Any terrorist could provide a letter for any metal in or on his person, so they really take no notice of them.  The US in most places were very in depth and officious in their pat downs, other countries less so.  I also ask an official as I load my bag on the chute if there is anything special I need to do which often saves having to come back thru the xray twice. One thing you will pick up is that all airports have different requirements - like me you will just have to grin and bear it.

Thanks for the reply Frank.