AveMariaPurissima Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 I normally wear a Miraculous Medal and a St. Benedict medal under my clothes. I am going to be flying soon, for the first time (yikes!) so I was wondering: do I need to be concerned about my medals setting off the metal detector? What should I do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmaD2006 Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 (edited) I take everything jewelry related off .... watches, necklaces, etc. Everything. Everything out of the pockets. And put it in the carry on. You can put it right back on when you're through security. That's your safest bet. You don't have to worry about setting off a uber-sensitive machine (I have ... even with no metal on, sometimes a bobby pin or a common piece of women clothing is enough to set the dag on machine off). Shoot -- for the longest time I would make sure not to wear a pair of jeans and wear a pair of pantaloons that used elastic or a draw string with no metal ends ... why? Because once what set the stooooopid machine off was the metal button. But I haven't had to do that in the last few years. Edited August 31, 2012 by cmariadiaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 Just take it off for 30 seconds or however long it takes to walk through the metal detector. Should you be struck dead in that half of a minute, I am confident that Jesus would understand the circumstances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 I've left mine on several times without setting anything off. It isn't really a big deal. But it's a hassle if you set off the detector. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonNovi Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 I always take my crucifix and miraculous medal off, just to be sure. Once my shoes set off the detector, apparently there were little pieces of metal on the interior just above the sole... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innocent Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 I have left mine on. It set off the detector. The security staff member asked me if it was a chain. I replied in the affirmative and pulled it out and showed it to him. He let me pass. Another time I was asked if it was a chain, and when I replied that it was, he didn't even wait for me to show it to him but quickly patted me down in a couple of seconds to verify it was just a chain and let me through the checkpoint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 The only time I have had any real issue at the airport- and it was not really a big issue- was the last time I went through security in St. Louis, when the TSA agent told me to put my passport in the x-ray bin too. I was definitely not about to let go of my passport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisa Marie Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Most places now don't just have metal detectors, but big spinny x-ray machines that look like something out of Star Trek. You might have to go through either. I've worn a necklace that had a copper base through both kinds, but if it's easy to take off your medals, I'd do that and stick them in your shoe or something. Also if you have long hair make sure it's not up in a bun in case they have you go through the big x-ray machine. I've worn a bun a few times through them and they've almost always had to make a "physical check" (aka gently squeezing my bun) to make sure there weren't any hidden objects, because it's too dense for the machine to see. Ponytails are fine, though. More unsolicited airplane advice: If you can, dress in layers. Sometimes airplanes can be either really warm or really cold, especially right now when the seasons are changing. Bring some gum or earplugs, especially for the landing, to help keep your ears from popping really painfully. I usually say a decade of the rosary during takeoff and landing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amppax Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 (edited) Personally I fly about 4-5 times a year, and I wear a consecration chain. I've never taken it off going through security, nor any of my medals, and they've never set off a detector. Edited September 1, 2012 by Amppax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmaD2006 Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 [quote name='Amppax' timestamp='1346510273' post='2477142'] Personally I fly about 4-5 times a year, and I wear a consecration chain. I've never taken it off going through security, nor any of my medals, and they've never set off a detector. [/quote] As I said I have actually had the metal button in my jeans set off the dectector. It isn't fun. I really think it depends on what is going on ... the time I set off the detector someone had run through security the day before at the same airport, and I know that they must have reset the detectors on high. Besides each airport is different ... at one particular airport my metal cross was always an issue; it was an airport that has a explosives processing plant nearby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groo the Wanderer Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 (edited) I always wear my crucifix. It has never set off the detectors. One time though the TSA guy asked if I had any weapons. I said yes and pulled out my rosary. Musta been Catholic cause he just smiled and waved me through. edit: my wife didn't think that was so funny though... Edited September 1, 2012 by Groo the Wanderer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubertus Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Seeing this now I realize that I completely forgot about my 4-way medal when going through security both times on my trip. Didn't set off any alarms though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amppax Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 [quote name='cmariadiaz' timestamp='1346513593' post='2477152'] As I said I have actually had the metal button in my jeans set off the dectector. It isn't fun. I really think it depends on what is going on ... the time I set off the detector someone had run through security the day before at the same airport, and I know that they must have reset the detectors on high. Besides each airport is different ... at one particular airport my metal cross was always an issue; it was an airport that has a explosives processing plant nearby. [/quote] I fly in and out of DC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheresaThoma Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 I've worn my medals through many different security check points and never have they set the detectors off. The one time I did take them off and put them in a bin was the time it caused me the most trouble. They ended up ju'tst slightly under my shoes and between the chain and the medal it looked rather odd. They had to rerun my stuff through the x-ray. I would say wear them through if it sets off the detector then it takes only a couple of seconds for them to check. Much easier then trying to take it off and then have to put them back on after you have gone through security. I also highly suggest layers but be prepared to take off any loose outer layers when going through security. Once I had a (rather baggy) hoodie on and they told me I either needed to take the hoodie off or they would need to do a pat down search on me. I obviously chose to take the hoodie off. In general smile, be polite and nice to the TSA people and things will go a lot smoother. Remembering to smile makes me much less stressed and I figure it may just make someone else's day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norseman82 Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 [quote name='USAirwaysIHS' timestamp='1346447182' post='2476894'] Just take it off for 30 seconds or however long it takes to walk through the metal detector. Should you be struck dead in that half of a minute, I am confident that Jesus would understand the circumstances. [/quote] It's comments like these that give ammo to the Protestants who think Catholics worship statues, medals, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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