Metal Detectors At Customs

[Halifaxmum]

Hi all

Bit of a strange one this, but hey!

My daughter has alopecia and wears a human hair wig, which has small rods in the side panels (for strength, I assume). They are about 2cm long, maybe 5mm thick and are flexible metal inside a plastic covering.

She is going on her first foreign trip with school and is worried the rods will set off the metal detectors at Customs. Will they?

TIA x

[Prudie]

They might but I wouldn't let it worry her too much. I often set them off, I believe it's underwired bras! All that happens is you're patted over manually by a female . This might happen at random anyway. She may not even need to explain if she feels uncomfortable about it.

[heathfield]

They might - they might not. I presume she is embarrassed about her bare scalp. Could she perhaps wear a head-scarf while going through security, and carry her wig in her cabin bag?

[society]

I was vigorously manhandled at JFK when my bangles triggered the alarms. That experience has left me scared big time.

[grasscarp]

I have set off alarms often with underwired bras. Patted down on Sunday at Gatwick and was not comfortable with it. First time ever I have felt like that. Wont go into details on an open forum like this, but I suppose there will be the odd time it feels unnecessary. I dont think your daughter will have a problem. If it does make a noise then she can say what it is.

[Halifaxmum]

Thanks all x

[giveup]

A friend has a pacemaker and she has a letter stating she must not go through these machines. Perhaps your daughter could get some kind of letter from her doctor explaining what is wrong. Worth a try.

[TWR]

Haifax, I would go with giveups answer, the last thing she wants is her mates, or so-called mates making fun of her, If you know the Air carrier, I would ask them.

[grasscarp]

I think a pacemaker is a bit different as it someone who must not go through the machine. They will still want to do their job of screening this girl and it will not avoid this, just explain it. I would think it is less embarrasing for her to just say what it is rather than produce a letter and so make a bigger thing of it than it is. Chances are that such small amounts of metal will not set it off anyway.

[tonyav]

Hey gness no axes or flame throwers ok.

[tonyav]

Sorry wrong thread.

[Eve]

Is there a teacher who is going she feels comfortable with who you could speak to about this, make sure she is with your daughter as she goes through in case there is any issue.

It might make your daughter feel a bit more comfortable.

[sherrardk]

I think you might need to contact the airport for advice. It would be awful for your daughter to be embarrassed in front of her school mates and a bunch of strangers, it could ruin her trip. Hope you get it sorted out, x

[naomi24]

She can request a private screening, as Muslim women who wear head coverings do - and orthodox Jewish ladies who also cover their hair, often with wigs.

By the way, I invariably set the machine buzzing and have been frisked more times than I can count - unfortunately never by a handsome man!! :o)

[grasscarp]

http://www.alopeciaworld.com/forum/topics/wigs-and-airport-security
A lot of information here Halifaxmum

[Prudie]

Personally I still think there is no need to worry. These machines are set off about once a minute in crowded security queues. No-one is stripped or asked to explain. She certainly wouldn't be expected to remove her wig. Get a letter from the doctor if it makes her feel any better. I set it off at least half the time I walk through one.

[Halifaxmum]

Thank you all x