Titanium???

[bobm31]

I have been told that the "airport metal detectors" will NOT detect titanium. Is this true? I thought they are "all metal" detectors and titanium is metal.

Any comments?

 

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[Monty]

Not true! I have about $40,000.00 worth of titanium bolts, screws and braces holding my back together and it will light up the handheld detectors like Christmas! Monty

 

[TOWcritter]

Monty's right about the handhelds. The big walk-throughs rarely pick it up though. I have the same hardware in my back and I'm only 45. L-5/S-1. I've been on "comp" for 2 years and finally get off on Feb. 20th. YES! Half the salary and benefits. There goes my retirement. I hope I can find a lot more with my MXT. Looks like I'll really need it. Good Luck and Happy Hunting!

 

[littlehugger]

I always wondered about airport metal detectors.
I know that there are certain relatively common metals that detectors do not "see" well, not just small gold, but stainless steel.
I just assumed that hobby detectors were weak on stainless because they are primarily intended and tuned for non ferrous types of metal, that coins and jewelry are made of, and that airport detectors were tuned to be sensitive to exactly the opposite, as solid gold guns are unheard of, while stainless is common.
There is, or at least was, a solid titanium revolver at one time. It got a lot of press when it was introduced because titanium is extremely strong but light like aluminum. But its extreme strength and hardness make it difficult and expensive to work with.
I remember the gun manufacturer advertised it as "Dishwasher safe"
They did not last long, and I believe very few made it to market. But if airport detectors were weak on titanium, those revolvers would be worth a fortune to the wrong people.
I personally have never asked any airport security people about this, as I am only curious about it, and was afraid to arouse suspicion. When you work in airport security, you can never relax, and your first thought when someone asks about that is, "Why would you want to know?"
I do not hang around airports to kill tme. Only there when I am using them, and would much rather catch my flight unmolested than be spirited off to one of those little rooms and given "The Treatment"
But I am curious.
Hugger

 

[Monty]

I only had to open my shirt once and when they saw all the scars they apologized and let me go unmolested. I've heard you could get a letter with a doctor's letterhead and signature and pass on through, but I don't know. Unless they go over me with the wand it doesn't set it off. A terrorist could forge a letter from a doctor and tape a titanium gun to his back and might slip through. I'd think at least a pat down search would be required just in case? It wouldn't bother me. Monty

 

[littlehugger]

Monty,
That kind of thing only seems to bother the sort you DONT want on an airplane!
They always scream about civil liberties, but its really about getting away with murder.
Wifey is from the Philippines, and they have had ongoing problems with terrorists for a long time.
On our last trip, security was incredible. Two metal detectors, wand detector, shoe removal and pat down search.
They dont fool around, why should we?
Hugger

 

[mvSWAT]

I think the larger amounts of titanium will set them off (ie gun size). Happy Hunting. Dan