TSA precheck experience if knee/hip replacement LIH/KOA/OGG

[loosefeet]

I traveled to 3 islands for my Bday. I have TSA Precheck. Also have had a knee replacement in the past. At LIH/KOA and OGG I was delayed while using Precheck. These airports do not have an option not to go through their old scanners--so expect a full pat down and delays waiting for the opportunity to do so. I was chastised at KOA for not "telling someone" before I put my carryon bags on the scanning belt, and thus they would not take me to the full body scanner because I put my bags up already. The other airports said they have no option but an older scanner and a full pat down (at all TSA Precheck lines). For all the airports I have flown on the Mainland, I put my bags up (as previously directed by TSA) and then let them know why I will set off the old scanner--I am then led to the full body scanner. DON'T expect this in Hawaii. If one does not want the delay, I was told I would have to just use the regular lines and can avoid not taking my shoes off by letting I know I have Precheck (only benefit).
Now, maybe I should have known this about flying in Hawaii, but did not, so am sharing for anyone who may have a similar situation.

 

[Luanne]

Interesting. I have a hip replacement and I've never had an issue. I usually don't say anything when I go through TSA (I forget). One time I "beeped" (this wasn't in Hawaii), I mentioned the hip replacement, they sent me through the full x-ray scanner and I was fine.

 

[loosefeet]

Maybe hip hardware not as metal intensive. I will always "beep" with my knee hardware.

 

[Luanne]

My daughter has hardware in one hip, a wrist and a forearm. She's never beeped either. I know my mom had a knee replacement years ago. I don't remember if she had issues at any airports. She did start using wheelchair assistance not too long after that so maybe that's how she avoided it.

 

[DaveNV]

I’ve had both knees replaced. I just put my bag on the belt and tell the Agent I’ve had knee replacements. Yesterday at the Las Vegas airport I lined up behind the people at the full body scanner. The Agent asked me why I was in that line. I told him, and he said, “Oh, okay.” He had to pat down the two men in front of me after they were scanned, but just said I was good to go. It was fairly easy in a very crowded airport.

 

[loosefeet]

I have not had any issue UNTIL HAWAII. I was posting this for those traveling to Hawaii. I haven't had issues until now, so sharing.

 

[artringwald]

TSA is not consistent, and there's a reason for that. They don't want to be predictable. Terrorists don't like it when they're not predictable. I have 2 knee replacements and a shoulder replacement. I've learned that you always want to tell them you have metal in your body before going through any scanner. Some checkpoints may not have the advanced scanners. If they don't, expect the delay of a pat down. We always have TSA Precheck, and even that doesn't guarantee anything. Just be polite and you'll usually be treated politely. On average, TSA at LIH is the worst because the airport is undersized for the number of flights that go through there each day.

 

[JIMinNC]

My wife had a hip replacement in 2019 and then had the other hip replaced in 2022. After the first one, she sailed through the scanners without issue most of the time, but ever since the second one, she lights them up like a Christmas tree. I guess it now exceeds the critical mass they are usually looking for.

 

[controller1]

We experienced this on Maui on June 23 at TSA precheck. When we approached the TSA agent we were asked if either of us had had a knee or hip replacement. I stated "No and that question appears to be age discriminatory" and then laughed. I was then told by the agent that he asked that of all passengers because they only had the old metal detectors now at precheck in Maui and there would be delays if we went through precheck with a hip and/or knee replacement. We didn't say anything else but we were close enough to the five previous passengers who were all in their 20's and 30's and none of them were asked the question.

 

[Luanne]

We experienced this on Maui on June 23 at TSA precheck. When we approached the TSA agent we were asked if either of us had had a knee or hip replacement. I stated "No and that question appears to be age discriminatory" and then laughed. I was then told by the agent that he asked that of all passengers because they only had the old metal detectors now at precheck in Maui and there would be delays if we went through precheck with a hip and/or knee replacement. We didn't say anything else but we were close enough to the five previous passengers who were all in their 20's and 30's and none of them were asked the question.

I wonder if this is new. We were on Maui in March and neither of us (well over 70) were asked that question. And I have had a hip replacement.

 

[controller1]

I wonder if this is new. We were on Maui in March and neither of us (well over 70) were asked that question. And I have had a hip replacement.

We were on Maui in September 2022 and this was not applicable. However, in June 2023 is was applicable. Also I seem to remember in September 2022 that TSA precheck was next to the general TSA line. Last month TSA precheck was a stand-alone operation.

 

[Luanne]

We were on Maui in September 2022 and this was not applicable. However, in June 2023 is was applicable. Also I seem to remember in September 2022 that TSA precheck was next to the general TSA line. Last month TSA precheck was a stand-alone operation.

Yes, they re-did the TSA Precheck at OGG. I was kind of disoriented as we went up the escalator and came out at a different part of the terminal. At first I thought the shops had been moved, lol. Then I realized we had come up a totally different escalator than in the past.

 

[daventrina]

Neither of us have had any issues at KOA, OGG, or HNL