You’ve taken off your shoes, belt, and jacket, you’ve placed your liquids and electronics in separate bins. You walk through the metal detector, confident that you’ll pass with flying colors.
But then, it happens.
The dreaded BEEP.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many travelers experience the same situation, and there are several possible reasons why you may trigger the alarm.
In this post, I’ll explain some of the most common causes of setting off airport scanners, and how you can avoid them in the future.
What sets off body scanner at airport?
1. You’re Wearing jewelry or other Accessories
Usually what makes a metal detector beep is metals such as iron, nickel and cobalt.
So the main reason why you may set off airport scanners is because you’re wearing jewelry or clothing with metal accessories or other materials that interfere with the scanner.
A belt buckle, a zipper, a button, a snap, or a hook, might trigger the alarm because of metal the metal parts in them.
Other clothing items that may cause false alarms include metal headbands, hair clips, bobby pins, jewelry, watches, glasses, shoes, boots, and hats. These can either contain metal or create shapes or patterns that may confuse the scanner.
If you want to skip the beeping, you should remove any accessories that contain metal or other problematic materials before you clear the security.
However; even the TSA preCheck members sometimes will get flagged and undergo additional scenting.
2. You Have a Medical Condition or Device
One of the most common reasons why you may set off airport scanners is because you have a medical condition or a device that affects the scanner’s ability to detect metal or other anomalies.
For instance, if you have a pacemaker, an artificial joint, or a metal implant, you may trigger the alarm because of the metal components in your body.
Other medical conditions that may cause false beeps include hernias, cysts, tumors, lipomas, and lipodystrophy.
These can create bulges or irregularities in your body that may be mistaken for hidden objects by the scanner.
If you have a medical condition or device that may affect the scanner, you should notify the security officer before you go through the checkpoint.
You can also use the TSA Notification Card to discreetly communicate your condition and request a pat-down or another screening method.
3. Using Certain Hygiene or Personal Products
A third possible reason why you may set off airport scanners is because you’re using hygiene or personal products that contain metal or other substances that affect the scanner.
A menstrual cup, a tampon, a sanitary pad, a bandage, a patch, or a plaster, might show in the scanner but they won’t trigger the alarm, however the TSA or the import security will conduct a pat down or a private screening.
4. You Have a Certain Hairstyle or Headwear
A fourth possible reason why you may set off airport scanners is because you have a certain hairstyle or headwear that affects the scanner’s ability to scan your head.
For example, if you have an afro, braids, dreadlocks, extensions, or a wig, you may trigger the alarm because of the volume or density of your hair.
Other hairstyles or headwear that may cause false alarms include turbans, hijabs, scarves, hats, caps, or helmets. These can either contain metal or create shapes or patterns that may confuse the scanner.
If you have a hairstyle or headwear that may affect the scanner, you should inform the security officer before you go through the checkpoint.
You may be asked to remove your headwear or undergo additional screening, such as a pat-down or a hand-held metal detector scan.
But in some cases it won’t be appropriate to remove some accessories.
Here is an answer from the TSA customer service replied to @Sahgwa1 that they do not require the removal of hair extensions, but if they set off the alarm, a TSA officer will perform either a visual inspection or a hair pat-down.
5. Higher weight person
A fifth possible reason why you may set off airport scanners is because you have excess skin that affects the scanner’s ability to scan your body.
For example, if you have a high body fat percentage, a large belly, or loose skin, you may trigger the alarm because of the folds or creases in your body.
These can create bulges or irregularities in your body that may be mistaken for hidden objects by the scanner.
If you have excess skin that may affect the scanner, you should inform the security officer before you go through the checkpoint.
You may be asked to undergo additional screening, such as a pat-down or a hand-held metal detector scan.
What can airport body scanners see?
When you are going through a body scanner, it makes a picture of your body. This picture shows up on a screen for the security officer, and they will look for anything strange or suspicious in the picture.
These scanners can detect metal things like guns and knives, and also non-metal things like drugs and explosives.
They can even find hidden items under clothes. But, they’re not 100% accurate, and sometimes they might miss things hidden on the body.
This is why the security officers sometimes select passengers for random inspections.
Final Thoughts
You might get flagged at the airport and asked for additional screening for a random selection, if the airport securities like the TSA notice something unusual or if you set off the metal detector.
Even though it can be kind of annoying and embarrassing if you trigger the airport scanners, it is not really a big deal as long as you are clean and you don’t have any prohibited items on you.
Remember, airport scanners are there to keep the passengers safe, and security officers are just doing their job to avoid bad guys from sneaking guns or knives on board the airplane. If you listen to the rules and cooperate, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
