Disability Travel - Airport security doesn't think disabled people exist

http://davehingsburger.blogspot.com/2009/03/elephant-disappears.html

Security guy tries to take the luggage of a disabled traveler. Luggage was right next to the traveler. Security wouldn't accept that a disabled person could "attend" to their own luggage. Luckily, a pilot intervened.

I'm not sure what kind of "people skills" training TSA security employees get - but IMO it seems some of them get little at best, and none at all when it comes to dealing with people with differences, whether disabilities or different language or cultures.

I recall the TSA agent giving a secondary to a woman at SLC - insisting in going through her "brain bag" (case containing approach charts, etc.)

She said "If you can tell me what you are looking for, perhaps I can help and direct you."

He (TSA agent) says "I'm looking for any sharp or pointed object you can use to access the cockpit."

She, a WN Pilot with four stripes on her shoulders, says (somewhat incredulously) "Well, the cockpit is where I work; I already have access to it."

Maybe he thought a woman in a pilot uniform and four stripes on her shoulders couldn't possibly be the Pilot In Command?

Same <censored> made a woman with a battery-powered infusion pump (for her cancer medication) made her disconnect the device and show him the batteries and power box. IMO, she should have sued.

I dunno about the last one. I have no idea what an infusion pump is and I've got several family members who either have cancer, or currently are going through it (two just had to reenter the hospital again yesterday). You can't possibly expect TSA people to know medical equipment. I'm not sure what showing the batteries and power box will do though, but I can see more thorough inspection of that pump to make sure it's not some kinda bomb or something.

The pilot thing is simply ridiculous tho. Dunno if it's sexism or just plain stupidity. Or both. You gotta know what a flight officer looks like. Hell, even the passengers know that.

Same <censored> made a woman with a battery-powered infusion pump (for her cancer medication) made her disconnect the device and show him the batteries and power box. IMO, she should have sued.

Under no circumstances should any medical infusion pump be disconnected, whether insulin, chemo, etc. The TSA are not medical professionals, and they have no right to ask that a necessary medical device be disconnected, turned off or removed from the body, nor do they have the authority to do so. If this ever happens, ask for a supervisor immediately.

The rule may be ridiculous, but terrorism remains a significant concern. There has to be some licence or anything to prove that the patient is indeed using this device.

The rule may be ridiculous, but terrorism remains a significant concern. There has to be some licence or anything to prove that the patient is indeed using this device.

Most of us are prepared very well when travelling, carying more papers than you would even think off. ;) Still there are security folks out there that simply are power-horny. They get such a kick out of doing the "I am in control here"-thingy.

I've ran into it more than once. Multiple times I had to get supervisors involved because a TSA agent or their lovely 'cousins' in Europe confiscated medical aids of mine! Yep; confiscated! Not even asking a question about them, not even bothering to listen to me and read papers, nothing. Not just doubtable stuff, but stuff of which it was very clear to the everage joe in the street that there's nothing possibly wrong with it. Each time it took getting the supervisor over to get my stuff back and an apology. I could've carried a note from the Pope himself stating I need the stuff, it wouldn't have mattered with these types of "I don't care about paperwork" security folks.

The items we're talking about?
- A wheelchaircushion (because of the fact it had a button on it to adjust it -never mind the very clearly stated instructions next to it, explaining how to use it and what the button is for-)
- A small handpump to inflate samesaid cushion as it's an airfilled one
- pushbars of my wheelchair
- the battery charger of my powerchair

Most of them stuff they see on a regular, if not daily, base. I'm not saying all security workers are powertripping. A lot are nice geniun folks. However, there are a fair share of them that are powertripping and turning a deaf ear to the person they are screening before even one word being spoken. Which makes it pretty impossible to explain why you are allowed to carry certain fluids and/or item past security that other passengers might not be allowed to.

The rule may be ridiculous, but terrorism remains a significant concern. There has to be some licence or anything to prove that the patient is indeed using this device.

What sort of "licence" do you suggest? I have a card saying I have a metal hip implant, which is useless because "anyone could fake a card like that" :rolleyes: so it stays in my handbag. Why is a card saying "I need this pump" more believable than the passenger saying "I need this pump"???

And if you really think "terrorism remains a significant concern", go read this article (http://www.counterpunch.org/goekler03242009.html) . On average, every year 200,000 Americans die due to medical screw-ups, compared to 15 per year from terrorism. Making someone disconnect a medically-required device is just contributing to the "medical screw-ups" category.

I broke my knee while on a cruise a few weeks ago and had to fly home alone from LAX to FLL on Sunday, April 19. (Better than getting off the ship in Mexico and ending up who knows where with who knows what kind of flu?) I pre-arranged for wheelchairs thru DL and had a rather interesting time getting thru TSA.

I dressed comfortably in baggy khakis that went over the ginormous brace on my leg and a tank top. I knew I was in for SSSS so I patiently waited and was patted down by a very nice female TSA agent -- until she got to my brace. My khakis wouldn't roll-up more than 2 or 3 inches at the bottom of the brace (mid-calf). Because there was so much metal in the brace it beeped constantly upon wanding. I showed her the x-ray that showed the fresh break but she still needed to get at the brace for some reason. I offered to go to a private area and she could do her thing but alas there was no private area for men or women at LAX Terminal 5 (that was a huge surprise).

When she pulled out a pair of scissors was when I called over a supervisor. Fortunately I was calm and appeared sane and was on my way to the Crown Room ( oops -- Sky Club) . They believed my story and let me leave with my pants in one piece.But I do wonder what the policy is in this situation. Anyone know?

Oh -- btw -- if you ever have to fly with a leg in a brace or cast, pray for FC on the long-haul 767 with the full leg rests -- made a 5 hour trip not quite as miserable as it could have been.

What sort of "licence" do you suggest? I have a card saying I have a metal hip implant, which is useless because "anyone could fake a card like that" :rolleyes: so it stays in my handbag. Why is a card saying "I need this pump" more believable than the passenger saying "I need this pump"???

And if you really think "terrorism remains a significant concern", go read this article (http://www.counterpunch.org/goekler03242009.html) . On average, every year 200,000 Americans die due to medical screw-ups, compared to 15 per year from terrorism. Making someone disconnect a medically-required device is just contributing to the "medical screw-ups" category.

True, anybody can fake it. We have greatly minimised terrorism due to increased vigilance. It is unfortunate we are not giving medical errors the same attention.