New TSA program for people with disabilities / medical conditions: PSS and TSA Cares
Jul 12, 2013, 3:23 pm
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New TSA program for people with disabilities / medical conditions: PSS and TSA Cares
TSA has received considerable input, so they have begun two programs that are targeted at people with disabilities:
1) PSS - Passenger Support Specialists: TSA officers and supervisors with additional training about disabilities and medical conditions; the TSA expects to have over 3,000 TSA employees trained. If you experience a problem with unhelpful or uninformed TSA personnel, you might consider asking if they have a Passenger Support Specialist available. You may call the TSA Cares Helpline to request a PSS for your planned travel. Link.
2) TSA Cares Helpline: 1.855.787.2227 toll free in USA, 8am - 11pm EST Mon-Fri and 9am-8pm weekends / holidays. Link.
Passengers with disabilities or medical conditions, or their families / traveling companions / attendants can call if they have questions about screening procedures relevant to their conditions.
I haven't used these or seen them in action, just trying to pass on some new information (and hoping it actually offers a few steps forward).
BTW, in a Aug/Sep National Geographic Traveler article Christopher Elliott, the travel consumer advocate, states you (or a traveling companion) can video or photograph (smartphone, anyone?) the TSA screening as long s you do not interfere with the screening or the taking does not violate local ordinances. I'd guess this might call for good assertiveness and self-confidence... but it's legal.
1) PSS - Passenger Support Specialists: TSA officers and supervisors with additional training about disabilities and medical conditions; the TSA expects to have over 3,000 TSA employees trained. If you experience a problem with unhelpful or uninformed TSA personnel, you might consider asking if they have a Passenger Support Specialist available. You may call the TSA Cares Helpline to request a PSS for your planned travel. Link.
2) TSA Cares Helpline: 1.855.787.2227 toll free in USA, 8am - 11pm EST Mon-Fri and 9am-8pm weekends / holidays. Link.
Passengers with disabilities or medical conditions, or their families / traveling companions / attendants can call if they have questions about screening procedures relevant to their conditions.
I haven't used these or seen them in action, just trying to pass on some new information (and hoping it actually offers a few steps forward).
BTW, in a Aug/Sep National Geographic Traveler article Christopher Elliott, the travel consumer advocate, states you (or a traveling companion) can video or photograph (smartphone, anyone?) the TSA screening as long s you do not interfere with the screening or the taking does not violate local ordinances. I'd guess this might call for good assertiveness and self-confidence... but it's legal.
