Originally Posted by
buchanac0104
Just thought i'd add this as I also have metal in my back. I have two metal bars, one on each side of my spine and each a foot long, and have never set off the WTMD so if at all possible, i'd try to maneuver into one of those lanes and just not mention it.
Really? Well that's reassuring! So I might not even set the darn thing off! I thought it was inevitable. My mother has a metal hip, and she sets it off every single time. I will definitely try to get in the WTMD line, and maybe I'll get lucky and this will all be a moot point!
Originally Posted by
gojirasan
Your son knows about your situation and still wants you to go?
Um...this question seems a bit impolite to me, but I'll go ahead and answer it. My son doesn't even know about my surgery yet. He's in training and can only call me for ten minutes once a week. I do plan on telling him in a letter that I'll be having surgery, but I will not bother him with the details or severity. He's got enough to think about. I'd rather him be focusing on learning how to be a soldier than worrying about me.
And even if he did tell me not to come, I'm going anyway. It will be the only chance I'll get to see my only son for six months. Nothing could keep me from going there to celebrate his achievement, and spend time with him before he enters yet another 10-week program...after which he is likely to be shipped overseas.
My doctor has told me I will be recovered enough for air travel, and it is his opinion that matters. I refuse to allow an out-of-control government agency keep me from my son.
Originally Posted by
mikemey
LeeAnne:
I doubt a letter will help, but I'd get one anyway. The TSA is going to do whatever they want regardless. Maybe you should find those medical condition cards.
Please thank your son for his service to our country.
Oh right - the medical cards! Forgot about those - I'll look into that. Anyone having any good experiences with those?
And I will pass your thanks on to my son. We're very proud of him.
Originally Posted by
mikemey
Her son is still in training. They will not allow him to go home until his training is finished. So, the only way she'll get to see her son is to travel to him. That's just how the Army is.
You are correct. He has three days in between this training, and the next, and he will not be allowed to travel. Plus, this is his graduation - I want to be there! I see this as no less of a milestone than his school graduations, and as his proud mother I intend to be there to support him and show him how much we love him. I'm just looking for ways to avoid as much unpleasantness as possible.
Originally Posted by
I'd Rather Walk
Anyone else see the irony in this, her son is going into the army to defend our freedom and his mother is afraid of being humiliated or injured by agents of the goverment.
Do I EVER! Thanks for pointing this out. As far as I'm concerned, it's the TSA who are the terrorists.