Originally Posted by alliance
I agree that asking for a pat down is likely to be the lowest stress approach for OP's mom - and that is probably what OP was really looking for.
However, I really don't think that someone should have to ask for a pat down if they are not going to alarm and just can't take off their shoes.
I didn't realize that you were TSA... are you saying that it is TSA policy to subject people with medical conditions that require them to not take off their shoes to get a full secondary screening if they don't alarm because they ignore the loader who is lying to them that they "must" take off their shoes?
What I am saying is that as of right now, all shoes must come off I believe. If you are not able to take them off, or won't take them off, you are subject to full secondary screening. Will all screeners do the whole process? It's going to vary from terminal to terminal, manager to manager. The whole thing about medical conditions is that the TSA cannot tell if the person is telling the truth or just trying to bypass certain parts of the process. So saying your ill, or presenting a note is useless. Notes are readily available to anyone that wants one. And people lie. Its inevitable that some that claim illness are lying. Since we don't know who that is, everyone is subject to the same screening. Its not easy and not very pleasant to make someone feel like a criminal, but until we can be 100% sure of who is and who is not, everyone must be screened 100%. That is why I suggested a pat down. Although not completely private, the screener is focused on just that one person. I have found that being able to speak to them and ask them about their illness makes them feel a little bit better about what I have to do. Any any one can ask for a private screening. Dont' let them tell you no, it is your right to privacy is you want it.