I am reading this thread with great interest, as I have had to travel wearing a Darco shoe since Nov. 6. Since my accident, I have traveled through 5 different airports: GCM, CLT, ORD, MKE and ATL. In all of these airports, with the exception of Atlanta, I was treated with dignity and respect by all involved including, (gasp!) the TSA. In fact, in my very frequent travels, both domestic and international, I have never encountered the rudeness and insensitivity which I experienced at ATL.

My experience in ATL: The TSA made me feel as if my being there was a problem from the start. As I hobbled to the front of the inspection line (I also have to use a crutch at this time) and placed my items on the belt, I was informed that I was in the wrong line. I asked why I had not been informed of this earlier. At this time, my husband heard the TSA discussing the fact that I was going to be a problem. The TSA asked me if I were "sure" that I needed the crutch and Darco shoe. I felt like stating "no, I simply wear the shoe and use the crutch to be fashionable" but thought better of it and simply stated yes. This is where the fun began. The TSA told me "go over there" without really specifying where. So, I proceeded to go to the secondary inspection area. Then they started yelling at me. I finally figured out that they meant the plexiglass box (kind of like being a caged zoo animal). I stood until I became uncomfortable, and then leaned the crutch against the side and sat on the floor. This really angered the supervisor who screamed at me to get to my feet. I was then taken to a public screening area where I was told to stand without the crutch. I was basically called a liar when I told them I could not do so without experiencing excrutiating pain. Then they told me to sit. The female TSA, who appeared to be hygienically challenged, roughly grabbed my injured foot to swab it. I told her that she was hurting me. She said she didn't think so. Then, the groping began. I informed her that I could remove my underwire bra (this can easily be accomplished without disrobing) for inspection so as to avoid having the wand go off which would necessitate her having to touch my breasts. This really angered her. She stormed off stating that she didn't have to take this from me. She brought back a supervisor who then loudly yelled at me and made threats. He brought another TSA and told her to start the search over. This was no standard 'pat down'. If a stranger on a bus had touched me in this manner, even using "the back of their hand" (why this makes it any less intrusive is beyond me) they would be arrested. It was humiliating and degrading to be treated in this manner. The Supervisor stood there smiling and smirking the whole time. When the TSA was finally satisfied that I was not concealing a bomb in my bra or in the crotch of my pants, I was reunited with my husband who could not believe what he had just witnessed. In fact, other passengers expressed their shock to me as I entered the "sterile area".

All I have to say at this point: God help anyone who ever has to travel through ATL injured or handicapped. The TSA will make your time there miserable. I am grateful to the airline employees and TSA at Chicago (ORD) Milwaukee, Charlotte and the employees at the Grand Cayman Airport (no TSA there) who treated me with compassion and respect.