EMTs Frisked Before Treating Pax?
 

It seemed odd today to witness FA's, who called Narita paramedics for a man in cardiac distress, frisk both EMTs in the jetway before they were allowed to rush aboard. I thought EMT's operating at airports already had full clearance.

Elapsed time between the crew (DL 296) call and the techs arriving was roughly 21 minutes.

As sad as this sounds, if they arrived via the tarmac, I can see the jetway/airplane being one "zone", and the tarmac being another "zone" ("sterile" vs. "safe"?). Then again, given the tools and instruments that is part of their job... huh!

At DTW, I've seen the fire/safety (in full gear, coats and boxes) in the terminal, presumably to respond to a pax issue in the terminal. I couldn't imagine that they wouldn't have something such as a SIDA badge, so they can cross in/out as required.

If we're worried about fire/safety passing something to pax, we have bigger fish to fry.

At DTW I've also seen Police Officers, with sidearm mind you, just walk in through the exit and TSA doesn't even bat an eye.

If the outbound 296, it is headed for the US and must therefor abide by TSA rules on liquids.

There had been previous reported incedents of EMT's bringing on board substantially more than 6 ounces of saline solution.

So now they are restricted to 6 ounces (for each EMT).

Stay tuned for next week's episode of "Security Theater", brought to you by your friendly TSA management. We will be discussing the latest IED made from Woodord Reserve amd how this will effect PDB service.

[Yes, I know this is NRT and one can not blaim the TSA, but we do seam to the world leader in this insanity]

That is a horrible procedure. The man with the gun could have 5 inch long scissors and a 4 ounce bottle of water in his pocket. In the sterile area those two items could be a serious threat to the safety of the civil aviation system.

Thread Alert
 

The new home for this discussion is the Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate forum, as this really has nothing to do with Delta Air Lines or the SkyMiles frequent flier loyalty program.

Regards,

Canarsie
Co-Moderator, Delta SkyMiles forum

Here in the USSA, everybody is a terrorist until proven innocent. That is, except low IQ thieves and perverts hired from pizza boxes.

Should have guessed that "Checkpoints and Border Policy" is the logical forum to discuss Delta personnel declaring a medical emergency at a major DL station and the on-board response.

Apologies.

The TSA requires that any employee entering an aircraft bound for the US be frisked before entering (this is one reason that there are contract security agents standing at the Jetway entrance.)

That said, I have two thoughts:

1. It would be a complicated by potentially useful way to stage an attack. Have someone feign a serious medical condition, then have fake EMTs come on board.

2. Why don't these people have "trusted vendor" IDs that would let them aboard without further formalities?

3. The TSA is clearly unfamiliar with the "golden hour." How much myocardium died while waiting for the EMTs to be searched??

"We're just keeping you safe... by watching you die."

It is a situation which could happen with the personnel of any airline at one of their major stations — and if indeed this is a policy where mere seconds could mean the difference between life and death, then should it not be important to share with other FlyerTalk members who may have observed similar experiences in a forum whose topic is travel safety?

The purpose of the move of this discussion was meant to be helpful, not punitive — and there is a re-direct in place in the Delta SkyMiles forum which will last for a month.

Your story doesn't hold water. EMT would have been at the gate prior. That's number one. Number 2) flight attendants don't frisk....ANYONE. We get "frisked" coming through security and we have access to the cockpit :rolleyes:. 3) Many lives are saved by flight attendants in air with CPR and defibrillation. Not to mention we page for medical and have a direct patch to a Doctor on the ground should medical volunteers not be present. Aircraft are equipped with a vast array of medicines as well as IV's and other vital equipment for use in flight.

You know what they say about assuming.

I know what they say about assuming. The OP could be talking about the outbound from NRT to ATL, and the event could have happened before drparting. In that case it would have been unlikely for the EMT's to already be present at the gate.

Being a Paramedic I've responded to the local Airport more than once(GRB). We drive in at a special gate, then are escorted to the plane and go on board to start treatment. I've been retired for 2 1/2 years but never had anybody slow our arrival to the Pt. I've also been onboard a flight this last Memorial day when a person had a syncapol episode. I did go and help. The Doctor couldn't work the Chem Bg,(blood gluclose machine) and finally just went back to his seat. The flight attendent said the Pilot was asking if we needed to divert. I made the decission not to and gave him the pt.'s vitals and that she was improving. No complaints except she had been up for over 24 hrs, hadn't eaten but did have a drink onboard. Chem Bg was normal and she had no medical Hx. Paramedics are used to working in the mud, having the Pd hold a flashlight so we could see the veins to start a Iv. We are the MD, Respitory Therapist and nurse when all hell is breaking loose outside of the Hospital.
Yes some large airports do have EMT's and Paramedics on duty, but they usually have other duties too. But if they don't have them they call 911 and know exactly when we arrive and who was sent by 911. Here it could be Green Bay, Ashwaubenon, or Depere so it would be very unlikely someone just showing up and being in the right Rescue Squad. We also do yearly exercises with the Airport to coordinate responses and work out any problems before they can happen.

I thought basically all airports with air carrier services had to have ARFF (aircraft rescue and firefighting) on site as part of their Part 139 certification. Maybe EMTs and not paramedics, but I'd think they would have EMS available with airport IDs.

I've been called to the airport a number of times. For the most part to avoid TSA we drive on the tarmac to the jetway with a police or fire escort. Which we bypass TSA since they cause more harm then good.

TSA leaves us alone now, but 2 years was a different story.
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