TSA officers bar Florida teen with autism from flying; airport director apologizes
Aug 18, 2019, 10:27 am
#1
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TSA officers bar Florida teen with autism from flying; airport director apologizes
TSA screeners appear to have once again botched the screening of a special needs passenger. 18 year old with autism selected for not one but two invasive pat downs.
TSA officers bar Florida teen with autism from flying
If TSA really cared all screeners would be taught how to deal with persons of any need, and held accountable when unable to do so.
TSA officers bar Florida teen with autism from flying
The 18-year-old, who has severe autism and suffers from an anxiety disorder, was singled out by a TSA agent for a second pat-down at the security checkpoint at the Tallahassee airport.
"He’s got on shorts, underwear, a T-shirt — and a smile. That’s it. There’s nothing in his pockets,” Chason said. “I’m thinking, I don’t know what could have flashed (on the scanner).”
Pollard said his staff has started working on a five-point corrective action plan. The plan includes "TSA Cares" digital displays within the terminal that include a phone number for "travel assistance for persons with disabilities or medical conditions."
Aug 18, 2019, 10:49 am
#2
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Well, in this particular situation, a Tallahassee police officer was just as culpable.
***
Cullen became even more nervous when his older brother tried to explain to him that he’d need another pat-down. “No pat-down,” Cullen insisted, but his older brother persuaded him.
“He almost got through it (the second pat-down),” Chason said. “Cullen flipped.” He took a swing at his brother, then at the TSA agent.
The onsite Tallahassee Police Department officer intervened, saying in a loud voice, "He can’t fly, he can’t fly," Chason recalled, adding that speaking calmly to someone with severe autism is essential to avoid inciting more fear and agitation.
***
Cullen became even more nervous when his older brother tried to explain to him that he’d need another pat-down. “No pat-down,” Cullen insisted, but his older brother persuaded him.
“He almost got through it (the second pat-down),” Chason said. “Cullen flipped.” He took a swing at his brother, then at the TSA agent.
The onsite Tallahassee Police Department officer intervened, saying in a loud voice, "He can’t fly, he can’t fly," Chason recalled, adding that speaking calmly to someone with severe autism is essential to avoid inciting more fear and agitation.
***
Aug 18, 2019, 6:57 pm
#3
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Pollard said his staff has started working on a five-point corrective action plan. The plan includes "TSA Cares" digital displays within the terminal that include a phone number for "travel assistance for persons with disabilities or medical conditions."
I bet if a TSO ever murdered someone, TSA would probably put out a pamphlet on how to not provoke TSOs to violence.
Aug 19, 2019, 5:58 am
#4
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Yeah, I'll agree with that.
So, TSA screws up and traumatizes an autistic kid, and their plan for not doing it again includes schooling PASSENGERS on what to do at the checkpoint. Typical TSA. "We screwed up really badly, but if only YOU would do something different, maybe next time we won't screw up so badly."
I bet if a TSO ever murdered someone, TSA would probably put out a pamphlet on how to not provoke TSOs to violence.
So, TSA screws up and traumatizes an autistic kid, and their plan for not doing it again includes schooling PASSENGERS on what to do at the checkpoint. Typical TSA. "We screwed up really badly, but if only YOU would do something different, maybe next time we won't screw up so badly."
I bet if a TSO ever murdered someone, TSA would probably put out a pamphlet on how to not provoke TSOs to violence.
It's nice that the airport director wants to put signs in the airport pointing people to TSA Cares, but since they are supposed to be called 72 hours before a flight, what good is that going to do in a situation like this?
Further, Pollard is the airport director not the FSD. I doubt the airport director is going to have much luck getting TSA to change its ways.
As the OP wrote: "If TSA really cared all screeners would be taught how to deal with persons of any need, and held accountable when unable to do so."
Aug 19, 2019, 7:37 am
#5
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Here are TSA's "TSO in the Know" guidance documents on passengers w/ autism and "courtesy and respect for ALL passengers".
I requested that they give me all of their training materials on disabilities, and those are the only two that are applicable (there are a couple others about the fact that it's a legal obligation under the Rehabilitation Act). So if they have any other training re autism, they lied to me about its existence.
I requested that they give me all of their training materials on disabilities, and those are the only two that are applicable (there are a couple others about the fact that it's a legal obligation under the Rehabilitation Act). So if they have any other training re autism, they lied to me about its existence.
Aug 19, 2019, 8:27 am
#6
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Here are TSA's "TSO in the Know" guidance documents on passengers w/ autism and "courtesy and respect for ALL passengers".
I requested that they give me all of their training materials on disabilities, and those are the only two that are applicable (there are a couple others about the fact that it's a legal obligation under the Rehabilitation Act). So if they have any other training re autism, they lied to me about its existence.
I requested that they give me all of their training materials on disabilities, and those are the only two that are applicable (there are a couple others about the fact that it's a legal obligation under the Rehabilitation Act). So if they have any other training re autism, they lied to me about its existence.
Aug 19, 2019, 8:44 am
#7
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Here are TSA's "TSO in the Know" guidance documents on passengers w/ autism and "courtesy and respect for ALL passengers".
I requested that they give me all of their training materials on disabilities, and those are the only two that are applicable (there are a couple others about the fact that it's a legal obligation under the Rehabilitation Act). So if they have any other training re autism, they lied to me about its existence.
I requested that they give me all of their training materials on disabilities, and those are the only two that are applicable (there are a couple others about the fact that it's a legal obligation under the Rehabilitation Act). So if they have any other training re autism, they lied to me about its existence.
edit to add: Is "TSA in the Know" considered to be SOP's? If not then TSA clearly with held information.
Aug 19, 2019, 8:55 am
#8
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TTBOMK it is not, but I have not asked or received a formal answer about that. I suppose I may as well ask TSA's litigation counsel, though. May have answer soon.
Aug 22, 2019, 2:58 pm
#9
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I feel sorry for the kid. I have a nephew who is autistic. But when the kid started acting out and swinging his arms towards the TSA rep, what was that rep supposed to do? I suppose he could give the kid 5-10 minutes to cool down and then finish the pat down. But he doesn't know this kid. If this person is going to be violent, then TSA has to address that before it becomes an issue on the plane. Yes maybe it was a mistake by the TSA to insist on that second pat down.
Aug 22, 2019, 7:02 pm
#10
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The kid didn't act out until TSA demanded a second pat down. Based on the clothing he had on I suggest the second pat down was punitive in nature. Besides, TSA should train their screeners to handle people of all circumstances. The handicapped have as much right to travel by air as the next person.
Aug 22, 2019, 7:08 pm
#11
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The kid didn't act out until TSA demanded a second pat down. Based on the clothing he had on I suggest the second pat down was punitive in nature. Besides, TSA should train their screeners to handle people of all circumstances. The handicapped have as much right to travel by air as the next person.
Edit: A lot of us wish we could hit someone in TSA.
Aug 22, 2019, 7:33 pm
#12
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I'm not trained in dealing with the autistic but would think backing off and letting the father deal with the kid would have been a good start. Again, TSA knows people of all types will present for screening and should train knowing that fact.
Aug 22, 2019, 7:52 pm
#13
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Security barred a Tallahassee teen with autism from flying; airport director apologizes
***
What will change at Tallahassee International Airport?
Pollard said his staff has started working on a five-point corrective action plan. The plan includes "TSA Cares" digital displays within the terminal that include a phone number for "travel assistance for persons with disabilities or medical conditions."
He also plans to bring in expert guest speakers at training sessions to help agents "be mindful of those unique and special needs."
Pollard said he "recognizes the tough jobs our TSA agents have," but that he gave the family "assurance that we certainly would learn from this."
What will change at Tallahassee International Airport?
Pollard said his staff has started working on a five-point corrective action plan. The plan includes "TSA Cares" digital displays within the terminal that include a phone number for "travel assistance for persons with disabilities or medical conditions."
He also plans to bring in expert guest speakers at training sessions to help agents "be mindful of those unique and special needs."
Pollard said he "recognizes the tough jobs our TSA agents have," but that he gave the family "assurance that we certainly would learn from this."
Aug 22, 2019, 7:56 pm
#14
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18 years in, a gazillion Americans screened and they still don't know how to deal with autistic kids?
Not to mention miserably failing every screening test.
How much more incompetence needs to be demonstrated before we decide to get someone capable of running TSA if we're going to pay for a TSA.
Not to mention miserably failing every screening test.
How much more incompetence needs to be demonstrated before we decide to get someone capable of running TSA if we're going to pay for a TSA.
Aug 22, 2019, 7:58 pm
#15
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Based on what I read on these forums, it seems they don't let parents get involved in screening... or do they?