Special assistance at JFK?
Oct 20, 2023, 12:24 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 8,498
Do you know what airline you're flying? Delta and Virgin both fly into Terminal 4 at JFK, which has a specific program in place for assisting folks with autism and other hidden disabilities:
https://www.jfkt4.nyc/4info/accessibility
https://www.jfkt4.nyc/4news/article/...ties-lanyards/
Whether the average employee actually knows about it or not, I don't know. But if you print out those two web pages and bring them with you, I would HOPE it would save you a lot of trouble if you get a clueless employee. Same goes for other terminals at JFK (e.g., JetBlue at T5, BA at T7, AA at T8, etc.). While the management at other terminals may not have a specific program in place like at T4, I would still ask to use the accessible lanes at any JFK terminal and if questioned I would show the employees the materials from the T4 website and explain that you have a legitimate hidden disability and would appreciate reasonable accommodation.
(Also, I'd never heard of the sunflower lanyard thing, but that's very cool. Thanks for teaching me about that today!)
https://www.jfkt4.nyc/4info/accessibility
https://www.jfkt4.nyc/4news/article/...ties-lanyards/
Whether the average employee actually knows about it or not, I don't know. But if you print out those two web pages and bring them with you, I would HOPE it would save you a lot of trouble if you get a clueless employee. Same goes for other terminals at JFK (e.g., JetBlue at T5, BA at T7, AA at T8, etc.). While the management at other terminals may not have a specific program in place like at T4, I would still ask to use the accessible lanes at any JFK terminal and if questioned I would show the employees the materials from the T4 website and explain that you have a legitimate hidden disability and would appreciate reasonable accommodation.
(Also, I'd never heard of the sunflower lanyard thing, but that's very cool. Thanks for teaching me about that today!)
Oct 21, 2023, 2:10 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2023
Posts: 35
Do you know what airline you're flying? Delta and Virgin both fly into Terminal 4 at JFK, which has a specific program in place for assisting folks with autism and other hidden disabilities:
https://www.jfkt4.nyc/4info/accessibility
https://www.jfkt4.nyc/4news/article/...ties-lanyards/
Whether the average employee actually knows about it or not, I don't know. But if you print out those two web pages and bring them with you, I would HOPE it would save you a lot of trouble if you get a clueless employee. Same goes for other terminals at JFK (e.g., JetBlue at T5, BA at T7, AA at T8, etc.). While the management at other terminals may not have a specific program in place like at T4, I would still ask to use the accessible lanes at any JFK terminal and if questioned I would show the employees the materials from the T4 website and explain that you have a legitimate hidden disability and would appreciate reasonable accommodation.
(Also, I'd never heard of the sunflower lanyard thing, but that's very cool. Thanks for teaching me about that today!)
https://www.jfkt4.nyc/4info/accessibility
https://www.jfkt4.nyc/4news/article/...ties-lanyards/
Whether the average employee actually knows about it or not, I don't know. But if you print out those two web pages and bring them with you, I would HOPE it would save you a lot of trouble if you get a clueless employee. Same goes for other terminals at JFK (e.g., JetBlue at T5, BA at T7, AA at T8, etc.). While the management at other terminals may not have a specific program in place like at T4, I would still ask to use the accessible lanes at any JFK terminal and if questioned I would show the employees the materials from the T4 website and explain that you have a legitimate hidden disability and would appreciate reasonable accommodation.
(Also, I'd never heard of the sunflower lanyard thing, but that's very cool. Thanks for teaching me about that today!)
I've checked out the JFK website, and they have a TSA Cares programme for the security screenings, but I don't think I need that. I wonder if it's fine to just show up and ask to use the accessibility lane at immigration, and explain that I have a hidden disability? That's what I've done everywhere else, but JFK is huge and intimidating!
Oct 23, 2023, 7:55 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 8,498
Yes, BA flies into T7. TSA mainly controls security for departures so you're unlikely to deal with them until you fly back out. US Customs and Border Patrol run immigration. I expect it'll be fine to just show up and ask to use the accessibility lane, but it definitely can't hurt to print out the stuff from the T4 website showing that autism is a hidden disability eligible to use those lanes. Have a great visit!
Oct 23, 2023, 8:32 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
Yes, BA flies into T7. TSA mainly controls security for departures so you're unlikely to deal with them until you fly back out. US Customs and Border Patrol run immigration. I expect it'll be fine to just show up and ask to use the accessibility lane, but it definitely can't hurt to print out the stuff from the T4 website showing that autism is a hidden disability eligible to use those lanes. Have a great visit!
Oct 23, 2023, 11:41 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Formerly Box 350, Boston Mass, Oh two one three four. Now near Beverly Hills 90210
Programs: Loyal Order of Water Buffalos
Posts: 3,938
Good you sorted it out. Could you post the solution so the next flyer in your position has the info they might need?
Oct 24, 2023, 9:41 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2023
Posts: 35
Will let you know how it goes!
Mar 27, 2024, 12:02 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London
Posts: 94
I wanted to remove personal/identifying info from the OP. I haven't really found a solution other than that theoretically I should be able to use the accessibility lane. I'll do as themicah suggested and print out a copy of what their website says, in case they argue that I'm not disabled and don't need help.
Will let you know how it goes!
Will let you know how it goes!