+1. As if the un-American way the TSA carries on is not bad enough, they go on to paint such a bad picture of their state of affairs, and then kick vets in the "resistance" on top of it.

I think some of you misunderstand the original purpose of this program (not talking about how it was just expanded), and I actually think that you might agree with it.

This program was originally started by a DOD request to TSA to help wounded warriors through the airport. Too often the airport or airlines failed these men and women. They would be left at the curb by a taxi, in a wheelchair, with their luggage, not able to proceed, no one there to help them, or they would arrive at the gate, no one there with a wheelchair to escort them to get their checked bag, or bring them to a taxi or shuttle service. Some of them had family to help, some did not. Some times the airport and airlines did help, but often there was a wait, and sometimes these men and women missed their flight and had great difficulty just checking in to their flight or headed to where they needed to be after they landed.

For whatever reason, maybe supply and demand, airports only staff a limited number of sky caps, and it simply wasn't enough to meet the needs of our wounded military personal who needed help. So the DOD ask TSA to help. Which is why the "appointment" has to be made so many hours prior to the flight.

If needed, TSA will meet the person at the curb side, help check them in, escort them to the gate. We do things such as carry their luggage, push their chair, etc. Or we often meet them at their gate, help them get their luggage, and help them get a taxi/shuttle to where they need to be.

Regardless of how you feel about TSA, that is federal tax dollars at work to help provide these men and women a valuable service, and I agree with it. The airlines and airport can not always do it, so I have no problem with the federal government stepping in to do it. If you see TSA escorting any military, it is only done so by request.

I have not decided how I feel about extending it to all; I hope it will only be used by those with a medical need. But if it is available to all former military, and they ask, I will help provide it.

There is my 2 cents.

I'm retired military and I do not show TSA my military ID card.

First off everyone should receive screening that is respectful of each person. This is one thing that TSA should expend some effort on ensuring compliance by its employees.

Second, why should a phone call be needed when a person who desires to could show TSA their military ID or other evidence of military service when entering the screening line?

I think this announcement is positive proof that TSA does not treat everyone with dignity or respect but certainly will take a traveler to task if the actions of TSA employees are challenged.

Your failure to understand what this program is, and to argue something it is not, is not proof about anything TSA does.

These vets will be screened just as everyone else. Period.

What will happen, if they ask, is they will have someone push their wheelchair, carry their luggage, help them into a cab/shuttle.

Can you point to a link on the TSA website that explains the program?

I think he understands what you said about the program very well. You'll help push the disabled ex military in their wheelchairs into the screening areas where you will then grope and humiliate them just like you grope and humiliate civilians in the same predicament.

Thanks for the push.

Despite the fact that I've done this dozens and dozens of times? Not good enough, huh? I'll bet if I said something that made TSA look bad you wouldn't ask for proof, would you?

Call them and find out. Proof is right there.

Done what dozens and dozens of times?

I have a friend who is a wounded veteran. I thought asking a TSA employee for a direct link to the information that could help him, would be the most effective way to provide that information to my friend.

Typing "Wounded Warrior" into the TSA's website search function does not bring up the information.

No, I don't think he understood one bit, or he's just being stubborn. Imagine that.

But that seems to be a problem here, isn't it? People choose what to understand, and then argue based off of a twisted assumption of policy.

Hey, how about we find that post about how some here thought it would be a great idea if TSA employees helped people to the gate and to their shuttle/taxi? How that would be a better use of resources, and provide a better service. I remember that from about 6 months ago... oh, wait, we want to criticize that now, so no, lets leave those comments undisturbed.

So you will believe people on here who you have never met, do not know, have no idea if they are really telling the truth, yet they say this or that happen, and by gosh, as far as your concerned, it HAS happened.

I, OTOH, have personally been involved in this escort program for wounded warriors, know exactly what is done and is not done (no special screening treatment), yet you will not believe me, require proof.

When you do that, not just you, but anyone who cherry-picks their "evidence" of what does and does not happen at a TSA checkpoint/baggage location, how do you expect anyone to take you serious?

Never said that. In fact, if you look at the history of my posts, you will find your assumption is incorrect.

I didn't ask for proof, I asked for a link to the information so I could provide it to a wounded veteran friend of mine.

Typing "wounded warrior" into the TSA website search, does not bring up the information

Apparently. asking at TSA employee for information is also not the way to go.

Personally, I believed you, and indeed it is a praiseworthy thing to help these folks move about the airport. You destroyed these incipient warm feelings of trust and respect when you said they would not be spared the indignities of having TSA run their hands all over their bodies including sexual areas.

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Thanks for the clarification. Given this, I don't understand extending this to healthy veterans who don't need extra assistance. If it's being extended, it would make sense to offer it not to healthy veterans, but to disabled non-veterans. (Though there's a question of whether this should be TSA's job, few would argue that someone should be available to assist these folks, whether provided by TSA, airport, airline, whoever).

In the meantime I'm traveling while wearing my Platex Living Girdle and a bra with 4 to 6 hooks on it. Clothes on top, of course. Mother always told me to wear a girdle.