Shoe Removal - just had a procedure on my toe
 

Hello,

I just had a procedure on my toe, and also just found out I may have to tend to a family emergency within the next couple of days. I always opt for the pat down, but I am embarrassed by a bloody sock from this procedure, and don't feel comfortable walking in just socks after this procedure anyway - however I do not have a special shoe or doctors orders to remain in shoes.

My two questions are, Am I able to claim a medical reason and ask to be seated while they run my shoes through the machine prior to my pat down? Also, would a bloody sock be concerning to them and what should I do about them possibly touching a tender area on my toe?

Thanks for your help.

You could try to arrange for a TSA Cares specialist to meet you at the airport and accompany you through the screening process. If the specialist agrees to meet you and actually shows up, that should prevent outrageous abuses but there should not be an issue with you sitting down while they process your shoes.

You could also consider arranging for wheelchair transport to the gate. It's more than you need, but you're unlikely to get hassled about sitting down while your shoes and feet are processed.

I wouldn't worry about the bloody sock. I've got a friend who got toenail fungus - it's pretty awful to look at. They swipe their gloved hands over his nasty toenails and don't even blink (or change their gloves before handling the next pax, unfortunately).

Wear disposable shoe covers over your socks. Or "medical socks" to the tsa clerk.

You can always tell the TSA that you cannot remove your shoes for medical reasons. <deleted by moderator>. Me, I'd tell them that I can go through MMW but will do so with my shoes on and will remove them afterwards. The very bloodly sock will then appear. OTOH, you also risk them feeling each toe <deleted by moderator> and squeezing the bloody toe <deleted by moderator>.

<deleted by moderator>.

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Not wanting to make this seem worse than it really is
 

But I would imagine that TSA confronting a bloody sock might make them PO'd for no good reason. I would tend to over volunteer in this situation –" I've had a procedure on my foot and my sock is bloody and I'd like to keep my shoes on " - or whatever you think would avoid them having to deal with a bloody sock.

As to the bloody sock, don't give this a second thought. Imagine how many people have some sort of procedure on their foot/toe and then travel and therefore present with a bloody sock. Just note it to the Officer and it won't cause an even remote issue.

As others suggest, there should be disposable socks available at the checkpoint, but in your case, I would pick up a pair of surgical / industrial booties (cost a couple of pair for <$1) and use one of those to walk through while the shoes go on the belt (I am presuming that you don't have Pre-Check).

You could certainly ask to remain seated and to have your shoes run through separately, but that does mean a full secondary for you and that seems a lot of hassle all to avoid what really isn't anything to be concerned about. Or if it is, it is a TSA problem, not yours.

My husband had foot surgery- could not put any weight on it- also first trip, a cast on the foot- then a medical boot, and in a wheel chair of course- was not required to take the boot off- they wanded the boot- and him- All TSA employees we encountered were all very respectful of his situation, and made it as easy as possible considering his condition.

Honestly if your toe is "bloody" you need to go back to your health professional and have it wrapped professionally so that it is very easily recognized as a medical problem- also- order up a wheel chair assist- then TSA will treat it as such. You should be pleasantly surprised as to their professional attitudes.

For 'getaway day' after one of the major big city marathons (Boston, London, NYC, Paris) the bloody toenail area count probably runs into the hundreds at the airport.

DFW has or had blue shoe covers that realtors sometimes stock in open houses. You remove your shoes and wear the paper covers.

Just get wheelchair service. This sounds like a legitimate use. They are usually more lenient and you go through the pre-check line.

First off, are you qualified for TSA PreCheck - if so you may not have to remove your shoes.

If not, simply tell the TSA at the WTMD that you can't remove your shoes for medical reasons. Period. They aren't your doctor, they don't get to tell you anything medical. They can perform additional screening, typically they will swab the shoes for the ETD magic box.

If they give you grief, ask - politely but firmly - for a supervisor (not a lead - 2 striper, but a supervisor - 3 striper). S/he should actually be aware of TSA policy.