Question... I am flying with my Autistic son who is 16 this summer into MCO and out of JAX. Any ideas of how to get through security fast?
Stressed Mom needs ideas.
Thanks.

I've never been stuck with a long wait, but even 20 minutes of standing can do my back in and I, too, have been wondering about ways to circumvent a long line.

May want to ask this question in the disabled travelers forum - there might be some people with comperable experience.

Call your airline and explain your situation to them. It varies from airport to airport; however, many airlines do have ways to expedite passengers with special needs.

When you come to the security checkpoint, ask to speak with a supervisor and explain your situation to him or her. I'm assuming that you prefer to remain with your child throughout the process? Tell that to the supervisor.

Here's what should happen: TSA screeners should be able to accomodate you through the exit or lane designated for passengers with special needs. You should be able to remain with your child throughout the screening process. Probably the best thing to do is to have you screened first so that you can assist with screening your child. Be sure to explain to the screener anything that may be helpful in screening your child. (For example, best way to approach him and what things to avoid.) You should be able to coach your child through the process.

If you prefer that this screening be conducted in a private area out of public view, please tell that to the supervisor. Explain if it is okay to screen you first in the public area and then screen your child, with you present of course, in the private screening room. Most private screening rooms are small and not very accomodating, so it would help if you could get screened first so that nothing distracts your focus on your child. It may be that screening in a private room, especially a small, crowded one, may not be in your child's interest. These are things you need to consider.

I recommend you being screened first because screening is pretty disruptive to the routine that autistic children feel comfortable with no matter how accomodating or pleasant screeners attempt to be. After your child is screened, then you can remove him from the checkpoint quickly and do whatever you need to bring him back into his comfort zone. Otherwise, if you child has to wait for you to be screened after his experience, then it may create more stress and upset him even more. Ultimately, you know what's best, but this is my experience with children and adults in similar situations.

If anything happens that makes you concerned or worried, ask the screener to explain to you what he is doing and why he is doing it. I say this because your son will pick up on any stress you experience and become stressed himself. I also say this because that screener SHOULD be explaining everything to you beforehand.

Good luck. Hope all goes well.

Try asking the person at the ticket counter for a sky cap to assist you. The sky caps here not only excort you to the front of the line but also help you divest your items for xraying, and once you're all into the screening area (either through the metal detector or through the gate for alternative screening), even picks up your things for you again.

Thanks, I didn't see much going on there so thought I'd try here first.
I will give it a shot. Thanks for taking the time to write.

If a person under 18 is flying alone, then that person's parent/guardian (technically only one) may accompany the passenger to the gate and pick up the passenger at the gate. Ask at the airline counter for a "gate pass" for a minor. Hope this helps.

The posts from Bart and myrgirl are right-on. I frequently travel with my retarded/epileptic/physically rickety sister who gets skycap assistance. One way I've gotten it is by asking for a wheelchair. They put it in her record.

In every airport and airline I"ve used she has always been treated with great care and respect. Furthermore, the TSAs have been extremely kind as well, even when we've had to have secondary screening... which is pretty much the norm.

I am able to step away from her to walk through the regular equipment, but they have always asked me whether Chrissy could be alone, or if she would feel more comfortable if I stay right with her.

Your challenge is a bit different, but I'm sure you'll find people responsive to your needs.

Rita

The private screening is a VERY good point.

The person walking thru the metal detector CANNOT touch the unit as they pass they. Mom could walk but preferred to 'hold onto something' for stability. THAT caused major issues with the security process.

Also I would NOT wait until arrival to ask for help. Put it in your reservation so the airline can PLAN for support. Skycaps and the wheelchair pushers are minimally trained for these type of supportive jobs. The airline may have a Handicapped Manager (or liason) at larger cities.. something you NEED to put into the paperwork sooner rather than wait.

Just something more to think about with your situation.

That should never cause an issue. We are perfectly able and allowed to extend a hand through the metal detector for an assist. We just have to be mindful enough to position ourselves as to not be the cause for the MD alarming. At my airport, we also have a wooden cane wrapped with bright orange tape hanging on each xray machine in easy reach of the metal detector person. If a person can walk fine normally but had to divest a cane for xraying, they use ours until we're done xraying theirs. This is where the customer service aspect come in.

Thank you sooooo much for all of your info. I do have a letter from my childs doctor explaing his disability. I have also written to the airline on which we are flying and they have been very supportive.
I do have the phone numbers to each of the TSA at the airports.
Do you think they will be helpful if I call them and ask for their help?
Would it be a good idea to get a "name" of someone in a senior postition to use on our day of travel?
I haven't flown with my son since he was a baby so I want to get my ducks in a row the best I can.

beachlover,
I'm not familiar with how MCO is arranged and can't be much help with the specifics. However, it doesn't hurt to call the TSA number you have. The TSA staff should have at least one person who has, for lack of a better term, a public relations role to address special situations. This person should be able to tell you the best way to prepare yourself and your son for the checkpoint and may be able to notify the supervisor in advance. If it's like my airport, schedules for screeners and supervisors are somewhat hectic, so it may not be possible to give advanced notice to the checkpoint other than the actual day of travel. But it never hurts to try.

Don't forget to call your airline. TSA can take care of you once you reach the checkpoint. But the airline is the one who can expedite you and get you to the checkpoint.

Bart
Thanks again. You have been a great help!

Beachlover.

Good morning,

I apologize for being somewhat off-topic, but like the original poster, I did try the Disabled Forum first, but didn't find much going on over there & since many of you seem to have dealt w/this issue, I'm hoping you won't mind a semi-related question.

I am taking my mother to FL (actually MCO, believe it or not!) next month & she will require a wheelchair assistance due to knee problems-w/2 rollaboards, her cane, & 2 tote bags, I don't think I can manage the wheelchair, too, so we'll be in need of assistance from a skycap or porter or airline customer service person (I've already had her ticket flagged for handicapped assistance w/AA). My question is how much do you typically tip the person who helps w/the wheelchair?

Again, my thanks for your patience w/this question. I've been a lurker on this board for quite some time (since reading about it in one of Joe Sharkey's columns in the NY Times) & have appreciated all the information that has been so freely given (have REALLY enjoyed some of "discussions" re: the TSA, but don't worry, I won't go THAT far off-topic, though I must say to Bart, if you really are a TSA person {no offense & I hope you understand why I say that} I truly, truly wish the rest of your colleagues had even 1/10th of your common sense & courtesy).

Thank you.

Laura

txrus...welcome to Flyertalk. Glad you made the transition from lurker to poster.
As far as tipping the wheelchair runner, I�d say $5-$10 should be sufficient depending on what they had to do and the time/distance involved.
Good luck on your trip to MCO with your mother.