I just got back from a lovely (sarcasm) visit to the local hospital Emergency Department.

I injured a leg, which means I need crutches to get around, as I cannot put any pressure or walk on the injured leg. Just getting used to the crutches, opening doors, steps, all that fun stuff. Hopefully I won't need these too long <knock on wood>.

Question: When I go through security tomorrow, what am I likely to experience or what is SOP since I will not be able to walk through the metal detector. I might request a wheelchair - am thinking that is the best bet.

If I do so, how will screening be conducted as I am unable to stand on my two feet without the crutches? Ok, well with the crutches, I can only use one foot with the other elevated.

I assume I will get the "pat down" - I have a thick bandage over the wound on my leg. What is SOP for clearing this area?

If I wear pants, they won't see it - but if they do a patdown of that leg, it will cause significant pain and discomfort.

Not sure what the answers are, but I am considering re-scheduling this trip as I can't be bothered with the TSA and their crap with an injury.

Assuming I don't postpone, a couple questions not related to security:

One of my flights is on a CRJ and will not have any type of jet bridge in my arrival city. I'm not quite sure I can make it down the CRJ stairs with crutches.

Is it airline SOP to use an "Aisle Chair" and then somehow slide or carry the chair down the steps??

Will be making a few calls, but any advice or experience would be appreciated.

SDF_Traveler

Ouch, I hope you have a speedy recovery. Getting around on crutches makes for very strong hands and arms once you get off of them. Make sure they are properly adjusted for you.

Okay, traveling through TSA checkpoints. Here is what TSA says about that.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...eds/index.shtm

If you don't have any metal under your bandage (staples) then you shouldn't have any problems. The operative word is shouldn't. Since you're new on crutches, when you get to the airport get on board a wheelchair ASAP. You don't want to further injure yourself by falling over. That will get you boarded before anyone else. During checkin make sure you get a seat that allows you maximum comfort.

Take care of yourself and don't let TSA ride roughshod over you.

Sorry to hear of your injury. Good luck with TSA - the best advice I can offer is to stick to your guns about not standing up.

By all means request a wheelchair (in advance) and either request that they meet you where you are dropped off (assuming you're not driving!) or ask as soon as you get to the check-in counter.

Re the CRJ - when you call the airline to request the wheelchair, explain the situation. There are different categories for wheelchair assistance from, for example, quadriplegic (at one extreme) to "can walk short distances with crutches" or "can climb stairs" at the other. When they understand the extent of your mobility, they can describe the options for the particular aircraft/airport. Be very clear with the airline agent (and again with the wheelchair assistance when you get to the airport) about what you can and can't do. Be conservative; I said I could walk short distances and they assumed I could climb long flights of stairs!

You should be the first to board but the last to leave the airplane. Stay in your seat until the FA confirms that there's a wheelchair ready for you.

Confirm the same information for your return flight - don't assume it will carry through.

Best of luck.

Thanks for all the feedback.

Best I can do with respect to seating on the CRJ is a "seat request card" - even after advising I need an aisle, handicapped accessible seat. Requested wheel chair, said I can move somewhat on crutches if necessary, but I cannot do any stairs, including aircraft stairs as I'm certain there will not be a gate upon arrival with the CRJ - just the built-in stairs with a follow the marked path to the terminal and stairs going up to the departure level.

As it is, I'm having some trouble getting around house on the crutches as I get used to them -- and, yes, it is a good workout for the arms and hands -- but will see how things are in the morning, see if pain is up or down, if I can get the leg to hold some weight, and then decide to go or postpone.

No staples or metal with the dressing covering the wound - but it's painful enough that I will not let a TSO pat down over the dressing under any circumstances.

Looking at their SOP, it seems they're only supposed to pat down if there is an alarm -- but I wouldn't put it past them to do a full body pat down. I'm tempted to wear shorts so that the dressing & injury area is visible. This way they can visually observe, but I will not let them touch it under any circumstances. I can't easily remove shoes either, especially on the leg that was injured.

Will see what happens in the AM, but I will hold my ground. I'll happily get up on crutches for screening, but I won't stand on both feet or do anything that will subject me to pain, cause harm, or pro-long the injury.

I can't swear to the accuracy of this. My understanding is that using a wheelchair guarentees a massage. Alarming the WTMD, if using crutches and "walking," should get a wanding, if no alarm on your body you should not get a massage.

On this aspect (and I know the time is short) you might get more specific advice at the Disability Travel forum.

OP, can you report back how your trip went?

I've witnessed a number of people in wheelchairs going through security and they always seem to make them get up and walk through the "arch". I know some people need the chair because they can't walk very far but can do three or four steps to get through security so that's fine. But I've always wondered about people who can't walk AT ALL. Sounds like this is one of them. Did someone act as human crutches to assist you through the detector?

Woke up and I was able to apply minimal pressure on the leg - a huge step forward for me. I discovered I was bruised in a few other areas and soreness was setting in, but I was kind of expecting this.

As to what happened yesterday: I was in the attic doing DIY home improvement and lost balance; my lower body fell through the ceiling.

Ironically I was sealing air leaks when this happened - now I have a huge hole in the ceiling Looks like it'll be an easy fix - but most importantly, I was lucky that I didn't completely fall through and land on the floor below.

When I went through the ceiling, my right leg caught on one of the 4 x 2 beams which broke the fall and stopped me from going all the way through. I consider myself very lucky.

Anyway, took wheelchair to WTMD. Was able to get up with the help of crutches and a TSO. The TSOs worked with me and presented me with several options - I told them I could make the few steps through the metal detector bearing most weight on my left leg, as long as a TSO would stand on the other side of the arch who I could grab onto for balance.

It was completely my choice to get up and make the few steps - I figured it would be the easiest to clear. I was able to hop thru the arch ok on my left leg - I reached out to the TSO on the other end for balance and stability. No alarm on WTMD.

TSO helped me back to crutches - I did have a bag check called. I felt comfortable standing with the crutches to watch the TSO conduct the bag check.

After the bag check, I then went back to the wheelchair and was wheeled to the gate. As much as I dislike the TSA, I must give them a ^ ^ - very professional.

At the gate the flight was oversold and desperate for volunteers. I took the bait once they increased the DBC price to $400 (it started at $200). Agent allowed me to re-book for a later date at no cost.

From there I went home - this turned into a win-win for me and I'm now at home relaxing.

People who can't walk at all remain in their wheelchairs. They are patted down by hand, and the wheelchair is swabbed. The TSO is supposed to ask the person if s/he has any sensitive areas and if s/he would prefer a private screening.

At many (most?) airports, TSA keeps wooden canes on hand for people who need a little mobility support as they walk through the metal detector.