TSA Combined Thread (braces, ports, guests with disabilities and airport screening)

[KPeveler]

I completely agree with you.

I heard this morning that they apologized officially to the man with the ostomy, but have said they will not back off on what they are doing.
I understand the idea of safety, but what has happened to common sense?
If they were concerned that the man with the ostomy was trying to sneak a big bag of liquid in, why not let him go into a bathroom and empty the bag? Problem solved - no more liquid.

I think the biggest problem is that there is no training on this, or really any issue relating to people with medical conditions or disabilities who previously had no problem with metal detectors.

For example, I can walk enough that when the TSA agents allow, I walk through the metal detector and sit on the other side until my chair is ready for me. This allows them to scan and screen anything to their hearts content, turn the chair upside down, etc... I can STILL do this, and STILL stand long enough for the AIT scanners.

I cannot lift my right arm over my head.

I am pretty certain that the scanner will work just as well if I hold it out away from my body (so there is no chance of overlap), but I have not been able to lift my arm over my head for some years now...

If I asked TSA to let me try the scanner with my arm in a different position, they would have no idea what to do.

What makes it even worse is that they REALLY have no idea what to do with me for a pat down! I cannot stand long enough for the pat down (not even the legs/back/buttocks part - tried it several months ago and I have gotten worse since then), so they have to do it with me sitting down. I cannot hold in one position longer than 15 seconds, I cannot allow them to move my body (in fact, most DOCTORS are too afraid of hurting me to manipulate my limbs!!!), and I cannot sit on a plastic chair for them to scan my wheelchair cushion (which does, indeed, have gel in it).

Common sense would be to let me just do the AIT scan (I have no implanted medical devices) if I can (or at least try!) with my arm to the side instead of up in the air.

But because these rules were thrown together and there are no good guidelines for people with medical needs (not under the new policies anyway), things are suddenly much more complicated!

I don't like the idea of a body scanner, but since I receive on average 4 MRIs and about 12-20 x-rays a year, I am not too worried about radiation exposure! (in fact, I always joke with radiology techs that I am going to start glowing in the dark or stick to the fridge!)

On the other end of the spectrum, on a "bad day" with all the braces I have been prescribed, my feet, ankles, knees, back, hands, wrists, neck, and even sometimes elbows are covered, and they are not allowed to ask me to remove any of them. Plus I may need bladder protection (which feels like wearing a soft cup - i hate those things!). I really think just wearing football or hockey pads would be easier! I also bet they have NO idea what to do with those either!

I am not going to need a doctor's note - I am going to need a doctor's BOOK!

There HAD to be a way to get more information out there, both to travelers and to TSA agents.

 

[videogal1]

Can you post the link to the ACAA about the "credible verbal assurance." B/c it sounds like THAT will be important in a lot of disputes.

Well, "credible", like favorite ice cream flavors, is in the eye, or taste, of the beholder. It, like the trampling of personal rights in these cases mentioned, could easily be dismissed as irrelevant in cases of "national security."

 

[PatsMom]

I've got a leg bag and catheter and I've always explained it to the TSA. But with the new enhanced pat downs I'm worried. I'll be flying out a week from today so I guess I'll find out what happens then.

Tom did get an apology from the head of the TSA. He tried several times to tell them about the urostomy but they kept saying they didnt need to know his medical condition. When they began the pat down, he told them that the motion would dislodge the seal on his bag and they ignored him. Sure enough, the seal was broken and urine began dribbling out.

In the apology, Mr. Pistole asked Tom what he thought could be done to improve things. Tom indicated that the screeners needed more training on how to deal with ostomies and probably other physical conditions as well.

One thing that is important to note is that Tom is not asking for any compensation, just the apology that he got and a promise of better training and better procedures for private screening. No one should have to walk crying through the airport with urine all over his pants and shirt.

I do follow the message boards for the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network and so far no one else is reporting an experience as bad as Tom's. But not many of us have travelled. Because of the liquid in the bag, I think you will always flunk the scan and be pulled aside for a patdown. One person reported being required to handle her bag and then having her hands tested for explosives.

 

[Bete]

My mom is normally in a wheelchair on vacation, but at home she can get by with a walker. If I hold my mother's hand she can get enough balance to stand for a short time.

Would I be allowed after I do my own airport scan to hold my mom up in this manner for her to get the body scan?

 

[disney david]

My mom is normally in a wheelchair on vacation, but at home she can get by with a walker. If I hold my mother's hand she can get enough balance to stand for a short time.

Would I be allowed after I do my own airport scan to hold my mom up in this manner for her to get the body scan?

I would opt out of the scanner and have them do the pat down i hate to say that because you wouldnt be able to hold her up and i would not want her to get hurt. She would have to stand their with her arms up the turn around again with her hands up. Tsa will have her go through the pat down if she choosen to go thrugh the scanner you would be ablw to go with her to get the pat down but not allowed to touch while they are patern her down. But she might not have to worry because she might not be chosen to go throught the scanner or get patted down be safe. Happy thanks giving to you and your family.

 

[olwyngdh]

My mom is normally in a wheelchair on vacation, but at home she can get by with a walker. If I hold my mother's hand she can get enough balance to stand for a short time.

Would I be allowed after I do my own airport scan to hold my mom up in this manner for her to get the body scan?

I doubt it because once you are cleared, you can't touch someone who hasn't been yet. I am not even sure that they would allow your Mom to go first and let you help her then.

I know even in the metal detectors, I haven't been allowed to have anyone help with my balance, and they always take my cane and run it through the scanner. Most airports have had loaner canes that I could use to get through the metal detectors, but I am not sure what will happen with the new scanners since you are supposed to be holding your hands over your head.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I can't imagine any reason why they would select someone who can not get into the proper position for one of the WBI scans. Doesn't someone in a wheel chair have to be patted down? Why bother with a scan?

 

[Bell30012]

What about small children? Are parents allowed to carry them?

 

[CPT Tripss]

If Tom is satisfied by Pistole's apology, that's good. But I think it is fair to criticize Pistole's timing - two weeks after the incident and several days after media attention.

As far as positioning for an AIT. Be careful - in efforts to be helpful, TSAers reportedly try to assit passengers into the correct position by moving limbs. Hurts like the dickens when my PT assists too much . . . no way I'll let a TSaer do that.

 

[KPeveler]

As far as positioning for an AIT. Be careful - in efforts to be helpful, TSAers reportedly try to assit passengers into the correct position by moving limbs. Hurts like the dickens when my PT assists too much . . . no way I'll let a TSaer do that.

This goes for pat downs as well.

I want TSA to give me more information to go on so that I can accurately explain my needs to TSA without making it sound like I am trying to be "difficult" or cause trouble, or try to get out of this... I may not agree with the scanners/pat downs for personal/idealogical reasons, but if I do have to fly (since I live in CA and the only neurosurgeon in the country willing to treat people like me is in MD, flying is a real possibility), I want to make it go as smoothly and safely as possible.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

It's 2 sides butting heads and for stupid reasons. The TSA agents need training on disabilities and handicaps and medical devices and as it seems, sensitivity. TSA will say "of course our agents are aware and concerned for everyone's safety, hence our increased security procedures, but in the interest of moving everyone through the security lines in a timely manner sometimes our agents need to resolve issues on their own" blah blah blah or something like that. Unfortunately, I really doubt anything will change anytime soon, and it won't be til someone threatens a lawsuit or gets hurt like I said. The TSA won't change without that because it'll make them look incompenent, and when they do change they'll say whatever system they come up with was really always in place, but the agents weren't properly made aware of them.

Really...I get it, I want to be safe flying and so does everyone else but geez what a headache!!!

 

[disney david]

What about small children? Are parents allowed to carry them?

no they must stand their on their own you wnt be able to hold or touch them for the scanners or pat down but you are allowed to be near them. they cant seprate you from your kids but you might still be like 5 feet with them in eye sight. Everyone needs to be able to stand on their own to use the scaners if they cant then they have to get the pats down. I now it be hard t get alittle kid to stan still for a couple seconds and have to stand their the wa tsa tells them.

 

[visitingapril09]

I am watching all of this very carefully and hope that things are a bit ironed out by the time we travel in March. My son has 3 different 'medical devices' that are apart of his body. He is in a wheelchair, in diapers and will have an oxygen concentor for flight. We have a box of medications, some liquid, that will be coming with us also. ..........and we have a daughter with an insulin pump etc. So two of the 6 of us will need extra screening for sure. We fly at 8:30am and my plan is to be at Security by 5am JUST in case it is slow!

 

[iuki]

but a man has a million dollar law case in the works over this issue, already. He has titanium knees and some other mechanical parts. After a scan and a pat down the alarm was still going off. He explained until he was blue in the face about his body issues. The agent expected him to go in a special room and completely undress; he refused. He said he did enough and tried to explain his medical condition again. Anyway, they would not let him fly. He was on his way to make a deal for his business and sign a contract; you guessed it; it was worth a million dollars.

I suspect if this keeps up we will see car driving for vacations on the rise. I wish we could all boycott the airlines for a while, then all of a sudden there would be a better solution. Anyway, AAA is saying this will be the biggest driving year over the Thanksgiving holiday.

I'm afraid we are in for a bad situation, here; until, some of these lawsuits get won by individuals.

When passengers have medical issues, I believe the TSA should provide an RN with a private medical office at the airport to process these individuals.

 

[KPeveler]

When passengers have medical issues, I believe the TSA should provide an RN with a private medical office at the airport to process these individuals.

An RN would not be able to see anything, would legally have to document it (as a medical exam - it's the law), and it would take FOREVER.

Trust me, I have found ONE nurse in the last 5 years who knew what my condition was.

I thought per the ACAA and ADA we did not have to have proof, just a competent verbal assurance.

I would NEVER submit to a strip search by TSA due to a medical condition. They are NOT law enforcement personnel and they are NOT a doctor.

 

[seashoreCM]

All of us and not just the affected person should share in the costs and inconvenience related to medical issues.

To accomplish this we pay compensation.

Since the number of incidents is tiny, all of us really won't feel it in our taxes.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

This is a very interesting and informative thread.

 

[Eeyore5]

OP here. I am back and thought I would share my experience. At the MSP airport I was at terminal 2 (the smaller one). As far as I could tell they didn't have the new scanners. I went through the medial detector and then my hands and braces were swabbed. Coming back they had me use the back scatter device. That was all they needed to clear me. I left my shoes and braces on at both places.

 

[docusmc1]

Follow up on my trip on Wednesday, security at ABE a small airport nothing new in TSA's approach to new security. Went to wheelchair area and they did the normal pat down as before swabbed chair, cushion, shoes and hands just as before. Used back of hand from private areas and it was very quick.

Will post on my next leg which is Saturday from CMH to MCO. As I understand they have the new machines and procedures are in place and the news stations said there were delays on Wednesday. My wife is not to thrilled about the enhanced security or the new scanners.

So until my next post good luck and fly safe.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks to docusmc1 and Eeyore5 for your reports.

OP here. I am back and thought I would share my experience. At the MSP airport I was at terminal 2 (the smaller one). As far as I could tell they didn't have the new scanners. I went through the medial detector and then my hands and braces were swabbed. Coming back they had me use the back scatter device. That was all they needed to clear me. I left my shoes and braces on at both places.

As far as I have heard on the news, the smaller terminal (I can't call it Terminal 2, it's still Humphrey Terminal to me - LOL) does not have one of the new scanners.
I believe the other terminal (Lindberg, Terminal 1) only has one of the new scanners.

The TSA has a link to this story on their official blog:
TSA apologizes to Michigan Man for Pat Down

The blog also includes a recommendation for passengers with disabilities to contact one of their Customer Service Managers
prior to travel to coordinate their screening before travel so their needs can be met.
And, if you want to complain or make a compliment, there is a feedback form on the page. So, it does sound like they are taking feedback seriously.

This is a direct link to the TSA blog area with posts about passengers with disabilities.
It includes 2 stories about why they screen wheelchairs/passengers with wheelchair. It also indicates that the TSA works with a coalition of over 70 disability related groups who have assisted TSA in writing their policies for passengers with disabilities to help make sure people are thoroughly screened, but also treated with dignity and respect (their words).
I don't know whether or not the new patdown rules were brought to this coalition group or not, but if they did it in the past, there is good chance they will work on it in the future. But, if they did include the coalition of people with disabilities, it's still possible that they did not include a broad enough group of people (for example, a group of paraplegics who do straight catheterization would not have knowledge of urostomy bags). And, even with the best advice from disability groups, the people doing the actual screening would still need to be educated appropriately.