Security and Little Ones

[vicarrieous]

This will be our first flight with kids. We have a 5 and 2 1/2 year old.

How do airports handle security with little kids? We will be able to go through with them? Do you do one parent then send kid one by one with one parent hanging back.

I am probably over thinking this!

 

[Disneyfanatic108]

We started flying when our kids were 6 months, 4, and 7. We would send one adult through and then the kids. If they can communicate well, the security person who checks the tickets will generally ask their age. We have never had any problems with security and the kids.

 

[DebbieB]

This will be our first flight with kids. We have a 5 and 2 1/2 year old.

How do airports handle security with little kids? We will be able to go through with them? Do you do one parent then send kid one by one with one parent hanging back.

I am probably over thinking this!

Here's some info:

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures/traveling-children

 

[tabrizia]

I do this frequently, when traveling with 2 adults, yes send one adult through first, then the kids, then the other adult. They also will not have to take off their shoes, which makes it easier when you are through security and most of the time you will got through the regular x-ray machine.


When I go solo with my 3, I send the 8 year old through, the 6 year old through and then the 4 year old through before I go through.

 

[kj2mom]

You are wise to think ahead. I usually over think everything but unfortunately I did not do that in regards to security and my poor 4 year old (at the time kids did need to remove their shoes) cried and cried and cried over his shoes. I felt sooo bad but thought enough ahead on the way home to prepare him. If there are 2 adults I would definitely do adult, child, child, adult but if not I would probably go first so they could see what to expect.

 

[Baklava]

This is reassuring. I'm traveling with an autistic 5 year old and TSA is the thing I worry most about.

Are the scanners loud, bright or in any way high on the sensory input? She doesn't do loud noises well without prep.

 

[Lori74]

we've always had good experience with tsa and our kids. they usually ask the kids how old they are, and let our younger one go through metal detector first, and then one of us behind go through, they usually watch the kids while we go through, and are aware of their safety (as far as running off) and our older kids sometimes go through the body scanner line with one of us as well. we've flown many times over the years and have not had any issues. have a great trip!

 

[Gracie09]

the ones you would use with a child are normal metal detectors. The area is usually a bit chaotic with people and luggage moving around. It can be overwhelming. If I am by myself with the kids i will send them through first telling them to march like soldiers (they can't touch the sides of the metal detectors) to the tsa agent on the other side, that way if there is an issue I am there if they have to go through again. IF I am with DH, we split up each taking a kid (one time they made him go through the regular line with the stroller while I had the kids in the family line then gave him a hard time for having a stroller and no kids).

 

[goofy4tink]

I always recommend practicing with little ones before heading to the airport. You can set up a table and put a big box on it, with openings on each end. Then, have the kids put their stuff up on the table. Someone can pull the stuff through. While this is happening, have them walk through a nearby doorway, pretending it's the body scanner. Show them what will happen then....they go directly to the other parent, or older child, and then collect their belongings after it all comes out of the 'box'. Explain that it will be noisy, and there will be a lot of people rushing around, but they don't need to rush around too...they can take their time and not get worried.

 

[Lori74]

This is reassuring. I'm traveling with an autistic 5 year old and TSA is the thing I worry most about.

Are the scanners loud, bright or in any way high on the sensory input? She doesn't do loud noises well without prep.

i haven't noticed any brightness, but there is a bell/buzzer when metal goes through detector, i didn't think it was too loud, maybe a bit louder than a scanner at a grocery store? i don't really think security is any more noisy or disruptive as the rest of the airport. i know some of the announcements through the airport are kinda loud. sometimes the crowds can be overwhelming as well. i'm sorry i'm not familiar with autism, hope this helps!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

This is reassuring. I'm traveling with an autistic 5 year old and TSA is the thing I worry most about.

Are the scanners loud, bright or in any way high on the sensory input? She doesn't do loud noises well without prep.

They are metal detectors; they don't make any noise.

If you are concerned, call TSA Cares. More info here:

https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2...res-toll-free-helpline-travelers-disabilities

 

[Unas]

This is reassuring. I'm traveling with an autistic 5 year old and TSA is the thing I worry most about.

Are the scanners loud, bright or in any way high on the sensory input? She doesn't do loud noises well without prep.

How does she deal with people in uniforms yelling a lot?

 

[Baklava]

i haven't noticed any brightness, but there is a bell/buzzer when metal goes through detector, i didn't think it was too loud, maybe a bit louder than a scanner at a grocery store? i don't really think security is any more noisy or disruptive as the rest of the airport. i know some of the announcements through the airport are kinda loud. sometimes the crowds can be overwhelming as well. i'm sorry i'm not familiar with autism, hope this helps!

Well, every kid with autism is different, so it's doubly hard to guess. It's noises that are loud, close and sudden that stress her. She's good with fireworks, but not slamming doors. There's a point at which we can't remove all problems but we do like to warn her in advance when we can.

They are metal detectors; they don't make any noise.

If you are concerned, call TSA Cares. More info here:

https://www.tsa.gov/news/releases/2...res-toll-free-helpline-travelers-disabilities

That's excellent, thank you!

How does she deal with people in uniforms yelling a lot?

Probably badly. Being yelled at is not a large part of her world. Even if they're just yelling in general (I certainly hope they would not yell *at* a small child) it will probably be a source of difficulty. We'll keep her in ear protection as much as possible.

 

[dvcmom14]

It's not so bad with kids. They don't have to take off their shoes and the TSA agent checking boarding passes will usually ask them their names, ages and ask who I am (to make sure I'm not kidnapping them, I guess). Sometimes they ask where they're going, but I think that's just them making conversation, honestly. We've got 2 girls (7 & 8) and we've never had an issue flying with them. One adult goes through, waits on the other side of the metal detector, then we send the kids, then the other adult goes through. No biggie, honestly.

 

[Gracie09]

How does she deal with people in uniforms yelling a lot?

My children have never been yelled at by a tsa agent. Have they raised their voices to be heard by the people at the back of the line, yes, but have never yelled directly at my child.

 

[bumbershoot]

Are the scanners loud, bright or in any way high on the sensory input? She doesn't do loud noises well without prep.

There are many, many people, and it's at a busy airport. Is there any way you could go on a field trip to the airport and see the non-secure side? At our airport (Seatac) you could have a nice time there having a little food, a hot chocolate, stand around, watching TSA. I've done it when picking up DH, actually, when he's making his way through the airport.

Explain that it will be noisy, and there will be a lot of people rushing around, but they don't need to rush around too...they can take their time and not get worried.

Yes. And I think the "rush around" part is so important. WE don't need to rush (especially if we've given ourselves plenty of time). We don't want to be in the way of anyone, but we don't have to rush or be frantic.

We'll keep her in ear protection as much as possible.

Good idea. If foam earplugs work those can be nice. If they ask to have them taken out, then do so, but I'd go into it with the earplugs in and see what happens.


And for *you*, OP (and others with questions), give yourselves LOTS of time. Have activities for once you're beyond security; find out what restaurants there might be open, have books, etc. That way if you get through TSA easily and quickly, you're not bored. And while going through security, keep a smile on your face. Dress simply (and wear SOCKS!!!!! I keep forgetting to and it's gross!!!!!), pay attention to what's going on around you. Perhaps have one parent focused on what's going on around you, and one parent focused on the kids so nothing gets missed. Communicate with the other parent, don't assume anything. Count people, count bags. (know how many bags you have!!!) Lots of communication. Make things as easy as possible for the grownups (watches, big jewelry, etc already in the carryon, soft fabrics, easy-off shoes, etc) so that as much attention can be paid to the TSA people and the kids.

There are only 3 of us and I'm constantly counting things while traveling. Bags, coats, people, shoes, etc.

 

[Baklava]

These are all excellent tips and I'm grateful. A field trip to the airport is a little tricky, but it might be worth the hassle. And I have a bizarre fondness for airports.

We will leave ourselves plenty of time.

Ear plugs are a no-go so far, so we'll stick to her coverings.

We plan to carry wipes since hand sanitizer is just one more liquid. We have the blessing of three adults to one child. (Boy counts as an adult. He'll be 18 and he's reliable.) I may tag our bags, "1 of X, 2 of X" just to prevent "how many bags did we have?"

We're overplanners rather than underplanners, so I think we'll be okay. I'm just a little worried about the little one and her first air travel. All the freaking out her big brother didn't do is catching up to me.

 

[Jake06]

I was traveling with my little guy that has Ds. Security had him go through the scanner first, he was not a good walker at the time and touched both sides of the scanner. This set off all kinds of sirens and he got scared and took off running! I froze, not sure what to do. I wanted to take off after him but I had not been through the scanner yet and was afraid I would get in trouble. The TSA person yells at me to run after him and bring him back! We both had to go through again and this time they made me pick him up, hold his arms and carry him through. At the time I was so shaken but now we look back at it and laugh! The rest of my family witnessed this as they had us in one line and them in another. Needless to say I dread going through security with him to this day...

 

[NotUrsula]

Where it can get complicated is if the first parent through gets chosen for add'l screening. If that happens, that parent may disappear from the child's line of sight and not be standing directly on the other side of the scanner. To compensate for this, what we normally did when the kids were little was to let Parent A go through well ahead, with 4-5 other passengers between Parent A and the first child in your party. That way, if there is any issue, Parent A should finish with the screening and be back waiting at the end of the line by the time the child comes through.

If you are going to do this, talk about it and practice it in advance in some other kind of line, such as at the movies; otherwise your child is likely to get upset at the idea that "Daddy is leaving us behind!" (And yes, I've also had it happen when traveling alone with my child; and been told to leave the line and leave the child where he cannot see me at all. Not good, and it has to be handled very carefully so as not to make a bad situation worse. Make it VERY clear to your children that if Mommy or Daddy is being pulled aside and wanded, they are to stand back and NOT to try to touch that parent until the officer finishes and lets him/her come back to the main line. (If a child runs over and touches you while you are being wanded/patted down, BOTH of you get to do the entire process all over again.)

Oh, and one other thing: right before you enter the security line, take the family to the side and do a "turn out your pockets" check on all of the children. (And have Dad empty his pocket contents ahead of time into a baggie for his carryon, so he can better concentrate on keeping track of Jr.) I've seen kids wanded many times because they have slipped something like a Hotwheels car into a pocket without Mom or Dad knowing, often after finding it in the back seat of the car on the way to the airport. This is also a good time to "tuck in" any stuffed animals in a carryon bag, as they cannot be carried through security, and kids often find it traumatic to be forced to let go of a "friend" to have it travel through that rattle-y security equipment all alone.

Baklava, I'm a bit concerned when you mention "ear coverings". My DS also hates loud noises and prefers to cover his ears or wear earbuds, but anytime he forgets to take such gadgets off before going through security, it earns him an enhanced screening. She may get through with foam or silicone plugs inside her ears, but anything visible on the outside of her head will almost surely have to be removed and placed in her carryon bag before going through the scanners. A hooded jacket or sweater will not work, either; they will insist that be removed, or wand her if she won't take it off.

 

[hardis5]

Our last flight, they had our youngest (5) go through just the metal detector alone ahead of the DW and would you not know (and I didn't) there is an automatic trigger every so many passengers and our little one was the unlucky one that required a pat down. They could not change the random chosen one and he started to cry thinking he had done something wrong as he was pulled aside. The agent was calm and consoling to him saying he did not do anything wrong and the other nice man (called over) was going to make everything alright. We needed to give our consent to he being patted down which was done quickly and after he was fine. We told him they do checks to make sure everything is working and he helped them out.