Airport security with walking boot

[pdz]

Does anyone know if I will have to take my walking boot off to go through security at MCO?

 

[Starwind]

I cannot speak specifically to MCO or TSA requirements, however I can tell you about my experience with a walking boot and Canadian airport security [which for many other things is very similar to US airport security in their requirements].

At the time, per doctor's instructions I was allowed to take the boot off to do things like shower and sleep, but otherwise while doing any walking it was to be on.

Therefore, at security I left the boot on.

At the magnetrometer, I was asked if I could walk without the boot. I said "No". They then asked if I was able to take it off if I am sitting down, and I said "Yes". They said not a problem and explained they have a process I will go through, which will include a pat down.

They had me go through the magnetrometer. It went off. They wanded me. They then did a body pat down. Then they had me sit in a chair and take the walking boot off. BTW, while I was standing for the pat down they asked and made sure I was ok with standing.

They took the walking boot over and put it in a tray and put it through the xray, then swabbed it, then brought it back to me.

While I was seated and they were taking the walking boot for its little journey, they finished the pat down of the area that had been in the boot -- they asked where the injury was and were careful around it. I offered to just take the sock off but they said I didn't have to [probably good for all of us, since it can get pretty stinky in the boot!!].

Then I put the boot on and was cleared to go. As I was putting it on they said no rush, take as much time as I need.

I did ask what happens if the person can't take the boot off, and they said they have a process for that too.

You could contact TSA Cares and ask them what to expect:

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support

 

[Starwind]

TSA has information on their website for passengers with "Prosthesis, Cast, Support Brace, Sling, Support Appliance" (choose that from the dropdown on this page: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures )

 

[Evita_W]

I cannot speak specifically to MCO or TSA requirements, however I can tell you about my experience with a walking boot and Canadian airport security [which for many other things is very similar to US airport security in their requirements].

At the time, per doctor's instructions I was allowed to take the boot off to do things like shower and sleep, but otherwise while doing any walking it was to be on.

Therefore, at security I left the boot on.

At the magnetrometer, I was asked if I could walk without the boot. I said "No". They then asked if I was able to take it off if I am sitting down, and I said "Yes". They said not a problem and explained they have a process I will go through, which will include a pat down.

They had me go through the magnetrometer. It went off. They wanded me. They then did a body pat down. Then they had me sit in a chair and take the walking boot off. BTW, while I was standing for the pat down they asked and made sure I was ok with standing.

They took the walking boot over and put it in a tray and put it through the xray, then swabbed it, then brought it back to me.

While I was seated and they were taking the walking boot for its little journey, they finished the pat down of the area that had been in the boot -- they asked where the injury was and were careful around it. I offered to just take the sock off but they said I didn't have to [probably good for all of us, since it can get pretty stinky in the boot!!].

Then I put the boot on and was cleared to go. As I was putting it on they said no rush, take as much time as I need.

I did ask what happens if the person can't take the boot off, and they said they have a process for that too.

You could contact TSA Cares and ask them what to expect:

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support

Wish TSA was this friendly........lol

In all reality, we have had some very nice TSA agents and some very rude ones.

 

[mamabunny]

Does anyone know if I will have to take my walking boot off to go through security at MCO?

Remember if your boot has air bladders in it (that you squeeze or pump to inflate/deflate) that during cabin pressurization they may spontaneously inflate, causing (potentially) severe pain from the rapid inflation, and the "squeezing" of your injury.

You may want to plan for wheelchair assistance to/from the gates at each airport you pass through, and be prepared to rent an ECV at WDW. The average Guest at WDW walks between 3 & 10 miles *per day*; unless you are used to that at home, it can impact your personal comfort (pain) levels and potentially your healing as well. Be sure to speak with your doctor prior to the trip.

 

[tlovesdis]

No but you will have to have extra screening. I had a boot on when I was there last month and it just took a few extra minutes. They wand it and swipe it with some wet wipe looking thing. This happened at SFO and MCO during my trip!

 

[kanne323]

I cannot speak specifically to MCO or TSA requirements, however I can tell you about my experience with a walking boot and Canadian airport security [which for many other things is very similar to US

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support

My experience with TSA was much like what you described at three different airports. I was able to take it off while sitting, so the procedure went pretty much how you described it. I was still using crutches with the boot at that time, and I can't remember what each airport had me do about that. This was several years ago. I had a wheelchair assist through each airport that brought me directly to security. I was able to walk a few steps without the crutches (I was partial weight-bearing at the time), so I'm pretty sure I walked through the scanner with boot on (I couldn't put weight on the foot without the boot on) and then grabbed the crutches, went to the wheelchair and removed the boot. They never touched my foot; I did wear a thin sock instead of the thicker, softer type I usually wore with the boot, and then added a thicker sock after security when I put the boot back on.

I flew about 3.5 weeks after surgery- my ankle did swell quite a bit. I brought empty gallon sized ziplock bags and asked for ice at Starbucks after security at each airport, and used that as ice packs. It helped immensely! I also contacted the airline ahead of time and arranged for a wheelchair, which also helped, particularly at O'Hare, where the gate was changed three times in an hour and I wouldn't have been able to handle all of that walking. At each gate, I requested early boarding so I wouldn't have to deal with stepping over anything/having to stand waiting.

 

[tinkerbellmamma]

I just wanted to thank you for posting about this, I am in a walking boot and wondering how it was going to be to travel with it. As others have said, it can be removed but I have been instructed not to walk without it so hopefully they can have me sit and wand it or walk through the scanner with it.

 

[mindy lou]

Flew in and out of MCO in the past 2.5 weeks, with DS (15) in a walking boot. Like many previous posters, he can take a few steps without crutches, with the boot on. Our home airport is small, so he didn't use a wheelchair and just used his crutches. Just before the machine they asked him if he could walk a few steps without the crutches, he replied yes. Had he said no they would have given him a wooden cane to use. He used crutches up until the machine, then DH took the crutches and put them through the x-ray machine. DS walked through the machine, then they had him sit down almost immediately while they wanded and wiped his boot. I grabbed his crutches and we proceeded on our way. He never had to take his boot off. MCO was essentially the same, although we did use a wheelchair (that DH pushed) and therefore the accessible line. But, they still asked if he could walk a few steps, he walked through the machine, crutches through xray machine, wand and wiped boot etc.

They did have him take his other shoe off in both locations, which definitely made the walking a little more challenging.

Good luck!