Does it help to have doctor notes for the TSA process?

[Bete]

I'm preparing for a trip at the end of the month. I'll be heading for the doctor for my mom in the middle of the month before we go.

Anyway, my thinking is that it couldn't hurt to have some paper work from the doctor on his stationary just in case there may be an issue.

My mom has metal rods in one arm. I have stuff in me, too.

If I don't have to use it that's fine.

I'm just curious if this has actually helped anyone or does it not make a difference for those who have done it, too?

 

[Mrsjvb]

mental rods?! heheheheh

no idea what TSA requires all my hardware is on the outside and easily visible

 

[videogal1]

I'm preparing for a trip at the end of the month. I'll be heading for the doctor for my mom in the middle of the month before we go.

Anyway, my thinking is that it couldn't hurt to have some paper work from the doctor on his stationary just in case there may be an issue.

My mom has metal rods in one arm. I have stuff in me, too.

If I don't have to use it that's fine.

I'm just curious if this has actually helped anyone or does it not make a difference for those who have done it, too?

They won't look at paperwork. They'll isolate the area with the wand or in the scanner so don't bother.

 

[SueM in MN]

I will combine your questions and write more tonight.

But, if you both have metal implants, neither one of you will be going thru the metal detector since you will set it off.
Some people prefer to have a letter that says they have metal implants, but as the other posters mentioned, TSA really doesn't want to look at letters. You need to tell them you have implants and where they are and then they will scan/examine those areas.

 

[WheelieBigDisFan]

The TSA doesn't care much about cards or letters. If you set off their equipment you are "suspect" just like others they profile (yet they claim they don't profile...COME ON!). My suggestion is that if your mom can walk and has TITANIUM implants she can go through the metal detector without much risk of setting it off and being pulled aside for secondary screening. If your implant is stainless steel I would advise the security guard because you will not be able to go through the metal detector and will have to get the "pat down" or go through a full body screener if available.

As far as your external hardware the type of screening will depend on the type of "hardware" you have and if you can safely remove it for screening. If say you had a back brace that was cloth, hard plastic and velcro, you could safely go through the metal detector without setting off the alarm, but the TSA agent would likely ask you to raise your shirt slightly to see that it is indeed a Back brace (and probably swab it to make sure there were no trace detectives of explosives). Once this is confirmed you will be free to go. Lets say now that you had a knee brace that you couldn't remove because without the brace your knee is severely unstable, or that you had an AFO (ankle foot orthosis) to keep your foot from dragging on the ground as you walk. By law the TSA can not REQUIRE you to remove these, so they may require you to go for a full pat down if you set off the detectors (or do not qualify for the full body scanner since an "anomaly" will show no matter what that they will have to "resolve").
Good luck to you and your mother. I know you will both have fun.
Mandy

 

[dzorn]

I'm preparing for a trip at the end of the month. I'll be heading for the doctor for my mom in the middle of the month before we go.

Anyway, my thinking is that it couldn't hurt to have some paper work from the doctor on his stationary just in case there may be an issue.

My mom has metal rods in one arm. I have stuff in me, too.

If I don't have to use it that's fine.

I'm just curious if this has actually helped anyone or does it not make a difference for those who have done it, too?

Not needed. Why would TSA believe something that could so easily be faked?

Denise in MI

 

[disney david]

let them know before you go through the machine their take both of you to get screened. here is the tsa web site this will let you know everything you need to know.


http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/index.shtm

here some tips and rights from tsa to make screening easier

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1567.shtm

hopes this helps if you need more info you can write them they will write you back or ask here we all glad to help.

 

[jdb in AZ]

DH has titanium knees and they're enough to set off the wanding or any other scanner. His dr gave him a laminated official looking card that says he's bionic, but the card wouldn't make a bit of difference to the TSA so he doesn't bother to show it at airports.

 

[Bete]

I don't have metal implants; so, from the way it's sounding I think I might be ok with the regular process. If it's only metal then I think I might be all right.

My mom is not mobile; she'll be in a wheelchair. She has Alzheimer's; she incontinent. She has older metal implants in her arm from the 1960s; so, I doubt if they are titanium. She can use a walker around the house, but I don't believe she could stand long enough without a walker supporting her for the regular TSA process. I certainly don't need her to fall; she's somewhat fragile.

The doctor's medical note would be part of a prescription sheet; so, it would be very professional looking stationary explaining her situation including Alzheimer's. I'm trying not to be detained too much, either. I know we have to do it; I'm just hoping this might help make it easier to have notes and/or the TSA cards. Since their own website has TSA cards for medical reasons; wouldn't a doctor's note help, too? I just want to make the experience as easy as possible.

I haven't flown in 8 years and all of this is scaring me to a degree. It's not enough to call off the trip kind of scare, but enough to make me anxious. I'm more of a visual person and I think that's making me a little touchy, here. I'm concerned about being separated from mom too long, too while I'm doing it the regular way and she needs a pat down. I'll have 2 back packs and some loose items too round up, too while all of this is going on. I don't want my mom having a panic attack; she's 90 and this is her first flight. I feel like there's enough to get through without adding more problems. I want to do everything in my power to make this easier and better.

It's not sounding like this doctor note will help much. I was some what wondering if this did help anyone. I look at it as a safety precaution, too; incase, the TSA starts giving me a hard time for whatever especially with my mom having Alzheimer's. She could start swearing and screaming, for example. I don't think this would go over too well with the TSA.

Thanks again every one.

 

[bidnow5]

I wear a support with metal stays I asked if a doctors note would help the process and was told no they might look at it as a courtesy but it doesn't make a difference they can't go by a piece of paper. I tell them before I go thru the detector and I always end up in a little room for a search

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I would just be very clear and up front verbally with the TSA agents about your mother's issues. If she can't stand long enough to walk through either a metal detector or the new machines then she'll get a pat down anyway. You won't be able to touch her at this point, but can definitely stand near her. I always get my pat downs just in the normal security area (rather than privately) and when with other people this has always put me within line of sight of the rest of my party while they gather up the carry-ons that have gone through the machine.

I would suggest pulling anything out of the bags that you think might require an extra search before they go through the machine as that will save you time.

In my experience, the longest part of the security process is waiting for them to get a female TSA agent over who can pat me down, but I fly often enough (3-4 times a year) that I'm very familiar with the process.

I will give a heads up that after several trips of not quite as intense pat downs, my most recent ones have been more thorough. One of my friends at a conference I was at last week suggested that it had to do with the terror alert being higher again so you might want to keep an eye on that. Also, keep in mind that anywhere they can see skin, they don't have to pat down so if she's willing to wear short sleeves (just through security) that will save some time (I also tend to wear short skirts, but I'm guessing that's not practical/comfortable for her).

 

[videogal1]

The doctor's medical note would be part of a prescription sheet; so, it would be very professional looking stationary explaining her situation including Alzheimer's. I'm trying not to be detained too much, either. I know we have to do it; I'm just hoping this might help make it easier to have notes and/or the TSA cards. Since their own website has TSA cards for medical reasons; wouldn't a doctor's note help, too? I just want to make the experience as easy as possible.

I haven't flown in 8 years and all of this is scaring me to a degree. It's not enough to call off the trip kind of scare, but enough to make me anxious. I'm more of a visual person and I think that's making me a little touchy, here. I'm concerned about being separated from mom too long, too while I'm doing it the regular way and she needs a pat down. I'll have 2 back packs and some loose items too round up, too while all of this is going on. I don't want my mom having a panic attack; she's 90 and this is her first flight. I feel like there's enough to get through without adding more problems. I want to do everything in my power to make this easier and better.

It's not sounding like this doctor note will help much. I was some what wondering if this did help anyone. I look at it as a safety precaution, too; incase, the TSA starts giving me a hard time for whatever especially with my mom having Alzheimer's. She could start swearing and screaming, for example. I don't think this would go over too well with the TSA.

Thanks again every one.

I had a Dr. note..As well as a prescription and an official laminated card that was designed by and provided by the manufacturer that explained my implant (when I had one). Showing it the last time I flew with the implant was useless and counterproductive. They simply do not care. They do not want to waste the time...(Think of a cattle chute.) There is no way for them to verify that the card is real. This situation is not under your control and what happens is a roll of the dice. You could go to the airport early and speak to the airport staff about your situation but basically you are under the whimsical purview of the TSA not the staff of your airline. If you get too stressed out you will not able to help or comfort your mom so be prepared for your own brand of adventure. They have checked baby diapers no matter if the baby is screaming its head off. They are not interested in diverging from their routines just because someone has a problem with their rules and regulations. Don't argue, don't try and protect your mom from the TSA. Just go for it as quickly as possible and get it over with. If they can toss out hair gel and feel up a 7-year old without the passenger's permission an elderly lady will just have no impact on their routine regardless of the consequences.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I would just be very clear and up front verbally with the TSA agents about your mother's issues. If she can't stand long enough to walk through either a metal detector or the new machines then she'll get a pat down anyway. You won't be able to touch her at this point, but can definitely stand near her. I always get my pat downs just in the normal security area (rather than privately) and when with other people this has always put me within line of sight of the rest of my party while they gather up the carry-ons that have gone through the machine.

I would suggest pulling anything out of the bags that you think might require an extra search before they go through the machine as that will save you time.

In my experience, the longest part of the security process is waiting for them to get a female TSA agent over who can pat me down, but I fly often enough (3-4 times a year) that I'm very familiar with the process.

I will give a heads up that after several trips of not quite as intense pat downs, my most recent ones have been more thorough. One of my friends at a conference I was at last week suggested that it had to do with the terror alert being higher again so you might want to keep an eye on that. Also, keep in mind that anywhere they can see skin, they don't have to pat down so if she's willing to wear short sleeves (just through security) that will save some time (I also tend to wear short skirts, but I'm guessing that's not practical/comfortable for her).

This is a well stated description.

I had a Dr. note..As well as a prescription and an official laminated card that was designed by and provided by the manufacturer that explained my implant (when I had one). Showing it the last time I flew with the implant was useless and counterproductive. They simply do not care. They do not want to waste the time...(Think of a cattle chute.) There is no way for them to verify that the card is real. This situation is not under your control and what happens is a roll of the dice. You could go to the airport early and speak to the airport staff about your situation but basically you are under the whimsical purview of the TSA not the staff of your airline. If you get too stressed out you will not able to help or comfort your mom so be prepared for your own brand of adventure. They have checked baby diapers no matter if the baby is screaming its head off. They are not interested in diverging from their routines just because someone has a problem with their rules and regulations. Don't argue, don't try and protect your mom from the TSA. Just go for it as quickly as possible and get it over with. If they can toss out hair gel and feel up a 7-year old without the passenger's permission an elderly lady will just have no impact on their routine regardless of the consequences.

As for the "cattle chute" line . . . it's on target. Too bad The Airport Security Screening agency could get someone as talented as Temple Grandin to do design work for them!

Don't argue may be good advice. Definately stay calm. But, DO protect your mother. If any Airport Security Screener makes a request that would be dangerous or painful for Mom, tell them "No." If that request turns into a demand, make them get a supervisor over.

Stay with your Mom at all times. Do not go into any back rooms with just Airport Security Screeners . . . if they absolutely require that, get a Law Enforcement Officer to wwitness the interaction between the Airport Security Screener(s), your Mom and you.

 

[Bete]

are quite revealing and I now know why I'm so apprehensive about the TSA process. I'll be on the alert and watchful over my mom.

I certainly will be on my guard and I certainly won't be arguing. I just want to get it over with.

I think I'll have the note from the doc, but I won't bother showing it; unless, it becomes necessary in some way during the process. I won't volunteer it; I'll just have it ready if I think it is necessary somewhere along the way.

Thanks for letting me know the truth.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

I would bring a note. Even if it never gets looked at, it's a peace of mind thing. I always have one for my 4 year old son that says he has diabetes, needs to carry on juice and insulin, and cannot remove his insulin pump for screening. We've never been asked, nor had an issue, but I feel better having it.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I have to say that I think you're over-thinking the process a little bit. It's really not as bad as it sounds.

The only extra concern that you have compared to myself (as far as I can tell) is that your mother may not be able to follow directions and may not be able to tell them if she has any sensitive areas and those are things that TSA will listen to you about. I really have not had a hassle from any TSA agents and they've been extra apologetic recently about the pat downs so I really think they will go out of their way to be polite once you explain.

The only other heads up I should give you is that in MCO on the way home they separate lines by "type" of traveler and put all wheelchair users down the same line as families with small children. My experience on Monday was that there were very few people in line, but it took the TSA agent at the top of line a while to check the ID and boarding passes of the families so it looked longer than it was. Also, for me it was too slow, but I essentially travel like a business traveler so any time when I have to wait for much it feels too slow. Once I got past that guy, however, it was pretty much empty in the queue, especially compared to the others. (And MCO had a woman right there who could do my patdown so had one of the shortest waits I've had.) So this line may actually be extra good for you.

 

[Jonell]

I would suggest getting a MD note if traveling out of the country. My husband had a scary incident at the airport in Kurdistan. He was traveling home after working there for a month. He was given a patdown at security and the guard who did not speak english wanted to know what his illeostomy was. My husband was pulled aside into a room and finally someone who spoke English arrived. My husband was able to explain what it was and he was allowed to board the plane, but was told he must have a letter from the MD on his next trip.

 

[Bete]

I would suggest getting a MD note if traveling out of the country. My husband had a scary incident at the airport in Kurdistan. He was traveling home after working there for a month. He was given a patdown at security and the guard who did not speak english wanted to know what his illeostomy was. My husband was pulled aside into a room and finally someone who spoke English arrived. My husband was able to explain what it was and he was allowed to board the plane, but was told he must have a letter from the MD on his next trip.

I will get a doctor's note and use it if asked or if I think it will help in some way.