How new security measures will affect us

[lisapooh]

I have fears that the new security measures taken by the FAA and the airlines may have an adverse affect on handicapable traveller especially those who travel without a companion.
I heard one airport was not allowing any drop off at the main terminal but requiring all to go to satellite parking and take a bus in. Not good if you are using a wheelchair as I doubt these buses are wheelchair accessible.
Also how to get your luggage checked in with no curbside check-in. I can't imagine handling all my luggage by myself. Plus the backpack is attached to the wheelchair sincec it is a power chair. Not easy to remove. They are welcome to hand inspect but remove it to go through an xray machine is not an option.
Also non-ticketed are not allow on the concourse. At least one of my family has always accompanied me to the gate to assist with carryons and make sure I am safely boarded.
Of course I haven't flown in a few years now. (about 4) But who knows I might have to fly in the future.

 

[Wheelsie]

Altho I travel with DH these thoughts had crossed my mind not too long after the FAA talked about the new measures.

 

[JudithM]

I think everyone will have to make some adjustments in the light of what has happened. Life as we knew it has changed.

 

[disneycrazed139]

We need to encourage and support both the airports and the airlines themselves about these new security measures. We should also be glad that these measures are being implemented. We cannot have too much security now. The airlines aren't happy about and we cannot complain about it no matter what the circumstances. I think that the airlines would probably accomodate those that are handicapped in some way. I would call the airport ahead of time and see what their policies are/will be in these cases. In any case, the airlines themselves are not receiving any federal money to help them. We, as Americans, need to ban together and cooperate with all necessary measures for the safety of our citizens.

 

[going2wdw]

I heard on the news that exceptions were being made for anyone who required extra assistance. If you need to fly your airline should be able to provide the specifics of how they will meet your needs.

 

[LvsTnk]

I do not have any special needs myself, but I just returned from a trip last Mon. night from WDW with my DS who has special needs. As the security measures stand right now I would not be able to take this trip again just the 2 of us, and my son's needs are minimal. I do agree with the measures they are taking and support them, but I will miss going on his birthday trip next year. I hope that if you do need to travel accomodations can be made for you.

 

[seashoreCM]

I am tempted to encourage those with disabilities, and their families, to try to go it anyway, and if a snag occurs, look to the nearest staff people (airport, airlines, police) to make the problem become solved.

Also I recommend trying to use the restrooms inside the airplane after boarding an before settling into your seat, regardless of row or boarding sequence, if there was no convenient chance to do so before boarding.

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[Alaska]

We too are concerned about these issues. We travel with a lot of medical equipment for our son. He has a tracheostomy and cannot talk, so he needs an adult with him at all times to monitor his airway. Even before the recent terrorist attacks on the USA we had problems with the secruity personnel wanting to take him through for a manual inspection, but leaving us in the line. Once they understood the situation, however, they worked with us.

This is a terrible time and somewhat of an embarrasing time for airlines. As I understand it, two of the men involved were already under FBI watch, but were still allowed to board planes. Airlines are going to be very sensitive. I think the best approach would be for folks to contact them and the various federal agencies involved in air travel about the issues and hardships unique to disabled folks that the new restrictions will cause. This would be best done well in advance of any travel a disabled person might be doing. Being proactive is the best way to avoid a ruined or extremely stressful trip.

Airlines cannot mistreat differently abled folks or discriminate against them. The several million dollar fine recently assessed against a major airline for its treatment of differently abled folks is testament to that. I believe that fine caught the attention of the airline industry. I would think that they would prefer that issues be brought to their attention before the issues escalate to a dispute. Now is the time for disabled folks to speak up when the government and the airline industry is trying to figure out what to do to increase air tavel safety.

 

[seashoreCM]

Persons with disabilities need to confess their disabilities. For example someone who is deaf might carry a small sign reading "I am deaf". This eliminates the several seconds to several minutes of delay getting communications under way (this process when performed by computers for example when you log onto the Internet via a modem and sometimes takes a noticeable wait, is called "handshaking".)

In the case of the person with the tracheotomy, an 8-1/2 by 11 card with large print explaining the situation and some of the needed steps to inspect the equipment might be prepared. A "magic slate" (lift the film to erase) re-usable writing tablet could be on the back so the person could write out things he might otherwise have wanted to say.

If someone requiring extra attention is pulled out of line, he should be re-inserted into the line at approximately the same place by the same agent. Even this can make a difference between a handicapped person being understanding and a complaint possibly leading to a fine against the airline. Also people already in line should be more accommodating if the person comes back to that spot in line unescorted by an agent.

In an earlier life I was a technical assistant (a "cast member") in a college computer lab. A visiting family came by and wanted help demonstrating the computer. As I was talking and pointing to the computer printout (they did not have screens in those days) the father asked me to face his son while talking "because he could not hear me". So I simply raised my voice. Then he said that his son was deaf but if I faced him while talking he would understand since he lip read quite well. His son did enroll as a student and in later years I was never confident relying on lip reading when talking computer technicalities and resorted to writing everything I wanted to say.

 

[lisapooh]

What you propose is degrading. I can't imagine carry a card saying I'm deaf or I can't talk. People need to be observant. The sign for deaf is so easy it should be taught to people who work with the public. A trach is pretty obvious and most trach patients can talk though it is very soft.
As to not relying on lip reading and using the paper and pencil method. That decision should have been left to the deaf person. He can decided if he is understanding the material. I have two deaf friend who prefers to lip read over ASL even though I use ASL myself as a hard of hearing person. With them I voice. Both were brought up orally and did not learn ASL until they were adults same as myself.
As to confessing our disabilities that is also a rather offensive terminology. Making people aware of a hidden disability on a need to know basis is find but I am sure I will not be confessing to anything as I have nothing to feel guilty about.

 

[JudithM]

I don't think the comment about confessing a disabilitiy was meant as a "sin" or something to be guilty about. I took that comment to mean let the other people (like airline employees) be "aware." I think we all know that not all disabilities can be seen. For example, on a "good" day for me, someone would not see why I have a handicapped parking permit. For the same reason I do not see anything degrading about letting someone know I have a problem/concern/whatever.

 

[SueM in MN]

I think there is a big difference between wearing a sign that lists your disability and making your needs known to someone who needs to communicate with you. I remember when I was a student, I worked in retail. We had a number of deaf people who came into the store. Several of them had a little card that said something to the effect of "I communicate by reading lips, please face me while you speak, so I can read your lips." That was useful for both of us and helped save embarrasement for both of us, since I knew what to do to be understood and I didn't try things (like shouting) that would not be useful. Sometimes we resorted to paper and pencil; it was not a problem to understand when someone wanted to know if I had any. Some people who preferred to communicate by writing did bring a small pad with them and started out with that.
As for the going thru security problem, we always have one of our party clear security before letting the security person take our DD., so that she is never without one of us. If I'm waiting in line with her, I just let people go by me until my DH is thru and has collected our bags. I also explain to the security staff that they need to wait to check DD until one of us is there and they have always been very nice about it. Since she doesn't speak, I do tell them that she can understand them very well and will attempt to do anything they want her to do, but she can't speak to them.

 

[seashoreCM]

(I would not have equated a trach' tube as meaning the person has difficulty speaking. Also there are some people who do not have a disability but seem to, and feel offended if the cast member makes the initial assumption that they have a disability. Therefore the only way to avoid offending people is to take the time (and the time of everyone else behind him) to beat around the bush and smoothly fall into the mode of communication that is most comfortable for the passenger/guest. With long lines I regret I want to do it a faster way, any faster way.)

"I think that every time a cashier has to call for a price check, everybody behind in line should get a 25 cent discount off his/her purchase. Excluding the person whose purchase needed the price check. Faster ways, any faster ways: (1) deftly cull the item and finish ringing up the rest... not Disney related so I won't continue that discussion here."

 

[shelby2001]

I have a daughter with leg braces, who can walk on her own, just not that fast, and I have been in contact with the airline itself and both of the airports I needed, because we have a transfer with a layover of only 30 minutes and my daughter won't be able to get to the other terminal that fast. Both the airline and airports have all assured me that they will work with us and it will not be a problem, as all the needs of my child will be met by all, they have been great and are all willing to help and accommodate us, so in the event of flying you need to contact all the appropriate people and they are more than willing to help make the arrangements that you need to have a great trip.
(P.S. These arrangements have all been made within the last few days they are more willing to help now than they were before.)

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the info, Shelby. I hope your family has a great trip.

 

[LvsTnk]

That's good news Shelby Especially that they are MORE willing to help!