New TSA policy in Boston

[KPeveler]

Katy,
When I travel I take the stance that I can't stand or walk even for the shortest of distances. TSA and airline personnel don't tend to understand that if you can stand, you might not be able to walk (I lock my knees out), and if you can take 2 steps you should be able to walk long distances. When I go through airport security I can't go through the metal detector b/c of my SCS (Spinal Cord Stimulator) and although they are no longer in use, I can't have a hand wand metal detector used either b/c they contain magnets which might have negative effects on my SCS. I am unwilling to go through WBI machines, but don't think I could "assume the position" long enough to do it either. B/C of this I always get the "pat down" (feel up) that TSA does. When they ask if I can stand, the answer is NO! I remain in my chair the whole time. When they get to needing to feel my bum I do a small pressure relief or lean forward (I would do the lean now as pressure relief is not possible with my broken hand, as noted with my weird excitement to get off my **** when we were on the Jungle Cruise and could use my elbow to do the shift!). They swab my backrest, seat cushion, shoes (I don't take them off for TSA), AFO, etc for traces of explosives, and I am on my way rather quickly. If I had to take off my shoes, my AFO, etc. and put them back on it would take me forever and a day.
If TSA asked me questions directly about my disability that they would not ask to an AB person, I would request their name and a supervisor/director of TSA for that airport. This is definitely not protocol and is a breach of privacy IMO. If they asked me what my caths were, I would say a medical device and nothing more. If they read the packaging it clearly says "urinary catheter" so anyone with a HS education can figure it out. If they don't know what urine or a catheter is, then me explaining it won't do any good anyways! The package also says that they are restricted to sale with the order of a physician, so you can't just go to your local CVS and pick them up OTC.
I would expect questions along the lines of those listed above (where are you traveling, have you been with your bags all day, has anyone you don't know/is not traveling with you asked you to hold items for them or put them in your bags, etc).
I will be interested in seeing how this trial goes in Boston.
Mandy

I mostly just wanted to give everyone a head's up because if there is a change in routine, it can be very difficult for some people. I also tend to get anxious when things change in tense situations (and for me at least, air travel is full of all those things that can go wrong), so I was hoping to hear some reassuring reports!

 

[CPT Tripss]

I mostly just wanted to give everyone a head's up because if there is a change in routine, it can be very difficult for some people. I also tend to get anxious when things change in tense situations (and for me at least, air travel is full of all those things that can go wrong), so I was hoping to hear some reassuring reports!

Ever the optimist! Airport Security Screening is, most of the time Murphy's Law in action when it comes to people who have some condition that is out of the ordinary. I suspect that is because the screeners are (you pick one or more): not permitted to deviate from some protocol, unwilling to risk deviating from the protocol they think is in place, unaware that there are exceptions to the protocols, are not adequately trained in their job, are not effectively supervised, or some combination of these.

It's disturbing that navigating through an airport has become a tense situation for you and so many other people.

 

[bellanotte10]

Also I feel bad for TSA agents and people who work in airports. I'm getting a masters in homeland security. Its a tough job. I understand why they're strict, and anybody could be a threat. even me... 5'4 and tiny and neurotic enough she made her dog as paranoid as she is. But i do think they're nice to people who have an anxiety disorder. Only once in the many times i've traveled have I had a rude TSA agent spark a panic attack. Everyone else has realized i'm just panicking due to nerves and not anything else so they ease up.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I don't have anything to contribute at this time, but would like to join the thread as BOS is our home airport. I don't see this being a problem for DH, the kids and I (DS12 is very shy, but he will answer a direct question) but have extended family members and friends who could have concerns. I will say that I've always found the security at Boston to be pretty lax compared to all the other airports I been in so it will be interesting to see if this changes that at all.