New TSA procedures for children at MCO

[tjmw2727]

This may be old news but ....

I just flew out of MCO yesterday and they are testing a program that eliminates pat down's on children and allows them to keep shoes on. There are signs all through the queue stating that this is a test in select airports.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

I'm curious what ages this includes?

 

[Microcell]

Same here.. what ages? My Dd 13 is taller than me! Not that height has anything to do with terrorist activity... It would be nice for my kids not to get patted down, though to date they have not been but have seen me and their dad get patted down plenty!

 

[goofy4tink]

12 and under I believe.
I will add that my dd, now almost 18, has been flying since she was 5. For the past 10 years, since air travel was forever changed, she has been patted down twice. Once at Sanford International less than 2 months afte 9/11, and once a few years ago when we flew out of FtLauderdale to TFGreen in RI, but got diverted to Philly and then back to FtL, to leave again the next morning. We were told that anytime someone flies twice in under 24 hrs, they get patted down..no big deal. Other than those two times, she has not been patted down. For that matter, neither have I.

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes, 12 and under is what the sign said - something like "hey kids you can re-tie your shoes" and then an explanation that on a trial basis children 12 and under will no longer be subject to pat down and can leave shoes on etc.

My dd's are 13 and 16 and have flown many times per year since they were born. We can remove shoes & coats, load the bins and get through security as fast as most solo business travelers!!

My 16 was directed to use the new body scanner once out of about 20 flights since they started using them. My 13yo has been directed to the metal detector every time - even when I was directed to the body scanner.

My 13yo was selected to have an explosive test run on her hands last week leaving Phi and FWIW the agent was very courteous patient and professional.

I wish more travelers in general would make themselves aware of the rules prior to flights. Families and adults alike - every time we fly there is a couple, a single or a family that has no ide they can't bring their shampoo, toothpaste or sunscreen onboard and kicks a fit about throwing away $$.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I saw an infant being wanded at an airport. The parents had to pull him out of the stroller and hold him up while TSA did their thing. It seemed so very unnecessary. Yes, I know terrorists could hide stuff inside a diaper. I later asked the mom why the baby was singled out and she said it was because they had changed their flight reservations within 24 hrs of boarding. Actually, the airline canceled a flight and forced the family to change their plans. Seems so bizarre.

 

[malibuconlee]

I saw an infant being wanded at an airport. The parents had to pull him out of the stroller and hold him up while TSA did their thing. It seemed so very unnecessary. Yes, I know terrorists could hide stuff inside a diaper. I later asked the mom why the baby was singled out and she said it was because they had changed their flight reservations within 24 hrs of boarding. Actually, the airline canceled a flight and forced the family to change their plans. Seems so bizarre.

We always pulled our daughter out of her stroller, folded it up to go thru the machine on the belt and one of us carried her thru the metal detector with us, until she could walk on her own that is.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

And this makes sense because a terrorist would NEVER use thier child to transport these things.. (If you believe that ask our soliders what they have seen.. kids and wome as 'shields')

Thousands Standing Around.... acting like they do something useful...

 

[maciec]

thanks for posting this information!

 

[CPT Tripss]

And this makes sense because a terrorist would NEVER use thier child to transport these things.. (If you believe that ask our soliders what they have seen.. kids and wome as 'shields')

Thousands Standing Around.... acting like they do something useful...

 

[goofy4tink]

My patience is starting to wear thin here.

 

[yrdlyprincess]

just flew out of Chicago and didnt get patted down there....actually I didnt see anyone getting patted down. Still grosses me out to have to take my shoes off...yuck..I always wipe my feet down with germx then.

 

[goofy4tink]

just flew out of Chicago and didnt get patted down there....actually I didnt see anyone getting patted down. Still grosses me out to have to take my shoes off...yuck..I always wipe my feet down with germx then.

And that is why I always, always wear socks with my Crocs to the airport. When I get through security, the socks come off. The one time I forgot, I felt so icky that I actually went to the ladies room and washed my feet!!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

One of my coworkers wears "sugrical booties" through the screening checkpoint. So if you don't want socks see if you can find some. They allow them.

Of course the TSA agent at one airport tried to convince her that the booties had "germs" It was rather hysterical listening to this 'lecture' on 'diseases' being delivered to my co worker whose job is very much related to maintaining standards in healthcare organizations and who knew EVERYTHING this self appointed expert was saying was "internet hysteria" based on no facts LOL!

 

[mommyrosa2]

We too have been lucky with no patdowns and no bodyscanners. We've flown at least 6-7 times since 9/11 with our kids, with our most recent trip last November, and all of us have been fortunate to just walk thru the metal detector. We all wear socks as well and only take them off once we pass the security check - barefoot in the airport is just too gross of a thought.

 

[3pletprincesses]

We flew out of MCO on August 31 and that's what we encounter too. Kids under 12 can keep shoes.