TSA forces disabled boy headed to Disney to remove braces

[golfgal]

Two words - shoe bomber...

There is a wide middle ground between saying "Oh whatever, go on through." and making him take the braces off and walk through without them. Common sense would be to take the family to a private area to have the braces removed and examined or put through the scanner.

There is - the TSA officer was not properly trained. If I were a betting man, I'd say that he was probably fired over this...

What they said. Yes, it could have been handled differently but we weren't there and we don't know if the family gave them a chance to handle it differently. It could have been that the dad went off on the guard as soon as he suggested the boy take off the braces and the guard just didn't understand how serious his condition was--we don't know because you know the press is so unbiased and reports everything exactly the way it happens

On top of which, I am sure YOU have never made a mistake so it is difficult to understand that someone else might make a mistake OR that person was just doing what his boss told him to do. It isn't like they hire rocket scientists to be airport screeners.

 

[happygirl]

I think they should have handle this differently.

Why couldn't the boy sat in a chair and them exmaine the braces all they wanted to.

 

[DizBelle]

I'm not suggesting that they institute a policy that all children under X years are not required to go through security screening. I wouldn't put it past a terrorist to pack a diaper full of explosives. I don't think they care who they destroy on the way to their goal.

I think it was absolutely inappropriate to force this child to walk without his braces. HELLO, hes has the braces for a reason. Take him to a separate area. Have him remove his braces. Put them through the x-ray machine. And wand the child. How hard would it have been to come up with that?

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I'm not suggesting that they institute a policy that all children under X years are not required to go through security screening. I wouldn't put it past a terrorist to pack a diaper full of explosives. I don't think they care who they destroy on the way to their goal.

I think it was absolutely inappropriate to force this child to walk without his braces. HELLO, hes has the braces for a reason. Take him to a separate area. Have him remove his braces. Put them through the x-ray machine. And wand the child. How hard would it have been to come up with that?

When they began hiring for so many additional TSA officers, our economy was screaming along. Sadly, that meant that these low paying jobs were filled with a few "thought challenged" individuals...

 

[Mrs. Charming]

It isn't like they hire rocket scientists to be airport screeners.

I think we'd be a little safer if they would pay a little more and start hiring somewhat intelligent people instead of drones who take delight in hassling people. I've seen these people in action... it's not just a "doing their job" thing. They're the same jerks who throw your food at you at Burger King or flirt with their boyfriends when you've been standing in line for over 10 minutes because they couldn't care less and don't want to be at work. I know I should be used to it... but I'm not.

 

[KPeveler]

What they said. Yes, it could have been handled differently but we weren't there and we don't know if the family gave them a chance to handle it differently. It could have been that the dad went off on the guard as soon as he suggested the boy take off the braces and the guard just didn't understand how serious his condition was--we don't know because you know the press is so unbiased and reports everything exactly the way it happens

On top of which, I am sure YOU have never made a mistake so it is difficult to understand that someone else might make a mistake OR that person was just doing what his boss told him to do. It isn't like they hire rocket scientists to be airport screeners.

There ARE set policies for these situations. The boy should have been "wanded" and then the braces would have been inspected by hand. They would do a "wipe" to test for any explosive residues.

This is done every time with my wheelchair. With a wooden cane available at the checkpoint and someone helping me right before and after going through the metal detector (I walk through it on my own), I can get through walking. I then sit down and they check my chair. then they bring the chair to me.

There IS a process, and TSA did not follow it. A person cannot be forced to remove braces or hearing aids or other medical devices. BUT they are to be inspected either on or off the person.

 

[KPeveler]

Also, I am just seeing this article posted online today or yesterday, so I am not sure that it is not a new incident...

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Also, I am just seeing this article posted online today or yesterday, so I am not sure that it is not a new incident...

New article by an author who has done a series of articles criticizing the Philly TSA. But, unless the author is wrong, this took place last March...

 

[bettymae1121]

There ARE set policies for these situations. The boy should have been "wanded" and then the braces would have been inspected by hand. They would do a "wipe" to test for any explosive residues.

This is done every time with my wheelchair. With a wooden cane available at the checkpoint and someone helping me right before and after going through the metal detector (I walk through it on my own), I can get through walking. I then sit down and they check my chair. then they bring the chair to me.

There IS a process, and TSA did not follow it. A person cannot be forced to remove braces or hearing aids or other medical devices. BUT they are to be inspected either on or off the person.

Ditto, between being a travel agent and having a diabetic hubby, I'm pretty up on what is and isn't TSA policy for passengers with disabilities and medical conditions. They didn't even follow their own policy on this. The TSA policy actually is full of common sense that allows for full screening with little to no discomfort or embarasement to the traveler. The story in the OP didn't even come close to that.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1370.shtm

This isn't a complete list of a persons rights, but you get the idea:

Security Officers will need to see and touch your prosthetic device, cast or support brace as part of the screening process.



Security Officers will not ask nor require you to remove your prosthetic device, cast, or support brace.



During the screening process, please do not remove or offer to remove your prosthetic device.



You have the option of requesting a private screening at any time during the screening of your prosthetic device, cast or support brace.



You have the right to refuse the offer of a private screening; however, you will need to allow the screening to be conducted publicly if you wish to proceed beyond the security checkpoint.



You may have a companion, assistant or family member accompany and assist you into the private screening area (once he or she has been screened) and remain throughout the screening process.

 

[imabrat]

Then if the TSA lets someone through wearing leg braces that are fake and really have concealed weapons and they hijack a plane there will be post after post here on "where was the airport security, why didn't they catch this". You can't have it both ways, sorry.

A four year old. Honestly, a four year old? You're going to accuse a four year old of being able to hide bombs and weapons in his leg braces. Okay then. And even if he was concealing anything, there are other protocols to abide by. They wand, they pat, but they should not make you remove it.

Philly TSA tried to pull this bull with me. I was going on my Make a Wish trip, I had my shirt on, I was in a wheel chair, and had a very obvious long scar over my knee. I had a letter from my orthopedic saying I'd had a knee replacement due to bone cancer. They tried to make me walk through the detector without holding onto anything. Now, at this point, I could barely get out of the wheelchair, let alone take two steps. Let's just say that stuff didn't fly, and they brought me over to the "secured" area and patted me down.

Of course, this is also the airport that LOST my wheelchair! Landed in Los Angeles and had to borrow a wheelchair from LAX until I could get to the hotel where my scooter was waiting.

 

[minkydog]

A couple years ago I was checking through Atlanta's airport with Christian in his wheelchair and TSA required me to be separated from him and then tried to get him out of the wheelchair so he could walk through the scanner alone. Oh nonononononono...this kid has the mind of a 1yo. Thank goodness they couldn't figure out the seat belt. Trust me, you do NOT want him wandering around the airport! I was very upset and reported them to a supervisor. We have not had that particular issue since.

And about 5 years ago I had to fly with a knee brace and crutches due to knee injury. They required me to take off the brace and hop through the scanner on one foot. i kid you not. This was in Newport News, VA. They did give me my crutches back afterward and carried my brace to a bench where I could sit down and put it back on. Another complaint to the supervisor.

Do they teach these people ANYTHING? It never occured to me to contact the media but maybe that should be high on my list if it ever happens again (and you know it will )

 

[KPeveler]

A couple years ago I was checking through Atlanta's airport with Christian in his wheelchair and TSA required me to be separated from him and then tried to get him out of the wheelchair so he could walk through the scanner. Oh nonononononono...this kid has the mind of a 1yo.Trust me, you do NOT want him wandering around the airport! I was very upset and reported them to a supervisor. We have not had that particular issue since.

And about 5 years ago I had to fly with a knee brace and crutches due to knee injury. They required me to take off the brace and hop through the scanner on one foot. i kid you not. This was in Newport News, VA. They did give me my crutches back afterward and carried my brace to a bench where I could sit down and put it back on. Another complaint to the supervisor.

Do they teach these people ANYTHING? It never occured to me to contact the media but maybe that should be high on my list if it ever happens again (and you know it will )

I always get my wife to walk through first, use the wheelchair to lean on til I can walk through, then my wife "catches" me on the other side.

I am, for some reason, I cannot handle getting a pat down - part of it is that a light touch can be painful, and a stranger touching me freaks me out. In the future, as my disability progresses, you bet no one is making me stand when i feel it is unsafe! I am sorry if it is "more work" but it is "more work" in most parts of my life being disabled...

It all comes down to common sense and patience - there is a way for this to be safe for both people with disabilities and fellow passengers.

 

[golfgal]

A four year old. Honestly, a four year old? You're going to accuse a four year old of being able to hide bombs and weapons in his leg braces. Okay then. And even if he was concealing anything, there are other protocols to abide by. They wand, they pat, but they should not make you remove it.

Philly TSA tried to pull this bull with me. I was going on my Make a Wish trip, I had my shirt on, I was in a wheel chair, and had a very obvious long scar over my knee. I had a letter from my orthopedic saying I'd had a knee replacement due to bone cancer. They tried to make me walk through the detector without holding onto anything. Now, at this point, I could barely get out of the wheelchair, let alone take two steps. Let's just say that stuff didn't fly, and they brought me over to the "secured" area and patted me down.

Of course, this is also the airport that LOST my wheelchair! Landed in Los Angeles and had to borrow a wheelchair from LAX until I could get to the hotel where my scooter was waiting.

Terrorists use kids and mentally disabled adults for suicide bombers all the time-what's to say they won't put a weapon on a kid to get through airport security .

 

[imabrat]

Terrorists use kids and mentally disabled adults for suicide bombers all the time-what's to say they won't put a weapon on a kid to get through airport security .

Personally, I've never heard of terrorists using disabled children as suicide bombers, but you never know. I've heard of them using normal children before, but never disabled children. I'd love to see the news stories from where you found that out, if you have them.

And anyway, if there's a four year old traveling with his parents who have been cleared already to check for terrorism, you're going to anger the family and force the braces off instead of wanding and patting the brace and not angering the family? They're both going to produce the same accurate results. Both procedures are going to tell you if the kid is a terrorist or not. TSA definitely dropped the ball on this one.

 

[brittsmum1998]

This is the first I've heard of this too.

What I don't get is why the TSA agents thought the boy could walk through by himself without his braces. If he would walk without them, he WOULDN'T BE WEARING THEM!

What if walking without the braces caused additional damage to the boy's ankles?

What are they going to do next, require a paraplegic to drag themselves through the metal detector on their own? It's just nonsense.

Not necessarily true, my brother could walk very short distances as a child
but the story is disgusting.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Personally, I've never heard of terrorists using disabled children as suicide bombers, but you never know. I've heard of them using normal children before, but never disabled children. I'd love to see the news stories from where you found that out, if you have them.

The fact is, there is a procedure to protect the dignity and safety of a passenger requiring assistive devices--and they simply did not follow it.

Not one person here expected the kid to be waved through--but given his age and disability--common sense would definitely indicate that kid is unlikely to have a bomb--and could be screened in a different, safe, and more dignified matter just to be sure.

 

[imabrat]

The fact is, there is a procedure to protect the dignity and safety of a passenger requiring assistive devices--and they simply did not follow it.

Not one person here expected the kid to be waved through--but given his age and disability--common sense would definitely indicate that kid is unlikely to have a bomb--and could be screened in a different, safe, and more dignified matter just to be sure.

Thank you, because that's the point I was trying to make. I don't think anyone should just be waved through because of their name, age, ethnicity, etc. However, there are different procedures and place and the TSA did not follow them. I know because I was that child, only 10 years older. I can only imagine what was going through the kid's head at the time because I was terrified.

 

[bicker]

Not one person here expected the kid to be waved through

I hope that's true -- I have noted, in the past, that a lot of folks here on the DIS are very quick to condemn authorities and institutions, just "because", with little or no regard to the legitimacy of what the authorities and institutions are doing. Some folks simply want everything to kowtow to whatever is desired by the folks that they personally feel affinity for. It's a real problem, even if it wasn't the case this time.

but given his age and disability--common sense would definitely indicate that kid is unlikely to have a bomb

I don't trust TSA agents -- overworked, underpaid TSA agents -- to adequately assess the legitimacy of a claimed age or claimed disability on anyone's part. They simply aren't equipped to validate such claims.

The fact is that there are procedures specifically to address these situations. Claiming that the TSA agents should have used their own personal discretion as opposed to defined procedures is as bad as the TSA agents failing to refer this passenger to the private screening area option, as the defined procedures actually dictate.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I hope that's true -- I have noted, in the past, that a lot of folks here on the DIS are very quick to condemn authorities and institutions, just "because", with little or no regard to the legitimacy of what the authorities and institutions are doing. Some folks simply want everything to kowtow to whatever is desired by the folks that they personally feel affinity for. It's a real problem, even if it wasn't the case this time.

I don't trust TSA agents -- overworked, underpaid TSA agents -- to adequately assess the legitimacy of a claimed age or claimed disability on anyone's part. They simply aren't equipped to validate such claims.

The fact is that there are procedures specifically to address these situations. Claiming that the TSA agents should have used their own personal discretion as opposed to defined procedures is as bad as the TSA agents failing to refer this passenger to the private screening area option, as the defined procedures actually dictate.

"Given his age"--he was 4. While age guessing is fairly subjective--if a TSA agent was confused and thought he was a 35 yo, perhaps that agent needs a different job.

"Claiming personal discretion"--

I claimed no such thing. Requiring someone who utilizes an assitive device to be mobile--to not use it to go through a metal detector...is AGAINST the guidelines period.

So they used their "personal discretion" by making him remove them--which was unsafe, undignified, and against policy.

This is all about following protocol and protocol dictates that travelers with disabilities have a right to have those disabilities and be screened in a manner that is safe for them and safe for other passengers.

Noone expected a disability to be validated on word alone, but TSA has procedures to check everything in a proper manner without disregarding that a disablity exists.

I personally have no objection to the searches--it is when they are done in a less than dignified manner as occurred with my friend, her 15yo post-surgical son and his catheter bag. The search required checking his nethers--again--no issue, but extreme lack of courtesy in how it was handled and for a few moments--the denial of a guardian present to ensure his own safety. In the end the 15yo flashed them and gave them much more than they desired, but he was so frustrated over the hassel and conduct of the agents.

 

[kimmar067]

A couple years ago I was checking through Atlanta's airport with Christian in his wheelchair and TSA required me to be separated from him and then tried to get him out of the wheelchair so he could walk through the scanner alone. Oh nonononononono...this kid has the mind of a 1yo. Thank goodness they couldn't figure out the seat belt. Trust me, you do NOT want him wandering around the airport! I was very upset and reported them to a supervisor. We have not had that particular issue since.

And about 5 years ago I had to fly with a knee brace and crutches due to knee injury. They required me to take off the brace and hop through the scanner on one foot. i kid you not. This was in Newport News, VA. They did give me my crutches back afterward and carried my brace to a bench where I could sit down and put it back on. Another complaint to the supervisor.

Do they teach these people ANYTHING? It never occured to me to contact the media but maybe that should be high on my list if it ever happens again (and you know it will )

...that's why I am leery when travelling with my MiL - she's 79 years old and has had both knees replaced...bells and whistles go off when she goes through the scanner and we are detained for a while also - she gets so embarrassed....