TSA-Passenger Support Specialist

[connie254]

Has anyone used them and why?

My main issue is getting through the line when you start to put items in the bins. Seems like it is rushed and my son needs more time to take off his shoes and put his carryon in the bins. Having people go ahead of us just seems to create more anxiety for him and I don't want that going through a security checkpoint. And I have to hold his ID and ticket and mine when TSA checks them-time to put both IDs away, and the general feeling of being rushed through the lines already causes him some jitteriness. Once we get past the point of putting our shoes on and gathering our stuff, he is fine.

 

[mistysue]

Have you considered getting everything completely ready before entering the line? Bring a couple plastic shopping bags and carry your items that go into the bins in the bag so you can just dump it in the bin and you don't have to shuffle objects out of your carry on. Then have shoes off and ready as well before you enter the line. After the line there are always people off to the side taking forever, putting shoes, belts, etc. back on so that may not be such an issue to just repack correctly after the scanner.

I don't know if there is a better way to get accommodation but that may work out.

 

[Gracie09]

Also, idk how old your son is but under 12 (I believe) they no longer have to take off their shoes. So one less thing to worry about

 

[Betty Rohrer]

from what I understand kids 12 and under no longer have to take shoes off

 

[nikkislaght]

can you get him wheelchair assistance? they will take you from the ticket counter through security and then onto your gate , and they wont rush you as they know you are in a chair , so it is a given that you will need a bit of extra time. Grandma uses a wheelchair to get from the counter to the gate and she has never been rushed.. when booking your ticket.. check that you will need a wheelchair and when you check in remind them.. they should then page someone to come help you.. hope you have a good trip..

 

[Mum23]

Do you have time/would you consider the TSA's Trusted Traveler program? You have to apply and pay a fee but you do not have to take off your jacket/shoes and all that and it's usually a little less of a struggle. I wouldn't have considered it but DH said he would not fly with the kids unless we both had it (he already had it for is passport and all).

I have heard not so great things about the PSS program but I'm sure like everything it just depends on the agent and all.

 

[connie254]

He is 24. He is completely mobile and wouldn't use a wheelchair. I already streamline the carry ons. -just my purse, and a backpack for him with all the items we would need to go into the parks. Any liquids are already in checked luggage. But still trying to wait to get to the bins and getting him to take off shoes while we are moving is tough. I heard of a disabled line and hesitate to use it because it isn't a physical disability (autism, MR), but I have never seen it.

 

[2tinkerbell]

My DD uses the "family" or "disability" line all the time. Just tell the TSA agent at the beginning of the line that you need to access it. We have never had to explain why and my DD is mobil. We also eliminate a lot of stuff - back pack for DD and a purse for me. We check in our luggage. Meds are in a Ziplock baggie and I have a Ziplock baggie of lipgloss, Purell, etc. that is in my purse that I take out. My DD carries her own ID and Boarding Pass. Have him wear elastic waist pants so there is no belt to fuss with. Practice at home.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I'm not sure what the issue is. You have plenty of time to put away ids and boarding passes after they are checked by TSA and before you go through the scanner. I see people all the time (in the regular lines, not TSA Pre), taking forever to remove shoes, take laptops out of bags, remove coats, belts, empty pockets, etc. If his only issue is being slow, why worry? You can carry the purse and backpack, then all he has to do is take off shoes. Slip-on shoes will be easy. Contact TSA if you're concerned:

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/travelers-disabilities-and-medical-conditions

I have traveled all over the world and I have never seen a special line for disabled passengers. They must be pretty rare.

 

[Kellykins1218]

We almost always get sent into the much shorter TSA Precheck line. I've just always assumed that it was also the disabilities line since it was pretty consistent no matter which airport we were at. We were taken to the side & then expedited through the regular line once when we flew out of Houston but that was about the only time I remember being in the regular line at all.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We almost always get sent into the much shorter TSA Precheck line. I've just always assumed that it was also the disabilities line since it was pretty consistent no matter which airport we were at. We were taken to the side & then expedited through the regular line once when we flew out of Houston but that was about the only time I remember being in the regular line at all.

It is not the "disabilities" line. TSA Pre is supposed to speed up the process, not slow it down.

Don't count on getting random free TSA Pre for too much longer. The TSA wants you to pay to be pre-approved and they are going to greatly reduce these random assignments of TSA Pre to those who have not been pre-screened.

 

[Kellykins1218]

It is not the "disabilities" line. TSA Pre is supposed to speed up the process, not slow it down.

Don't count on getting random free TSA Pre for too much longer. The TSA wants you to pay to be pre-approved and they are going to greatly reduce these random assignments of TSA Pre to those who have not been pre-screened.

Well, since it's been that way every time but one, and we still got sent to the front of the line, I'll count on it. TSA has always been extremely accommodating when we've gone through security and I highly doubt they're going to use disabled passengers as a money grab.

 

[SMD]

Well, since it's been that way every time but one, and we still got sent to the front of the line, I'll count on it. TSA has always been extremely accommodating when we've gone through security and I highly doubt they're going to use disabled passengers as a money grab.

First, not every airport participates in pre check, so you may be fortunate that you fly between airports that do. Second, they've announced that as of this month they are going to be cracking down on who gets in for free. Basically, enough people pay for pre check now that they need to limit the number of people that they make exceptions for to keep it available for the people it's was set up for. If you want to ensure that you get to use it, you may want to consider paying for pre check.

 

[Kellykins1218]

Why would I pay?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Well, since it's been that way every time but one, and we still got sent to the front of the line, I'll count on it. TSA has always been extremely accommodating when we've gone through security and I highly doubt they're going to use disabled passengers as a money grab.

Various programs such as TSA Pre-check, Global Entry, etc. are hardly "money grabs!" They are conveniences for frequent travelers and those willing to go through pre-screening and pay a fee. I travel quite a bit (I'm a United Airlines 1K) and I am very happy that TSA Pre is going to stop sending so many random people through who haven't been pre-screened and slow up the line (and I'm talking about clueless people, not those with disabilities; I've never seen anyone obviously disabled in a TSA Pre line by the way).

You may have gotten TSA Pre randomly in the past, but don't count on this continuing. If you want it, you should enroll in the program and pay the fee.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

I wouldn't worry about it. I take longer than most people, so sometimes let people go ahead of me, but other times the line is backed up already anyway. I do wish the table area (that is attached to the conveyor belt) for getting your stuff ready to go through the check was longer so I wouldn't be as rushed getting everything taken care of, though! There's no possible way for me to do any of it ahead of the table area because I don't have enough hands to carry it all (3-1-1 baggie, carry-ons, shoes, service dog pack, medical bag, possibly a light jacket, a bin or two, etc.) and need the support of the table to take my shoes off.

One of the last times I flew this year, one of the agents kept telling me that I didn't need to rush and could take my time - though this was also at a time where they said we could keep our shoes on and everything, so I didn't even have much to do! (It wasn't Pre-Check, so I don't know why they were doing that. Maybe testing something?)

 

[Hopefully]

Why would I pay?

Why wouldn't you pay to participate in a program that charges a fee to participate?