UK Manchester Airport Screening question

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi

The past few years we have been using our DS's pushchair as a wheelchair.

Previously, when we went through screening DS had to get out of his pushchair and I had to collapse it to go through x-ray.

Now DS's got bigger he has a wheelchair, will DS be required to get out and are we going to have to collapse the wheelchair to go through x-ray?

Just wondered what other wheelchair users did.

Thanks in advance

This is Julie not Johnny

 

[madenon]

Hi Julie,

if somebody can't transfer or if it's too much of a problem, they'll go for the next form of checking things. This will mean your DS not going through the X-ray, but being scanned by a handscanner and being padded down. They'll also inspect the chair, which can mean anything from looking at it once right up to them checking every little corner with mirrors on sticks etc.

This is a thing they do allover the world, biggest difference I noticed is how intense the padding down is (AMS isn't too nice of an airport for ladies, MCO was more on the lax side compared to what I'm used to overall) and how intense they'll look at the chair. At some airports this can give small problems with accessibilty (some will build everything in so close you HAVE to go through X-ray, but offcourse a chair is too wide. Not at MCO) In those airports, you'll be guided through a safety door and than padded etc. Most airports will allow you as a parent to go with him (including the formentioned door if needed) without the padding but with the x-ray.

If possible it makes all lives easier to transfer. In that case he would only have to walk through the x-ray (stand for a moment) and get right back into his chair. This can only be done if he can stand for the x-ray unassisted. This would make it easier for security, for those others in line and for you all (the padding isn't something I love ), but remember; don't do it if it is too much for him. Even if he can do it, but it would take energy he'ld than lack on the flight/give too much pain etc.; don't. Easier is nice, but not if it will cost him too much.

 

[SueM in MN]

If the person can't get out of their wheelchair, they are taken around the scanner for screening. The screeners will look at the wheelchair, pat them down and take some wipes of their shoes and/or wheelchair footrests. Sometimes, the screeners also look under the wheelchair with a small mirror.

It is easier if the person can get out and walk thru the scanner. If he can do that, he will get out of the wheelchair right before the scanner and the wheelchair will be taken around the scanner to the other side, where it will be inspected. It doesn't go thru the xray machine (and most wheelchairs would not fit anyway because of the big wheel on the back). If he's not in the wheelchair, it will take a much shorter time to be inspected.

 

[Shorty82]

What you guys are talking about are metal detectors, not X-ray machines. Only bags and such go through an X-ray machine (that's the big machine with the belt you but the bags on). The big arch people go through are metal detectors used to detect illegal weapons. The handheld device is also a metal detector used when someone sets off the big one to track down where the offending item is and on those that are unable to go through a metal detector arch. Even if they were wide enough for a chair the metal on the chair would set it off.

They use X-rays for bags so they can see inside without opening the bag and have any metal objects light up bright on the screen. X-rays are unsafe to be exposed to contantly and airports are interested in making sure people aren't carrying illegal weapons, not their insides.

 

[SueM in MN]

strollers do get folded and go thru the xray machine. Wheelchairs are too big and go around the metal detector which I called a scanner

 

[Littlegem]

Hi Julie,

If you have not done so already, contact the Special assistance team at your holiday company ( ie Virgin, Thompson, etc..) Tell them you need "wheelchair assistance" from check-In through to the aircraft boarding area..

Tell them your DS will be using his Stroller as a Wheelchair, as he has mobility issues.

When you arrive at the airport & check-in, remind the staff that you need Wheelchair assistance, and they will direct you where to go to.

You will then be asscorted through to the security check line by a member of staff. They usually push the Stroller & the family follow behind... They will take you via a quicker route, Not the main queue..

The proceedure for "Pat down" is as others have described above...

Once through to the departure lounge you can tell them you will take it from there, or let them take you all the way to boarding...

You will be met in the USA, by another Wheelchair assistance member to do the same Stateside ...

Remember to give them each member of staff a small tip as it saves you masses of time & is easier on the child..

Hope this helps,

Hazel

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi Julie,

If you have not done so already, contact the Special assistance team at your holiday company ( ie Virgin, Thompson, etc..) Tell them you need "wheelchair assistance" from check-In through to the aircraft boarding area..

Tell them your DS will be using his Stroller as a Wheelchair, as he has mobility issues.

When you arrive at the airport & check-in, remind the staff that you need Wheelchair assistance, and they will direct you where to go to.

You will then be asscorted through to the security check line by a member of staff. They usually push the Stroller & the family follow behind... They will take you via a quicker route, Not the main queue..

The proceedure for "Pat down" is as others have described above...

Once through to the departure lounge you can tell them you will take it from there, or let them take you all the way to boarding...

You will be met in the USA, by another Wheelchair assistance member to do the same Stateside ...

Remember to give them each member of staff a small tip as it saves you masses of time & is easier on the child..

Hope this helps,

Hazel

On previous holidays we used to use a pushchair as a wheelchair but in March we will be using a wheelchair for the 1st time. I think Joshua will just jump out of the chair and walk through on his own, its seems the easier way - less stress, etc. thanks