Warning Flying out of Orlando UPDATED SEE POST 31

[iuki]

I am a disabled Viet-Nam vet with full blown MS and use a power wheelchair, this evening fly out of MCO I was treated like a terriost(?). After going through the normal patdown while in my chair they swabed my Disney Crocs and put it the machine and it tripped a code. Instead of reswabing my crocs or taking them off my feet and run them through the scanner 5 TSA agents took me to a room and stronged armed me by removing me from my wheelchair phyiscaly and them making me strip of my mickey shorts and my Marine Corps polo shirt and Mickey socks. Leaving me there in the room naked. They then took my clothes and crocs and ran them through a scanner. Bought cloths and crocs back to the room and said I was cleared and free to go. I asked for my wife and they refused to get her to help me. Then the 5 agents roughly dressed me and put me back in my chair. I asked to see a supervisor and they refused. They said I fit the profile and with no other comment left. I am a Silver Star receipant and have 3 Purple Hearts.
So I guess I fly out of Tampa from now on.

Contact your local TV stations! That is just AWFUL what they did to you! And - thank you for your service to our country.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I am not defending TSA, but I tend to fly out of MCO five or six times per year.

Much of the time I have my ECV with me. I cannot remove my shoes while I am standing. And I have a lot of medications and medical equipment, including two types of needles.

I have never had anything like this happen to me, and have never seen or heard of something as extreme as this.

I am not "siding with" the TSA people, but 1) we are only hearing one side of what happened, and 2) there is always a supervisor available and the TSA agents are required to give you their name on request, and 3) was there something that the OP said or did which would have led to this?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Contact your local TV stations! That is just AWFUL what they did to you! And - thank you for your service to our country.

No. Again, can we please not turn a horrific experience into a media circus??? It's understandable you're offended by the treatment described. We all are. But while it's commendable to react immediately, if you'd read all the responses first you'd see there are more effective and dignified means to resolutions

 

[jodifla]

No. Again, can we please not turn a horrific experience into a media circus??? It's understandable you're offended by the treatment described. We all are. But while it's commendable to react immediately, if you'd read all the responses first you'd see there are more effective and dignified means to resolutions

The spotlight of the media is what gets things changed.

You actually think he can file a complaint, and something will get done at the TSA, without media attention?

 

[myheartlivesatwdw]

Contact your local TV stations! That is just AWFUL what they did to you! And - thank you for your service to our country.

Yes. I would be shouting from the rooftops. I am absolutely horrified & embarrassed at the state of things. The 9-11 terrorists strolled thru the scanners & a man who has served our country is treated this way? Unacceptable.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The spotlight of the media is what gets things changed.

You actually think he can file a complaint, and something will get done at the TSA, without media attention?

Yes.

Why? Do you think this man will gain more dignity by going to the media and telling them he was literally forced to strip naked in a private room by a group of TSOs?

You know the people - actually I think it was one person - with an ostomy bag put in an awkward/embarassing situation sure, got a little media coverage. But mostly they got change by going through proper channels, including a special interest organization.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes. I would be shouting from the rooftops. I am absolutely horrified & embarrassed at the state of things. The 9-11 terrorists strolled thru the scanners & a man who has served our country is treated this way? Unacceptable.

Look, this thread is about one disabled person's horrible experience with the TSA on a flight home from Walt Disney World. If y'all are going to make it political or turn it into a debate, I wouldn't be surprised if the Moderators move it - or lock it.

But for the record? They walked through regulation airport metal detectors with box cutters which were absolutely allowed in the passenger compartment up to that point.

 

[jodifla]

Yes.

Why? Do you think this man will gain more dignity by going to the media and telling them he was literally forced to strip naked in a private room by a group of TSOs?

You know the people - actually I think it was one person - with an ostomy bag put in an awkward/embarassing situation sure, got a little media coverage. But mostly they got change by going through proper channels, including a special interest organization.

The ostomy bag got TONS of coverage. And the outrage spurred action. The TSA isn't going to left a finger to change their ways unless they are forced to by public reaction spurring Congress to rattle their cages.

 

[dclfun]

I am not defending TSA, but I tend to fly out of MCO five or six times per year.

Much of the time I have my ECV with me. I cannot remove my shoes while I am standing. And I have a lot of medications and medical equipment, including two types of needles.

I have never had anything like this happen to me, and have never seen or heard of something as extreme as this.

I am not "siding with" the TSA people, but 1) we are only hearing one side of what happened, and 2) there is always a supervisor available and the TSA agents are required to give you their name on request, and 3) was there something that the OP said or did which would have led to this?

AGREED! We don't know the whole story.---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

AGREED! We don't know the whole story.---Kathy

Agree.

Whatever the whole story is, the OP should report it.
For us to debate the facts really doesn’t do anything.

 

[docusmc1]

UPDATE TO ORIGINAL POST:I have reported it to the TSA and FAA. I am not a angry person and I am quite calm in all situations. I did ask to have them reswab my crocs or put them through x-ray but they said and I quote "You fit the profile and then moved me to a room. I did demand to speak to a supervisor and was refused by the agents. The TSA badges do not have numbers. Their ID badges were not face out but reversed. The 1st agent asked me about my service and stated he was a former Marine. I told him I was medically retired. When he got the positive test on the crocs he reported it. When someone came over they told him to leave and he would take over and that is when they became defensive and then got upset because they wanted me out of the chair. When I told them my medical condition and they would have to assist me he said I looked perfectly normal and did not need the chair. That is when I asked for a supervisor. They refused and told me he was a senior agent and he would handle it. Things went south from there. When I was released I went to Air Tran which I was flying and explained to them what happened they had their supervisor came to talk to me and he informed me that Air Tran would file a report on this saying they have been having some trouble with TSA also. At no time did I raise my voice or act uncooperative during this ordeal. I contacted my daughter who is a lawyer and she is going to have her law firm handle the case pro-bono. So only time will tell. I do not want publicity or want to be hounded by the press. I am a simple man who loves life and enjoy Disney. My goal now is to get over it and move on. I think next time I fly I will wear hospital provide slipper socks. Thank you for all your positive comments and thoughts. As my grandfather always said "Everything will work if you let it. By the way Air Tran upgraded me and my wife so we could relax on the flight home.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thank you for the update. You were treated atrociously. Someone dared to say you "looked perfectly healthy" to him? Crazy. Them, not you. All the best to you, sir, good luck to you and your daughter in pursuit of fair treatment.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you for adding a little more information, docusmc1.

I am glad to hear the Airtran helped you out and that you have a daughter who will help get it all sorted out.
I am going to close the thread at this time because I think it is at an ending point.
If you want to add more information after things get resolved a bit, please PM me and I will add the update to the closed thread.