Disabled Me and the TSA

[PepperElf]

I found it amusing was that they wiped down my sling to test for explosives, and if I remember correctly, they did that each time. Now, if I were going to transport explosives in cloth, couldn't I put it in my underwear or in my shirt just as easily as in my sling? But they didn't seem to care about anything else. The sling was out of the ordinary and it drew attention.

One of my friends found out the hard way... after coming off of a Middle East desert tour, the rucksack you carried into action might not be the one you want to use for airport travel!

From what I was told, he'd already cleaned it out (no loose ammo or mags etc) and only had clothes in it etc. But it still had residue .... and TSA was NOT happy. ... possibly even more so *because* there wasn't anything they could do about it - the bag really was clear. All they could do was grumble about his choice in luggage.

[Sparky]

Um ... yeah, I've done similar stuff.

But for everyone who does need to travel through airports and is disabled: the disabled-service wheelchair-assist route is DEFINITELY the way to go.

Obviously, the quality of the assistance depends partly on the airline, and partly on the customer service skills of the individual assistant you get; but back when my husband was working and I flew from time to time, using the wheelchair assist service made a HUGE difference.

It's not just the physical assistance, either. It's the fact that the assistant is going to make sure you make your flight - or at least get to the appropriate lounge in time. You also get to board without being in a crush of people, and the stewards take that little extra bit of care to make sure you're okay during the flight.

Not having to THINK about how the hell I get from point A to point B in an unfamiliar airport after 15 hours flying time ... is a major, major boon.

I've heard this. I didn't use it the time I traveled with my sling, but I had friends encourage me to. I was traveling alone, and the pain medication I was on (broken shoulder) made me woozy and kind of out of it. I wasn't sure I could cope with navigating the airports. But by the time I took my trip I was in much better shape so I didn't need help after all.

Navigating an airport requires a fair amount of hiking! And you often have to walk quickly or stand in long lines. Not for the faint of heart.

[kpzra]

One of my friends found out the hard way... after coming off of a Middle East desert tour, the rucksack you carried into action might not be the one you want to use for airport travel!

From what I was told, he'd already cleaned it out (no loose ammo or mags etc) and only had clothes in it etc. But it still had residue .... and TSA was NOT happy. ... possibly even more so *because* there wasn't anything they could do about it - the bag really was clear. All they could do was grumble about his choice in luggage.

My husband had the same thing happen in early 2003 when he was sent home on emergency leave because his father died. He was also a demo instructor and had just grabbed and packed in the same day ruck he used for EVERYTHING. Luckily he had his instructors card on him, but apparently it was popping up for things they had never seen the machine pick up before...lol

They did a hand swab on me and tried to deny me access when they had GSR on them...from handling and showing that my pistol in checked luggage was clear (they let me release the slide after inspecting it). The guy who checked me in just came over and waved me through.

[ozcatbug]

My parents, brother and I were flying from Brisbane to Melbourne. My brother wears braces on both legs, and at the time he had only one pair of boots that fitted over the braces, which he wore on the trip. The same boots that he wore to uni. Where he worked as a lab supervisor. In a powder metallurgy lab. That had a lot of different powders that can be used to make things that explode.

Guess who got pulled over to get checked for explosives? Twice! (In Brissy on the way down and in Melbourne on our return). Lucky he had his uni ID with him. Even luckier they didn't pick anything up in the checks. Actually, that kind of concerned us as we know that the stuff my brother works with is dangerous and explodey (had some students try to make fireworks with powders from my brothers lab, luckily no bang that time and some students lost their lab usage).

Guess he was lucky, though I have flown with him a lot and I've never been checked, but bro gets checked every couple of flights. Only now he has a set pair of work boots for work that he doesn't fly with.

[LesserSouthernFroglet]

I'll happily +1 the advice to go with requesting wheelchair assistance.

I went to the USA last year with Friend, who has some difficulty walking long distances and uses a cane when she gets tired / over rough ground etc. We requested assistance in advance with each leg of the trip. We got greeted with a person to push a wheelchair, got taken around all the shortcuts and back alleyways of the airports where non-staff can't go, shown onto and off the relevant buses from terminal to terminal.

We just breezed through all the TSA security - she had to remove her shoes and laptop (well, I was carrying her laptop and had to remove it) with minimal drama. Each time we got taken to the disabled queue, we were both treated with dignity and respect.

After reading all the horror stories of TSA agents overstepping bounds (and decency) it was really a very pleasant experience. I was so glad we'd done it too, because it would have taken us forever to navigate our way around airports like LAX. Seriously, that place is huge!

[WIphone_lady]

My brother was in the US Navy, and was assigned to a submarine that was stationed at the time in Groton, CT. After Christmas, he flew back to CT from the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport. On this particular trip back, he decided to take his bowling ball back with him. It was his carry on. He was dressed in his winter (navy) uniform and had his active duty military ID with him. Boy, did TSA scrutinize that bowling ball. At the very least the agent he had, had a sense of humor, and was laughing, because how often do you have to inspect a bowling ball carried by a member of the military.

[dalesys]

... how often do you have to inspect a bowling ball carried by a member of the military.

I wonder if bowling balls were ever made out of nitrocellulose? They did use it to make billiard balls.

[Sarlon]

mom doesn't fly much anymore....but has a small portable wheelchair for travel such as this.

Light weight, 4 small wheels, and metal tubes with fabric for a seat and back.

going through security is a cinch, but i remember the one time mom was flying alone...and I was taking her to the airport.

because I wasn't flying nore did I have a plane ticket, I had to be given a nonflight ticket to escort mom to the gate.

When we flew to florida though...my god I had a backpack, mom had her purse...you'd think I was trying to smuggle drugs AND explosives through between them wanding her cane (a solid piece of oak shaped by wood turning into a candy cane shaped walking cane), her chair, and my backpack.

[PepperElf]

Another funny one about scanners. This wasn't with TSA but with getting back on board the ship. My BF once said was tagged for being scanned, mainly cos he had a large bag. So he made a point of taking all the film out of the bag first and handing it over cos the xrays will damage the film.

Security: This bag is empty!
BF: Yep!
Security:
BF:

[Tama]

Poor guy!