Travelers with Disabilities
People with physical ailments or disabilities and their companions have extra considerations when traveling, especially by air. But they can move through an airport security system (almost) as quickly as their fellow travelers with a little planning ahead.
I encountered this recently on a trip to Madrid, Spain, with my mother, who is in her late 80s. She can walk on her own but she’s slow. So for several years, I’ve arranged with the airline carrier to supply a wheelchair for mom to navigate the long airport distances.
But this latest trip was different--Mom was using a walker. Would the walker apply to the limit of one carry-on and one personal item (purse, briefcase, or computer case)? Or if we checked the walker, would the airline consider that a piece of luggage? I called the airline; one representative said it would count as a carry on item. That didn’t seem right, so I asked to speak to a manager. She said no, a walker doesn’t count as luggage. Who was right?The Invaluable TSA
Confused, I checked the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) site. I found it to be invaluable.
Originally organized in the Department of Transportation, the TSA was moved to the Department of Homeland Security in 2003. It has over 36,000 security screeners.
The TSA website is easy to navigate. Some of the language is peculiar to security screening —handwanded or wanded; pat-down inspection — but it’s easy to follow and very helpful.
Tips for Travelers with Disabilities
The TSA website breaks down tips for a wide range of disabilities including mobility, visual, assistive devices and hearing loss. It covers pacemakers, children with disabilities, orthopedic shoes, service animals and much more.
I quickly found the answer to my question about mom’s walker under the heading “Walkers, Crutches, and Canes.” The limit of one carry-on and one personal bag does not apply to medical equipment — that is, in Mom’s case, her walker. And it doesn’t count as luggage if we check it either.
Other helpful hints:
- Provide advance notice to your airline if you require assistance.
- If you need a companion to accompany you through the checkpoint, let the airline know ahead of time.
- Pack medications in a separate bag to facilitate inspection.
- If you have medical documentation regarding your medical condition or disability, you can present this information to the screener to help with the inspection. This is not required.
- If you have an implanted medical device, such as a pacemaker, check with your doctor before traveling to make sure it is safe for you to go through the metal detector. If your doctor says you should not go through the metal detector or be handwanded, or if you are concerned, ask for a pat-down inspection instead.
- If you have diabetes, notify the screener that you are carrying your supplies with you.
- According to hearing device manufacturers, hearing aids and cochlear implants are not affected by x-ray, the walk-through metal detectors, or the hand-held metal detectors.
Tips for All Travelers
All airline passengers have the right to ask for flexibility in the screening procedure. For example:
- If a personal search is required, you may request a private area and ask for a chair. Your companion may accompany you.
- You may ask for a pat-down inspection instead of going through the metal detector or being wanded. You don’t need to give any reason for your choice.
- You have the right to ask a screener to change gloves during a physical inspection of your belongings, before performing a physical search, or any time a screener handles your footwear.
- Medication and related supplies that are carried through a checkpoint are normally x-rayed. However, as a customer service, TSA now allows you the option of requesting a visual inspection of your medication and associated supplies.
Are You Wearing the Right Shoes?
From the TSA website: "You are required to remove your shoes before you enter the walk-through metal detector. All types of footwear must be placed on the X-ray machine to be screened. If you do not comply with Security Officers, you will not be allowed to board your flight."
Happy travels!
Online Resources:
http://www.tsa.gov/public/Books
Find these books online at Barnes & Noble.com
Aviation and Airport Security: Terrorism and Safety Concerns, Kathleen M. Sweet, Prentice Hall, November 2003
Airport Security: Tips for Travelers, Shane Lester, Limebooks, May 2003
How Safe Are Our Skies?: Assessing the Airlines' Response to Terrorism, Rodney Wallis, Praeger Publishers, February 2003
