We watched the elderly man accompanied by his daughter go through TSA airport security in front of us. She explained to the TSA guards that her father had brain surgery the month before. TSA forced him to go through the metal detector.
3 times.
Not a walk. More of a shuffle. At a snail’s pace. Slower each time.
In TSA’s defense, that’s their job. However, this was even after his daughter explained he had a metal plate installed in his head and to please use the wand. By the time he got to his third time, he was tired. Exhausted. At this point he was having trouble even shuffling.
It was even painful for all of us onlookers to watch. It seemed to us the poor man was doing everything he could to make it through TSA. The guards finally relented, wanded his head, then let him through.
Photo from WildGreatWall website
Do we have a choice though?
Special accommodations has definitely gotten more comprehensive in recent years, in an effort to make the path easier for those with travel challenges. Most people we know typically say, “but I’m not in a wheel chair, so why should I ask for anything special?”.
Research ahead of time. There are sites like WildGreatWall that offer insight on what to look for when planning traveling.
While true, had the daughter known she could call ahead and make arrangements, the outcome would have been significantly different. Airport staff would have catered to them based on their needs. Not nearly as important, but the ripple effect was that it slowed the security check line down at the same time.
Most airports have staff that are prepared to handle almost anything. They’ve seen pretty much anything at this point. They are usually pretty good about asking the right questions in order to provide the appropriate assistance.
Please understand this – the flight doesn’t leave any earlier or later as a result specially accommodated individuals and parties. Basically no one is negatively affecting anyone by using those accommodations. If anything, not taking advantage could possibly slow the system down.
What classifies as special accommodations?
The Americans with Disabilities Act in the US changed a lot about the way people think, act, and build. More consideration is afforded to those with disabilities.
For twenty years, we had a company that worked with businesses and government agencies in the US to help them with accessibility compliance. A friend, Larry Field got us started. Larry testified to Congress about the need for the regulations. He actually helped write the original ADA Federal Regulations that were enacted in 1990. Larry was disabled from polio he had as a child. He never complained about his disabilities.
TSA has worked out many of the details to accommodate those with special needs and medical conditions.
The list is pretty long. Sometimes folks are surprised that their condition may actually fit into one of the categories. It’s not just those who have huge physical challenges. A good number of things can be considered obvious like the wheel chair or an oxygen tank (which is what most of us think of). There are also other reasons that airlines routinely recognize as special. This would include young children (toddlers and babies), the elderly and those in the US armed services.
What a lot of people don’t know is that if you have some condition that makes it more difficult for you to move around you can request either special assistance and/or early boarding. Please note for some of the following list documentation may be required, but it could be worthwhile:
- Emphysema
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Recent surgery (could be leg, knee, ankle, foot as well as major surgeries such as heart, brain, kidney transplant, etc.)
- Recent injury (broken bone, sprained ankle, anything that makes it more challenging than normal to board and de-board a commercial flight)
- Service animal (sight issues, or perhaps even anxiety)
The above is a partial list. There are so many considerations for ADA accommodations that it doesn’t even matter if it’s on the list. If there’s a need, they’ll work to accommodate that need.
Here’s the key
Ask.
And if you or someone you’re traveling with fit into this type of scenario, it’s perfectly fine to utilize the system. That’s what it’s set up for, so if assistance is needed, it’s appropriate to take full advantage of it.
Remember, using the system benefits everyone, not just the person who requires a little extra assistance.