Tips For The Screening Process For Travelers With Disabilities And Medical Conditions

Posted by Nick Niesen on October 29th, 2010

* If a personal search is required you may choose to remain in the public area or go to a private area for your screening. If you refuse either option you will not be able to fly.

* You should be offered a private screening before the beginning of a pat-down inspection if the pat-down will require the lifting of clothing and/or display of a covered medical device.

* You should be offered a disposable paper drape for additional privacy before the beginning of a pat-down.

* You may request a private area for your personal search at any time during the screening process.

* Your companion, assistant, or family member may accompany you and assist you during a private or public screening. After providing this assistance, the companion, assistant, or family member will need to be rescreened.

* You may ask for a chair if you need to sit down during the screening process.

* You should be allowed to raise you arms out during an inspection only as far as you indicate you can.

* You should be allowed to remain in your wheelchair if you indicate that you are unable to stand and/or walk through the metal detector.

* You may request a pat-down inspection in lieu of going through the metal detector or being hand-wanded. You do not need to disclose why you would like this option.

* If you have a disability, condition, or implant, that you would like to remain private and confidential, ask the Security Officer to please be discreet when assisting you through the screening process.

* You have the right to ask a Security Officer to change her/his gloves during the physical inspection of your accessible property, before performing a physical search (pat-down,) or any time a Security Officer 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.

* You must request a visual inspection before the screening process begins; otherwise you medications and supplies will undergo X-ray inspection.

* If you would like to take advantage of this option, please have your medication and associated supplies separated from your other property and in a separate pouch/bag when you approach the Security Officer at the walk-through metal detector. Request the visual inspection and hand your medication bag to the Security Officer.

* In order to prevent contamination or damage to medication and associated supplies and/or fragile medical materials, you will be asked at the security checkpoint to display, handle, and repack your own medication and associated supplies during the visual inspection.

* Any medication and/or associated supplies that cannot be cleared visually must be submitted for X-ray screening. If you refuse, you will not be permitted to carry your medications and related supplies into the sterile area.

Make sure you check for the latest updates at the TSA web site.