We consistently hear about nightmares that people suffer at
the hands of the TSA. But I want people to keep something in mind…thousands if
not millions of people travel on a daily basis and these intrusive incidents
are few and far between. A lot of it has to do being properly prepared. Like it
says in the boyscout motto. Ok sometimes that doesn’t’ help either, but in
reality being prepared could avoid many issues that people have.
Travel with children who are on the autistic spectrum can
seem rather daunting to the best of us. Now with the implementation of airport
security we have yet another hurdle to jump over in order to make certain our
children have a pleasant trip. Having just returned from a trip this is what we
did to prepare for the airport.
Let me explain a little about us. The boys are not boys
anymore; they are youngmen, both in college. They are at an age when they can
participate in the planning and execution of trip preparation. They are very
aware of what it takes to go through security. We traveled extensively right
after 9/11 and both boys were consistently pulled out of line and even patted
down. They did not mind it. It actually gave them a sense of security. Remember
that…you want to make certain your child is left with a sense of security.....
Until next time,
Elise
I've never flowen before or even been in an airport so I haven't ever had to deal with TSA. I can read though and have always been a bit... weary of flying. The plane part I'm fine with just the security part leaves me, well.. weary.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I would wind up striking a TSA agent if patted down. Not on purpose or anything but I am overly ticklish and overly sensitive to touch and have a tendency to jerk out reflexively when touched on the arm or leg. Elbowing a TSA agent in the face would not be a good thing. ;P
I'd opt for the scanner if possible. I will not refuse a pat down either though, I'd just warn them I might accidently jerk about and I'd try my best not to.
I also want to note I have enjoyed reading your blog. I am a tweenty seven year old woman with Aspergers and it is very nice to read your blog and all you do for your boys
McCann- thanks for the comment.I think the security part leaves alot of people weary of the TSA. That is why I wrote this post hoping people would see that its really not all that bad. I am sure if you told them you had aspergers and had sensitivity if they do pat you down they would be careful and I am certain you would be OK.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the nice words about my blog. It is greatly appreciated.
I the past when my son with Autism boarded a plane, I called ahead to the airlines to get him disabled boarding status. Then he was able to board first and be seated first without the crush and rush of the rest of the passengers. Does TSA provide similar accommodations for disabled people? Don't they have to under ADA?
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to report that my son had wonderful experiences on planes with the help of ADA and the airlines. He has learned how to do it and now needs no accommodation or special preparation when he flies.
Sarah
Sarah- I am very glad that your son had a good experience. The airlines preboard those with disabilities, small children, the elderly and the military not because of the ADA but because ti makes boarding the plane more efficient. I don't think that the preboarding falls under the ADA.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the ADA is concerned, I think that the TSA is required to provide access to those with disabilities but it does not exempt someone with a disability from security requirements. You might want to go to the TSA website and see if they allow those with disabilities to go to the front of the line but that would be the only accommodation I could think of. You might want to let them know when you get to the front about the disability and forewarn them about idiosyncrasies. I found them very accommodating and respectful.
Remember those who want to blow up planes have no compunction about using the disabled to smuggle bomb parts and even use them as suicide bombers. We are fighting people without any scruples and respect for human life. It may make our lives slightly more inconvenient but I see it as making sure we get where we are going in one piece.
As someone who suffered not only from Aspergers and the sensory sensitivity that cones with; but also Complex-PTSD as a result of years of sexual abuse, the new scanners and "enhanced patdowns" are the reason I now refuse to fly. Just the idea of them causes me to tense and panic; the reality would send me I to a dissociative flashback, something that could take days to bounce back from. If they feel they have to be that invasive for security purposes -- fine, go right ahead; I'll stick to Greyhound and Amtrack. For sone of us, it's not just slightly inconvient, it's triggering of the worst memories of our lives.
ReplyDeleteAkire- I am sorry that you have been through these terrible situations. The only thing I can recommend is to actually contact TSA and see if there is some kind of accommodation for someone in your situation.Unfortunately the world being the way it is, I don't see airport security changing all that much in the near future. Of course, not every airport has these scanners and not everyone is patted down. But I can understand how even the thought of the possibility can be debilitating.
DeleteWe travel with our son a lot, my husband is from England so we've gone overseas during all sorts of high alerts. The best thing we've done for our son is practice at home--we'd actually "Search" him and also spent a lot of time at the airport before going on the flight. (this was when you could actually go to gates without a ticket). If you are going overseas make sure you also practice customs questions, especially when they get older.
ReplyDeleteHe has very few sensory issues however-- and that has helped. I have to say that our travels have been great and every person we've ever talked with in the industry and explained things to, have been sensitive to his unique needs.
I travel a few times a year from Florida to California and back with my 7 year old grandson who has Aspergers. Although he could travel as an unaccompanied minor, we are not yet comfortable with him travelling by himself. However he has become quite an experienced traveler. Last trip we ran into a storm, and I calmed him by explaining that just as the road by his house made his car bump, we were just having some "bumpy clouds" and he was OK with that. I found TSA most accomodating, their main question was "What do you need?" They allowed us to go to the front of the line, were careful about not touching him without telling him. Also, the airlines were extremely accomodating about preboarding and seat selection away from the engines and anything else we needed. You just have to speak up and tell people what your child needs, and allow plenty of time not be be rushed.
ReplyDelete