travel..level orange and beyond
Christina Skoski M.D.
Description
Collection
Title:
travel..level orange and beyond
Creator:
Christina Skoski M.D.
Date:
3/17/2003
Text:
Hello List,
Due to a death in the family, I had to travel domestically last month. As
an amputee wearing a prosthetic, security wise, this is never fun but I've
always freely gone along with the routine and come prepared. Unfortunately
my flights occurred during a level orange alert, so it was worse than
normal, even since 9/11. Besides the usual obligatory body scan, shoe
removal, and pat down, this time I was pulled out of line and strip
searched... just because the metal detector alarmed and they did not
understand what is a prosthesis (duh! what mean artificial leg?). They
simply were concerned with confirming that the metal buckles and my foot
actually would set off the scanner.
I have travelled extensively around the world and the last time this
happened to me was on the India/Pakistani border in the late 1980's! At
least then I could understand and appreciate the attention for my own
safety.. the airport security ladies in India doing the search looked
actually touched my prosthetic and looked and felt for weapons!.they did a
fine professional job I will not comment on the present day domestic
airport security system, which was a pathetic sham.
Due to world events we have again reached level orange and perhaps
beyond. Many of you need to travel for business and as a service to you
and your clients who wear a prosthetic or orthotic that will set off the
airport security system, yet need to travel.....Please inform them and suggest:
Arrive at least 2+ hours earlier than your flight.
No matter what your level of ambulation, ask for a wheelchair...it will get
you through the lines faster....I can walk just fine, but I'm not stupid
enough to stand in lines for over an hour or more...
Make a very obvious point of the fact that you are handicapped. Request
and accept any and all help that is offered. Use your handicap to your
advantage.
Wear clothing that is easily removed to show your prosthetic or orthotic.
Wear shoes that easily slip on and off, and have a plastic shoe horn handy.
If it works for you, pack your leg and use crutches. If you can, take off
your leg and carry it through security, if not, be prepared to drop your
pants, lift your skirt ....forget modesty and embarrass the
inspectors...but be polite and cooperative in the process.
Travel with a sense of humor ..... pack lots of patience and extra time.
I've no intention of curtailing my travels. I have no problem with
security....just with stupidity. Perhaps the OandP professional
community can get involved to help educate the system to work more
intelligently. I hope so.
Sincerely yours,
Christina Skoski MD
www.hphdhelp.org
<Email Address Redacted>
Due to a death in the family, I had to travel domestically last month. As
an amputee wearing a prosthetic, security wise, this is never fun but I've
always freely gone along with the routine and come prepared. Unfortunately
my flights occurred during a level orange alert, so it was worse than
normal, even since 9/11. Besides the usual obligatory body scan, shoe
removal, and pat down, this time I was pulled out of line and strip
searched... just because the metal detector alarmed and they did not
understand what is a prosthesis (duh! what mean artificial leg?). They
simply were concerned with confirming that the metal buckles and my foot
actually would set off the scanner.
I have travelled extensively around the world and the last time this
happened to me was on the India/Pakistani border in the late 1980's! At
least then I could understand and appreciate the attention for my own
safety.. the airport security ladies in India doing the search looked
actually touched my prosthetic and looked and felt for weapons!.they did a
fine professional job I will not comment on the present day domestic
airport security system, which was a pathetic sham.
Due to world events we have again reached level orange and perhaps
beyond. Many of you need to travel for business and as a service to you
and your clients who wear a prosthetic or orthotic that will set off the
airport security system, yet need to travel.....Please inform them and suggest:
Arrive at least 2+ hours earlier than your flight.
No matter what your level of ambulation, ask for a wheelchair...it will get
you through the lines faster....I can walk just fine, but I'm not stupid
enough to stand in lines for over an hour or more...
Make a very obvious point of the fact that you are handicapped. Request
and accept any and all help that is offered. Use your handicap to your
advantage.
Wear clothing that is easily removed to show your prosthetic or orthotic.
Wear shoes that easily slip on and off, and have a plastic shoe horn handy.
If it works for you, pack your leg and use crutches. If you can, take off
your leg and carry it through security, if not, be prepared to drop your
pants, lift your skirt ....forget modesty and embarrass the
inspectors...but be polite and cooperative in the process.
Travel with a sense of humor ..... pack lots of patience and extra time.
I've no intention of curtailing my travels. I have no problem with
security....just with stupidity. Perhaps the OandP professional
community can get involved to help educate the system to work more
intelligently. I hope so.
Sincerely yours,
Christina Skoski MD
www.hphdhelp.org
<Email Address Redacted>
Citation
Christina Skoski M.D., “travel..level orange and beyond,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/220907.
