Airport Security Responses - Part 2

Airport Security Responses - Part 2

Karen Schebesta, Office Manager

I am a 26 year old BK and have been through security several times with my
prosthesis. I usually announce it before or as I walk through the metal detector
and then get pulled aside. I usually have just had the wand scan and they
ignore the beeps set off by my leg and then maybe pull up my pants leg to
physically inspect it. One time it was swabbed and screened for exposives. I have
only removed my leg one time and the security officer was unsure and reluctant to
ask, so in the interest of time, I offered to have it scanned. No one has
ever required it in probably 10 round trip flights and I have had generally
decent treatment as an amputee. My flights have been mostly from LA or San Diego
and Baltimore and a few connectors in between. I understand and have had no
problem with the inspections that I have had because they are done in a
professional and respectful manner and I understand that there could be enough C-4 in my
pylon to take down a plane. We all have to be a little bit flexible and
understanding in order for us to fly safely.

With that said, that is ridiculous! I would absolutely be on the phone with
the airport security people loosing my mind. That is humiliating and very
disrespectful. The least they could do is offer a private room if it was necessary
to inspect the limbs. After I had my minor difficulties, my friend told me
that there is some kind of pass or disabled identification that you can get to
show at the airport that explains your disability and allows you a little less
resistance in this type of circumstance. Some people have a lot of trouble if
they have metal in their bodies that cannot be removed. I don't know much about
who to call or how to obtain such a pass, but I imagine that airport
information might have the information for you or perhaps one of the amputee advocate
orgazations.

I hope this helps a little. I am very disturbed to hear about your patient.