[faithdude]

Hi!

I've had a severe disability all my life (1/2 paralyzed since birth) so I'm pretty versed in logistics and how to get anywhere I've wanted to go. Until this last year, and the advent of a new severe disability.

I've now got the baclofen pump implant, several screws and a constriction device in the right hip, plus several metallic tooth implants all from this last year. I've got the Medtronic card in my wallet, the medic alert dog tag that I now wear, and the medic alert ID card in my wallet.

Soon, I hope to resume travel, nowhere special, I've only traveled within the US, here and there to visit family whathaveyou.

Before, I'd use SCAT (Senior Citizen Ambulatory Taxi~ I'm 37~ I got it due to severe disability) and pay say 25 bucks for 50 bucks of taxi service. The taxi guy'd get me to the airport and take me to the "special door" and call them ahead of time to say I'm coming. I'd get there, get out, and be picked up by the golf cart. I'd be driven straight to the screening, which I went through pronto, just in time to sit on the other side of it for oh an hour (?) while they wanded me in very personal ways, and while they scanned my stuff and my cane etc. Then, they'd check the computer and see I requested ahead of time a wheelchair transport, so I'd wait longer past the hour or so for the transport to arrive, which then they wheeled me to the gate, and told me I had to sit by the gate door, and not move or leave, and an airport attendant would keep an eye on me to make sure, which only ever was a problem if nature called or if I got real real hungry ;) Then they took me on before everyone else boarded, and, flipside that's fair, I was always last off the plane on arrival.

Creativity took over a few times when the airport'd say, uh, we can't find in the computer ya need a wheelchair. Once, they took so long, they then found this real real grumpy cranky crabby girl to come get me with a wheelchair. My God, she and me and the wheelchair flew through the airport so fast it felt like we were parting the Red Sea, and wind literally whipped through my hair. Of course, she whined the whole way, saying I was interrupting her lunch, she was poor and no money whathaveyou and needed time to find a cheap lunch, instead of taking care of me. I thought, uh huh sweetheart, just get me to the plane on time. She did, by that time I knew her whole financial woes story, so I thought, ok, whatever, and I gave her upwards of ten bucks as tip so she could get a good lunch. She said really, it's my tip? I was like yea, tip for getting me here on time and tip to remind ya in future be nicer with people with disabilities as it'll get ya farther ;) The other time, no wheelchair, none to ever come. This real cool kid, was like can ya hold on good? I was like yup. He was like climb aboard my skid and hold on. Wicked ride, but he got me to luggage in one piece ;)

Now, though, wow. Will I ever be able to go on planes now that I've got multiple metallic implants? I hope so as I want to see my little nephew and niece and brother and his wife end of this year. It's harder now. My God, soooooooo much metal in me and outta me now. What with the implants, wheelchair, quad cane, KAFO brace and whatever else I forgot.

Any advice on what you do towards successfully flying ref to airport screenings and implants, all ears ;)

By the way, several months outta the last nursing home this year, I went solo to New York City first time my life by Greyhound. Greyhound is AWESOME as I was treated like gold. Very very accessible. I went through what they called preboarding. Cool. Like airplanes, first on and last off, which is very fair. I did sure want to take the 10 minute bus breaks, but I didn't as it was phys harsh to do. The bus driver was like, we'll get a wheelchair to be by the bus and get you in the rest stop building. But I thought naw. As that'd have taken longer than the 10 minutes and I didn't want to inconvenience everyone else on the bus. So, 10 hours there 10 hours back, 20 hours no food or restroom, that part not good, but I survived. AAnd by the way, New York City, wow, I've lived many places, and my hat off to New York City, as it is a very friendly accessible city with many many taxis and kindly people saying ya need anything? God bless em as it made my reentry to the world after 6 months of hospitalization, real cool and worth it and a dream come true ;)

So, please share your advice on airport screenings and implants, as I'd be very appreciative, thanks ;)
Faithdude

[carpenter]

faithdude, on Oct 16 2006, 09:45 PM, said:

Hi!


Now, though, wow. Will I ever be able to go on planes now that I've got multiple metallic implants? I hope so as I want to see my little nephew and niece and brother and his wife end of this year. It's harder now. My God, soooooooo much metal in me and outta me now. What with the implants, wheelchair, quad cane, KAFO brace and whatever else I forgot.

Any advice on what you do towards successfully flying ref to airport screenings and implants, all ears ;)


So, please share your advice on airport screenings and implants, as I'd be very appreciative, thanks ;)
Faithdude

I have implants of various sorts from head to toe (literally). Other than making for a few light moments in conversation, they never cause a problem. The screener folks know all about it. Typically they interceed and ask you not to wait in line, but rather come around the que immediately. There, the folks frisk you by hand, and then run a dry chemical sampling swab here and there on you and the chair. That goes to a gas chromatograph for near instant results.

Time and time again, that method of getting through airline security is quicker, nicer, more pleasant than the folks who need to wait in line for the machines.


Good luck.

[milosh]

except on the some aiports on the far east, never had any problem. got platinum implant/metalwork in my left arm.

be nice and explain them politely. after all, they are people too. ;)

[juls]

I always beep..even going through the screening thing at the movie store everyone just smiles at me and tells me to keep going....andy and i always have a good laugh as i could stash anything in my seat and they'd just smile and wave us through.......

A security dog wouldn't leave me alone at the airport and the security guard was so embarrased...she dragged the dog away from me!!

I think as long as you are smiling and friendly, people will want to help you and treat you well...

[milosh]

you gave me some ideas. ;)

[juls]

I'm always happy to help out milosh

[milosh]

yep. ;) if they catch me, may i give them your address? ;)

[juls]

HA...i don't think so