[Texaswheelz]

Well after going to a professional baseball game and a large amusement park in the last couple of weeks I had a question pop up in my mind. Does anyone in chairs get searched or have their chair/bags connect to chair searched or inspected?

I ask because at both places they had metal detectors and people searching through bags and purses, yet at both places I was ushered through a different gate then the company I was with. I wasn't searched at all, nor was the little metal detector wand used on me. I have a bag that is bigger then most purses that women carry under my chair and it wasn't given a 2nd look. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to have to go through a ton of crap just to get inside a stadium to watch a baseball game, but with all the tightened security over the last 6 years I haven't been searched or inspected once. Has any that is in a chair been searched or inspected?

I haven't flown since 9/11, so I can't speak for airports, but I have been to quite a few large events where everyone else goes through the detectors and has their items searched. Not me, ever. Sporting events, concerts, shows...etc.

So the question is wether they are told to just ignore us, to not bother with us, maybe they search nine out of ten and I've just been lucky enough to be that one every time. I have used this to my advantage in years past such as bringing in pot to rock concerts or my own beverages to other things. Hell i could fit quite a bit in the bag that came with my TI chair.

I know that they aren't going to send a metal chair through a metal detector, but they could use the wand around me or my bag? Just wondering what others experiences are.

[hockeydahc]

hmm just got me thinking. the medical privacy laws. what goes into the bags on wheelchairs? meds maybe, catheters probably, loads else, but some is medical, and well...medical privacy.




that could be it.

[Texaswheelz]

Difference between that and tampons, pills...etc in my wifes purse and probably most other womens purse when they check it? Couldn't every one going through the airport say sorry i have medical supplies in that bag, you can't check it? I don't think that would be it.

[wheeliebear75]

Hey Texaswheels, DON'T count on never being searched. The odds are you won't but I have been searched before. Having an adult diaper taken out of your bag is a thrill and a half . And usually I think most people just don't think someone in a chair would commit a crime. How many terrorists organizations would use a person in a wheelchair? I could see it now......the planning sessions making sure the place to bomb has accessible parking and no stairs...... yeah right. I went to a Chargers vs. Raiders game and since I was too hard for Elite (the security company hired by Qualccom/Jack Murphey stadium).......I got searched by a SDPD and his doggy sniffed my chair. I was never so glad I'd left everything even slightly illegal at home in my life! I also showed the nice officer pictures of my cat and asked if he was fascinated with that (absolutely nothing on the chair or me); cop just said his dog may just be interested in the chair itself.....didn't know if it had seen one or not. It just depends and you've gotten lucky. I also had to go into court (custody crap) and the bailiff while searching me; rather than say "what's this thing" he pulled off one of my TENS unit pads and shocked both his own finger and me.
So just be aware that although you're the least likely to be searched you are still subject to search, the fact that there are medical supplies doesn't mean squat (when 1st asked to be searched you can however request that once they see that it is med equipment catheters etc that they not be touched for sanitary reasons). They can sniff with a dog (good to keep in mind for pot), search any bag or compartment hidden pouches (cable pouches on electric chairs) etc., and they can have you lean forward and scan your body (if anyone has metal rods it is good idea to have a doctors letter on hand showing this to avoid the 1 in 1,000 overzealous officer , bailiff, or security guard that believes he's just doing his job), I don't think they can make you get out of your chair......but I could be wrong on that part.

[Tinbasher]

Texaswheelz, on Aug 3 2007, 08:36 PM, said:

Difference between that and tampons, pills...etc in my wifes purse and probably most other womens purse when they check it? Couldn't every one going through the airport say sorry i have medical supplies in that bag, you can't check it? I don't think that would be it.

Cant see how carrying medical devices is covered by any medical privacy laws, they only apply to information held by a third party like a doctor or clinic or some such.

Having said that I have felt for long time that the security search I have had to go through is pretty cursory compaired to what walkers go through. Except on one occasion where a security guard at an airport demanded that I pull up my pants leg and show my legbag in public view so he could see what "was hidden" up there! If I had to take my shoes off etc I would have to check in hours early lol.

T

[hockeydahc]

I didn't really mean that the medical privacy laws prevent them from looking in bags.
I should have worded it differently. I was thinking maybe the security is letting us pass because we could be carrying something embarassing to pull out publicly. Thoughtful, and giving us privacy (for medical reasons) is more what I was trying to say.

For those with stories where they did: All people are different, and some may not be as thoughtful???
I guess I was grasping at an answer to a question that never really was asked. I'm an answers kinda guy. Why do you think wheelchair users pass by unchecked or searched less?


everyone knows women use feminine products. pointing out someone's use of legbags and/or adult diapers in a public area... different level here. it may not embarass you, but I still don;t think it was appropriate. bags can be searched, but are they so full that items need be removed to see the rest?

[graphic]

Everytime I go through a security check in the UK the small bag under my chair is checked and the bag on the back if I'm using it. At airports I've always had the bags on my chair checked, had a body frisk, leaned forward and been asked to remove my shoes. I've also been asked if I can raise myself off my cushion. Fortunately I've never been asked to show my leg bag but have always said "that's a leg bag" when they feel my leg. I don't mind being searched at all, but if ever I was asked to show my leg bag I'd insist I was taken to a private room. They seem to be much more diligent in the US and UK than in Europe, which is understandable. The thing that does annoy me most is when shop security alarms go off when I pass them. Doesn't happen often but I feel a right pratt when it does. I don't stop anymore, the security chappie can chase after me if he wants. Does this happen to anyone else...because of their chair that is, not because they've been shoplifting!

[Apparelyzed]

I had my chair and cusion swabbed for explosives when I left LAX (Los Angeles Airport) in 2005.

I was also patted down.

I'm sure the security guys at LAX need a personality bypass to get the job, man they're miserable!

I also have to mention the legbag, and baclofen pump.

Simon.

[russ1]

I've had the explosives swabs (and had them come back positive twice) - I've been asked to lift myself up off my cushion and been patted down but I've never (in over 10 trips thro US and UK airports) had the small bag under my chair searched! More often than not the security guys know exactly what the leg bag is and don't mention it, either that or they're too embarassed to ask.

Going in to sports grounds I have my backpack searched same as everyone else.

[hockeydahc]

geez I wonder what they'll do to me when they find out I'm not confined to using a chair. will they even believe me that I do need it at all?


glad I never made that spontaneous trip to Hawaii without luggage!

This post has been edited by hockeydahc: 04 August 2007 - 08:35 PM

[Tinbasher]

hockeydahc, on Aug 4 2007, 04:31 AM, said:

I didn't really mean that the medical privacy laws prevent them from looking in bags.
I should have worded it differently. I was thinking maybe the security is letting us pass because we could be carrying something embarassing to pull out publicly. Thoughtful, and giving us privacy (for medical reasons) is more what I was trying to say.

For those with stories where they did: All people are different, and some may not be as thoughtful???
I guess I was grasping at an answer to a question that never really was asked. I'm an answers kinda guy. Why do you think wheelchair users pass by unchecked or searched less?


everyone knows women use feminine products. pointing out someone's use of legbags and/or adult diapers in a public area... different level here. it may not embarass you, but I still don;t think it was appropriate. bags can be searched, but are they so full that items need be removed to see the rest?

I didnt think it was appropriate AT ALL but you make a snap descision not to complaine becaue of the potential for more hassle.

T

[hockeydahc]

not me. if it's not right or appropriate, I'll complain. I have nothing to hide, and I won't mind being searched but I'll voice my feelings on the matter if I felt uncomfortable or invaded with how it was carried out. I certainly would argue with a pat-down, or having to show my legbag in a crowd. I don't cath, but same goes for the personal bathroom helpers. look through anything I got, just be thoughtful about it.

I'm completely honest. All it takes is a security officer to ask me if I have anything I shouldn't. I'll hand him/her anything questionable and/or say I'm wearing a legbag. I understand the point of the search, but it just makes me feel untrustworthy.

[Texaswheelz]

Thanks for the responces guys, that is exactly what I was looking for. I've actually been talking to some one about starting up a consulting type business to go around and maybe help train/teach/discuss with different organizations on how to keep their security protocols when people come through in wheelchairs yet not be overzealous or embarrass or in my experiences completely ignore the person in the chair.

Quote

And usually I think most people just don't think someone in a chair would commit a crime. How many terrorists organizations would use a person in a wheelchair? I could see it now......the planning sessions making sure the place to bomb has accessible parking and no stairs...... yeah right

Of course they wouldn't go out looking for a disabled person to get to commit the crime they would just use a chair with one of them in it themselves. How much explosives could be fit into some of the large bags that can be placed under a chair? Hell they could take it into a stall in the restroom and leave it or many other places out of the way and then leave it sitting there. But you are exactly right that most people don't think some one in a chair would commit a crime, so wouldn't that mean a smart criminal would want to be doubted in the first place that they would ever commit one?

That isn't my main goal though as I think that the security measures have been taken to an extreme just to keep us scared so the government can do more shit without us asking questions, but this isn't a political discussion.... My main goal would be to just emphasis the sort of things that were brought up in the few post here. To inform them of leg bags, diapers, pumps...etc. To enlighten them of the embarrassment that they could cause the person, what to expect or not expect the person to be able to do, such as a trying to have a quad lift themselves up out of their seat to check under them.

Quote

Why do you think wheelchair users pass by unchecked or searched less?

I think because most of them don't know what to look for and have never been taught or even discussed doing things differently other then just letting us pass by. As some have posted they have been searched in a variety of different ways while I personally never have been in any way. Of course I've never done any sort of work like this so coming up with a reasonable fee isn't the easiest. I don't want to charge to much as I would want people to actually hire me for it, but then again if it ever involves travel it would have to be enough to cover my travel as well as my pay if I had to miss work from my normal job.

This post has been edited by Texaswheelz: 06 August 2007 - 04:34 AM

[HiltonP]

In Feb this year I had a "first" . . . travelling through Oz my wife was asked to stay in the security search cubicle with me during a body search, and to sign a form confirming that the search was conducted in a proper manner.

I've been body searched literally hundreds of times. This is the first time a) that my wife was specifically asked to come into the cubicle, and to sign a 3rd party form.

Interesting.

[Tinbasher]

HiltonP, on Aug 6 2007, 08:47 AM, said:

In Feb this year I had a "first" . . . travelling through Oz my wife was asked to stay in the security search cubicle with me during a body search, and to sign a form confirming that the search was conducted in a proper manner.

I've been body searched literally hundreds of times. This is the first time a) that my wife was specifically asked to come into the cubicle, and to sign a 3rd party form.

Interesting.

How bizzarre and insulting. My wife would have refused to sign and I wouldnt let her! Did they consider you not to have capacity or something? It's your body, your search, you sign!

We went through a similar thing when the hospital refused to carry out a surgical procedure on my wife without my permission as "the husband".

Tom

[LuckyinKentucky]

Sounds like a good idea Texaswheels but a little advise do a little research into consulting rates and then if ya wanna be priced low shoot for the lower end of what ya find out. Consulting is a lucrative profession for a reason, your personal knowledge, insight and experience are what people pay for the airline ticket is just an insulatory cost... and if your doing it for big companies they may foot that bill anyways.
As for being searched...only at the airport.



PS Does that mean concert cops too... I don't mind breezin by them

[HiltonP]

Tinbasher, on Aug 6 2007, 08:35 PM, said:

HiltonP, on Aug 6 2007, 08:47 AM, said:

In Feb this year I had a "first" . . . travelling through Oz my wife was asked to stay in the security search cubicle with me during a body search, and to sign a form confirming that the search was conducted in a proper manner.

I've been body searched literally hundreds of times. This is the first time a) that my wife was specifically asked to come into the cubicle, and to sign a 3rd party form.

Interesting.

How bizzarre and insulting. My wife would have refused to sign and I wouldnt let her! Did they consider you not to have capacity or something? It's your body, your search, you sign!

Tom

I didn't see it as insulting . . . I really couldn't give a toss about whether I signed, or my wife signed, or whether she was present or not.

What I find strange is that this is a sad indictment of what the security thinks of themselves. They are afraid that in doing a body search that their male officers will "feel up" male passengers, and the signing of the form is to say that the search was conducted without any sexual activity. What does this say about the security personnel?

[milosh]

at the airports they either don't look at me or quite extensive search me. ;) since i got shit loads of stamps/visas from asia and south america, they especially search cushion and legbag. sure, in a private room. but more often no than yes. the most paranoid are in israel, UK and US. but at the same time more knowledgable and doing their job better. here and there they ask me to turn on a laptop or search my cameras for porno photos [in asia].

on concerts/games/shows/... really never been searched.

generally they care less about us than ABs. reasons are different... either they think someone in a W/C is not going to commit a crime or trrorist attack or they don't know what to look for and how.

at the places with metal detectors they either turn them off while i pass or let me pass the other way.

[rkzenrage]

At airports I am always searched.
At local courthouses and government buildings, almost never... which bothers me. I should be.

[LilCube]

I've been to a few Chiefs games and a Royals game since my accident and I've yet to be searched. The person with me, also has never been searched. I never really thought about it. Good thing for them my life of crime is a thing of the past *insert evil laugh here*