13 replies to this topic

[Tinbasher]

I just travelled to Memphis. Security at Manchester was thorough but polite and sensitive. At Newark it was rude, uncommunicative and humiliating.

First I was asked if I could stand, I told them yes but only if they had something solid I could use to get up and stay up, they hadn’t. So I was told (not asked) to wait in front of all the other passengers while someone came to search me. When he came he asked me if I was alone then without any warning he grabbed my chair from behind (it has no push handles), I stopped him and said just ask me where you want me to be and I will go there ( he was really jobs worth about it). Then he took my shoes to be swabbed and x-rayed ( at Manchester they brought the swab to me) he then asked if I could get out of the chair I said I could transfer if he really needed me too, yes he really needed me to! So I transfer onto a chair and he swabs my chair cushion etc (fair enough) but doesn’t engage with we in any sense. He is told by me that I have a urine bag on my leg, he (in full view of the waiting public) just pulls up my trouser leg to take a good look while in a mystified way announces to all and sundry" You have a URINE BAG on your leg!!!???" Then (and here I made a big mistake because I was angry and embarrassed) he’s asked me to transfer back into my chair "but pause halfway so he could pat down my back (read butt)" I really should have known better but the inevitable happened, I paused, he searched, and searched and then I slid ungracefully to the floor (in front of the public) he then without asking tried to haul my 300 lbs back up and had to be asked twice to let go. He then listened and held my chair till I got back in and asked if my knees were hurt, I said I don’t know until they swell up, I cant feel them ( another announcement to the crowd) "YOU CANT FEEL YOUR KNEES!!??"

I was so humiliated and angry both at myself and the poor way I was treated. I understand that security is important but do they really need to treat people like this? I was so upset I didn’t get his name or number; I just wanted to get out of the public gaze. Those on here who know me in real live know I am no shrinking violet but this just “did my heid in” as we say in Glasgow.

I am now in Memphis wearing shorts for the first time and sporting two black and blue knees!

Tin

[lune14]

Oh Tin... that is awful!! Please DO try to find his name/badge/etc... if not possible contact someone who heads up security, write them (written proof is a great thing) and be sure to send courtesy copies to all heads of departments, even those not responsible for this particular man. Your flight number & time of travel are possibly good enough for them to at least track down the staff who were on duty at the time. I may not ever find proper words in a heated moment but I have begun the nerve to ask for a name and such. I now carry a press person's tablet in my bag and I've found that when a wrong doer sees you scribbling ANYthing... they get nervous lol. (Shhh sometimes I'm just writing out my grocery list

People like this are what makes being disabled the hardest, in my opinion. They should be called on for their lack of compassion ... HUMAN compassion. Hell a child would be more discretionary !

[Travelling Blackbird]

That's appalling. I agree with Lune. You need to complain to the airport authority, even if they can't work out which particular person it was, at least they'll be more vigilant and possibly start some kind of monitoring or training program. I know it's small comfort, but they really shouldn't just get away with such appalling behavior.

I would also like to add that in my experience, it's best to not admit to being able to stand or transfer out of your wheelchair at airport security. This is advice that was given to me by wheelchair assistance staff at Stansted, Heathrow, O'Hare and Cologne/Bonn.

If you say you can stand, the majority of security gate personnel understand that you aren't actually a full-time wheelchair user, but only need it for longer distances - in other words, they assume you are like the elderly people who get wheelchairs while they are in the airport, but don't normally use them, or the people who use scooters at the supermarket, but not at home. They only treat you as a full-time wheelchair user if you fit their narrow definition of a wheelchair user: someone who can't stand up at all.

[russ1]

Travelling Blackbird, on Sep 29 2008, 01:27 AM, said:

I would also like to add that in my experience, it's best to not admit to being able to stand or transfer out of your wheelchair at airport security. This is advice that was given to me by wheelchair assistance staff at Stansted, Heathrow, O'Hare and Cologne/Bonn.

Very definitely good advice, just tell them you're a full time chair user and can't stand and they'll do the search the prescribed way for full time chair users. I also tell them that it would be very difficult to remove my shoes and they'll bring the swabs to you. As for swabbing the cushion they're usually quite happy if you can just lift up off it by an inch or two or even just lean from side to side to let them get the swab in.

Sorry you had such a bad experience, probably just best to put it down as such and move on now as you don't have a name and just be a bit more careful next time about volunteering to get out of your chair.

[Jsec64]

Hi Tin

Sorry to hear about your experience. Really feel for you particularly when other members of the public are around and in earshot. If you wanted to pursue the matter, then just quote date, flight number, approximate timing and the area would have CCTV coverage. This can then be used to verify your allegation - you are also entitled to a copy of the incident involving yourself and the other individual.

Generally speaking and having travelled abroad fairly frequently I have only encountered 2 occasions whereby I have had cause to complain. Once in Cyprus when a lady travelling back to UK on same flight as myself who I believe was Quad, was man handled very badly to her seat on the aircraft. The second incident was in fact on a return flight at night back to Gatwick ( which I am ashamed to say ). The manner in which my wife and I was spoken to was appalling as we had delayed an individual from finishing his shift because he had to deal with me. Unbelievable !!!!

The guy was lucky to have his teeth left but thats another matter. Just bear in mind that most people and services are generally very good at airports etc. Having said that, unless people are confronted with a formal complaint then things tend to be brushed over.
Wish you the best of luck and hopefully better flight experiences next time.

John

[kimgilaby]

Tin I am about 45 minutes from that airport, You just give me a name and I'll find him for you! Not making light of the situation here I am just so mad that anyone could be that stupid. I swear if anyone ever treated my husband like that I'd make the biggest stink that he would be the one walking away humiliated. You are definatly a more mature person then I am I guess lol. My husband and I are going to tyr to take our first airplane trip in the spring, I just hope that we get through it with no problems.

[Tinbasher]

Thanks all for "feeling my pain" so to speak.

I have decided to put it down to experience but will definatly take on board the suggestions about airports not being the place to show off your standing powers!

I have been totally charmed by the friendliness and hospitality of the Tennisseeans (?) Every stranger says Hi how are you, those who hear my Scottish accent stop to chat. The food is great although they fry more things than we do in Scotland (home of the fried MARS bar!) Had some other excitement as my bank blocked my cards "Because somone tried to use them in Memphis USA" That was me! Glad I brought some old fashioned travelers cheques for emergencies. I love being in the USA I just hate travelling here.

all the best

Tin

[jass1]

i used to travel a lot before my accident the best airports are in Asia then Europe and middle east USA airports are the worst specially Miami and Seattle

[Scribbler]

I was upset by your bad experience and also worried about what to expect when I travel. I'm off to South Africa at the end of October and flying from Terminal 5 Heathrow. Although I was a pilot in the RAF I've not flown for years, and its my first Long Haul flight, so being a Quad I'm a little nervious.

Although I'm in favour of tight security for every passenger, I hope the secrurity are sympathetic to our condition and treat all SCI passengers with some dignity.

I shall remember all the advice on here and make sure I know the names of the people I deal with. Where ever I go, albeit by Train or Taxi I always smile and say to the people who assist me, "hello my names Mike, what's yours"? If people know each others names, it tends to break the ice and leads to a more personal relationship.

I hope your bad experience hasn't put you off traveling; I also hope my first Long Haul flight works out ok.

In conclusion. An amusing thought crossed my mind last night about the maximum of 100mls of liquid we're allowed to take on board. What happens if, when they search me my leg bad as 150mls in? It may sound amusing, but they could insist on checking it, in case I'm sneaking on with an exploding leg bag..

[Tinbasher]

They certainly didnt make an issue of my legbag from that perspective. I usually empty at every opportunity but use the big Manfred Saur 1300ml bags for longhaul flights. I used to carry a small bottle of hand cleaner (alchohol gel) but this time found some alchohol wipes.

I didnt have a doctors note but did carry my prescription for all my stuff.

Part of our problem is the number of people who seem to use wheelchairs at airports as a sort of taxi service! They just assume everyone can get up and walk. When you say you can't they then assume you are helpless and should have a nurse!

Scribbler my advice in retrospect is to be politely assertive and explain at the very start what you expect (to be asked if certain things are ok for example). Manchester security was polite and efficient I can't speak for Heathrow.

Just grit your teeth and once your in SA you'll think it was all worth it.

Tin

[Slowlegs]

Tinbasher, on Sep 28 2008, 10:38 PM, said:

I just travelled to Memphis. Security at Manchester was thorough but polite and sensitive. At Newark it was rude, uncommunicative and humiliating.

First I was asked if I could stand, I told them yes but only if they had something solid I could use to get up and stay up, they hadn’t. So I was told (not asked) to wait in front of all the other passengers while someone came to search me. When he came he asked me if I was alone then without any warning he grabbed my chair from behind (it has no push handles), I stopped him and said just ask me where you want me to be and I will go there ( he was really jobs worth about it). Then he took my shoes to be swabbed and x-rayed ( at Manchester they brought the swab to me) he then asked if I could get out of the chair I said I could transfer if he really needed me too, yes he really needed me to! So I transfer onto a chair and he swabs my chair cushion etc (fair enough) but doesn’t engage with we in any sense. He is told by me that I have a urine bag on my leg, he (in full view of the waiting public) just pulls up my trouser leg to take a good look while in a mystified way announces to all and sundry" You have a URINE BAG on your leg!!!???" Then (and here I made a big mistake because I was angry and embarrassed) he’s asked me to transfer back into my chair "but pause halfway so he could pat down my back (read butt)" I really should have known better but the inevitable happened, I paused, he searched, and searched and then I slid ungracefully to the floor (in front of the public) he then without asking tried to haul my 300 lbs back up and had to be asked twice to let go. He then listened and held my chair till I got back in and asked if my knees were hurt, I said I don’t know until they swell up, I cant feel them ( another announcement to the crowd) "YOU CANT FEEL YOUR KNEES!!??"

I was so humiliated and angry both at myself and the poor way I was treated. I understand that security is important but do they really need to treat people like this? I was so upset I didn’t get his name or number; I just wanted to get out of the public gaze. Those on here who know me in real live know I am no shrinking violet but this just “did my heid in” as we say in Glasgow.

I am now in Memphis wearing shorts for the first time and sporting two black and blue knees!

Tin

Hi Tin,
I always found US customs to be pretty good and it was NZ customs I found to be jerks. If you look on the TSA website there are rules they have to follow. Sounds like they breached every one. Your rights have certainly been breached and they shouldn't have done any of this. They should have at least provided you with a drape for your search. Send the flight number you arrived on and gt the person at least disciplined, if not sacked. That is totally unacceptable, you shouldn't (pardon the pun) stand for it. I was really furious reading that. Please do something about this person. Get photos of your knees too.
Slowlegs

[gsp23]

I also learned telling them you cant stand at all. I do take off my shoes for them though as I figure that I am able to do so and they do require all passengers to do that now anyways so no big deal for me to do the same as everyone else. They generally run mine through the x-ray machine, not swab them.

A bit off topic but I will probably be flying to NYC soon and not sure which airport. I have been through Newark many times as AB but if that is the airport that I need to fly through... do you wait in the normal security lines or do they have a special area for wheelchairs to go through? I know some airports like Minneapolis and Logan (Boston) direct you to a special security point instead of waiting in the line with the regular people.

[Jsec64]

Well I thought I would take the oportunity to update on my recent experience flying on my return journey from Cyprus on Sunday.

Firstly the flight out from Gatwick was very smooth and the crew were very good. The return journey from Larnaca was very bad. Having been met at the airport with some excellent service getting my wife daughter and luggage and me through check-in. We then waited to board our flight back to Gatwick in departures.

We were asked whether we needed assistance and explained our situation and requirements. However, I noticed that I was not the only wheelchair user and so this very large gentleman also had assistance initially to get on board the bus to the aircraft. There was no ramp to the vehicle and so there was some struggling from the staff in order for both of us to be lifted on board. But not as I asked for.

Neither one of us was secured and so we then travelled to the ambilift. Having arrived and after being thrown around I informed the helpers that rather than go through the same struggle as boarding the bus I would prefer to beign slightly tipped backwards and lifted down on to the tarmac. They both agreed and I asked if they were ready and so tipped back thinking they were there. Big mistake!!. No one there and bang I went.

Obviously, I was embarresed, my wife and daughter concerned, and the staff man handling me back upright. This actually hurt more than the fall. The fall initiated my clonus and spasms and continued throughout the flight home. My back rest is torn and my side guards broken. If I was secured on the bus it wouldnt have happened but there we go!

The other wheelchair user had already boarded the aircraft at this time. On our arrival to Gatwick I noticed the very same gentleman happily getting his very large amounts of luggage off the baggage return escalator and walking his large frame through Passport Control & Customs etc. at speed without any assistance at all.

I feel a letter coming on to our tour company. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

[gsp23]

I also just got back from a trip out of the country. Everyone was great and they actually switched gates at one airport for me because the one we were scheduled to arrive at had steps down to the tarmack and back into the plane, so they switched to a gate with a jetway which was very cool. Confusion by other passengers who didnt both to check the monitors to see their flights moved but oh well

On the return flight, I only had a 35 min layover and was concerned I wouldnt make my connecting so the flight attendants knew of this. Well after everyone was off the plane I was still waiting because they hadnt gotten my wheelchair off yet. They got all the bags of and still no chair and the checked the back compartment on the plane and lo and behold there it was. Well at this point my other flight was already boarding so the pilot who was standing there seeing this called ahead and told the other flight not to leave until I made it down. We got down to the gate and they were about midway through boarding. The person checking everyone in acknowledged me and said I must have just gotten there as they heard I was comming. She suggested I wait a few minutes for everyone else to board and then they would board me, which they did... no issues. Once I got to my home airport I didnt even think to ask for a jetway cause 99% of all flights into that one have one. Well I got unlucky and no jetway so after everyone was off I asked the flight attendants if a lift was comming, she jumped and was like oh yeah I'll call them (had forgotten about me). But the lift came quickly and all was well. You can really tell though that elevators and people who need them are really after thoughts at some airports. Using the back hallways between airport offices is not something most people ever even see! But the whole flight worked out well and am very happy with the service I received.