I know that traveling can be a bit of a pain in the neck sometimes. Especially because when I travel by airplane, I order a wheelchair from the airline to be waiting for me when I get to the airport. This just makes the chore of getting through the airport with the large number of people who are also traveling and getting through security checkpoints a bit easier. That’s why this morning when I was watching “Good Morning America”, I was surprised to hear one of the stories they were talking about.
They showed a 3 year old girl named Lucy who has Spina Bifida and was traveling to Disney World with her family. Because she’s in a wheelchair due to her disability, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) told her parents they needed to screen the wheelchair and their daughter. When her Mom said they couldn’t do that unless she could tape it, they said they couldn’t allow her to do so.
Security measures need to be followed for the safety of the general public and I am all for the precautions but, when you treat people unfairly and make a 3 year old cry, that becomes a problem.
I understand from personal experience the extra screening that goes on at the airport because of incidences such as September 11th and agree that extra safety measures need to be taken. I also understand that when traveling in a wheelchair, the screening can get to the point of uncomfortable because of the frequent use of body pat downs. I can say that using body scanners, which is supposed to be less intrusive on people’s personal space doesn’t really work for someone with limited or no balance. Maybe some other method could be devised in the future where the security officers don’t need to get in someone’s personal space so much while still ensuring the safety of all passengers.
In this case, compassion could’ve been shown to the family while still following safety protocol.Â
What are your feelings about security measures at the airport?
 Here is the link to the story:
Thanks for reading..
cr