“I have two titanium plates in my foot. How can I ease the process of going through security?” wondered an IndependentTraveler.com reader in a recent e-mail. These days, she’s not the only traveler who’s concerned. Since the highly publicized incident in which a bladder cancer survivor’s urostomy bag was ruptured during a TSA pat-down, leaving him covered in his own urine, travelers with various medical conditions have been worrying about how they can prevent their own nightmarish encounters at airport security.
The TSA has come up with one idea that should help (or so we hope!): new disability notification cards (PDF) that travelers can print, fill out and bring with them to the security checkpoint. The cards have a space to enter information about any relevant health conditions or medical devices, though they also include the following caveat: “Presenting this card does not exempt you from screening.”
I’ve long advised travelers with disabilities or medical devices to bring a doctor’s note (preferably on letterhead) explaining their condition — so I’m glad that the TSA has now introduced an official and discreet way for travelers to educate and inform security screeners. But will this truly put an end to the health-related horror stories we’ve been hearing for the past few months? We’ll have to wait and see.
– written by Sarah Schlichter
There is nothing about this on the TSA web site. Please site a more credible source.
Hi Julie,
There is information about the cards on the TSA site, though it’s rather buried at the moment! You can find the link near the bottom of the the Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions page. (Scroll down to “For information about the Disability Notification Card for Air Travel…” It will take you to Disability.gov, where you can then get the PDF link for the cards that we included in our blog.)
–Sarah Schlichter
Julie appears to be correct, I cannot find this template, even after following the links to disability.gov. I just ended up in a spot that informs me that said cards exist, that TSA produces them, and provides a link back to the TSA website. The “was this information useful” option has 3 “No” responses, and 0 “Yes” responses. Wild goose chase.
Hi Adrienne,
I agree that the Disability.gov page is confusing! Once you’re there (http://www.disability.gov/viewResource?id=13765195), you have to click on the title — Disability Notification Card for Air Travel — not the Transportation Security Administration link. Then you’ll get a cautionary note saying you’re leaving Disability.gov, and once you click to continue, you’ll get to the cards.
To read more information, you can check out this story on MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40647207/ns/travel-news/
Hope that helps!
–Sarah Schlichter
Sarah, I appreciate additional links!
What bothers me is that the card does not have any official insignia of the TSA or Disability.gov, so you can see why it would seem suspect. I have doubts that it will have any impact with most TSA agents unless there is more information on the TSA website which acknowledges that they are training agents to recognizing the card.
I’m uncomfortable recommending use of the card for my travelers without either of these issues being addressed.
You’re welcome! I agree that it’s strange for the card not to have an official insignia on it, and for the TSA not to be drawing more attention to the card to raise awareness among travelers and agents. I’m not quite sure what the reasoning is there.
I’m hoping to hear from our readers who have used the card whether TSA agents do indeed recognize it.
–Sarah
As of my last 2 flights in January 2011, my Medtronics card was still ignored and they kept looking for my belt. I was not given the option to have a private screening. I have a Neural Stimilator with the battery just below my right hip. I wonder if they will even look at the TSA card I downloaded. We will see in a week or so when I next fly.
TSA awareness isn’t that widespread that even major airports still has no existing protocols on screening fliers with disabilities.