In response to an Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) member survey showing clear dissatisfaction with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport screening practices and the subsequent national media attention the survey drew, TSA and ACA officials met in Washington DC, on July 19 to address procedures that have become of increasing concern to travelers with limb loss. ACA officials included ACA President and CEO Kendra Calhoun, ACA board member and frequent flyer Jeff Cain, MD, attorney and ACA supporter Peter Thomas, JD, and ACA Capitoline political consultant Liz Roberts.
According to an ACA news release, outcomes of the meeting included promises of improvement by TSA regarding issues identified in the survey, as well as a pledge to provide ongoing opportunities for meaningful input by ACA members regarding TSA training, screening procedures, and other areas. According to Calhoun, the meeting was a success, and plans were put in place for a new cooperative effort between the two organizations.
“TSA was responsive to each issue we brought to the table,” Calhoun said. “We view this meeting as a significant step in the right direction, and we are hopeful that we will continue our dialogue about the important issues facing travelers with limb loss as part of the broader conversation about accommodating people with disabilities while maintaining appropriate security.”
A number of topics of concern to both the ACA and TSA were discussed, and an action plan was put into place to address, correct, and mitigate these problems. Among them were the following:
- Re-examination of the CastScope x-ray procedure. The ACA has concerns about the amount of radiation to which people are exposed. TSA will increase the frequency of their training and will develop user-friendly information about its safety. TSA and the ACA will partner in disseminating information about this procedure.
- Development of an alternative to the potentially unsafe practice of using stacked bins to conduct CastScope scans. TSA is in the process of examining alternative screening techniques using the CastScope that do not involve amputees having to elevate their foot or leg while standing.
- Changes in TSA training. TSA will work closely with its training personnel to develop sensitivity training, helping its personnel to identify real-life scenarios and obtain images of prostheses so that TSA officers can become more familiar with the many kinds of prostheses they encounter. In a cooperative effort, the ACA offered to participate in this training by providing local amputee volunteers and by facilitating meetings with prosthetic manufacturers.
- Development of a notification card for travelers with disabilities. TSA recently developed a notification card to provide a mechanism for people with disabilities, medical conditions, or medical devices to discreetly inform transportation security officers (TSOs) that they have a condition that may affect their security screening. In addition, having such a card may assist them in moving to the front of any security line or accessing those security lines designated for people with disabilities. The ACA will assist TSA by helping to distribute information about this card to its members.
The ACA said it will keep members informed as the TSA procedures and action plans are put into place.
