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RSDSA has been asked by a person with CRPS how she can avoid a symptom flare-up, resulting from
being patted down by security personnel at airport security checkpoints.
We suggest that prior to flying, you obtain a recently dated
letter from your physician addressed to TSA Employees/Security Checkpoint
Supervisor stating that you have been diagnosed with CRPS,
a neurological syndrome characterized by intense chronic burning
pain, pathological changes in bone and skin, excessive sweating,
tissue swelling, and extreme sensitivity to touch and he/she recommends
that you be scanned by an electronic scanning device rather
than being physically searched which will cause intense pain and
prevent your traveling.
Other ways to avoid a pat-down is wear clothes that are designed
for
traveling such as:
- Shoes with no metal shanks or eyes for laces
- Skirts, pants, shirts, etc. with no metal zippers or buttons
(plastic only)
- No belt buckles or metal fasteners or if the passenger
is wearing a
belt with a metal buckle, all they have to do is to open
up the
buckle and allow the TSA agent to "feel it"
- Sports bra with no metal hooks/eyes or strap adjustment.
- No jewelry.
- Keep all keys, cosmetics, money and change in a belt pouch
or purse that will be placed in a tray for x-ray clearance with a
minimum of
fumbling.
- Nothing metal goes in pockets--have everything that would be in your pockets, put into a clear plastic ZIPLOC
bag. A few of the airports now have such bags available
for this use and 9 times out of 10, you can keep the bag
The TSA agent may ask you to go over to seat down area and
remove your shoes. THE TSA AGENT IS REQUIRED TO GENTLY REMOVE YOUR
SHOES AND PUT YOUR SHOES BACK ON WITHOUT CAUSING YOU ANY PAIN.
Just chat with the TSA agent about your shoe removal and replacement
needs. Most are very helpful...except at San Francisco Airport
where they are getting the most complaints of any TSA-maintained
airport in the states.
Metal-detector "safe" clothing for travelers is
available and advertised as such on the following two web sites:
Travel Smith http://www.travelsmith.com/
Magellan's http://www.magellans.com/
As a general rule, most of the TSA people are good at understanding
the needs of travelers with disabilities.
RSDSA board members Dr. Peter Moskovitz and Wilson Hulley
contributed to this announcement.
January 12, 2006 |
