Re: AFO's and Airline Check-in

[Guest guest]

Hi , Betty here. I am also a lurker. I wear AFO's, without a joint, and

recently traveled to Las Vegas, which is where I get my AFO's made, from

burg, PA. I sounded the alarm each time I went through the check-in point

and was pulled over and told to sit in a chair. I explained to them that I had

AFO's with metal in them and they proceeded to run a scanner wand over my

entire body. I did not have to take them off though which was good. After they

ran the wand over me I was free to go. It really did not take too much extra

time and, honestly, I was glad to see that they were thoroughly checking me

over after 9/11. Hope this helped.

[Guest guest]

I usually take mine off and walk as well as I can through the machine.

Recently I had one of the TSA agents tell me that I didn't have to take them

off.

He said to just tell them, the TSA, that I wore braces and they would wand me.

That seems better than taking them off. There are more and more people who

wear AFO's either metal or plastic so the TSA has to be able to accomodate us.

I have a friend who went to Europe in late fall. He wears metal KAFO's. He said

that he had experiences all over the board from the TSA being very

accomdating to having to strip down behind a screen. He went through the

wheelchair check in by the way even though he usually doesn't use a

wheelchair. He thought that it might be easier with his braces. I'm sure that

this will get better as the TSA realizes that a standard policy needs to be

developed.

Good Luck,

Bob

[Guest guest]

Betty and , thanks for the replies. I knew that I would get

some good information here from people who KNOW.

Being reticent to do the wheelchair check-in thing when I really

don't need it, I think I will try the route of telling them I have

braces, and just hoping that they wand me. I guess there are worse

things than having to take them off " off to the side " but I hope not

to. Obviously security comes first though.

I imagine I will have different treatment when leaving from Neward or

JFK where I normally depart from, when compared to European airports

which I visit. I shall see, I guess.

Thanks for the supportive advice.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I have worn AFO's for 21 years. They are plastic with only a very

small metal piece that holds the strap on. In September this year I

flew for the first time since 9/11. I started at Dayton Ohio and went

to Denver with a transfer at Midway in Chicago. At Dayton I told them

what I was wearing and that I might set off the alarm. They gave me

the option of walking through or removing my supports first. I opted

to walk with them on and the alarm did go off. I was taken to the

side and asked to sit in a chair and remove my shoes. Then I had to

stand up and my entire body was scanned with a wand. I did not have

to remove my AFO's or socks (I wear a heavy sock over them to help

hide them). I am not sure what set the alarm off, my AFO's or my

shoes which I think might have a small amount of metal in them.

At Chicago I did not leave the secure area and so there was no

checking issue at all. On my return trip I went through the same

process at the Denver airport.

I expected this would happen so it was no big surprise. I'm glad they

are checking that close. The next time I fly however, I will remove

my shoes, socks and AFO's before going through the check point. They

told me I would go through much faster that way.

Another Bob

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the advice, Bob. I guess that I must expect to be pulled

aside, I am still debating what to do when I fly next week. I suspect

I will just wear them, so that I can walk as best as I can, and just

accept the fact that security is important...personal discomforts

aside.