Re: Airport security

[Guest guest]

Here's what we do, and it has worked every time...

We bring a copy of Jimmy's diagnostic letter that says he has

autism. We show this to the TSA agent that stands at the beginning

of the lines to go through security - the one that directs everyone

into the backs of the various lines. Every time, once being shown

that letter and told due to his autism, Jimmy couldn't wait in line,

that TSA agent walked our entire party to the short line that the

airline staff use, where there's never been more than one or two

people ahead of us.

Once we've put all our stuff through the x-ray conveyor belt machine,

my husband goes through the security walk-through gate and stops at

the far side to call Jimmy (meanwhile, I am holding Jimmy back on my

side). Once my husband calls him, Jimmy walks through and joins my

husband. Then I walk through and join both of them. It is simple

and painless - no touching (unless something sets the detector off, I

guess, but this has thankfully never happened).

Of course, this requires two adults to assist, but maybe some

friendly bystanding adults or TSA agents would be willing to assist

if you don't have enough people?

Good luck!

-

Jimmy 10/12/2001

[Guest guest]

Here's what we do, and it has worked every time...

We bring a copy of Jimmy's diagnostic letter that says he has

autism. We show this to the TSA agent that stands at the beginning

of the lines to go through security - the one that directs everyone

into the backs of the various lines. Every time, once being shown

that letter and told due to his autism, Jimmy couldn't wait in line,

that TSA agent walked our entire party to the short line that the

airline staff use, where there's never been more than one or two

people ahead of us.

Once we've put all our stuff through the x-ray conveyor belt machine,

my husband goes through the security walk-through gate and stops at

the far side to call Jimmy (meanwhile, I am holding Jimmy back on my

side). Once my husband calls him, Jimmy walks through and joins my

husband. Then I walk through and join both of them. It is simple

and painless - no touching (unless something sets the detector off, I

guess, but this has thankfully never happened).

Of course, this requires two adults to assist, but maybe some

friendly bystanding adults or TSA agents would be willing to assist

if you don't have enough people?

Good luck!

-

Jimmy 10/12/2001

[Guest guest]

I have a different problem, I am afraid there are going to be fireworks of

terror as my GS has never been on a plane and we would love to go to Disney

World. I mean he will really NOT want to go down the gateway and he will

not want to get on the plane at all. Has anyone ever used mild sedation for

a little one? I sorely hate to do that but there is not a way on the planet

he is getting on the plane without it and screaming at the top of his lungs

for the two hours it would take to get to Florida.

Chris

_____

From: Texas-Autism-Advocacy

[mailto:Texas-Autism-Advocacy ] On Behalf Of jennifer_flinton

Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2007 12:18 PM

To: Texas-Autism-Advocacy

Subject: Re: Airport security

Here's what we do, and it has worked every time...

We bring a copy of Jimmy's diagnostic letter that says he has

autism. We show this to the TSA agent that stands at the beginning

of the lines to go through security - the one that directs everyone

into the backs of the various lines. Every time, once being shown

that letter and told due to his autism, Jimmy couldn't wait in line,

that TSA agent walked our entire party to the short line that the

airline staff use, where there's never been more than one or two

people ahead of us.

Once we've put all our stuff through the x-ray conveyor belt machine,

my husband goes through the security walk-through gate and stops at

the far side to call Jimmy (meanwhile, I am holding Jimmy back on my

side). Once my husband calls him, Jimmy walks through and joins my

husband. Then I walk through and join both of them. It is simple

and painless - no touching (unless something sets the detector off, I

guess, but this has thankfully never happened).

Of course, this requires two adults to assist, but maybe some

friendly bystanding adults or TSA agents would be willing to assist

if you don't have enough people?

Good luck!

-

Jimmy 10/12/2001

[Guest guest]

Sadly I had to use mild sedation on my son because he does not do well with the

tightness of the planes. He becomes severly clausterphobic and sometimes

violent. I spoke with my pediatrician and he gave him a mild sedative. I gave it

to him on the way to the airport and once we got there, 4 1/2 hours early I

might add, I let him watch how other people went thru the security checkpoint.

Luckily I was able to get a very understanding security agent and we went thru,

then I let him look at all the different gates and watch the people board the

plane and then take off. We went to one of the gift shops and bought him a

suprise for plane and then to the Mcs in the terminal for lunch. by this

time the sedative was starting to take effect and I spoke to the gate agent and

asked if we would be able to pre board as I was also traveling with 2 other

children by myself. They let us bored and once I got everyone settled, Charlie

was calm and actually fell asleep on takeoff...as a

precaution I took his pacifier (yes I know) to help relieve pressure in his

ears and he was fine the way out and on the return.

Jenn

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Sadly I had to use mild sedation on my son because he does not do well with the

tightness of the planes. He becomes severly clausterphobic and sometimes

violent. I spoke with my pediatrician and he gave him a mild sedative. I gave it

to him on the way to the airport and once we got there, 4 1/2 hours early I

might add, I let him watch how other people went thru the security checkpoint.

Luckily I was able to get a very understanding security agent and we went thru,

then I let him look at all the different gates and watch the people board the

plane and then take off. We went to one of the gift shops and bought him a

suprise for plane and then to the Mcs in the terminal for lunch. by this

time the sedative was starting to take effect and I spoke to the gate agent and

asked if we would be able to pre board as I was also traveling with 2 other

children by myself. They let us bored and once I got everyone settled, Charlie

was calm and actually fell asleep on takeoff...as a

precaution I took his pacifier (yes I know) to help relieve pressure in his

ears and he was fine the way out and on the return.

Jenn

---------------------------------

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

[Guest guest]

you can also use Afrin for the ear pressure - just a squirt in each nostril

helps for hours - kids & adults!

wrote: Sadly I had to use

mild sedation on my son because he does not do well with the tightness of the

planes. He becomes severly clausterphobic and sometimes violent. I spoke with my

pediatrician and he gave him a mild sedative. I gave it to him on the way to the

airport and once we got there, 4 1/2 hours early I might add, I let him watch

how other people went thru the security checkpoint. Luckily I was able to get a

very understanding security agent and we went thru, then I let him look at all

the different gates and watch the people board the plane and then take off. We

went to one of the gift shops and bought him a suprise for plane and then to the

Mcs in the terminal for lunch. by this time the sedative was starting to

take effect and I spoke to the gate agent and asked if we would be able to pre

board as I was also traveling with 2 other children by myself. They let us bored

and once I got everyone settled,

Charlie was calm and actually fell asleep on takeoff...as a

precaution I took his pacifier (yes I know) to help relieve pressure in his ears

and he was fine the way out and on the return.

Jenn

---------------------------------

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

[Guest guest]

you can also use Afrin for the ear pressure - just a squirt in each nostril

helps for hours - kids & adults!

wrote: Sadly I had to use

mild sedation on my son because he does not do well with the tightness of the

planes. He becomes severly clausterphobic and sometimes violent. I spoke with my

pediatrician and he gave him a mild sedative. I gave it to him on the way to the

airport and once we got there, 4 1/2 hours early I might add, I let him watch

how other people went thru the security checkpoint. Luckily I was able to get a

very understanding security agent and we went thru, then I let him look at all

the different gates and watch the people board the plane and then take off. We

went to one of the gift shops and bought him a suprise for plane and then to the

Mcs in the terminal for lunch. by this time the sedative was starting to

take effect and I spoke to the gate agent and asked if we would be able to pre

board as I was also traveling with 2 other children by myself. They let us bored

and once I got everyone settled,

Charlie was calm and actually fell asleep on takeoff...as a

precaution I took his pacifier (yes I know) to help relieve pressure in his ears

and he was fine the way out and on the return.

Jenn

---------------------------------

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Jenn,

I did the same thing with my son and his binky(pacifier) when we traveled. I

know that he needed it to help with anxiety .Just recently he's tossed it but I

let him do it when he was ready.I always had one,or two (ok 3) on me at all

times because when he would have meltdowns I'd stick that in his mouth to keep

from biting me.He is a " chewer " so this was another reason I let him have it.I

had only 1 compromise and that was when we went into a store he'd leave it in

the car which he had no problem with,(though I carried one in my purse or pocket

for emergencies)which he was aware of.Many things pass in their own time.

Thanks for the Afrin tip !

stacey

Date: 2007/12/26 Wed PM 03:22:50 CST

To: Texas-Autism-Advocacy

Subject: RE: Re: Airport security

you can also use Afrin for the ear pressure - just a squirt in each nostril

helps for hours - kids & adults!

wrote: Sadly I had to use

mild sedation on my son because he does not do well with the tightness of the

planes. He becomes severly clausterphobic and sometimes violent. I spoke with my

pediatrician and he gave him a mild sedative. I gave it to him on the way to the

airport and once we got there, 4 1/2 hours early I might add, I let him watch

how other people went thru the security checkpoint. Luckily I was able to get a

very understanding security agent and we went thru, then I let him look at all

the different gates and watch the people board the plane and then take off. We

went to one of the gift shops and bought him a suprise for plane and then to the

Mcs in the terminal for lunch. by this time the sedative was starting to

take effect and I spoke to the gate agent and asked if we would be able to pre

board as I was also traveling with 2 other children by myself. They let us bored

and once I got everyone settled,

Charlie was calm and actually fell asleep on takeoff...as a

precaution I took his pacifier (yes I know) to help relieve pressure in his ears

and he was fine the way out and on the return.

Jenn

---------------------------------

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Jenn,

I did the same thing with my son and his binky(pacifier) when we traveled. I

know that he needed it to help with anxiety .Just recently he's tossed it but I

let him do it when he was ready.I always had one,or two (ok 3) on me at all

times because when he would have meltdowns I'd stick that in his mouth to keep

from biting me.He is a " chewer " so this was another reason I let him have it.I

had only 1 compromise and that was when we went into a store he'd leave it in

the car which he had no problem with,(though I carried one in my purse or pocket

for emergencies)which he was aware of.Many things pass in their own time.

Thanks for the Afrin tip !

stacey

Date: 2007/12/26 Wed PM 03:22:50 CST

To: Texas-Autism-Advocacy

Subject: RE: Re: Airport security

you can also use Afrin for the ear pressure - just a squirt in each nostril

helps for hours - kids & adults!

wrote: Sadly I had to use

mild sedation on my son because he does not do well with the tightness of the

planes. He becomes severly clausterphobic and sometimes violent. I spoke with my

pediatrician and he gave him a mild sedative. I gave it to him on the way to the

airport and once we got there, 4 1/2 hours early I might add, I let him watch

how other people went thru the security checkpoint. Luckily I was able to get a

very understanding security agent and we went thru, then I let him look at all

the different gates and watch the people board the plane and then take off. We

went to one of the gift shops and bought him a suprise for plane and then to the

Mcs in the terminal for lunch. by this time the sedative was starting to

take effect and I spoke to the gate agent and asked if we would be able to pre

board as I was also traveling with 2 other children by myself. They let us bored

and once I got everyone settled,

Charlie was calm and actually fell asleep on takeoff...as a

precaution I took his pacifier (yes I know) to help relieve pressure in his ears

and he was fine the way out and on the return.

Jenn

---------------------------------

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

[Guest guest]

I would use a mild sedative - benadryl if it works for you child.

If you have never used it - try it before you get on a plane to see

if you get the results you need, also need to give it 1 hour before

going thru security.

When we have gone thru the security system - we have my husband walk

thru first - then have me holding our son to walk thru second and me

right behind him. Our son has been searched - on many flights and its

so apparent he has something wrong with him. But the airport

has to be concerned that some NUT might actually use their disabilied

child to carry something on the plane that would put everyone at risk.

We have traveled by plane so much with our son. This year, I just

couldn't bear it with the hoildays -- crowds -- more crap at the

airport. We have been at the airport when there was a breech of

security - and they shut the airport down for 4 hrs. They made

everyone who already had been thru security go back out to the main

lobby and wait, only to have to repeat the security drill with our

son. The waiting, the crowds, extra noise -- I needed a sedative!

In Texas-Autism-Advocacy , Carlson

wrote:

>

> Tristan is 11 with moderate to severe autism. He hadn't flown

since age 6 until yesterday. We drove from the Austin area to

Houston so that he could be on a nonstop flight to Florida. We

followed the advice of the autism groups to call ahead and see what

kind of help they have for families of children with autism. There

help was having Tristan ride in a wheel chair up to security. When

he arrived at the apparatas to walk through, they had him get up from

the chair and put the wand all over him. Then they touched him all

over his body. At the end of that ordeal he began to make sounds

that indicated he was anxious and was close to a melt down. I am

very upset about this. If he had gone into a full blow tantrum, or

struggled against the touch of the security personnel they might have

hurt him, and/or he wouldn't have been allowed to get on the plane.

They were told he can't tolerate being touched but they proceeded to

make it long and vigorous. Has anyone else had this happen? What

can we do it about it? I am very concerned about his trip back on New

Year's Day. Tampa has a machine that blows air all over and moves

your clothes.

>

> C.

>

[Guest guest]

I would use a mild sedative - benadryl if it works for you child.

If you have never used it - try it before you get on a plane to see

if you get the results you need, also need to give it 1 hour before

going thru security.

When we have gone thru the security system - we have my husband walk

thru first - then have me holding our son to walk thru second and me

right behind him. Our son has been searched - on many flights and its

so apparent he has something wrong with him. But the airport

has to be concerned that some NUT might actually use their disabilied

child to carry something on the plane that would put everyone at risk.

We have traveled by plane so much with our son. This year, I just

couldn't bear it with the hoildays -- crowds -- more crap at the

airport. We have been at the airport when there was a breech of

security - and they shut the airport down for 4 hrs. They made

everyone who already had been thru security go back out to the main

lobby and wait, only to have to repeat the security drill with our

son. The waiting, the crowds, extra noise -- I needed a sedative!

In Texas-Autism-Advocacy , Carlson

wrote:

>

> Tristan is 11 with moderate to severe autism. He hadn't flown

since age 6 until yesterday. We drove from the Austin area to

Houston so that he could be on a nonstop flight to Florida. We

followed the advice of the autism groups to call ahead and see what

kind of help they have for families of children with autism. There

help was having Tristan ride in a wheel chair up to security. When

he arrived at the apparatas to walk through, they had him get up from

the chair and put the wand all over him. Then they touched him all

over his body. At the end of that ordeal he began to make sounds

that indicated he was anxious and was close to a melt down. I am

very upset about this. If he had gone into a full blow tantrum, or

struggled against the touch of the security personnel they might have

hurt him, and/or he wouldn't have been allowed to get on the plane.

They were told he can't tolerate being touched but they proceeded to

make it long and vigorous. Has anyone else had this happen? What

can we do it about it? I am very concerned about his trip back on New

Year's Day. Tampa has a machine that blows air all over and moves

your clothes.

>

> C.

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks to all of you who replied. On their trip back April (Tristan's

Mom) may skip the " helpful " wheel chair they offered and let Tristan

walk in line with the rest of them. Hopefully he will go through the

detector without a problem. I watched as everyone did just that, put

their things through the conveyor belt and walked through, but it was

only Tristan who is a small 11 year old with a disability that they

put through the traumatic procedure. If it was all I would have no

problem and he probably wouldn't have been as upset. If he saw them

do that to others he would know what is coming next, so to speak, but

that is not what happened.

[Guest guest]

Thanks to all of you who replied. On their trip back April (Tristan's

Mom) may skip the " helpful " wheel chair they offered and let Tristan

walk in line with the rest of them. Hopefully he will go through the

detector without a problem. I watched as everyone did just that, put

their things through the conveyor belt and walked through, but it was

only Tristan who is a small 11 year old with a disability that they

put through the traumatic procedure. If it was all I would have no

problem and he probably wouldn't have been as upset. If he saw them

do that to others he would know what is coming next, so to speak, but

that is not what happened.

[Guest guest]

I could so relate with all of your airport posts. We

lived out of Texas until recently and flying back home

once a year was traumatic for our son. He was so

upset the last time we were at the airport that he got

away from us, ran into the gift shop and threw apples

at the cashier. Getting through security was

traumatic because he had a melt down when we took off

his shoes. He then started screaming so loudly that

the other passengers at the gate were commenting that

he should not be allowed on the plane. One woman

pointed her finger at him and shouted, " young man, you

better stop screaming and listen to your parents! " By

the time we got on the plane (3 hr flight), we were

very shaken and distressed. Fortunately, he fell

asleep 30 minutes after take off. We did give him his

allergy medicine earlier (Zyrtec) and that helped. Now

that we live back in Texas, we hope to not have to fly

for awhile. Thanks for the suggestion about the

letter for TSA...great idea.

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

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