Ireland: TSA

The TSA had a lane for wheelchairs to have our documents and boarding passes checked, but we had to stand in the regular x-ray line (something found in most airports.) The guy who checked our documents seemed more interested in the pretty girl that had been just in front of us, but he was nice. Then the "fun" started.

I have travelled to countless airports in the US and know (from reading the TSA's website and from experience) what happens when a person in a wheelchair goes through security. I told the female TSA person that I would like to be with my mom when she is screened. The woman asked me why and I said that I wanted to make sure everything went smoothly for my mom and that the TSA's website states that a caregiver can request to be with the person as long as they understood they (the caregiver) can be asked by the TSA to be re screened - I was fine if they wanted to re screen me. The woman took my mom away and I went through the body scanner. Right after going through the scanner a male TSA person told me to step forward and started patting me down. I asked him why I was being patted down after I had just gone through the body scanner and his response was "Because." I thought the body scanners - which are optional in the US - took the place of a traditional pat-down. I guess the guy just wanted to feel me himself (maybe he liked what he saw on the body scanner image.)

After that I went to get all our things from the x-ray machine and since there were several bags and bins I asked another TSA guy for help. He asked me why I wanted help (I wanted to say "Because I asked you nicely for it", but instead I said it was because there were many items and I had to bring them over to where my mom was being screened. He eventually helped me, my mom was screened and we went to the gate.

It turns out that the hour delay turned into a 4 hour delay because of mechanical problems on the plane. We ate at the only restaurant past security. Then because of the 4 hour delay and the fact that Logan doesn't have a smoking section I took my mom outside the Terminal to have a cigarette. When we went back through security a female TSA woman took my mom (again I asked to be with her when she was screened) and told me to wait for another woman who needed assistance. So I gladly waited. After the woman went through the same TSA woman walked over and shut the barrier and walked away. I asked her why she had me wait at the barrier instead of going through the metal detector and she said "I doesn't tells you nothing" (she said it just like that.)I went through the metal detector and then asked to speak with the supervisor.

You would think that when you ask to speak with a supervisor and he/she came they would take you aside, hear your complaint and say something like "Thank you for bringing it to my attention, I will speak to them about it." Instead I got one of those "holier than thou" supervisors. His name is Tom LaFleur (The Flower.) Him and 5 other TSA people stood around me in a circle right where everyone is trying to go through security. I told him about our experience the first time and this last time and instead of listening he started yelling at me. He really went off on his high horse. I told him (nicely) that I have travelled to countless US airports with the wheelchair and so far Boston was the worst one I have experienced. I told him about all the different people I had to ask and then beg to help and that the TSA's website said that as a caregiver of a person in a wheelchair I had a right to request assistance. He continued to shout and yell at me (still in front of everyone.) I realized right away that he wasn't willing to take this seriously and so I stated that I was done and that I would simply file an official complaint online. He kept shouting at me and said that his "boss is Obama." Don't ask me why he said that. It's not as though they are buddies. I wanted to reply that actually Obama is commander and chief of the Armed Forces and not the TSA (that Janet Napolitano is actually his boss) but I didn't. He then got a comment card and told me to use it. I told him that I would file it online as I know that was faster. I asked for his name and wrote it down. Then he asked for my name and how to spell it. I told him my name, but not how to spell it. He said he was going to write it down but he never did. I told him I was done and he continued to shout at me. I kept repeating that I was finished and then he said that he could "make a phone call and have people here to take you away." I then took my mom and we went to the gate. It is people like this that are given a little bit of power and abuse it to the full extent.

After several hours of more waiting and delays my mom then wanted another cigarette and I can't blame her. I didn't want to go through TSA and have more problems with them so my mom suggested using one of those airport people that assist people in wheelchairs. I asked the people at the Virgin Atlantic gate to call one and at first they didn't want to, but my mom convinced them. We waited 15 minutes and when no one came I brought my mom to the door that leads out of the secured zone and she walked outside the Terminal. After what seemed like a long wait (as I was worried about her walking so far and whether the TSA would give her more trouble or not) I saw her walking through the metal detector and then sit in an airport wheelchair for the few steps to where I was waiting with her chair. Apparently, no one helped her until she got right up to the start of security and by that time it was pointless as I was right behind it.

The experience with the TSA at Boston was the worst to date. They were more concerned with their authority rather than helping the disabled and keeping people safe. Of course I plan on filing the official complaint as soon as I am done with this entry. The TSA needs to follow their own rules and treat passengers as people.