[nfb-talk] TSA discrimination in Orlando

[Brian Miller]

It does sound like Joe was treated rather rudely by the TSA guys, and they
do seem to have acted in a retalitory way when Joe was trying to do what he
felt was right.  

I do agree with many others, though, that the issue of walking through the
metal detector without my cane really isn't an issue at all.  I put my long
white cane on the belt to travel through the machine, step a few paces away
and a TSA agent essentially pulls me through the machine.  It's a matter of
taking a few steps and it really doesn't inconvenience me that much.  A few
times my cane got stuck in the machine, or took a long time to come through
and meet me on the other side, but in 100% of the time I've always gotten it
back and was on my way.  I'm totally blind, and doing this doesn't over-tax
me -- do I like?  Not much, but it's the least of my worries when traveling.


Taking off my shoes, belt, watch, sweater, pants, tie, shirt, whatever, and
not being able to bring any liquids (above 3 ounces) -- now that's an issue.
And the mega-grope -- that's an issue.  My wife has metal in her leg from an
injury, so unless they have the new super-invasive X-ray machines, she has
to get the pat down every time, and pat down is putting it lightly.  All of
this, however, is not unique to blindness, but all of us -- sighted, blind,
or otherwise.

Brian M

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Alicia Richards
Sent: Monday, July 11, 2011 12:38 AM
To: NFB Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] TSA discrimination in Orlando

I agree with Mike and others here.  Yes, the TSA has been given too much
power.  It's shameful that they can perform such invasive patdowns,
violating one's personal space and dignity.  but as Ryan said, that's not a
blindness issue: they can do that to anyone.  And, I've never understood
people's issue with giving up their cane for 30 seconds, taking someone's
hand to walk five steps through the security check, and then have their cane
handed right back to them.  I question someone's mobility training if they
are unable to walk five steps without their cane, and also can't help but
wonder if they're exhibiting what I believe was once called, "rebellious
independence," by refusing to take the hand or arm of a TSA official for
that very brief time.  But to each their own.  Joseph, I'll be curious if
you get a reply from Scott LaBarre about this?

Alicia 


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