[nfb-talk] TSA discrimination in Orlando

Tue Jul 12 15:59:17 UTC 2011

Hey! Sounds like Scott LaBarre's "Airport Guy"! 

Mike

On Jul 12, 2011, at 7:48, "Prows, Bennett (HHS/OCR)" <Bennett.Prows at HHS.GOV> wrote:

> What we need here is calm.  This is a frustrating issue, that isn't going to foster consensus any time soon, unless we all organize an acceptable response that works for the vast majority of us, and then we all act accordingly.  However, as many different points of view, as there are, and emotions that run through the security checks done by TSA folks, I think we may be trying to herd cats here.  
> 
> My experience with tSA in Florida was that just at the time I was going to go through the metal detector *using my *cane*, one TSA guy said I need to take your cane to x-ray it.  I explained that I understood, and that I would stop on the other side of the machine after walking through with my cane which most likely wouldn't set the machine off, and give it to him to do with whatever he wanted.  He told me to go ahead, I went through without incident, handed him my cane, waited a few seconds, and he gave it back after putting it through the scanner.
> 
> In other airports, I have had, ..., shall we say, firmer discussions, but none has resulted in more than a few minutes of checking, explaining, then walking through the scanner with my cane in tact.
> 
> I may have been lucky so far.  but, I do travel more than some, and less than others.  Usually, and I emphasize *usually, I get through security at a comfort level I can tolerate.  Though, all that having been said, I still hate airports, security, airline folks that assume I am not capable of thinking, walking, talking, understanding, etc, just because I don't see.  
> 
> One final story.  A colleague and I were flying back to Seattle after convention.  Everything had gone quite well throughout the day.  In fact, Mike Freeman, his wife, and we had a nice opportunity to kill time in hotels, airports, etc, while waiting for time to fly.  But we got into a short conversation about the frustrations at airports, etc somewhere along the way.  I got to Seattle, and was headed for the baggage claim, and a large gentleman asked me if I needed help getting to baggage claim.  I said something like, just a little direction.  And, of course, he said "oh here, I'll help", and proceeded to wrap a large arm around mine.  And, I guess in frustration, or without thinking, I said, "Hey, don't do that, ..., it just bugs the expletive* out of me."  It surprised me, because I don't even like the expletive I uttered, (which begins with a letter other than S.)  He didn't really run away, or apologize, just said something like he was just trying to help.  I apologized for the language, but tried to explain it was his physical action that got to me.  I also said I appreciated his intent to give me direction though, but by then, he'd left.  I felt bad, because he may not think to assist anyone in the future.  But, don't I have the right to get angry at some point too?
> 
> Anyway, have a nice day, and hope your travels are rewarding.
> 
> /s/
> 
> 
> Bennett
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of T. Joseph Carter
> Sent: Monday, July 11, 2011 8:29 PM
> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] TSA discrimination in Orlando
> 
> So what you’re saying, Brian, is that you’re willing to be 
> intimidated into giving up your rights, because the big boogeyman TSA 
> agents can do too much to you if you don’t do exactly what they say, 
> whether it’s illegal or flies in the face of every battle we have 
> fought long and hard for as an organization?
> 
> Just want to be sure I understand here.  Because the TSA said that of 
> nearly 3,000 blind people going through the airport, I’m the only one 
> who insisted that I had a right NOT to be led around like a child, 
> denied the use of my cane for travel.
> 
> Joseph
> 
> 
> On Mon, Jul 11, 2011 at 09:07:58PM -0400, Brian Miller wrote:
>> Hi Peter,
>> 
>> I don't think anyone feels that Joe was treated well, or with the respect
>> he deserves, but security checks are a serious hassle and a drag for
>> everyone, and indignities abound.  I think solidarity across the board, and
>> not just for blind people, is in order.
>> 
>> I merely say that for me using my cane to walk a few feet through the metal
>> detector is not worth fighting over -- the last thing I need is to end up on
>> a "no fly" list.  The point is, you are exactly right that the blind have
>> been fighting, and getting arrested, and going to jail, for years over our
>> right to have our mobility devices, and we've won some, and lost many
>> others.  I think we need to figure out where to focus our energies to
>> maximize independence while recognizing that we face a very difficult
>> environment in which to make our arguments when it comes to security.
>> 
>> Heck, we still don't, and maybe never will, have the right to sit in the
>> emergency row -- now that makes me feel more like a child than does a quick
>> guide through the magnetometer .
>> 
>> Not long ago Dr. Fred Schoeder was denied the right to fly to a meeting
>> because he was traveling alone... Granted, this was not in the United
>> States, but that kind of right of freedom of movement, is something I'm
>> willing to lie down on the tarmac for and go to jail.... Maybe not a jail in
>> Thailand, though *smile*
>> 
>> In any case, I don't think Alicia, or any of us, are trying to miminize
>> the fight we all face.
>> 
>> Brian M
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Peter Donahue
>> Sent: Monday, July 11, 2011 11:30 AM
>> To: Alicia Richards; NFB Talk Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] TSA discrimination in Orlando
>> 
>> Hello Alicia and everyone,
>> 
>> The next time you pass through a TSA Check point we'll cut both of your feet
>> off and demand that you walk through like anyone else. Blind people have
>> fought long and hard to be allowed to keep their canes and dogs with them at
>> all times while passing through TSA check points and on planes themselves.
>> Blind people were arrested and went to jail to insure these rights are
>> protected and we don't need our own people telling us that it's not a big
>> deal.
>> 
>> Peter Donahue who along with Mary took their last flight ever on a
>> commercial airliner and can look forward to avoiding TSA screeners in the
>> future!
>> 
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Alicia Richards" <alicianfb at gmail.com>
>> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Sunday, July 10, 2011 11:37 PM
>> 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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>> 
>> 
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