[nfb-talk] TSA discrimination in Orlando

Mike Freeman k7uij at panix.com
Tue Jul 12 16:10:01 UTC 2011


Brian:

It's random. I've had my cane set off the alarms in some airports and not others; it isn't even consistent from day to day at a given airport. It just depends on how sensitive the screening devices are set on a given occasion. Heck; I once had a container of glucose tablets set off the alarm at the longworth House Office Building in DC! Go figure.

Mike

On Jul 12, 2011, at 8:41, "Brian Miller" <brian-r-miller at uiowa.edu> wrote:

> Hi Benet,
> 
> Thanks for sharing your stories, perspective, and wise observations.  
> 
> I'm really curious, though, as like you, I travel a fair bit -- more than
> most, less than others, and I've always avoided taking my cane through the
> detectors as I have had it set them off too many times... I have your
> standard NFB long white cane with a metal tip, and sometimes with a metal
> chain.  
> 
> You say your cane never, or rarely sets off the machine -- I wonder what
> others who use the same kind of cane experience?
> 
> Brian M
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Michael Bullis
> Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 11:09 AM
> To: 'NFB Talk Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] TSA discrimination in Orlando
> 
> Very well said Ben.  I'm glad to see somebody put this into some
> perspective.  And, you were nice about it, not questioning the motives and
> actions of others, not ranting, Etc.  Maybe I'll continue to read this list
> after all.
> Mike Bullis
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Prows, Bennett (HHS/OCR)
> Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 10:49 AM
> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] TSA discrimination in Orlando
> 
> 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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