[nfb-talk] TSA discrimination in Orlando

Wed Jul 13 01:22:05 UTC 2011

I gave them my cane for scanning and asked to have it returned to me 
so I could travel through the metal detector.  I was told that I had 
to take the agent’s arm.  I said I was fine with the cane, and that 
the cane would not set off the metal detector.  I was told that I 
could not do that, even after offering them the copy of their own 
regulations saying that I could and should.

What followed was punitive action taken because I tried to assert my 
right to travel with a cane, not an arm.  You’d think punishment for 
using a cane rather than a sighted guide is right up the NFB’s alley.  
Apparently though, it’s not.

I’ll be pursuing it on my own.  But as Mike so eloquently put it, I’m 
"not a-gonna win" if I do that.  I will do it anyway, though, because 
it is the right thing to do.  We fought for the right to our canes, 
and if we haven’t got the guts to defend that right, then we don’t 
really have it after all.

I’ll just hope that when I lose, I don’t manage to set any new 
precedents that we don’t in fact have a right to our canes.  I don’t 
know that I could prevent that going it alone, but several people 
have made it quite clear that punishment for using a white cane just 
isn’t the NFB’s fight.

Joseph

On Tue, Jul 12, 2011 at 05:56:43PM -0400, bookwormahb at earthlink.net wrote:
>Joeseph,
>I'm sure there is more to the story; its clear they did extra 
>screening as a punishment.
>But what rights were violated? Where did they insist upon sighted guide?
>I thought you gave up your cane for scanning and walked through the 
>scanner without it?
>So where does this sighted guide come in? If you walk five steps 
>without your cane, it’s a straight shot, and you didn't have a guide.  
>I never had a guide when going through a security metal detector 
>whether at a federal building, at the Capitol for a concert, or the 
>Pentagon.
>
>I was a little upset when they wanted me to give up my cane last time 
>I flew as well.
>But after I walked through the scanner without setting it off, it was 
>returned to me promptly.
>If you file a complaint with TSA, let us know how it goes.
>Ashley
>
>-----Original Message----- From: T. Joseph Carter
>Sent: Monday, July 11, 2011 11:28 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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