[Travelandtourism] FYI, FROM THE WHITEHOUSE

[STEPHANIELSCOTT at aol.com]

TSA Helpline for Travelers with Disabilities
 
Please see the below links and press release regarding a new service from  
the TSA for travel.
 
_http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2011/1222.shtm_ 
(http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2011/1222.shtm) 
 
_http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/disabilityandmedicalneeds/tsa_cares.
shtm_ 
(http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/disabilityandmedicalneeds/tsa_cares.shtm) 
 
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced the launch of  
TSA Cares today, a new helpline number designed to assist travelers with  
disabilities and medical
conditions, prior to getting to the airport.  Travelers may call TSA Cares 
toll free at 1-855-787 2227 prior to traveling with  questions about 
screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the  security checkpoint.
 
“TSA Cares provides passengers with disabilities and medical needs another  
resource to use before they fly, so they know what to expect when going 
through  the screening process,” said TSA Administrator John Pistole. “This 
additional  level of personal communication helps ensure that even those who 
do not travel  often are aware of our screening policies before they arrive 
at the  airport.”
 
Since its inception, TSA has provided information to all travelers through  
its TSA Contact Center and Customer Service Managers in airports 
nationwide. TSA  Cares will serve as an additional, dedicated resource for passengers 
with  disabilities, medical conditions or other circumstances or their loved 
ones who  want to prepare for the screening process prior to flying.
 
When a passenger with a disability or medical condition calls TSA Cares, a  
representative will provide assistance, either with information about 
screening  that is relevant to the passenger’s specific disability or medical 
condition, or  the passenger may be referred to disability experts at TSA. TSA 
recommends that  passengers call approximately 72 hours ahead of travel so 
that TSA Cares has the  opportunity to coordinate checkpoint support with a 
TSA Customer Service Manager  located at the airport when necessary.
 
Every person and item must be screened before entering the secure area of  
an airport and the manner in which the screening is conducted will depend on 
the  passenger’s abilities and any specific equipment brought to the 
security  checkpoint.
 
TSA strives to provide the highest level of security while ensuring that  
all passengers are treated with dignity and respect. The agency works 
regularly  with a broad coalition of disability and medical condition advocacy 
groups to  help understand their needs and adapt screening procedures 
accordingly. TSA  holds quarterly meetings with this coalition to inform them about 
current  training and screening procedures used in airports. TSA recently 
hosted a  teleconference with members of these groups to announce the 
long-standing plans  to implement TSA Cares for travelers and inform them of the 
upcoming  launch.
 
All travelers may ask to speak to a TSA supervisor if questions about  
screening procedures arise while at the security checkpoint. The hours of  
operation for the TSA Cares helpline are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.  
EST, excluding federal holidays. After hours, travelers can find information  
about traveling with disabilities and medical needs on TSA’s website. 
 
All travelers can contact TSA using Talk To TSA, a web-based tool that  
allows passengers to reach out to an airport Customer Service Manager directly, 
 and the TSA Contact Center, 1 866-289-9673 and _TSA-ContactCenter at dhs.gov_ 
(mailto:TSA-ContactCenter at dhs.gov) , where  travelers can ask questions, 
provide suggestions and file complaints. Travelers  who are deaf or hard of 
hearing can use a relay service to contact TSA Cares or  can e-mail 
_TSA-ContactCenter at dhs.gov_ (mailto:TSA-ContactCenter at dhs.gov) 
 
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