[Travelandtourism] FYI, FROM THE WHITEHOUSE

[cheryl echevarria]

Thank you for posting, I am going to put this also on my blog and facebook, thanks for the update

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> From: STEPHANIELSCOTT at aol.com
> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:32:23 -0500
> To: travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Travelandtourism] FYI, FROM THE WHITEHOUSE
> 
> 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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>  
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