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As all of you, we at Gimp on the Go are completely devastated by the recent tragedies in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Sadness, disbelief and anger at these horrific acts will be with us for a long, long time. Our hearts and prayers go out to all those who have been affected by these events, and we offer our profound thanks and admiration to everyone involved in the relief and rescue efforts: you are all heros in the truest sense of the word.
As our nation struggles to come to grips with its loss, we all must begin to pick up the pieces of our lives and move forward. America, you and I, will continue on. However, things have changed and those changes will effect our daily lives. Security, particularly with regard to airline travel, is going to be more stringent than ever. While this is a good and necessary step, it is bound to make travel more difficult, especially for those with disabilities.
Specifics on how new security measures will impact disability travel are still unclear, but much can be surmised from the information being issued by the FAA and the individual airlines.
Changes Prior to Flying
E-tickets are likely to be phased out since nobody without a ticket or boarding pass will be allowed past the security checkpoint. As such, request paper tickets to minimize hassles. (Currently, electronic ticket confirmation letters, travel agency itineraries, airline itineraries and boarding passes may qualify depending on the individual airline).
We have always advocated that disabled travelers arrive extra (1 ½ to 2 hours) early for their flights. Now, because of more thorough security checks, all passengers are being told to arrive two hours prior to their flight. Our advice, then, is for disabled travelers to arrive 3 hours early.
Disassembly of power wheelchairs may have to be done prior to arriving at the airport. We know that this is extremely inconvenient, but no knives or cutting instruments of any size or material will be allowed past security. This will likely encompass scissors and, possibly, screwdrivers which are commonly needed for taking apart battery connections and such. Tools will be allowed to be packed in checked luggage for reassembly after the flight.
Changes at the Airport
Vehicles parked near the airport will be closely monitored and towed if left unattended. You may notice additional uniformed law enforcement officers and FAA canine teams patrolling the airport.
Expect delays. There will be thorough searches of all airports and airplanes before passengers are allowed to enter and board aircraft.
Curbside check-in is prohibited, as is checking bags at off-airport sites. All bags must be checked at the main ticket counter. However, sky-caps will be available inside some airports to help with your bags.
Make sure you have your ID. You'll need it at check-in, the security check point and at boarding time. Acceptable forms of identification are a valid photo driver's license, an active passport or an employee identification from a county, state or federal agency.
No one without a ticket and photo ID will be allowed beyond the security checkpoint. Provisions will be made for parents who need to meet unaccompanied minors, for disabled persons and persons with special needs who need to be accompanied by healthcare assistants or guardians, and for medical personnel who need to respond to a medical emergency beyond the checkpoint.
On the Plane
Federal Air Marshals who are armed and trained in the use of firearms on board aircraft will be flying anonymously.
Don't expect knives with your in-flight meal. You won't be getting any.
What Else Can We Expect?
There is still much that we don't know. It is uncertain if wheelchair users will retain the right to transfer from their chairs at the gate or whether such moves must be made at the check-in and baggage areas. How will oxygen users and their tanks fare at security checkpoints? Security pat downs of wheelchair users (a regular occurrence) are likely to be more thorough and examinations of the chairs themselves, more intrusive. We are hearing reports of mirror checks underneath wheelchairs, battery boxes being opened by security, battery chargers having to be plugged in and demonstrated, and even testing batteries for explosives residue.
For now, we are recommending that you call your airline and ask specific questions about how their new security measures will effect your disability travel routine. Try to work with airline and security personnel so that they understand your needs and how your equipment works. Making things easy for the traveler is important, but security is now the bottom line concern.
We are also asking all of you to please e-mail us with your experiences under the new security regime. The more information we have, the better for us all. We mourn America's loss, and while we understand and support the need for better security at our airports, we must make sure that it is balanced with disabled traveler's rights so that we do not return to a time when travel was next to impossible.
God Bless America.
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