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TSA Policy on Screening People with Disabilities or Illness

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Every person and item that enters the secure boarding area of an airport must be screened by the TSA (Transportation Security Administration). In order to ensure that properly screening those traveling with a disability or illness is balanced with treating them with respect, the TSA has developed a program for screening the disabled and their associated equipment and belongings. This program was developed with help from over 70 disability-related groups. All manner of disability, including mobility, hearing, visual, and those with hidden disabilities, are covered.

All disability-related equipment is allowed through security checkpoints, once it’s cleared screening. A listing of permitted disability-related equipment can be found on their site.

Additionally, any liquid prescription medication or other liquids needed by those with disabilities or medical conditions are also permitted. If they’re larger that 3 ounces each, however, they’re not to be placed in your 1-quart ziplock bag, and must be declared to the Security Officer. It’s recommended, but not required, that you provide any supporting documentation about your medication, and it’s also recommended that only the amount needed for the flight itself be carried in your carry-on bag, with the rest packed in your checked bag.

You won’t be required to remove your shoes, but you will be subject to additional visual and physical screening that includes explosive trace detection sampling of your shoes while they remain on your feet.

The TSA has much more information about their program on their site, including information on the screening of casts, prosthetic devices, braces, implanted medical devices, respiratory-related equipment, mobility aids, dressings and more. Also included are sections relating to traveling with children with special needs, traveling with service animals, and tips on preparing for your trip before you reach the airport. It’s definitely a good idea to know what to expect at the airport before you get there, so that you’re able to prepare for things to go as smoothly as possible. Travel can be difficult enough, especially for those with special needs.

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TSA Guidelines for Traveling with Kids

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The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has a helpful explanation of their guidelines for traveling with kids on their site, including videos on traveling with kids, traveling with babies, infant traveling tips, and a great video for kids themselves to watch which features other kids explaining the process to them.

Everyone who travels must be screened, regardless of age, but their guidelines seem to make an effort to keep the process from being scary for kids. They note that you will never be separated from your child, and that kids will be treated as gently as possible. If they become upset during the process, their parent will be asked how to best comfort them.

At the x-ray machine, all of the child’s items must go through. Any equipment used for the child, such as strollers, carriers or backpacks, must also go through. If any equipment doesn’t fit through the machine, officers will physically inspect it. It’s also suggested that you can ask an officer for help in getting all of your things back together on the other side, which is nice to know. A warning is also given to not leave babies in carriers when they go through the x-ray machine (who does this?).

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Walking through the metal detector, it’s recommended that kids walk through themselves if they’re able to.

You’re allowed to bring medicine for children, formula and baby food, juice and breast milk in “reasonable” quantities larger than 3 ounces, and they don’t have to be in a quart zip-lock bag. However, you do need to declare them for inspection. It’s asked that only those liquids needed by a child on the flight be packed in a carry-on, and that the rest be packed in checked bags.

There’s also a section explaining how to best travel with a child with a disability or medical condition.

Traveling with kids can be so stressful and difficult. It can take half an hour just to get everyone into the car for a trip to the grocery store, much less through the airport for a lengthy trip on a plane. It’s a good idea to know what to expect at the airport, so that you can prepare as much as possible.

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Follow the 3-1-1 Rule for Liquids in Your Carry-On

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According to TSA (Transportation Security Administration) guidelines, liquids in travelers’ carry-on bags must:

3 – be in a bottle that is 3 oz or less

1 – the bottles must fit in a 1 quart-sized zip-lock bag

1 – 1 zip-lock bag per traveler

These zip-lock bags must be put on the conveyor belt to be screened by x-ray.

Liquids in larger bottles may be packed in checked bags. Certain liquids, such as medications, baby formula or food and breast milk, are allowed to be carried in a traveler’s carry-on in larger “reasonable” quantities, and do not have to be carried in quart zip-lock bags. These exceptions must be declared at the security checkpoint, however.

For more information, review the rules on the TSA’s site.