| Children are born to move. They have tons of energy | | | | don't. Have your medical device hand-checked and |
| and need an outlet to burn it up, so it can be tough to | | | | ask for a pat-down. |
| get them to be still and listen. It is even more difficult | | | | The screeners, like the parent, want what is best for |
| for children who have special needs or disabilities to be | | | | the child during the screening process. Screeners want |
| confined to an area. | | | | a positive experience for everyone and do their best |
| Most large airports have a designated lane for | | | | to get you on your way. |
| passengers with a disability. It normally is marked with | | | | TIPS |
| a universal handicap symbol (blue placard). If you have | | | | 1. Go directly to the boarding pass/ID checker, |
| a child with a disability, you may utilize this lane if it is | | | | bypassing the line. You do not have to wait in line. |
| available at your airport. You can also use the kid | | | | 2. Stay together. An adult always needs to be present |
| friendly lanes. If you don't see a blue placard right | | | | during screening if the child is a minor. |
| away, then tell the boarding pass/identification checker | | | | 3. Ask the screener to change their gloves. |
| that you will need to use a lane designated for children | | | | 4. Ask for a chair at any time if your child needs one |
| with a disability, and he or she will direct you. | | | | during the screening process. |
| Some smaller airports may not have an extra lane; | | | | 5. Ask for a private screening if you don't want the |
| therefore, you may be directed to a lane for | | | | screening to be conducted in public. |
| secondary screening. If you are not selected for | | | | 6. If your child cannot or does not want to walk |
| secondary screening, you shouldn't have to wait behind | | | | through the metal detector, then ask for a |
| those passengers who are. A screener should screen | | | | hand-wanding or pat-down. |
| you first. If this does not happen, ask to speak with a | | | | 7. If your child is in a wheelchair, he or she can be |
| supervisor. I suggest you call the airport ahead of time | | | | screened sitting down. |
| and ask if security checkpoint has a person with | | | | 8. Tell the screener what your child's physical |
| disabilities lane available. | | | | capabilities and limitations are. |
| If your child is in a wheelchair, expect the screener to | | | | 9. You should always have a clear view of all carry-on |
| ask you if the child can walk through the metal | | | | baggage. |
| detector. This question will be asked for the sole | | | | 10. Parents should assist if they feel it's necessary |
| reason to prevent the child from having to go through | | | | after they have been screened. |
| secondary screening which includes the dreaded | | | | 11. Parents should communicate the best way to |
| hand-wanding or pat-down. If your child cannot walk, | | | | screen their children. |
| screeners are trained to screen him or her either by a | | | | 12. The screener or porter should assist you by placing |
| pat-down with the child seated in the wheelchair or a | | | | your carry-ons on the x-ray belt. |
| hand-wanding if he or she can stand. It is completely | | | | 13. The screener should reunite you with your |
| up to you, the parent, how you want your child to be | | | | carry-ons and any medical devices once they have |
| screened. | | | | been screened. |
| The same guidelines apply to children as they do for | | | | 14. The screener will not move or lift your child from his |
| adults for prosthetic devices, oxygen, casts, braces or | | | | or her medical device. |
| any medical condition or device. If your doctor tells you | | | | 15. Call the airlines ahead of time and make |
| that your medical device cannot go through the x-ray | | | | arrangements for a porter to assist you and for any |
| or you cannot walk through the metal detector, then | | | | medical aids or devices you need for your trip. |