Airport TSA CARES Program Special Assistance

Flying out to the UOAA conference from Newark, NJ, to Orlando, Florida, August 13th, figured I'd see what the TSA has to offer a passenger who sports a bag on his right side, with a hearing loss.🦻

"External devices that may interfere with screening" was one of several they listed that could set off the bells, buzzers, and mayhem. (Me likey)

They said you can qualify for a "passenger support🙋‍♂️ specialist" at the checkpoint.

Hmm? Did anyone know about this service?🤔

If one isn't available, they🙋‍♂️ mentioned a "supervisory TSA officer" will assist. Hmm..🤔

I filled out a form, sent it off🙋‍♂️ tonight, (within 72 hours of flight - they insisted) and should hear back from them within 24 hrs. 🫣

Hmmm. 🤷‍♂️

And the plot, as well as the shitz, thickens... 😆

Have a great time at the conference!

Say hello to everyone for me, will you, Warrior, and have a great time.

IGGIE

I've heard of this program. I have a sister who has legal blindness. When she flies, she has her son fill out this form for her, and as soon as she arrives, there is someone there to help. She says it works well.

Interested to find out how this works out for you, Warrior, and how the conference goes for all of you. For those who are comfortable, please post pics!

Staying Hydrated with an Ostomy with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Interesting. You will have to update us.

Now that I am off TPN, I am considering flying to see my mother. (It's been more than 2 years, and with her being 86, I don't know how many years are left.) But currently sporting 4 bags, I can't quite imagine my reception at TSA. The 1 bag has a massive metal clip, so I'm not even making it through the old-style metal detector.

Have fun at the conference. I wish I could have gone. Post pics, please 🙏

Thanks, Kas, will do.👍

Will do, Iggs. Thanks👍

Thank you. We shall see.

I think I'm setting a conference record by being the only deaf ostimate requesting interpreters. They found 1. So I have 2 workshops to attend.

Otherwise, it's just a social event thing for me.

Hey. That's cool for your sister.

We shall see.

Plenty of "firsts" on this trip.

This is one of many. 🤭

Sue, you will be honored in spirit with four drinks as a toast to being such a troublemaker... oops, I meant trusted member, (spell check gone wrong)

Having valuable insight as a double... er... umm quad now? Bagger...

A vital asset having you here.

You will be up flying in no time.

Patience. And a pending toast soon. 🥂🍻🍸

I'm going to hold you to that promise of 4 toasts for being such a troublemaker... oops, I see what you mean about spell check.

Indeed 😊

Have a good trip. I heard others are going to this conference. Enjoy yourself. Hope everything goes smoothly for you.

Hope y'all have a great time and totally agree with all those who mentioned "photos please"! ˙✧˖°📸⋆｡˚

🌃💋🎧🥂📷 🐚🌴🌺🐬🐠🥥✈️☀️🌊🤿🧿👙🍻🥳

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Hey Warrior - Riva here. Will be attending, too. Anyone else attending? Will need to discuss our libation favorites and schedule. Hydration is a must in the summer Florida heat.🍷🍷🍷🍷

I want in on this 4-drink toast to SusanT!!

Anybody else???

Hi Riva

I am attending. I look forward to meeting you and agreeing on the libation discussion 😊

We all expect a full report, Warrior! I'll be there in spirit. It should be a really interesting experience, and hopefully a fun one. Good luck with the whole airport screening thing!

Terry

My emergency colostomy happened on vacation thousands of miles from home. When I was able to travel home, I called the TSA (I worked security at the airport), so I knew I would qualify. Call them. Get the name of the agent you talk to.

Liberty AP? YUCK! Used to fly into LGA 3 times a year. Joined TSA PreCheck in 2011. Flew to Japan last year. My stoma gear is non-metallic and I have never had any issues. One TSA agent watching the screen said, "Do you have a stoma?" I said yes and started to lift my shirt. "Don't bother, we see these all the time." -San Diego When some see the size of my medical bag, they do question it. Opened it and they just smiled.

I learned to read lips before wearing hearing aids. They work, so, so, and I read lips to supplement. Eating and speaking stinks!

Warrior,

Best wishes for the conference ....

.... And to everyone who is going,

Best wishes 

- have a great trip.

Understanding is 90% body language, so with your networking skills, Warrior, you will be fine.

[I too wear hearing aids - most of the time - but there are also times when I choose freedom from these .......  so you have my empathy - generally, I do not promote the fact that I am supplementing my hearing] ......... AND Warrior - due respect too - for I really do appreciate the difference between total deafness, being born deaf, and declining hearing - all very different.]

....

You will all have a great time ......

And, thank you for sharing with us onsite the lead-up to going and promoting awareness for the event.

We all look forward to your feedback ......

But, REMEMBER TO ENJOY THE MOMENT AND FULLY ENGAGE WHILST YOU'RE THERE .....

We can wait - and coupled with our own research and your retrospective feedback, your attendance at the event is great news for all of us on MAOM....

THANK YOU

Enjoy, take care 

Good luck

Jayne

The issue with body language is sometimes folks don't use it.

They can be very blank.

Another issue is sarcasm.

As you know, hearing the tone of voice is essential for that to work.

There are a few classifications of hearing loss.

Such as acquired hearing loss.

Late-deaf as opposed to early-born deaf peeps.

Then the older group, hard of hearing.

However, young people who have a hearing loss can be hard of hearing.

These labels can have quite an effect on hearing people who have lost their hearing.- like myself. 

There's the big letter D for cultural deaf... a noun

And small letter d, for late-deaf, which I belong to - acquiring loss after hearing... an adverb.

Upon arrival at the airport tomorrow, I'm supposed to be greeted by a TSA agent at their checkpoint.

I won't be able to give a full account of the convention because I'm only attending two workshops.

I'm sure others from MAO will be posting comments and pictures. It's very rare for me to attend this type of conference.

I am going because of the social aspect, really.

Also, I had to ditch the idea of bringing ostomy supplies with me.

No can do. Each extra luggage bag would cost between 70 and 90 dollars.

They allow two carry-ons, but you have to pay for checked luggage by size and weight.

Fuhgitabotit.

In terms of reports on the conference, I'm much more interested in the social aspects, so report away.

Ditto what Susan said.

Terry