I was reading another article about how rude and power crazed the TSA (US Transport Security Authority, ie security at airport screenings etc). And I had been made really nervous as a result of stories like this. Now, I am about to add to the wealth of anecdote with my experience last trip – bearing in mind the plural of anecdote is NOT data, anecdote is not fact but a single experience recounted, fwiw.
So there I am, in wheelchair, and super worried, after a fifteen hour flight, jet lagged, and never travelled a distance on my own. Disabled and more than a tad freaked out is an excellent summary. I arrived at Dallas/Fort Worth, the largest airport in ghe US (if not the world, i was proudly told by staff). I then had to fly on to Atlanta.
I can only recount I met nothing but politeness, calm courtesy, and people bending over backwards to assist me, from airport staff AND the dreaded TSA. I have no doubt there are bad TSA staff – employ thousands of people dealing with stressed out travelers, and you will not have consistent good people skills at best, and genuine jerks at worst. Some people go power crazed with a small amount of authority (and a shiny badge and uniform), but I was fortunate enough not to encounter them, every single agent handled me with respect and courtesy, made the pat down as non obtrusive and invasive as they could, and kept me informed every step of the way.
So eager to assist me, that one accidentally broke the zippers on my (previously super carefully packed so everything fit just do) backpack, by packing it for me while I got a pat down, and pulling on the zippers too hard. So I needed to replace the bag, shrug, they were so heartbroken I couldn’t argue, and it wasn’t a hugely expensive bag – I could have claimed, but as an Australian traveling through, hassle wasn’t worth it for a clear accident through goodwill.
I only encountered a degree of indifference at Atlanta airport, when I finally arrived, and was led to luggage carousel then abandoned. Other passengers started to help me, when a lovely airport staffer arrived, and seeing me in wheelchair waiting for a bag, went and got luggage trolley, and assisted not only me, but the passenger near me who was also struggling. So that degree of feeling a tad lost lasted, at most, ten minutes. I can live with that:)
When I left, it was in reverse, Atlanta to Dallas/Fort Worth, where the lovely staffer who had met me last time made huge effort to greet me again, and made sure I was well taken care off. Atlanta TSA staff were, if possible, even kinder than DFW, and we’re delighted when I explained the mirrors used at Sydney to check under wheelchairs, and hoped they could introduce them to save back issues there. Glad I could help these lovely people.
All of the TSA staff were frantic busy. All of them showed courtesy, patience, sweet natured concern for my well being, and efficient processing.
Now, I may be posting prematurely, in that I travel to the US now every two months this year, and now with scooter, so may find more difficulty. And I may report back outrage and bad experience. But for this all important first nervous trip alone, I can only express my gratitude for the staff, who despite having many people to process, were so kind and considerate to me.
