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Why the TSA insists on screening wheelchairs
Screening airline passengers in a wheelchair has often been a bit of a hot topic. For some reason, people get wound up when they see the TSA searching every corner of a wheelchair, as if disabled people should automatically be trusted and allowed to pass through without a search of their chair. The TSA understood this criticism, and decided to do a little research. As it turns out, people in a wheelchair are just as much of a threat as the rest of us, and screeners regularly find items hidden in a wheelchair.
Earlier this year, a passenger in wheelchair was arrested when agents found packages of cocaine. And just a month ago, agents found not one, but two loaded guns under the cushion of a wheelchair in Milwaukee. In this case, the gentleman had simply "forgotten" he still had them there, but this does show how easy it is to hide items like guns in a wheelchair.
So, next time you see the TSA give a disabled passenger in a wheelchair an enhanced search, just remember that anyone can attempt to bring unwelcome items on a plane, disabled or not.
Filed under: Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sam the Deaf Nov 9th 2009 12:05PM
I have hear the most ridiculous incident in Chicago Midway, there is deaf lady who mention she is deaf and they rush to put her on wheelchair. Thought it's too silly when she can walk.
Buzzy McTavish Nov 15th 2009 4:45AM
Please. It's 2009, not 1959. When a 91 year old woman with no criminal history and crippling pain is put through that treatment it's just effing stupid.