United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Anyone else had issues with travelling, security wise? I seem to have set myself up by wearing my normal studded pants from hot topic on my last trip. i went on a cruise !! I went through the airport metal detector and was directed into a plexiglass booth, where they had to obviously pat me down and run a metal detector over me. at one point they asked me to raise my arms... when i raised one, and the other only a little they asked me again... so i just told them that i have a disability and they stopped questioning. bad thing was, i had to do it twice!! i had hot sauce in my carry on that i had to mail before i could board the plane!!

anyway it was a good trip, i went parasailing and snorkelling, and i did as well as others!!

Mel, 22, LOBPI

When ever I'm pulled aside at the airport I immediately look at the guy/gal with the metal detector wand and state "My left arm in paralyzed but you are welcome to move it if you need to."

They never touch my arm and the whole process goes very quickly. I think when you are more comfortable then the TSA person it works to your advantage.

My biggest problem is getting things in and out of my luggage as I usually carry two laptops so that's a minimum 3 bins I'm juggling.

I've never had a problem with security. It's getting the sweater off, the laptop out etc that is the hard part. Because of the arthritis in my hands, it's hard for me to grab the laptop out of the case and pick it up. Otherwise--I do preboard if carrying a laptop case so whoever I'm with can lift it up for me and it does take me extra time to get organized between the arm and the hands. I've never been questioned about it.