Head of Security Line When Using a Scooter?

[mlbcruiser]

 When we have requested wheelchair assistance for my husband at the airport, the attendant always bypasses the lines at the security checkpoint and is able to take him to the front of the line.  We are thinking about purchasing a scooter for him and wondering if he can ride his scooter past the often long security line to the front or will be allowed to go to the head of the line?   

Hoping for a fast & helpful reply. 

Edited February 5, 2020 by mlbcruiser

[kitty9]

It depends if your airport has a line for the disabled.  Most airports do, but the smaller ones might not.  If there isn't a dedicated line, you might check with a TSA agent to see how they handle this issue. 

[ozscotart]

We would always check with the special assistance desk, then find the wheelchair queue if there is one. You will be directed to a special queue or area if there is one. It is much easier on the scooter tbh, rather than walking with various aids or getting the assistance person to wheel you through, security staff will tell you what to do, they’ll ask if you can walk through the scanner, I generally say no as you could be waiting a while to go through and you aren’t allowed to use your own sticks, they’ll give you one made for a giant. Our anxiety levels have gone down significantly with using a scooter. 

[spookwife]

maybe, maybe not.   the porters have their own line which is why you got to  bypass the regular line.  people in a personal  Mobility device are at the mercy./whims of the dude at the end of the Security line  as to which one he sends you down. I have experienced  it both ways..if you can transfer, don't expect much love.   they want as many as possible to go through the  tube scanner.  

[mlbcruiser]

 My husband does not mind at all going through the scanner. And yes he can get up and walk through the scanner, Just slowly and very carefully. I think I will call our airport and make sure he won’t have to try to drive in the regular line. I think the airline once  told me he would not have to If he was using a scooter but it’s probably better to call security at the airport.  Would not matter which line he was taking through – or I should say we as they let me go in whichever line he goes in. Our carry-ons etc. still must go through the security belt/tubes and we still must go through the x-ray machine. Thanks for the replies and input.

[DUTRAVEL]

Try calling TSA Cares at 1-855-787-2277 or e-mail TSA-ContactCenter@tsa.dhs.gov

[mlbcruiser]

Just a follow up in case it helps anyone else,. I just checked with our airport and was told that there is a designated ADA line that  persons with a mobility device we will be directed to by one of the security agents. 

[mlbcruiser]

Thank you, DUTRAVEL. 

[Miki_moto]

2016 - Seattle airport - NO fast track line.

[mlbcruiser]

What about 2020? Not sure but maybe the ADA rules have changed since 2016 in that regard?

[ducklite]

In Orlando there is a line specifically for people who need more time such as those with disabilities and children.  Expect it to take longer to get through, so one should plan accordingly.  You would not be allowed to cut the line in any other lines on a scooter and would instead be directed to the end of the special assistance line.

[ducklite]

On 2/9/2020 at 10:53 PM, mlbcruiser said:

What about 2020? Not sure but maybe the ADA rules have changed since 2016 in that regard?

No, they haven't.

[mlbcruiser]

deck light, of course we would anticipate Waiting behind anyone who is in front of us in a special line but it is helpful not to have to Wait in a long, winding line with ropes and turns when one is on a scooter.

[ducklite]

25 minutes ago, mlbcruiser said:

deck light, of course we would anticipate Waiting behind anyone who is in front of us in a special line but it is helpful not to have to Wait in a long, winding line with ropes and turns when one is on a scooter.

So your problem is with the turns and not the length of the line, correct?  If so, this is something that they seem to have anticipated at the special needs lines, and they are usually straight.  If there is a turn there is ample radius to make it..

[mlbcruiser]

well actually we don’t know if there would be a problem with the turns as my husband doesn’t have the scooter yet. We have only rented them in the past and not taken one on a plane. Or through the airport. In picturing security lines I’ve been in, I was just anticipating that it would be a little more difficult to try to maneuver through some of them. Especially the zigzag kind that you often find in very crowded airports such as spring break time in Florida

[mexico8]

One of the problems with being on a scooter in a long and winding line is also that the battery can get used up with the start and stop and waiting etc.   I never have to wait in that kind of line.   I nearly always have a designated line for scooters and wheelchairs and it is straight and usually does not take too long.

[mlbcruiser]

We have gone through a special line at our home city airport and the line has never been long. An escort was with us pushing my dh in a wheelchair on those occasions. So I’m going to assume the scooter is the only escort we’ll need! 

[lovetotravel1977]

My sister has flown with her own rollator, wheelchair, and mobility scooter, but she has TSA precheck.  Even when the airport has an ADA line, we use the precheck lines.  Her process might be a bit different than the ADA line, but she drives her scooter to a point where an agent then directs her on where to park.  Sometimes she walks back through the scanner while they swab her scooter and other times she stays on the scooter and they wand her and then swab the scooter.   When she had her rollator or wheelchair, she was moving better and would just walk back through the scanner while they swabbed her device.

 

The airports I know she has used her scooter through precheck are CMH, IND, LAS, and DCA.  The rollator and wheelchair have been used at CVG, MCO, and DCA.  We have had airport personal try to send us to the ADA line, but we usually see the same number of individuals in those lines and if they are personal devices, they can only process so many at once with scanning and swabbing.

 

[raindropsalways]

Normally I just go through in the standard line and wait my turn. I'm comfortably sitting on my scooter and cannot justify going ahead of the line. Unless the TSA system has a specific designated area for those of us with mobility devices, I do not mind waiting my turn. Many of those standing and waiting line could be experiencing discomfort.

 

Have a wonderful cruise.

Betty

[1980dory]

On 2/15/2020 at 11:03 AM, mexico8 said:

One of the problems with being on a scooter in a long and winding line is also that the battery can get used up with the start and stop and waiting etc.   I never have to wait in that kind of line.   I nearly always have a designated line for scooters and wheelchairs and it is straight and usually does not take too long.

I've been using a scooter for years and have traveled miles on it and have never run the battery to complete discharge.  If your battery is that weak, maybe it's time for a replacement or there's another problem.

I do put the charger on it after every day of use though.

[mexico8]

I have a Travelscoot and the battery does need to recharged after so many hours of use.   When travelling it can be a long day with long distances in airports and changing planes and line-ups etc.   Toronto airport is huge and after going all over that airport and others when travelling my scooter battery does get low.    My husband had to push me in Toronto airport a year ago when my battery just quit.   Being in the freezing cold hold of the plane seems to affect the battery as well.

 

As well a policeman at the Ottawa airport had to push me when my battery quit.   I was by myself and I had stopped to use the washroom and it was very late at night and the policeman was the only person around.    He pushed me to the luggage area.    It was quite the picture.

 

I am planning to get a new Travelscoot in the next year and the battery will be better than my old one.

[1980dory]

1 hour ago, mexico8 said:

I have a Travelscoot and the battery does need to recharged after so many hours of use.   When travelling it can be a long day with long distances in airports and changing planes and line-ups etc.   Toronto airport is huge and after going all over that airport and others when travelling my scooter battery does get low.    My husband had to push me in Toronto airport a year ago when my battery just quit.   Being in the freezing cold hold of the plane seems to affect the battery as well.

 

As well a policeman at the Ottawa airport had to push me when my battery quit.   I was by myself and I had stopped to use the washroom and it was very late at night and the policeman was the only person around.    He pushed me to the luggage area.    It was quite the picture.

 

I am planning to get a new Travelscoot in the next year and the battery will be better than my old one.

Your battery should never be in the hold.  It should always be with you in the plane.

[mexico8]

1 hour ago, 1980dory said:

Your battery should never be in the hold.  It should always be with you in the plane.

Yes, you are right.   I always have the battery in my carry-on and not in the hold.   What often happens though is when we put the battery back in place after getting my scooter at the jet way , is  that the scooter keeps stalling - my husband has to unplug it and plug it back in and it keeps happening until the scooter warms up.    I don't know why but it often happens.  The scooter does not care for planes!!!

[1980dory]

22 minutes ago, mexico8 said:

Yes, you are right.   I always have the battery in my carry-on and not in the hold.   What often happens though is when we put the battery back in place after getting my scooter at the jet way , is  that the scooter keeps stalling - my husband has to unplug it and plug it back in and it keeps happening until the scooter warms up.    I don't know why but it often happens.  The scooter does not care for planes!!!

Your scooter does not care for planes.  What a coincidence. My airplane scooter handlers don't like scooters.  They will beat my scooter up EVERY time. But it is like a Timex:  It takes a licking but keeps on ticking!

I could learn how to be violent if I could ever get my hands on the damage (er, baggage) handlers.

[Covepointcruiser]

My husband was on crutches, badly broken leg, and it was put in front of the wheel chairs and scooters.    Guess they didn’t want him falling over.   By the way his orthopedic doctors did not want my husband in a chair or scooter as it would hinder his recovery.   It seems the more you move around the more blood gets to your injury for healing.   The doctor also did not want him to lose muscle mass and strength by being immobile.