Flying with Tourette’s - can anyone reassure us?

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DD (16) has Tourette’s

We’ve booked our first holiday abroad for this summer since she developed her complex verbal and motor tics.

She’s has Tourette’s with coprolalia (swearing/inappropriate verbal tics) so is quite nervous about her verbal tics while at the airport/going through security/on the plane.

I’ve spoken to the airline who have told us there weren’t procedures for Tourette’s so to try to speak to staff at check in when we get there.

She’s excited about going away, but is just so worried that she’s going to announce to security that there’s a bomb in her bag or something and will end up getting arrested.

We’ve got her diagnosis letter and she has an ID card from Tourette’s Action (that you have to have proof of diagnosis to get) so there’s not much else I can do - I was kind of hoping they’d put a flag on her name or something.

I’m sure it will be fine in the end, but as it’s the first time she’s understandably apprehensive

@CovidCorvid

I’m fairly sure the police and airport security can use their brains, common sense and judgement.

Absolutely, categorically NOT when it comes to Aviation Security. There are extremely stringent regulations in place which do not and CANNOT discriminate. It may seem eye roll worthy at times but if not, then there's the opportunity for risk! Anybody can be radicalised and trust me, if it was made public knowledge the amount of foiled attempts by terrorists posing as Joe Public then you'd be pretty speechless. And downright impressed at those involved in foiling the attempts.

Different crime but similar principle - An old retired couple in their late 60's were caught at a UK Airport in 2018 with over £500k of Heroin...... Yes I can just see the eye roll emojis & "common sense" "jobsworth" comments by MNetters if they'd known that Customs officers had pulled the retired, suntanned couple returning from Palma, over for inspection 🙄

Well it's a bloody good job they did!

@CharlotteRose90

He won’t get arrested for saying bomb believe me, I work for an airline and we’ve had it countless times. She will most likely be asked to repeat it again and if she does then they’ll be questioning. Just explain about the Tourette’s and it will be fine. I’ve had people without it saying they’ve got a bomb and even some one saying they had a gun in the bags. We expect the worst so do not worry.

Nonsense! Did you not do any of your GSAT?!

@BlondeWidow so how come the teenager on the documentary wasn’t arrested?

I'm all for inclusion and tolerance, but if someone is shouting about bombs at an airport, I'm not going to be getting on the plane until it's dealt with.

I’d just like to reassure you all you’ll likely be fine. I have severe tourettes and have travelled many times with it bad and shouted bombs, I’m a terrorist etc etc, and never once have I been arrested. It’s pretty fucking obvious if you’ve got tourettes. The vast majority of airport staff will be like what!, then once you say you’ve got tourettes, they’re like oh okay, have a nice flight.

This might sound patronisingly obvious but can you take steps to immediately give lie to anything your child might say. For example, any statement about a bomb in their bag is clearly untrue if they don’t have a bag going through security.

Thanks all!

I’ve spoken to the airport this morning - super helpful and I now know what we need to do nearer the time.

They were very reassuringly, said that people fly with Tourette’s all the time without issues, don’t worry, to make sure she’s got her Tourette’s Action ID card, diagnosis letter and we can pick up a lanyard from the Special Assistance desk.

It sounds like she's going to find this experience extremely distressing. Why are you putting her through it?

Because she wants to go on holiday?

I'm all for inclusion and tolerance, but if someone is shouting about bombs at an airport, I'm not going to be getting on the plane until it's dealt with

Even if it had been explained to you that the person had Tourette’s and they weren’t able to control their verbal tics?

@Wombatsandstuff - thank you . To be fair, most of the negative experiences she’s seen talked about have been because of other passengers rather than staff so 🤞 we’ll be fine.

For example, any statement about a bomb in their bag is clearly untrue if they don’t have a bag going through security

She’ll have to have a small rucksack with her, she carries various fiddle things to try and help calm her tics, headphones, etc, but nothing enormous

@BlondeWidow

You clearly have no clue and are being overly dramatic.

As someone who has tourettes, I have never had any issues, maybe an initial bit of shock but they very quickly realise you dont have one.

Why shouldn’t her daughter join her on holiday. I love holidays, but you’re saying, just because I have tourettes I shouldn’t go. Disgraceful in your part. You’re being very disablist.

@BlondeWidow I’ve done my gsat every time for my pass thanks. I’ve been in the airport for over 10 years so I know exactly what happens in these scenarios.

Just thought I’d pop a little up date on here for anyone who may be worried about something like this.

I’ve had a follow up email from passenger assistance today.

We were mis-informed by Ryan Air, DD is absolutely entitled to passenger assistance. Tourette’s is a named disability and comes under the ‘special assistance’ banner. She can have someone accompany her right through check in, security and boarding.

They can put the information on her booking to ensure that all relevant staff know

She is entitled to use the fast-track route through security and boarding so she doesn’t have worry about ticcing in the queues.

All staff on the flight will be informed, they can even make an announcement so other passengers are aware if we want them to.

Oh, and she’s going to take it up with Ryan Air as Tourette’s is part of the special assistance policy/procedure and has been for quite some time

So, all in all, super reassuring and helpful - and DD is much happier and less anxious.

Your last post literally sums up what I was about to type! I have travelled extensively all over the world with my child now a teen who has Tourette’s and it’s never been a problem. Get there early, have lots to stay occupied on the flight. Inform airlines and airports on both sides and enjoy your trip! Ps. That space at the back of the plane between bathroom and kitchen is great for stretching out physical tics.

That's an excellent result all round. I hope it all goes smoothly for you.

Glad you're all sorted OP and hope you can all start looking forward to your holiday now.

There is some complete bollocks over dramatic fear-mongering in the replies here and I'm very pleased to hear that you've managed to get reassurance from official sources rather than listen to it.

Signed; another Airport Security Pass Holder who has never at any point in her thorough security training been advised or witnessed the fact that pax (with or without Tourettes) uttering the word bomb will be instantly arrested and dragged to the chokey.

Really happy for you and dd