PTSD & airport security

[GalaVanting]

Posting here for traffic but think I ANBU to think there are other people like me so someone must know something!

Is there a way to deal with airport security procedures when you have PTSD?

I agree to being scanned and even patted down but I have PTSD and I end up having flashbacks/panic attacks/passing out. I am in (trauma) therapy and have addressed this a few times with different techniques/angles. It’s getting better but it’s still bad and prevents me from travelling unless it’s essential. It totally prevents me from travel to the USA.

Again, this isn’t a thread to complain about the security screening/scanning. I’m agreeing in principle to being scanned and patted down.

Is there a way to request assistance in going through specifically for people with PTSD?

Op, I haven’t had a pat down the last 10 or so times I’ve travelled... as others have said you can minimise the risk and seek special assistance. Please don’t let it stop you travelling I hope you continue well on your road to recovery. (I haven’t had PTSD, but I have had panic attacks and found airport security hard, it’s the lack of control I hated)

Last time we flew home from the states they had body scanner machines you stood inside - no patting or touching.

If it was the airport I work in I would suggest you spoke to my colleagues at the special assistance desk. They would be able to ring security and advise them if you alarm or quote (the random) that you may wish to use the quiet room if you needed to be checked. After my surgery last year I had an open stomach wound that couldn’t be touched or patted down so I had to female guards (one only as a witness) do a very gentle pat down and wand if needed, they asked before they touched anything. As it is, if you quote these days you will only be swabbed, it’s only if you alarm you get a pat down. A lot of the big airports have full body scanners these down and only pat down if they still can’t find anything obvious.

Do talk to the airport staff, they won’t ignore you. You know you have to be checked but they won’t want to make it any harder for you

OP, do you have to fly to the US in particular. I hate the security and immigration checks in the US. The staff are often scary and unfriendly. It's my least favourite place to fly. This is based on numerous trips.

Which airport are you thinking of flying to in the US?

Another thing that might help would be to fly from a much smaller airport. It's often crowded and hot in Heathrow and Gatwick.

fat people like you blow my mind. If you are genuine that is.

Do you really think it is in the airport's interest to have people fainting at security points and having lanes shut down? Er, no, they would infinitely prefer to deal with this situation differently, to work with people so they don't become ill at the airport.

You can minimise your chances by making sure you have no metal on you - no structured shoes, jewellery, hair clips, belts, etc. But you might still be selected for random additional screening. Bigger airports are moving to a system where you adopt silly poses in an x ray type machine. Pat downs are used as a third line of screening if something was still unclear.

Fat are you actually ok????? Do you need some help?

Ah ok it's a troll thank god

Ok. I’m not sure where I said I am wanting a way out of security..I seem to remember explicitly saying I agree to it.

And to be honest, to the Fat (I think) who thinks I’d be better with PTSD than dead, there are days when being blown to smitherines before I had a chance to know what’s happening would be preferable to the unrelenting (because there’s no escape in sleep - nightmares make sure of that) pain caused by things other people did to me both as a child and adult. But thanks for your helpful input.

fat124 - take your bigoted xenophobia elsewhere please

And truly - I had no metal!

And

I had a pat down straight after the scanner. There was no metal in my pockets. There was an elastic band.

The departure airport for this was a (big) EU one so maybe the protocol is different. But I have had this twice now: scanner then pat down.

Thanks Meow

Please ignore the troll.

Please do talk to the assistance team at your airport. They really will try and help

At Manchester there us a daisy lanyard you can wear to indicate you may need extra assistance and as at other airports there is an assistance lane. Its more tolerant but whilst it often looks quieter it can be very slow due to being tolerant of all users needs.

Its worth asking the airport what the return security/ passport arrangements are. We discovered we can use the dissability lane at passport control.

When you book your plane tickets there is often an option to highlight additional needs. DS1 has autism. We travel regularly, mainly with Easyjet, who are pretty good at allowing us to sit in a quieter spot pre boarding, getting on the plane first etc. We just need to let them know what we need and they try to accomodate.

Acknowledging that certain things are challenging enables us to rise to the challenge and attempt to avoid some of the pitfalls. Pretending everything is okay, limits us.

I phone both airport and airline a few weeks pre travel. Ive chatted with many wonderful, helpful, informative people and the odd jobsworth who make me feel like we're an inconvenience. Fortunately, the possitive experiences, by keeping going and planning as much as practicable in advance, keep happening. Each time it gets just a little bit easier.

I have had the pat down plenty of times recently so they do still do it.

I also second removing all jewellery watches shoes etc and don't wear clothes with metal zips, that way you'll be less likely to set the thing off.

Surely there must be some alternative for people who have major issues with being touched. You can't be the only one. I would contact the airport in advance. Trying to explain to staff in a hectic situation possibly in a foreign language is not going to go well I feel!

I’ve never tried to explain in fact, because of the reason our hairy friend above suggested: they’d think I was trying to get out of it and the alternative could be horrific.

I don’t wear any jewellery, watches, hair clips and even had my glasses (just need for long distances) off last time.

I’m going to call on Monday and see what I can find out from my local airport.

Totally love Mumsnet!!