to ask to prefer a “pat down” at airport?

[AragornIsGorgeous]

Hi, I will be using wheelchair assistance when flying abroad shortly, and my arm will still be in a sling.

I’m told that usually a traveler is asked to walk through a contraption (with arms raised?) instead of the traditional pat down.

As I will be in a wheelchair and arm in sling, can I ask for the pat down, or can I be “made” to go through the machine thingy whatever it’s is?

sorry I can’t be more specific, I’m not an air traveler in general.

Thank you for reading, and I would appreciate all (kind) replies.

My mum is in a wheelchair and they use a hand held scanner

OP. that's quite an entitled attitude.
Wheelchair or not, you don't get to choose which parts of security protocol you are going to have.

I suspect the outcome of that strategy would very much depend on what country you are in. It would be a very high risk strategy in many countries.

I go through security in a wheelchair and if anything I'm subjected to more scrutiny than a person who is walking. I'm a very ordinary mid-60s person. I suspect it's quite easy to hide stuff in a wheelchair or walking stick.

My mantra is always to be patient and accept all security protocols at airports and be greatful for them. They’re protecting us all and no one should opt out. They should treat you with consideration and care but you should not be able to choose - they will choose the most appropriate way that’s safest for you and most secure for passengers @AragornIsGorgeous

Try not to worry and enjoy your trip.

This reminds me of the old Morse episode where the character (not the actor) was disabled and the drugs were smuggled in the seat of his wheelchair. So agree with pps why they have to be careful.

I would not want to fly through an airport that makes any kind of allowances and compromises on security checks that are there for everyone's safety!

I remember many years ago flying to Israel on an Israeli airline and my dad (who is Jewish but very tall and has a black beard so a bit suss-looking) was practically strip-searched (although not that far) and had all his hand luggage checked endlessly. It was annoying for him but actually at the end of the day he was grateful for them being so thorough with security as it made him feel safe to fly.

Several posters have suggested this. Its nonsense. The OP is a wheelchair user, she is most likely to be directed straight to pat down in the interest of time unless she explicitly tells the assistant that she wants to walk through. That isn’t opting out of the process and her personal opinions on metal scanners are neither here nor there,.

^^ Very much agree with this..

I've always had to get out of wheelchair and go through scanner, they scan the wheelchair seperately and also the helper has to go through the scanner, but I can stand for a few minutes.

It's your right to ask for one, I did when I was pregnant and they were more than happy enough. They used the handheld metal detector over me in the UK but on the way back from the states they just patted me down and we're very understanding.

I'm still sensing some confusion here

It's rare to be able to avoid the archway metal detector - that's usually the first device encountered and as PPs have stated doesn't emit X-rays or microwaves.

It"s usually post that device that you either get a pat down/screened or sent to the scanner if the screeners decide that's what is needed.

and agree with the pp that in some countries you can't opt out of the scanner.

I’m a wheelchair user.
Ive always had a pat down p. They also check fir drugs with a bit of ‘material’ wiped on my hands and wheelchair.

I can stand for a short bit. Have asked them in the past if they’d like me to stand. Always refused.

Those wipes are to check for explosives and gunpowder, not drugs.

At airports, my experience is that it very much depend on the airport.
Some you’ll go through the metal detector. Some you’ll go next to it. I think it depends on how wide they are!
But I absolutely do not think you can ask to not go through the metal detector! And I’m 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫 as to why you wouldn’t, seeing you’re going to be spending quite a bit of time in a plane anyway…..

They can swab for drugs if they feel the need, I'm.not sure what you mean about the wipes though?

I asked, that’s what they told me 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

It makes much more sense though.

It's called the Explosive Trace Detection System. Newer versions can be used to test for some drugs as well, but it's there to test for risks to the plane. It's customs that are interested in drug smuggling, not the security section.

https://www.blacklane.com/en/blog/travel/airport-security-processes-explained/#trace-detection-with-swabbing

Facts: https://www.gov.uk/airport-rights
Quote: You can ..
If you have booked assistance, I suggest you call them, explain your situation and ask their advice.

I’ve had a lot of metal in my leg since a messy break in 1996, and never had any issues when flying.

You don’t have “a right” to refuse reasonable security checks to protect the safety of others on the plane. You have the right and the choice not to fly though.

That's good to know. Not that you broke your leg of course, I'm sorry to hear that!
But I guess they must use a type of metal that doesn't raise the alarm? Like they say you can't have metal jewellery for the MRI scanner but the metal in my leg was fine?

I fractured my elbow last year, flew with my arm in a sling and was drug wiped both ways! I’ve never been drug wiped before so I assumed it was due to the sling…

I have a metal plate in my leg too and it's never set off a metal detector.

My elderly aunt broke her arm on holiday in Thailand and customs were very suspicious of her plaster cast.