TSA and moonboots

[DrA]

Due to a sports injury I'm stuck wearing a moonboot for the next 8-12 weeks.

What's likely to be the deal with the TSA/security screening? I know that they usually require removal of shoes, but I kind of can't walk without the moonboot at the moment. I can take my other shoe off, but the moonboot needs to stay on. Anyone ever experienced anything similar and know how best to approach it? Also, given the use of full body scanners, presumably they'd take issue with the moonboot in there as well? I legitimately can't stand up without it on due to the nature of the injury.

Never had to deal with anything similar in the past, but if anyone can give me a heads up, I'd appreciate it

 

[opusman]

I guess you could go through in a wheelchair with manual patdown? They must have procedures in place for people who can't walk generally.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Due to a sports injury I'm stuck wearing a moonboot for the next 8-12 weeks.

What's likely to be the deal with the TSA/security screening? I know that they usually require removal of shoes, but I kind of can't walk without the moonboot at the moment. I can take my other shoe off, but the moonboot needs to stay on. Anyone ever experienced anything similar and know how best to approach it? Also, given the use of full body scanners, presumably they'd take issue with the moonboot in there as well? I legitimately can't stand up without it on due to the nature of the injury.

Never had to deal with anything similar in the past, but if anyone can give me a heads up, I'd appreciate it

Allow extra time as they may want to swab the moonboot for residue. You may be asked to wait while they get someone over to do this, and that can take time.

This article (steps 6 and 7) has some more information: Air Travel With Broken Bones | USA Today

The TSA's own website also has some limited information: Disabilities and Medical Conditions | Transportation Security Administration (select casts and braces from the drop-down menu)

 

[DrA]

Thanks. My main concern was that someone would try to force me to remove it for screening, since I can still walk (albeit awkwardly, and only with the moonboot on). Plan to ring the airline tomorrow to see what I need to do about early boarding etc. Because I can't handle stairs very well at the moment.

So frustrating!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks. My main concern was that someone would try to force me to remove it for screening, since I can still walk (albeit awkwardly, and only with the moonboot on). Plan to ring the airline tomorrow to see what I need to do about early boarding etc. Because I can't handle stairs very well at the moment.

So frustrating!

If you believe some of the horror stories on blogs, you may be asked to remove the boot.

Unless it's going to be a quick call (no long wait times), I wouldn't necessarily bother ringing the airline about early boarding... I'd raise it at check-in or with the gate agent. This sort of occurrence is extremely common, and both the airlines and TSA are used to it.

It might be worth calling the airline to see if you can secure appropriate seating (if you haven't already done so). You may also want to get something written from your doctor to confirm your injury.

If you need wheelchair assistance at US airports (which can be handy for international arrivals if the wait is long), we found out recently that it is standard practice to tip the wheelchair assistant - USD5-10. We discovered this after talking to our friends in the USA. (Elsewhere there was no expectation for tipping!)

If you run in to problems with the TSA - don't take it personally. No doubt people will try all sorts of methods to smuggle prohibited items through the screening check-point. The TSA is just doing their job (whether or not we agree with their methods is a different discussion.)

However, travelling with my mom in a wheelchair the TSA were great - and facilitated everything just fine. They were *almost* polite!

 

[TomVexille]

I would request a wheelchair from the airline if I was you. It will expedite most processes.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I would request a wheelchair from the airline if I was you. It will expedite most processes.

This is true - but - it can take a long time for the wheelchair to arrive... sometimes 10, 15 or 20 minutes. So factor that in if requesting assistance.

 

[DrA]

Alright. Will get in contact with the various airlines in the morning and try to sort something out regarding seat allocation and getting around. Not arranged anything regarding existing flight bookings at this point as this only happened on Thursday and been too tied up with doctors to even give this a second thought until today. I'm going to try to request a bulkhead - already have letter from doctor, as I needed it for work. Will see what eventuates.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Much appreciated

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Alright. Will get in contact with the various airlines in the morning and try to sort something out regarding seat allocation and getting around. Not arranged anything regarding existing flight bookings at this point as this only happened on Thursday and been too tied up with doctors to even give this a second thought until today. I'm going to try to request a bulkhead - already have letter from doctor, as I needed it for work. Will see what eventuates.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Much appreciated

depending on the airline there may be an option to pay extra for preferred seating - might be worthwhile for a forward bulkhead for example.

 

[DrA]

The longhaul sectors are on SQ (where I have only silver status), so I'm not sure what their policy is. Short haul is on AA, but I'm OWE, so hopefully that will help.

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

I did this in oct/Novast year.

No moonboot as it was too bulky but I was still recovering from my Brocken ankle so couldn't walk very well and need to keep my runners on for stability.

Also couldn't stand in line and remove my shoes - needed to sit down.

It was a huge debacle, but they allowed my to sit down past the security, remove my shoes for scanning and put them back on. I would imagine it would be the same with you.

 

[drron]

Mrsdrron had this problem March,April last year.The only place she was forced to take her moonboot off was ABZ.Liked the Scots until then.No problem in the US,Japan,HKG and BKK.Nearly always taken through the crew or VIP line.Had to have a patdown but still often beat the pax having to go through ordinary queues.

 

[DrA]

Hmmm. VA were good about seating on the Australian domestic sectors. AA were good about assigning a bulkhead on the US domestic sectors. Surprisingly SQ are refusing to allow any seat allocation (even with a medical certificate, and I offered to pay for it) until T-48. I'm now forced to hope that there'll even be a bulkhead seat available at T-48 after all the higher level FF's get in there *sigh*