T.S.A. TRAVEL INFORMATION
Traveler Information
Approximately 1.8 million passengers pass through our nation's airports every day. TSA has prepared the TSA Traveler's Guide to help ensure passengers have the answers they need to common security screening questions. For travelers on-the-go, TSA has the "My TSA" mobile application for iOS (iPhone) devices, Android smartphones and mobile web users. What to Know Before You Go
Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions One of the primary goals of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is to provide the highest level of security and customer service to all who pass through our screening checkpoints. Our current policies and procedures focus on ensuring that all passengers, regardless of their personal situations and needs, are treated equally and with the dignity, respect, and courtesy they deserve. Notification CardTravelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions Passengers with disabilities and medical conditions are not required to provide medical documentation to an officer. However, many passengers find it helpful to have medical documentation as a way to discreetly communicate information about their needs to an officer. TSA also has created a Notification Card that passengers can use for discreet communication. Use of this Notification Card, or of medical documentation, does not exempt a passenger from screening, however. Click here to download the Disability Notification Card for Air Travel (pdf, 69kb). |
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questions about the ait - scanning technology
Q. What should I do if I am not offered the option to have a pat-down instead of going through advanced imaging technology (AIT) equipment?
A. Screenings using AIT are voluntary. Individuals who do not wish to be screened by this technology should inform the TSO of their desire to opt out of AIT. Passengers opting out of AIT will be required to undergo alternative screening, to include a thorough pat-down. If passengers are told they are not allowed the option of a pat-down or other screening, they should ask to speak with a Supervisory Transportation Security Officer.
Q. Is AIT safe?
A. Advanced imaging technology is safe and meets national health and safety standards. Backscatter technology was evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Devices and Radio-logical Health (CDRH), the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). All results confirmed that the radiation doses for the individuals being screened, operators, and bystanders were well below the dose limits specified by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). For comparison, the energy projected by millimeter wave technology is thousands of times less than a cell phone transmission. A single scan using backscatter technology produces exposure equivalent to two minutes of flying on an airplane.
A. Screenings using AIT are voluntary. Individuals who do not wish to be screened by this technology should inform the TSO of their desire to opt out of AIT. Passengers opting out of AIT will be required to undergo alternative screening, to include a thorough pat-down. If passengers are told they are not allowed the option of a pat-down or other screening, they should ask to speak with a Supervisory Transportation Security Officer.
Q. Is AIT safe?
A. Advanced imaging technology is safe and meets national health and safety standards. Backscatter technology was evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Devices and Radio-logical Health (CDRH), the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). All results confirmed that the radiation doses for the individuals being screened, operators, and bystanders were well below the dose limits specified by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). For comparison, the energy projected by millimeter wave technology is thousands of times less than a cell phone transmission. A single scan using backscatter technology produces exposure equivalent to two minutes of flying on an airplane.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESITONS: F-A-Q's
Pat-Downs: What to Know Before You Go
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If a passenger cannot or chooses not to be screened by imaging technology or a walk-through metal detector, the passenger will be screened using a thorough pat-down procedure instead. A pat down procedure also is used to resolve any alarms of a metal detector or anomalies identified by imaging technology.
If a pat down is required in order to complete screening:
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers a pat-down?
Pat-downs are used to resolve alarms at the checkpoint, including those triggered by metal detectors and AIT units. Pat-downs are also used when a person opts out of AIT screening in order to detect potentially dangerous and prohibited items. Because pat-downs are specifically used to resolve alarms and prevent dangerous items from going on a plane, the vast majority of passengers will not receive a pat-down at the checkpoint.
What can I do to prevent an alarm at the security checkpoint?
The majority of pat-downs occur when a passenger alarms either the metal detector or the AIT unit. To reduce this circumstance, the most important thing you can do is take everything out of your pockets before you go through screening. Also, when traveling, avoid wearing clothes with a high metal content, and put heavy jewelry on after you go through security.
What do I do during a pat-down?
All passengers have important rights during a pat-down. You have the right to request the pat-down be conducted in a private room and you have the right to have the pat-down witnessed by a person of your choice. All pat-downs are only conducted by same-gender officers. The officer will explain the pat-down process before and during the pat-down. If you have a medical device, please inform the officer.
Will children receive pat-downs?
Transportation Security Officers will work with parents to resolve any alarms at the checkpoint. TSA has modified screening procedures for children 12 and under that reduces the likelihood of a pat-down.
Screening for Passengers Requiring Special Assistance
TSA's Passenger Support Specialists identify and resolve traveler-related screening concerns quickly to enhance the traveler experience. More than 2,600 Passenger Support Specialists at airports across the country assist passengers who require additional assistance with security checkpoint screening.
Passenger Support Specialists receive specialized disability training provided by TSA's Office of Civil Rights and Liberties, Ombudsman and Traveler Engagement. Training for Passenger Support Specialists include how to assist with individuals with special needs, how to communicate with passengers by listening and explaining, and disability etiquette and disability civil rights.
Travelers requiring special accommodations or concerned about checkpoint screening may ask a checkpoint officer or supervisor for a Passenger Support Specialist who will provide on-the-spot assistance. Passengers with special circumstances may include travelers with disabilities or medical conditions, Wounded Warriors, passengers who wear specific religious clothing or head coverings and passengers struggling with understanding checkpoint procedures.
Travelers may also request a Passenger Support specialist ahead of time by calling the TSA Cares hotline at 1-855-787-2227.
Pat-Downs: What to Know Before You Go
Share on email Share on facebookShare on twitterShare on linkedinShare on diggShare on deliciousShare on redditShare on stumbleuponShare on google_plusone_share
If a passenger cannot or chooses not to be screened by imaging technology or a walk-through metal detector, the passenger will be screened using a thorough pat-down procedure instead. A pat down procedure also is used to resolve any alarms of a metal detector or anomalies identified by imaging technology.
If a pat down is required in order to complete screening:
- The pat down should be conducted by an officer of the same gender. Sometimes, passengers must wait for an officer of the same gender to become available.
- The passenger can request a private screening at any time and a private screening should be offered when the officer must pat-down sensitive areas. During a private screening, another TSA employee will also be present and the passenger may be accompanied by a companion of his or her choosing.
- A passenger may ask for a chair if he or she needs to sit down.
- A passenger should inform an officer before the pat down begins of any difficulty raising his or her arms, remaining in the position required for a pat-down, or any areas of the body that are painful when touched.
- A passenger should not be asked to remove or lift any article of clothing to reveal a sensitive body area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers a pat-down?
Pat-downs are used to resolve alarms at the checkpoint, including those triggered by metal detectors and AIT units. Pat-downs are also used when a person opts out of AIT screening in order to detect potentially dangerous and prohibited items. Because pat-downs are specifically used to resolve alarms and prevent dangerous items from going on a plane, the vast majority of passengers will not receive a pat-down at the checkpoint.
What can I do to prevent an alarm at the security checkpoint?
The majority of pat-downs occur when a passenger alarms either the metal detector or the AIT unit. To reduce this circumstance, the most important thing you can do is take everything out of your pockets before you go through screening. Also, when traveling, avoid wearing clothes with a high metal content, and put heavy jewelry on after you go through security.
What do I do during a pat-down?
All passengers have important rights during a pat-down. You have the right to request the pat-down be conducted in a private room and you have the right to have the pat-down witnessed by a person of your choice. All pat-downs are only conducted by same-gender officers. The officer will explain the pat-down process before and during the pat-down. If you have a medical device, please inform the officer.
Will children receive pat-downs?
Transportation Security Officers will work with parents to resolve any alarms at the checkpoint. TSA has modified screening procedures for children 12 and under that reduces the likelihood of a pat-down.
Screening for Passengers Requiring Special Assistance
TSA's Passenger Support Specialists identify and resolve traveler-related screening concerns quickly to enhance the traveler experience. More than 2,600 Passenger Support Specialists at airports across the country assist passengers who require additional assistance with security checkpoint screening.
Passenger Support Specialists receive specialized disability training provided by TSA's Office of Civil Rights and Liberties, Ombudsman and Traveler Engagement. Training for Passenger Support Specialists include how to assist with individuals with special needs, how to communicate with passengers by listening and explaining, and disability etiquette and disability civil rights.
Travelers requiring special accommodations or concerned about checkpoint screening may ask a checkpoint officer or supervisor for a Passenger Support Specialist who will provide on-the-spot assistance. Passengers with special circumstances may include travelers with disabilities or medical conditions, Wounded Warriors, passengers who wear specific religious clothing or head coverings and passengers struggling with understanding checkpoint procedures.
Travelers may also request a Passenger Support specialist ahead of time by calling the TSA Cares hotline at 1-855-787-2227.
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Copyright ©2014 - OSTOMY LAS VEGAS SUPPORT GROUP
Contact Us / 702 483-8116