Donald.Roberts@p0.f5.n119.z1.fidonet.org (Donald Roberts) (02/09/91)
Index Number: 13615
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
In response to your request for input from blind persons
regarding the inconvenience of being searched at airports,
I can only say that as blind people, we can't have it both ways.
We cannot on one hand demand equality, and then on the other, say that
because we are blind we should be exempt from a thorough search.
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Internet: Donald.Roberts@p0.f5.n119.z1.fidonet.org34AEJ7D@CMUVM.BITNET (Bill Gorman) (02/27/91)
Index Number: 13685 set diatribe mode ON. Carla: You are on the right track, but for the wrong reasons in your comments about airport security. Security, real, actual, honest-to-God security in the air as a result of these searches, etc., is an illusion. The problem is that the abled flying public has established a system of security checks which THEY can pass through relatively easily. Think not? Tell me the last time you saw a wheelchair accessible airliner; not terminal, not jetway, but AIRLINER. You haven't, and you won't until the airlines are forced to change their ways by legislation. They know that. Look how they screamed and squirmed to get a loophole created for themselves in tht ADA. The whole system, their security setup in particular, is designed by and for the abled. Not so the disABLED; blind or otherwise. As an example: I have been MI for many years (as well as VI) and I fly a LOT for business - definitely NOT for pleasure, Gawd no! I have NEVER gone through a security counter where the personnel (bear in mind that the usual security people at an airport are part-timers, retirees, etc., contracted to the airline/airport by one or another rent-a-cop company) knew how to determine if a person was wearing a brace, prosthesis, or whatever. In many cases, they do not even know how to properly use the hand-held metal detectors. I have seen them on more than one occasion trying to scan someone in a wheelchair, right up against all that nice metal in the chair. This is always done out in plain sight of the other passengers, and IT IS DONE FOR THEIR BENEFIT, NOT FOR ANY QUESTION OF SAFETY. They are saying to you, the flying public, "See, we're making sure this nasty ol' cripple, whom we all know is probably diseased and crazy, doesn't try to harm our pretty airliner or any of the plastic-perfect people in it." No, I am not being bitter or "angry" here. I am trying to characterize the attitude, sometimes clearly expressed, of airport security personnel toward the disABLED. You say the answer to all this is to "train" the airport security geeks. No, I disagree. The situation will change when, and only when, IMHO, there is legislation holding the airports, the gate security people, the rent-a-cop outfits they work for and the corporate officers thereof, responsible for providing proper, UNIFORM, security screening for everyone in as non-invasive a manner as possible, including training for proper handling of all the special situations that will be encountered. Legislation that includes stiff penalties for violation of these requirements, and relatively easy complaint handling procedures for anyone not accorded proper treatment. We're not talking arguing who can sit in what row onboard the plane now. Oh, no. We're talking who, in the disABLED community, can even make it through all of the artificial barriers placed before them to even go ON the damn airliner. IMHO, we of the disABLED community are our own worst enemies here. To get changes made, we have to make our needs known. To do that, we have to make ourselves visible, we have to give up some of the carefully cultivated "I'm OK, you're OK" camouflage we have developed over the years. That is NOT easy for any of us. But don't get me started on that. End diatribe. W. K. (Bill) Gorman
Ann.Parsons@f207.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Parsons) (03/14/91)
Index Number: 13917
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
Hi Isaac,
Grow up! Any person who goes through an airport these days should know that
the tighter security the better it is. No, I will not stand up for such
childishness! Remember, Isaac, unless you have somehow forgotten it, that we
are at war. No, let them search me if they want to do so. They should search
everyone, sighted and blind. They do. When I went to Europe last summer the
people wanted to look at my cane to see if it was ok. I let them because
someone else might come up who really wasn't blind and there might be
something in that cane. No, think before you write my friend. You may not like
to be searched but thank the airport guards who have the presence of mind to
disregard your handicap and search you anyway.
In addition, remember that your attitude is reflected in your body language.
If you say to the airport security that you are angry or nervous with your
body actions, these are sight cues that you forget about, I think, then they
are more likely to search you.
Well, you asked for my opinion, you got it, friend. Praise God for the
intelegent and watchful airport security people. Because of them, I can travel
safely.
Peace is worth praying for.
Ann P.
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Internet: Ann.Parsons@f207.n260.z1.fidonet.orgVixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen) (04/11/91)
Index Number: 14684
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
Hi Jeff,
As for me, these days I just throw my canes, dog harness and
whatever hunks of metal I have on the conveyor belt and ride my dog
through the detector!
Seriously though, I think we don't stop and think (Well, some of us
anyway.) that "anyone" can put on a pair of dark glasses and carry
a long cane and the beeping the cane might set off could been seen
by security people as a possible decoy to draw attention away from
some other unseen metal object concealed on the person.
When I used a long cane, I just would fold it up, set it on the
belt and made my way through the detector without it. I have always
pretty much found the security people ready to assist me through
the detector when they would see me put my cane on the belt and
they would always help me retrieve my articles on the other side of
the detector.
I really don't believe that blind people are singled out at
airports but I "do" believe that people who "BEEP" going through
detectors get singled out. I am glad they do too, whether we are at
war or not.
Keepin' the faith!
. Vixen
..."Saddam shame about Iraq!"
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Internet: Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.orgDarrell.Shandrow@p2.f7.n300.z1.fidonet.org (Darrell Shandrow) (04/11/91)
Index Number: 14708
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
I haven't had much of a problem with the fiberglass canes in the
metal detectors of course. Also, a blink shouldn't have to
surrender his/her cane to go through the detector. I feel its like
asking the sighted person "Would you please remove your eyes and
put them on the conveyor belt and then proceed through.". If I
were sighted I certainly wouldn't do a disgusting thing like that
for anyone.
So why should I as a blind person surrender my cane? 73
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