Service Animals and the New TSA Screening Procedures

From Service Dog Training

I think most people have heard about the turmoil caused by the TSA implementing new stringent screening requirements at airports, and the difficulty this has caused for many in the disability community either due to difficulties with the screening process itself, or because the TSA agents are violating their own regulations. One question that hasn’t been much discussed though, is what the enhanced screening requirements mean to service dog users.

The information on screening service animals on the TSA website has not been updated, giving service animal handlers no information on what will be done if they are selected for the “enhanced” screening. This is especially important for those service animal users that cannot walk through a metal detector without their dog, or who wear a non-removable medical device that will trigger a metal detector. At airports with the new screening technology in place, setting off the metal detector will cause you to be selected for additional screening.

Most people selected for the additional or “enhanced” screening will be asked to go through the new backscatter X-ray machine. However, many people with disabilities will not be able to use this device. In a letter dated Nov. 22nd, 2010, Kimberly Watson, the special counselor for the TSA, lists those that cannot use the backscatter X-ray machines. These people are: those that cannot stand up or cannot stand without a mobility device, those that cannot raise their arms to shoulder level for the duration of the scan, those that use supplemental oxygen, those that are providing assistance to people with disabilities, and, most important to use, service animal users. What this means is that as a service animal user, if you are selected for “enhanced” screening, you do not have the option of using the backscatter X-ray machine, and MUST submit to the pat-down. The TSA has not clarified if a service animal will receive a pat-down that is more involved than those previously used, or if that part of the screening process will remain the same.

If you want to avoid the intensive pat-down that now comes with setting off the metal detectors, keep these things in mind:

If you are able, go through the metal detector separately from your dog.
Have as little metal in your dog’s gear as possible to reduce the chances that you will set off the metal detector.
Make sure you have taken everything out of your pockets to minimize the chances that you will set off the metal detector.
And finally, if you are going to receive an “enhanced” pat-down, take advantage of your right to have a witness of your choice if you are traveling with someone you trust.

You can find a copy of the letter from the TSA here (opens as a PDF) http://www.pva.org/site/DocServer/TSA_letter_new_procedures_112310.pdf?docID=14765

--Tiffany Huggard-Lee 09:22, 4 December 2010 (CST)