TSA Traumatizes Toddler in Wheelchair

What is it with the TSA and kids in wheelchairs?

ABC News reports that a TSA agent at Missouri’s Lambert–St. Louis International Airport pulled aside a family that was traveling with their disabled three-year-old daughter, saying that she needed a pat down and a wheelchair swab before they could proceed to their gate.

The parents did not like that request, and wanted to record the pat down on their cell phone. (You can watch the video of the incident on YouTube.)

The TSA agent argued that filming at a checkpoint was illegal. (According to the TSA’s own website, “TSA does not prohibit the public, passengers or press from photographing, videotaping or filming at security checkpoints, as long as the screening process is not interfered with or slowed down. We do ask you to not film or take pictures of the monitors. While the TSA does not prohibit photographs at screening locations, local laws, state statutes, or local ordinances might.”)

The parents were also upset that the toddler was not allowed to hold her stuffed animal during her secondary screening, even though it has already been scanned.

The family was eventually permitted to go through the airport, and made it to their final destination, Disney World.

The TSA has since issued an apology to the family, saying, “TSA regrets inaccurate guidance was provided to this family during screening and offers its apology. We are committed to maintaining the security of the traveling public and strive to treat all passengers with dignity and respect. While no pat-down was performed, we will address specific concerns with our workforce.”

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