Boy Forced to Remove Leg Braces by TSA

[Marilyn. 340]

The 4-year-old son of a New Jersey police officer was told he could not pass through security at the airport unless he removed his metal leg braces. The family was on their way to Walt Disney World in Orlando to celebrate the boy's 4th birthday. His dad, Bob Thomas, says son Ryan is developmentally delayed and wears the braces because his ankles are malformed and his legs have low muscle tone -- effects of his premature birth 16 weeks early. He was just starting to walk when this happened.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Daniel Rubin, the Thomas family arrived several hours before their flight. Mr. Thomas pushed Ryan's stroller to the TSA checkpoint, and put it on the conveyor belt. Thomas' wife Leona walked Ryan through the metal detector, setting off the alarm. Thomas then says the TSA worker told them to take Ryan's braces -- made of plastic and metal -- off. "I told them he can't walk without them on his own," Thomas said. "He said, 'He'll need to take them off.' "

Leona said she would walk her son through the detector after the braces were removed. That request was denied. She was told the boy had to walk on his own.

They followed instructions, and Ryan made it through the detector -- but his parents were furious. Bob demanded to speak with a supervisor, telling the official "This is overkill. He's 4 years old. I don't think he's a terrorist.' " The supervisor replied, "You know why we're doing this." A cop himself, Thomas complained to the airport manager -- and then went to the press. "This was just stupid," Thomas said.

Now the TSA has apologized to the Thomas family. A spokesperson said the little boy should not have had to remove his braces, and acknowledged that there are other ways to screen those with disabilities. TSA policy allows for those with special needs -- such as braces -- to be taken to a private area and be screened there.

http://www.momlogic.com/2010/02/little_boy...aces_by_tsa.php

[Ali G. 37]

Start profiling rather than targeting everyone for the sole reason of being PC and such incidents will be reduced rapidly.

[Peikko 1,575]

It couldn't possibly be to do with the TSA operatives being improperly trained? No, it must be because they were acting all PC

Seriously, the family had every right to complain, particularly if there are regulations in place to screen those with disabilities which it turns out, there are.

Now the TSA has apologized to the Thomas family. A spokesperson said the little boy should not have had to remove his braces, and acknowledged that there are other ways to screen those with disabilities. TSA policy allows for those with special needs -- such as braces -- to be taken to a private area and be screened there.

[natty bumppo 297]

old news ... link

[Marilyn. 340]

oops missed it the first time around

[natty bumppo 297]

oops missed it the first time around

it was w-a-y-y down the list. i just remember reading the story on vj ....

[Otto 83]

I love a slanted article like this. Are we supposed to give the kid a pass because dad is a cop? Are we supposed to feel sympathy for the family because they're on their way to the happiest place on earth? I bet dad doesn't play by those rules in his daily work-life...

[Ban Hammer 13,651]

oops missed it the first time around

[Bobby+Umit 161]

So people think that terrorists will not put bombs on small children?

Uh -

Results 1 - 10 of about 50,800,000 for using children as bombs. (0.47 seconds)