Your Government at Work
Apr 12, 2014 19:52:56 #
rfmaude41
Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)
From the New York Post:
A woman claims an airport security agent refused to let her disabled sister on board a plane because she couldnt say her own name.
Sherry Wright says she was shocked at the treatment they received at Los Angeles International Airport, where her sister Heidi was due to fly to Phoenix.
The problems began when Heidi, who was left wheelchair-bound and unable to speak or write after a stroke a decade ago, was stopped by the Transportation Security Administration due to an expired drivers license, CNN reported.
Wright claims the TSA agent was rude and insensitive, insisting Heidi talk.
I showed her ID, her (Social Security card) and her DMV papers, Wright said, to no avail.
He just wanted me to make my sister talk, and I couldnt believe it.
I was just standing there, tears were coming out and I was like, Are you serious? We cant get her to talk.
Modal Trigger
A TSA agent at Los Angeles International Airport in February.Photo: Getty Images
TSA spokesperson Nico Melendez told ABC7 that it regrets the incident.
I think it could have been handled differently by the TSA and it probably could have been handled differently by the family, and hopefully moving forward the family wont have this problem again, because they know about the programs that we have in place, Melendez said.
Wrights sister Heidi had to take an eight-hour bus trip to get to Phoenix. She has filed a complaint with US Homeland Security. The TSA has been contacted for further comment.
http://nypost.com/2014/04/10/mute-stroke-victim-barred-from-lax-flight-forced-on-8-hour-bus-ride/
A woman claims an airport security agent refused to let her disabled sister on board a plane because she couldnt say her own name.
Sherry Wright says she was shocked at the treatment they received at Los Angeles International Airport, where her sister Heidi was due to fly to Phoenix.
The problems began when Heidi, who was left wheelchair-bound and unable to speak or write after a stroke a decade ago, was stopped by the Transportation Security Administration due to an expired drivers license, CNN reported.
Wright claims the TSA agent was rude and insensitive, insisting Heidi talk.
I showed her ID, her (Social Security card) and her DMV papers, Wright said, to no avail.
He just wanted me to make my sister talk, and I couldnt believe it.
I was just standing there, tears were coming out and I was like, Are you serious? We cant get her to talk.
Modal Trigger
A TSA agent at Los Angeles International Airport in February.Photo: Getty Images
TSA spokesperson Nico Melendez told ABC7 that it regrets the incident.
I think it could have been handled differently by the TSA and it probably could have been handled differently by the family, and hopefully moving forward the family wont have this problem again, because they know about the programs that we have in place, Melendez said.
Wrights sister Heidi had to take an eight-hour bus trip to get to Phoenix. She has filed a complaint with US Homeland Security. The TSA has been contacted for further comment.
http://nypost.com/2014/04/10/mute-stroke-victim-barred-from-lax-flight-forced-on-8-hour-bus-ride/
Apr 12, 2014 21:57:40 #
Apr 13, 2014 07:26:08 #
It is human nature to throw stones of criticism and never suggest that there are positive aspects to such programs.
Some of us are old enough to remember the riots of the late 60's.... well going from Charlotte to NJ for a meeting I carried a pistol so I could greet any one kicking down my hotel door. (it was being done) Now that was OK for me to do that, I do not do crazy things, but there may be people who with enough in-fight drinks would pull out a pistol from there carry-on and start shooting. Obviously we need security in this crazy world.
Yep there are stupid agents in any organizations who follow rules strictly with out "common-sense" ... sure it happens.
Some of us are old enough to remember the riots of the late 60's.... well going from Charlotte to NJ for a meeting I carried a pistol so I could greet any one kicking down my hotel door. (it was being done) Now that was OK for me to do that, I do not do crazy things, but there may be people who with enough in-fight drinks would pull out a pistol from there carry-on and start shooting. Obviously we need security in this crazy world.
Yep there are stupid agents in any organizations who follow rules strictly with out "common-sense" ... sure it happens.
Apr 13, 2014 07:52:04 #
dpullum wrote:
It is human nature to throw stones of criticism an... (show quote)
Where in this article does it mention a gun? did I miss something? The womans sister had all her paperwork ( gee where have we heard that before "papers please") But because of her medical condition the woman couldn't speak so the TSA agent wouldn't allow her on the plane.
Getting pretty common to hear about People being abused and humiliated by TSA agents who think they have a right bully people, And then we have all the articles about them being caught stealing from peoples luggage,
Apr 13, 2014 09:36:35 #
rayford2
Loc: New Bethlehem, PA
Nico Melendelez sure has a way of throwing blame on the family.
Not surprising, considering who Melendelez works for.
Not surprising, considering who Melendelez works for.
Apr 13, 2014 11:59:46 #
I saw this on the news a week ago or so. I don't always believe everything the news says. I'm not saying that the TSA agent did a good job, but I do believe that communication and attitudes had a hand in the outcome.
I'll bet if the sister had simply kept her composure and said to the TSA agent that her sister had a stroke ten years ago and has been unable to speak since would have sufficed. And, if the TSA agent had simply asked a few polite questions after just being told "she can't speak", they could have discovered the answer they were looking for. There's always two sides to every story.
I'll bet if the sister had simply kept her composure and said to the TSA agent that her sister had a stroke ten years ago and has been unable to speak since would have sufficed. And, if the TSA agent had simply asked a few polite questions after just being told "she can't speak", they could have discovered the answer they were looking for. There's always two sides to every story.
Apr 13, 2014 12:37:14 #
I showed her ID, her (Social Security card) and her DMV papers, Wright said, to no avail.
She probably won't be able to vote either!!!
She probably won't be able to vote either!!!
Apr 13, 2014 16:18:34 #
gusto7670
Loc: Tampa, FL
I also ran into a problem when my ID was expired. I renewed it and haven't had a problem since. It looks like the sister need someone more responsible to handle her affaire.
Apr 13, 2014 19:26:16 #
chiya wrote:
IN PART: Where in this article does it mention a gun? did I miss something?
No, there was no gun mentioned in the article. Yes, you did miss something of a general nature. I was saying that there are unfortunate events which can make an agency look bad, but when the chips are down, we need security annoying as it may be.
Apr 13, 2014 19:33:18 #
dpullum wrote:
No, there was no gun mentioned in the article. Yes, you did miss something of a general nature. I was saying that there are unfortunate events which can make an agency look bad, but when the chips are down, we need security annoying as it may be.
in this case it was clearly a bully who thought the badge gave them right to bully people, the womens sister had all her ID and told the agent that because of her medical condition she couldnt speak but the agent still insisted she say her name that is just plain bullying, And since you have to have photo ID to fly they knew it was her.
Apr 14, 2014 06:28:38 #
Yes Chiya, you will find company managers, local cops, teachers etc who are ego inflated by a badge. Sure it happens, and one way or another we have all been victims.
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