Comply or don't fly: Airport security screening experiences of people who have limb loss and limb difference

People who have limb loss (amputation etiology) or limb difference (congenital etiology) can experience additional challenges with airport security screening due to their assistive device or prosthesis. However, perspectives on airport security screening from people with limb loss and limb difference remain unreported.

This survey elicited experiences of airport security screening in the United States from people who have limb loss and limb difference to inform recommendations for the Transportation Security Administration.

The Amputee Coalition conducted an anonymous online survey. Close-ended questions (demographics, frequency of and satisfaction with airport security screening) and three open-ended questions (experiences with airport security screening) were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inductive codebook reflexive analyses.

Of respondents (n = 288) who provided demographics, most were White (n = 218; 83%), 55+ years of age (n = 148; 56%), had one leg or foot affected (n = 214; 80%), use a prosthesis (n = 245; 93%), or use a wheelchair (n = 84; 61%). Nearly half experienced 2-5 airport security screenings in the past year (n = 79; 49%). A third were satisfied (n = 83; 31%) with TSA agents. Five themes were developed: 1) screenings are excessively time consuming, 2) treatment from TSA agents is dehumanizing, 3) policies and TSA agents are inconsistent, 4) responsibility to educate TSA agents, and 5) dread flying due to TSA experiences.

To address these concerns, TSA should develop and require training that includes people who have limb loss and limb difference, as well as provide more detailed information on the TSA Cares website.