Special “passenger advocates” tasked with assisting those with disabilities during security screening could be an airport staple soon, if one lawmaker has his way.
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said he plans to introduce legislation this week to require the Transportation Security Administration to appoint passenger advocates at every U.S. airport that could be requested by travelers with special needs as needed.
Schumer asked the TSA to institute passenger advocates in December after a number of complaints by older passengers and those with various special needs. However, the agency has not acted on the proposal, prompting Schumer to take a legislative route, he said.
“Passengers need an on-site point of contact who they can bring grievances to and who can advocate on their behalf when they feel they are being treated unfairly or inappropriately,” Schumer said.
Previously, TSA officials have declined to comment on the idea of offering passenger advocates, but said they have “customer service representatives at most major airports.”
What’s more, the agency recently implemented a toll-free hotline to assist passengers with disabilities.
Please stop using “Special Needs” — it’s outdated word. Change it to “Accessibility Travel Requests”. Also, “Special Passenger Advocates” being used? I’m no special — I’m all like many other people. It should be labeled as Accessbility Passenger Advocates or Accessibility Advocates.
About time, I’ve experienced being treated unfairly at airport check in lines in the past. I’ve also written to the Senators from my state about this issue and the only help I got from them was the TSA phone number.
If you are disabled and not in a wheelchair you need to call the TSA at TSA Cares weekdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST by calling (855) 787-2227 and good luck finding someone who actually cares.
Air travel is always hectic and uncomfortable for me. I hate having my leg bag exposed as TSA agents raise my pant legs. Removing my shoes is also an issue since I require help to get them back on. However my biggest problem with air travel lies with the handling of my wheelchair. Every time I fly, without fail, there will be some part missing from my chair. Something will be broken and/or missing. Every time!!!!!!!!!!!!!