Strict airport screenings, a part of the security measures adopted after the September 11, 2001 attacks, are aimed to minimize the threats to the security of air travelers all over the USA. Travelers are thoroughly screened before they board their planes and their luggage x-rayed and screened before being loaded into the plane. However, passengers with medical conditions and disabilities and the medical equipment they carry with them, have to be given special consideration as they go through the airport screening process. Such special considerations are necessary in order to not jeopardize their health and endanger their life or to not make their travel an unpleasant one due to the various screenings they have to endure.

Security screening at airports allow travelers with medical conditions to bring in their liquid prescription medication (in limited quantities), drinks, and other supplements that are necessary. These include juices, liquid nutrition, and life-sustaining liquids such as blood products. When the liquid products are in quantities in excess of the 3 ounce-limit, it must be declared with a TSA officer before they are allowed on board an airplane. These declared liquid medications and other liquid products needed for a disability or a medical condition must be packed separately from the other items that are submitted for x-ray screening.

Equipment, devices, and tools needed by a person with disability or medical condition are allowed to pass through the security screening at airports. These may include items such as wheelchairs, ambulatory support devices, prosthetic devices, monitors, medical equipment and supplies that are needed on a round-the-clock basis, as well as oxygen bottles, augmentation devices, respirators, and other necessary items. Travelers with medical conditions and disabilities are also allowed to bring in items that are intended to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetic breasts, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, and other liquids that are normally allowed for regular healthy passengers.

Travelers with hearing and visual difficulties must inform the TSA officers of their conditions in order for them to receive the necessary assistance. These travelers will be guided along the way until they are able to board their airplanes.

Traveler with hidden disabilities must explain to the screening officers their conditions so that they will understand why a person may move slower than others or why the person needs additional assistance.

Many airports in the country have been provided by the TSA with the new CastScope screening system that provides security officers at airports with the means to ensure that casts or prosthetics do not contain any concealed threat. The screening can be done in such a way that the dignity and privacy of the disabled passenger will not be sacrificed or compromised.

Despite the heightened security screening activities in airports throughout the country, travelers with medical conditions and disabilities can board their airplane without too many additional discomforts that are normally expected from going through airport screening. Travelers with medical conditions and disabilities may make their air travel even more pleasant by reviewing the requirements and guidelines of the Transportation Security Administration at www.tsa.gov prior to their trip.