Flying Tips for Older Passengers

An editorial by the New York Times discusses some of the difficulties senior citizens may encounter when travelling by air and how some of these issues can be avoided. Senator Gianaris recommends that when flying, be sure to tell TSA officials about any medical conditions in advance of going through security.

FLYING, as most travelers know all too well, can be arduous. But while some of us may grumble about cramped airline seats and security pat-downs, simply navigating an airport can be downright disorienting for elderly travelers.

 

“There’s no bill out there for seniors’ rights,” said Jill Rosenberg, the group travel manager for AAA New York, who has watched her mother-in-law and elderly clients struggle with check-in and security lines.

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State Senator Michael N. Gianaris, Democrat of Queens, who has worked on passenger-rights issues, said that fliers should inform security officials about any medical conditions. He added that passengers, no matter the age, should not be asked by security to inspect medical equipment like a colostomy bag, or to put a back brace through an X-ray machine. If these incidents occur, he said, fliers should get the name of the official and file a complaint with the security administration.

Read the full article here.