Make your voice heard ASAP

Are you one of the many PVA members that have been inconvenienced by airport security?
Complaints from some PVA members have been asked to get out of their wheelchairs, remove their shoes, or display personal devices. An existing TSA program for injured service members has been expanded to allow all veterans to proceed through security safely and with dignity.

Initially, the Transportation Security Administration worked with the Department of Defense to create a program to ease the airport screening process for injured service members. Sine 2005, DOD's Military Severely Injured Joint Service Operations Center Program included TSA staff on a 24/7 basis.

When an injured service member provided flight information to the center, TSA staff would guide the passenger through the security process. The TSA liaison officer notified the appropriate federal Security director at relevant airports to ensure TSA experts would conduct security screening required at those sites with empathy and respect.

Recently this program became available to all veterans, so anyone who has served in the military can take advantage. The veteran or service member should contact the Operations Center at 888-262-2396 and give flight information 24-72 hours before a confirmed flight. The passenger may also e-mail his/her information to the call center at msijsoc@dhs.gov . Callers will be connected to a TSA liaison officer, who will notify security officials as described above. The hotline can not assist if the call is more than 72 or less than 24 hours before the flight is scheduled to leave.

Several PVA members have used this program with positive results and good things to say about TSA!

Contact: PVA Advocacy, 800-424-8200.