Just started thinking of packing for my trip for Christmas. I have to fly, and I am not scared of flying at all in any way. But this time, I am plying post-TSA (American flight security) body search rules. I usually have a metal free easy outfit to wear to fly (so there is less to take off like belts as I scurry through.) To make matters worse, I have to wear foot braces that are small, and I can't walk without - so I always have to deal with secruity people doing extra screenings to allow me to sit and take them off while they test the clearly medical pieces of plastic for explosives. sigh. I have gotten used to above normal pat downs. It's not been a big deal, as they usually have been very nice about it.
Now? Everyone is getting more intensive screenings - not just taking off shoes and belts and pulling out laptops - but it's either the body scanner or a rather invasive pat down. Way more than what even I am used to having to deal with flying.
I just looked it up online to see exactly what is involved, so I am prepared.
all I can say is: icky.
I have ENOUGH to deal with at Christmas, now this?!
anyone flown recently in the US with new TSA body scans/searches? Can anyone tell me how invasive they are? No wait, I'm not sure I want to know. I saw pics - that was enough.
I can't just call the TSA and explain hey, I have PTSD and touching me, um, e v e r y w h e r e, might leave me frozen up or make me suddenly break down crying in public and I would like to avoid this.
haha. yeah, I bet they would be very accomodating of that. (not.)
I read one article written by a psychologist who treats trauma on how to deal with the new searches, and her only advice was to be prepared with lots of grounding skills. This is not helping me. This is scaring me!
I am going to get through this darn thing, I won't let this keep me from flying, but I'd like to do it without falling apart. My best grounding skills and tricks are not really usable while going through security.
Any suggestions?
