TSA Sets Up Special Hotline for Air Travelers with Special Needs

Concerned about negotiating the airport security checkpoint with a traveler with special needs? Now there is a dedicated hotline that travelers with special needs and their families can call with questions or concerns about the security screening process.

According to the Transportation Security Administration, the new hotline will provide travelers with special needs with information about navigating often arduous airport security checkpoints. Although not spelled out in detail, the TSA's press release seems to offer hope that by calling 72 hours prior to arrival at the airport, travelers with special needs will somehow be able to notify airport security officers of their trip, with the hope that those officers will be better prepared to handle their special needs when they actually reach security.

The hotline, which has been named TSA Cares (presumably because the TSA is trying to downplay numerous incidents where passengers with special needs encountered problems at checkpoints), is available Monday through Friday from 9 am to 9 pm EST at 1-855-787-2227.