I haven’t flown anywhere since Brandy and I went on our honeymoon in ‘99. Pre-9/11. When getting into the airport was relatively easy.

Now, not only do we have to go through increased security, we also have a disabled child coming along for the ride. I’ve been hanging out at the Transportation Security Administration website to see what their tips were on this process. It’s definitely a pain, but something about this part just made me groan:

Know that if your child is unable to walk or stand, the TSO will conduct a pat-down search of your child while he/she remains in their mobility aid, as well as a visual and physical inspection of the equipment.

Not because it’s difficult, really, but just because I’m very saddened by the fact that my four year old son will have to be patted down to make the world a supposedly safer place. Fortunately, Gareth is relatively used to strangers handling him in odd ways due to all the medical attention he has received. But still, this just feels wrong to me. Sure, it is possible that somebody would strap an explosive to a kid with cerebral palsy in a wheelchair, but it is certainly not probable.