I have read this thread completely. The overarching response has been, “no.” And though we, as Pilgrims are, conceivably non-violent, TSA has no time to build their trust in our docility. But we can take this to a similar, more severe example. What if the Peregrino was wheelchair dependent?
Let us go through what happens in this scenario.
1) we know the wheelchair will not enter the plane. It is too big in every way. Suffice to say that airlines would rather shoehorn us into their imaginings of what a seat is rather than cater to our specific needs…all in the spirit of economy…even though we all know it is more in the spirit of profit.
2) the wheelchair is checked in as oversized baggage (we will not get into the abject horrors of getting to your destination and discovering that the wheelchair has been destroyed. In this case, a 5 foot wooden pole may get lost before it is damaged.
3) from baggage check-in, an assistant will transfer you to an acceptable sized wheelchair and help you through TSA and to the Gate, through the Gate to the plane and into your assigned seat, (which s usually one with ample legroom to aid in sitting down / getting up from the mini wheelchair.)
4) I do not know how the flight attendants get you to / from the bathroom, if that becomes necessary. But i would anticipate that one in a wheelchair has a good supply of Depends, for the journey.
5) Upon arrival, everything stated above is carried out, in reverse.
Finally, you want a success story, here it is;
May, 2018, I attempted to walk the CF, my second attempt and I made it to /Maneru, just past Puente la Reina before the quadrucep muscles in my left leg froze up. There was no short term solution other than heading home. A bus took me to Logrońo, el tren to SdC, overnight, and a flight home two days later.
I limped into SdC airport depending on both hiking poles to get me where I was going. TSA turned me back when I refused to give up the poles. What was I going to use to get on the plane let alone get home after the flight? i was directed to a Security desk where they asked if I needed a wheelchair? In my state, if I was not allowed poles past TSA, the only option was a wheelchair.
We went through TSA in the wheelchair, with poles packed in my backpack. I was taken to the plane and put in a seat, giving profuse thanks to the Attendant who got me there. I had to change planes in Iceland. That was not a good experience. I was taken from the plane and put on the tarmac. A flight attendant remained with me but even in mid May, it was cold.
I was placed on a plane home and all went well until I got off the plane and got an attendant that took me to the farthest East point of the airport to wait for a bus, which was at the farthest West point of the airport. At least, I had the wheelchair to use as a crutch while it carried my pack.
So, bottom line, I was injured, nearly to the point of full immobility, kept my hiking poles and, even though there were hiccups, got home. And for those who may question anything on here, I still have excruciating pain in my left quads upon palpation…six year later.
possibilities here.
