Clearly no one in the TSA has chronic pain issues
I was reading this post on Boing Boing about Northwest Airlines Flight 253 – and found myself concerned by this statement: “As we boarded, the flight attendants announced that all passengers would be prohibited from getting out of their seats (for instance, to go to the toilet) or from using any electronic devices (phones, laptops, games) or having anything on their laps (even a book or a blanket) during the last hour of the flight.” [emphasis mine]
If you know anything about interstitial cystitis, you know that it’s not a good idea to hold it in. It hurts. Generally, I don’t have a big problem with urgency, and I don’t need to urinate every hour. But I can’t precisely plan when I need to go.
Even if I could, the TSA is apparently not doing this on every flight: “These measures are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same thing everywhere.”
Frankly, I’m glad I don’t have any international travel planned any time soon. Up until now, I have not had to explain my illness to flight attendants or TSA agents. I imagine this would be a stressful process. First off, I’d need to make sure I had outside information about the illness – I’m sure few flight attendants or TSA agents have heard of interstitial cystitis, and frankly, I’ve met numerous TSA agents who apparently don’t read travel regulations as closely as I do.
Side note: I’ve had unpleasant experiences with TSA agents in the past. I wanted to bring my saline and disinfectant – I wear contact lenses – in my carry-on baggage. Yes, this is allowed, if you declare it to the TSA agents. (I did.) The first time I tried to do this – again, after declaring it to them! – security was called. Loudly. One of the other times I tried to do this, I got questioned about bringing both saline and disinfectant. Again, this is allowed. The second time I got reprimanded I even had a print-out from the TSA website with the relevant section highlighted.
Okay, so, if I’ve had this much trouble with contact lenses, can you imagine how much trouble I’d have with an illness few people have even heard of?
Now let’s think about the actual flight. First off, I’d have to tell a flight attendant, “Um, excuse me, but I’ve heard about this regulation you may or may not be enforcing on this flight – I have a bladder problem, and holding it for an hour will cause me undue pain. So I’d appreciate it if you let me pee if I need to in the last hour of the flight.” How exactly is this going to look to other passengers who also have to pee but don’t have medical conditions? Would the flight attendant then have to explain to everyone that I have a bladder conditions?
These are just a few of the thoughts I have about how traveling with interstitial cystitis would be more difficult thanks to the Transportation Security Administration. I wonder how these regulations do – or will – affect other people with chronic illnesses.
In conclusion, I’d like to offer a big fuck you to Mr. Sizzly Pants.
