Passing through airport security with autism

What I usually do is trying to get my ticket upgraded so that I’ll have access to the Fast Track and Lounge.

This makes the journey a lot easier.

There are three things I’m going to suggest:

1. Ask for assistance at check-in. They are able to assist people with various disabilities, they may be willing to assist you. It is worth trying. People in both the Netherlands and the UK seem very nice and understanding, you get a chance.

2. Try to get yourself eligible for the fast track. The security at fast tracks usually deals with less people, less problematic people (the once with silver/golden cards travel a lot, and usually with little luggage; they behave well), and in general, they are more friendly.

3. This may work for you but may not. You can take both your plush friends. (I know this is difficult and takes a lot of space; have you tried having a 3rd, very small plush friend as your travel companion?) Put one on the belt and keep the other one with you. When the 1st one makes it to the other side, put the 2nd one on the belt, pass the scanner and grab the 1st one. This way, you are in close contact with at least one of them most of the time, it’s basically only 5 seconds to walk through the frame.

I can’t speak about other countries, but in the USA, contact TSA at the airport ahead of time and describe your issues. Most likely they will arrange for a TSA agent to escort you through security. You’ll still have to do everything you would normally have to do (show ID, take off shoes, scan luggage, etc.), but the escort will bypass the lines and get you through as fast as possible. In your case, they may set you up at an unused scanner, with no one waiting behind you, so there is no pressure.

My son has autism, and waiting in line and getting through security was a huge challenge for us, for TSA, and everyone else in line. After one scary incident, TSA told us we could get an escort in the future. Now getting through security is simple and trouble-free, for everyone.

I would imagine that at most airports in Europe, you could do the same thing. Find out who handles security and call them ahead of time. Ahead of time means at least one day before. Don’t wait until you get to the airport.

They will also ask you to take your hands out of your pockets when going through the scanner, so maybe the inside of your pocket is not the best place to keep a plushy? Maybe you can make something that becomes an “accessory” that you can wear on the outside, for example a string/cloth hanging from a beltloop?

From my many flight experiences, I’ve developed an automatic change of attitude when I get close to a security check. (They whole concept and experience is horrible, but as a passenger you can’t change much about it) I make it into an excerise of relaxation and slowing down. Totally ignore all the people around you (both passengers and personell) and how they send out stress. You are in your own bubble of relaxation, and their moods won’t influence you. Instead you can try to send out vibes of relaxation and smile at people.

Also I prepare while waiting in line by taking off all my metal items and putting them in the pockets of my jacket which I take off anyway. This removes all the hassle at the front part. At the end of the check I can put on my jacket, grab my bag and walk away in a smooth move if I want to. Both most often I put on my things extra slowly in order to claim my space and stay relaxed. If there isn’t enough space for the other people coming behind me that is not my problem, but rather a bad design of the space, and then it’s the personells problem.

You could always check your luggage in to the hold, and collect it at the other end. If you limit what you carry to just the items you actually need during the flight (passport, boarding pass, plush seem like the minimum), then you will minimize the stress of going through security.

Consider taking disposable forms of entertainment / time killers on the actual plane e.g. a magazine instead of a laptop.

In the US, the TSA has a notification card and

You or your traveling companion may consult the TSA officer about the best way to relieve any concerns during the screening process.

The UK security process is not as clear, but https://www.gov.uk/airport-rights outlines the rights of disabled people at the airport. This website suggests

Contact customer services at the airport if you need help to move through the airport from check-in, through security to the departure gate. You shouldn’t be charged for this assistance.

I think the take home message is that you should let security know what is up and ask for reasonable accommodations.

Whenever you’re planning a journey, consider if you really have to fly. I am Asperger myself, and I avoid flights (although not for the exact same reason as you).

Between The Netherlands and the United Kingdom, there is absolutely no need to fly. There are three ferry links from The Netherlands to England: one to the south, one to the centre, and one to the north. Taking the ferry as a passenger only is a very peaceful experience, as the terminals were built in an era of far more passenger travellers, and most travellers nowadays drive onto the ferry by car. The times I’ve taken overnight ferries in Europe, passenger terminals were deserted to the level that I thought I must be at the wrong place. While on the ferry, you can be in your private cabin (including daytime crossings), which is like a little hotel room, very private, with a TV and (quite slow) wifi.

If I stay on the same continent, I travel by train whenever possible, even if it means 3 days on the train (from northern Sweden to southern Spain, or from Toronto, ON to Jasper, AB in Canada). It’s quite possible, if you have the money you can book fully private compartments on many sleeper trains. There’s a wealth of information from The Man in Seat61.

Note that there are some trains with airline-style luggage checks. On the Eurostar, your luggage has to be scanned. On many Spanish trains too, although you might be able to hold on to your plush. People with more (recent) experience on Spanish trains may be able to comment on that.

Now, suppose that you’re travelling to a place where travelling without flying is almost impossible (Australia, South America, sub-Saharan Africa) or extremely time-consuming and costly from Europe (east-Asia, North America). In this case, I have little to add to Kate’s answer. It may get easier if you do it more frequently.

Edit: StrongBads answer reminded me of the Autipas. It’s a special card you can show to airport personnel (it was reportedly inspired by an incident with an aspie flightspotter on Schiphol Airport). Personally I wouldn’t like such a card, but perhaps you would.

I understand that logic doesn’t always help in times of stress, but the first thing I want to assure you is that people are not going to run off with your things. This is something we all worry about but that essentially never happens. The folks who manage the checkpoint are monitoring and your things are not out there without you for more than a few seconds.

Second, you mention that your plush helps you. Could you procure a small square of plush fabric? You could keep this in your pocket – there’s no requirement that your pockets be empty, merely that they be empty of metal. Fabric alone will not set off any detectors and you can put your hands in your pocket and calm yourself if you have to wait a moment before you go through the scanner.

Third, forget the people behind you. The pressure you feel is not really from them. You owe them no obligation. They are waiting, they have their own issues, but they will never say “great trip today, the guy in front of me in the security line was so quick!” What’s more, if such a person existed, they would say that about you because you’re not pulling things out of 4 different bags and pockets, having to go through the scanner twice because you left your keys in your pockets, and so on. You’re already faster than most of the people in the line. You have no obligation to set some sort of land speed record by not hesitating, not waiting with your stuff (I do that), or just walking at the pace you prefer.

Fourth, reward yourself for completing this worst part of the journey. Whether it’s an expensive coffee, a magazine, a bar of chocolate — buy something fun and frivolous right after the security check. Something you wouldn’t normally get yourself. The day may come when you’re planning a trip and find yourself looking forward to that dark-chocolate-and-orange bar waiting for you on the other side of security.