TSA apologizes for attempting to screen toddler in wheelchair

Lucy, 3, cries during a TSA security checkpoint at Lambert airport in St. Louis

/ YouTube

ST. LOUIS The Transportation Security Administration is apologizing after agents at Lambert Airport in St. Louis sought to screen a 3-year-old girl in a wheelchair.

The mother of the child shot video that caused a stir in social media after it was posted online.

The incident happened Feb. 8. The girl and her family were about to fly to Disney World in Orlando, Fla. A TSA agent asked to pat down the 3-year-old and screen her wheelchair. The agent initially told the girl's mother, Annie Schulte, it was illegal to tape the activity.

On the video, the little girl, Lucy, who has spina bifida, is seen crying.

Agents eventually decided against a pat-down.

The TSA says it regrets the incident and will address concerns with its workers.

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[100_Percent_GOP]

This is why I plan ahead and take the train when I travel.

[100_Percent_GOP]

The Department of Homeland Insecurity/Transportation Insecurity Administration be damned. THEY ALL need to be fired. If I was the child's parent, I would've been quite livid about some stranger wanting to put thier hands on my child. We have take the power away from these heartless monsters-immediately!

[kshort2012]

Okay I don't really see why all of that was necessary. I have been in a wheelchair since I was 3 and starting flying by the age 4. It seems to me, that mom made the situation worse and put her kid in distress by adding the unnecessary drama. All she really had to do was witness them and let them do their job. She needs to help her daughter get used to that now. Being in a wheelchair, she will always have to be put through that. It sucks but it must be done. Anytime I've flown or gone to the court house and it required a pat down, it was always done carefully and in a professional manner.

[bobo212]

Really, I get tired of all the crap TSA takes trying to do their job. Hey you should be grateful that you can afford to fly to Disney land in this economy. I hate security at airports and always consider if it's worth the hassle before I fly somewhere. Thing is a lot of people embrace the concept of security before flying so that's the way it is. I personally wish there was no security at all like it used to be, but then again I don't have children that fly around with me. I wonder if this mom would approve of no security. If you don't like the way it is talk to your congressman. TSA officers are just doing what they were asked to do. I would suggest you accept it, don't fly or try to change it but don't create more of a problem by protesting while going through airport security. All you're doing is holding up the line making it even more of a pain.

[andthetruthis]

I watched the video and all I saw was business as usual at the airport. By now,everybody should be aware of the 'take off your shoes' mentality. I worked at Minneapolis-St.Paul airport,and couldn't get near a plane without going through this.People walking around with military rifles.If you make a door alarm go off they would be all over you. I had to quit,just not worth it. Don't go to the airport unless you can handle police state usa...simple as that.

[andthetruthis]

BludApfel - Here in the good ol' usa we have a people,that since the 80's have allowed their government to enact anything the government wanted to do.
That is claim this is for 'national security'.
Behind these two words emails are opened,phones tapped,and yes, police state airport.
It will get worse before it gets better...why...the people accept this - it's national security.

[TSAKeepsUsSAVE]

Very interesting! All it takes to keep the TSA from screening is a tantrum throwing mother and a kid in a wheel chair. I'm sure Al-Quada is already preparing their next attack.

[dontforget911]

TSA is doing their job. All those oppose can get on the plane with al quaida to see heaven.

[pedantico]

Thanks for the useful info a$$hole

[djseavy]

There is no easy answer to any of this. And no matter what, the TSA can't win in the eyes of many. Had they not tried to search the wheelchair and girl, and something happened, the public would be screaming about that. Some say a wheelchair-bound child hasn't caused a problem, and that's true. However, until 9/11, nobody had flown planes into metro buildings either. Nobody tried to board with a shoe-bomb. The list goes on. It's harsh reality that things have changed, and not for the better. We have active terror cells in this country sending money to their country to advance the violence against us. We don't know these days who all our enemies are. Yes, TSA staff needs to use common sense and be discreet, but they can't start making exceptions. Going through screening isn't pleasant, since it is somewhat intrusive. Nobody enjoys it, unless a screener is a wacko. It's a necessary evil, and it has nothing to do with liberals, conservatives, repubs or democrats. It has to do with the hundreds of people who died at WTC, and the fact that we're still a target of those who wish to do us in.

[TSAKeepsUsSAVE]

@hammer1one:
Oooh you mean the warmongering Repubs? Or, now that YOU are out of office, all of a sudden the whole wants to live in peace with us?

If that's true, let's do our damndest to keep you out of office then.

[seethepositive2]

TSA has failed and identified no terrorists. all it has done is cost the taxpayers and abuse airplane riders' rights. end the bloat...this govt agency has shown its failures.

[STEVE2013]

I actually feel for the TSA just calmly trying to follow procedures. But the women is more intent of video taping everything. If she wanted to get through security quickly just follow the instructions. If they want to swab your wheelchair just let them swab your wheelchair. If your child set off the alarm bells going through security and you don't want them to actually touch your child them expect to be there are while.

[ralphing]

The mother should had just taken the girl out of the wheel chair and let them check it. Everyone knows you have to be screened when you fly, so the mother should had prepared her daughter for that. It doesn't matter that she is handicapped.

[Allah_speaking]

TSA needs to go and be replaced with active military. Close a few foreign bases, and the problem is solved, not to mention saving a few dollars in the process.