Wheelchair search irks football fan

The Washington Times ^ | 10-19-05 | UPI

[JZelle]

A wheelchair-bound teenaged fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is upset new security measures will require her seat cushion to be examined by security staff. Melanie Schuknecht, 17, received a written notice from the Tampa Sports Authority informing of her of the new measure. She was requested to provide information on her disability and a letter from a doctor confirming medical items needed. The teen's mother, Kim, told the Tampa Tribune her daughter would endure the embarrassment of having to be lifted from her chair, as well as undergo more intensive scrutiny than other fans. Mickey Farrell, the stadium's operations director said the fans with medical needs must justify their special items because they are normally banned at games. "We're bending over backwards to accommodate them," Farrell said. "There's nothing sinister." He said one potential remedy could be to use bomb-detecting dogs to inspect her cushion.

[JZelle]

Complete story.

[NeilGus]

I had a friend who went to Duke and he said his fraternity snuck a keg of beer into a game using a wheelchair.

[trisham]

The teen's mother, Kim, told the Tampa Tribune her daughter would endure the embarrassment of having to be lifted from her chair, as well as undergo more intensive scrutiny than other fans.

*************

Interesting. I have sympathy for the girl, but there is public safety to consider.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

The teen's mother, Kim, told the Tampa Tribune her daughter would endure the embarrassment of having to be lifted from her chair, as well as undergo more intensive scrutiny than other fans.

So watch the game at home. Problem solved.

[misterrob]

Bush's fault

[RadioAstronomer]

I would not spend another dime going to a game there. If enough people did this, they may have to rethink this paranoia that seems to have taken over. Just my two cents.

[commonasdirt]

It has nothing to do with being paranoid. I have used a wheelchair since 1988. They could and would be the perfect way to smuggle explosives or anything else. Especially considering that many people would go out of their way to give a person using one a pass out of political correctness.

[underdognewsgrl]

My dad told me the story of years ago, Browns fans would bring a doghouse into the dawg pound. Before the game it would take 4 guys to carry in. After the game- 2. They later found it it was because there would be kegs inside the house.

[PissAndVinegar]

That proves their point...Imagine that keg full of TNT (or C4, or whatever) and a detonator.

[geezerwheezer]

My only thought is they should have, or create,a special area for their fans who are incapacitated or use a wheelchair for mobility, and have specially trained folks to do the searches in a somewhat private area. I'm all for security, but I'm all for decency and decorum too! I thank God every night that I can still walk, and do not mind if someone who can't walk is shown some special favor to help them enjoy whatever it is they want to do. I have seen crippled people pulled out of their chairs and put on the floor while some yahoo checks out their wheelchair.Then they lift them up like a bag of potatoes and put them back in their chair. Tell me that isn't embarrassing to all involved, and is totally unnecessary to boot!

[JZelle]

"I had a friend who went to Duke and he said his fraternity snuck a keg of beer into a game using a wheelchair."

If it's to watch their football team, they should just let you do it anyway ;)

[Adder]

Seems to me if she got a letter she must be a pretty regular attendee.
One would think they might know her by now. Some quick wanding would be in order for a regular.

Or is she a sleeper terrorist just vaitink til thee time is rrright?[sarc]

A little common sense might go a long way.

As for her mother's comment about more scrutiny than other fans...thats to be expected: she enters with more and different gear than other fans.

[FOG724]

I'd like to see them try and lift you. LOL!

[dead]

We made my friend pretend to be retarded so we could talk our way into a Paul Simon benefit concert for Bill Bradley (naturally, we didn't want to pay.)

We also correctly figured that nobody would search him (he was about 250 lbs, temporarily non-verbal, and drooling down the front of his shirt), so he was able to sneak in about three six packs under his winter clothes. If we had a wheelchair, we definitely could have gotten in a case and a half.

It was a great show, and they stuck us in a private press box, because they were afraid of him.

[End Times Sentinel]

I had a friend who went to Duke and he said his fraternity snuck a keg of beer into a game using a wheelchair.

My favorite "Sneak beer into the stadium" story ('cause afterall, that's clearly what this thread is about) was a guy who got a deep sheet pan, poured out liquid Jello and Rolling Rock Pony bottles.  He let it set, and then wore it in under his shirt.  Obviously he was a big guy to begin with, but he got 'em in undetected.

Owl_Eagle

(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,
it was probably sarcasm)

[WoofDog123]

another security reaction to the depressed student who took care to explode himself well away from other people, and kept his spare explosives near him as well, in oklahoma.

[doc30]

ADA vs Patriot Act? Isn't there an requirement for businesses to make reasonable accomodations for the handicapped? [key word: reasonable - what DOES that mean?]

[devane617]

I am in a wheelchair and everytime I travel via Airplane, I get the dreaded "SSSS" on my boarding pass. SSSS means you are selected for a super search and may be subject no only to unpacking all your bags, but removing clothing.

[End Times Sentinel]

We made my friend pretend to be retarded

Owl_Eagle

(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,
it was probably sarcasm)

[Palladin]

...and especially after a young man at OSU with connections to a mosque blew himself up outside the stadium during a game. He had been refused entry by a security guard.