Brilliant! I think your observation just might wash. He might be seen a sympathetic figure.
I know I am a sucker, and every time I see him trying to get around with that cast and the crutches, and he looks so mobility (is that a word) challenged it makes me think "oh the poor guy". I broke a toe last year and went through 4 Airports like that albeit without the crutches, and everyone except in Kennedy Airport was very sympathetic. At Kennedy they almost knocked me down.