Most travelers over 60 show up at the airport security checkpoint the exact same way they have for the past two decades – shoes off, belt in the bin, hoping nobody pulls them aside. What they don’t know is that TSA has an entire layer of accommodations, exemptions, and quiet protocols built specifically for older travelers that almost nobody announces out loud. Some of these are federal policy written into official procedure.
Others are things experienced agents apply only when a traveler looks confused, in pain, or close to tears – and they never get called over the intercom. The gap between what most travelers over 60 actually experience at the checkpoint and what they’re genuinely entitled to is wider than almost anyone knows. Here’s what insiders actually say.
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#16 – They Can Call Ahead to Brief Staff on Your Exact Needs Before You Even Arrive
Most people don’t realize TSA’s accommodations for older travelers can start days before you set foot in the airport.
TSA Cares is a special support program for travelers who need extra assistance at U.S. airports, launched by the Transportation Security Administration in 2012 to make airport security screening more accessible and less stressful. When you call ahead, agents at your specific airport are briefed on your situation before your travel day. TSA Cares prepares TSA staff for your needs so your security experience is smoother and less stressful – this can include explaining procedures, special handling of medical devices, seating options, and other accommodations.
The key detail most people miss: this is completely free. Unlike TSA PreCheck, TSA Cares is a free program that focuses on support rather than speed. You’re not buying a faster lane – you’re getting a personally coordinated experience.
- Call (855) 787-2227 or submit a form online
- Do it at least 72 hours before departure
But the phone call is just the starting point. What they can actually send to meet you is where this gets interesting – and that’s #15.
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