The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) launched TSA Cares yesterday, a toll-free hotline for passengers with disabilities and medical needs and their family members or traveling companions to call before they fly for information on what to expect at security checkpoints.

Security lines at Denver International Airport

The number is (855) 787-2227 and available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST time, excluding federal holidays. Travelers who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to contact TSA Cares or can email TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov.

TSA recommends that “passengers call approximately 72 hours ahead of travel so that TSA Cares has the opportunity to coordinate checkpoint support with a TSA Customer Service Manager located at the airport when necessary.”

The new service comes on the heels of a few high-profile TSA run-ins, including the 85-year-old grandmother claiming to be strip-searched and an 88-year-old woman saying she was asked to drop her pants to show her colostomy bag.

All travelers can contact TSA using Talk To TSA, a web-based tool that allows passengers to reach out to airport customer service managers directly, and the TSA Contact Center at (866) 289-9673 and TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov, where travelers can ask questions, provide suggestions and file complaints.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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