I recently traveled from Dulles International Airport [Washington D.C.] to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport [Austin, Texas] to visit my elderly mother.
While at Dulles, after the TSA screening but before I made it to my plane, I misplaced my driver’s license. I discovered that my license was missing while I was sitting on the plane. I notified the flight attendant and deplaned to see if I could find my license. My license didn’t show up until after I had taken the last flight to Austin that day.
Fortunately, a TSA Supervisor at Dulles had explained that I could identify myself for the flight home using two different cards with my name on them, so I didn’t worry about the return flight.
On the day I left Austin, I went to the airport early to have plenty of time to go through screening. I had eaten a light breakfast with the plan of having a full breakfast at the airport. In hindsight, I should have eaten more.
When I went through the TSA PreCheck® line and made it to the front, I explained my situation and was told to go over to the regular line and wait. That was when I met TSA Officer Esther Barrett, who was to escort me through security. Since I had expected to go through [TSA] PreCheck, I wasn’t prepared to do all the things necessary for the regular screening. Suddenly, I became ill and started shaking.
I told Barrett what was happening and she kindly led me to a seat and allowed me to eat something and regain my composure while she did all the necessary checks. I carry a liquid medicine which is over the acceptable volume and pressurized. Barrett explained to me the best way to test it without disturbing it.
Throughout all this, Barrett was kind and caring and professional. She did her job and made sure that I was comfortable and OK. Being weak and sick in such a situation can be miserable and Barrett made it no big deal. Her caring manner and her professional demeanor made all the difference in the world.
What could have been a catastrophe was instead mitigated by the actions of Barrett. And then suddenly, Barrett had completed the screening, and I was on my way to find my big breakfast and fly home.
All was well because of the actions of TSA Officer Esther Barrett.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.