Jim -

We can only play the hand we're dealt, and right now the paper smock is offered as an alternative to a somewhat heavier touch (careful to use only the back of the hand) through clothing, if called upon for a secondary scan. For how these issues are handled in other contexts, see, "What To Expect At The TSA Checkpoint if You Wear a Breast Prosthetic" at http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rosthetic.shtm and "What To Expect If You Are a Person Who Is a Victim of Sexual Trauma" http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...al_trauma.shtm

I'm just throwing out the "drop the smock" idea another alternative, that may be may acceptable to some in the CRPS community, any other suggestions - given the constraints of THE SYSTEM, are welcome. For the TSA's general policies on "Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions" - not including at the present time the FAQs for survivors of breast cancer and sexual trauma, see http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...eds/index.shtm and in particular, "Hidden Disabilities" at http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1374.shtm (Note, however, that the medical notification card referred to in the opening post is not yet included on the TSA site, but is apparently found somewhere under www.disabilities.gov as well as on a number of organizational sites: the TSA is working on getting its website act together.)

Seriously, if anyone has any better alternatives - in light of the underlying constraints - let's hear them.

And finally, as far as "same sex human for same sex dog" is concerned, I can only fall back on the ultimate Yankee, Ralph Waldo Emerson:

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.

Mike