Whether it be an AARP membership, age-related discounts, or any number of state and federal tax breaks, there are plenty of benefits to getting older. Some of them can even be found at the airport. There are a number of TSA screening benefits automatically granted to passengers over 75 that are intended to make the airport experience go more smoothly without sacrificing safety. Here are five of them.

Have a Seat

Passengers over the age of 75 may still be required to remove their shoes if the alarm goes off during screening, but they can request to be seated during this part of the process if need be. Those who have difficulty standing at all will be screened using other methods. There are also Passenger Support Specialists specifically trained to assist travelers to make it through security, a resource that few know about but many could take advantage of.

Bring a Friend

If you need assistance making it through TSA and would prefer to have someone you know be the one to help you, you’re in luck. Senior travelers are permitted to have a companion assist them through the standard screening process, whether by explaining medical conditions to TSA officers or simply staying close to them. If you aren’t traveling with anyone, you can also ask for a free gate pass for a nonticketed companion to accompany you through security. Many major U.S. airlines offer these passes at the airport ticket counter, but they are issued at the TSA’s discretion.

Expedited Screening

On its website, the Transportation Security Administration says travelers 75 or older can receive a “form of expedited screening through risk-based intelligence-driven security that allows TSA to better focus resources on passengers who more likely pose a risk.” In other words, they aren’t especially concerned about elderly passengers attempting anything nefarious. Seniors can keep their shoes on, but with the TSA’s rule change last summer, everyone else can, too. Jackets can also stay on, but all passengers who go through Advanced Imaging Technology screening (which the TSA is rolling out at airports across the country) have to remove light jackets regardless of age.

Medical Exceptions

If you have a pacemaker or other medical device, you can opt out of the body scanner and ask for an alternative screening method (regardless of age) — most likely a pat-down. You can also ask not to have your medications X-rayed and request a visual inspection instead. In both cases, the most important part is informing the TSA officer of your situation and asking to be accommodated before any problems arise. If you don’t want to verbally explain your situation to the security officer, you can download and fill out a handy TSA Notification Card to present them instead.

If you’re traveling with medication, liquid forms of medication are exempt from standard TSA liquid rules in “reasonable quantities.” However, these items must be declared to an officer at the checkpoint for screening.

Call the Hotline

If you experience any issues, have any questions in advance, or want to request assistance at the checkpoint ahead of time, TSA Cares is here to help. You can fill out an online request for free assistance, but if your flight is within 72 hours, the TSA directs you to call the hotline directly at 1-855-787-2227 (or 1-866-289-9673) to ensure your needs are met.

Featured image credit: © Getty Images/Unsplash.com