Flight Passenger, 106, says Airport Personnel Continue to Flag Her Age: ‘Not Some Stupid Old Lady’

Cretora Biggerstaff, a 106-year-old woman from Texas, has become a frequent flyer, flying twice a year to Gainesville, Florida. However, her travels have been marred by repeated requests from airport personnel to prove her age, a situation she finds both perplexing and frustrating.

Constant Requests to Prove Her Age

Biggerstaff, who travels with her daughter, claims that airport officials often ask her to prove her age despite having a Texas ID that meets security standards. The ID, which includes a star symbol, is issued to residents whose identification meets federal security standards. In an interview, Biggerstaff explained her frustration, saying, “People will say to me, ‘How do you feel?’ I say, ‘How should I feel? I feel OK. I don’t feel 106.’” She added that she is frequently asked to show her identification to prove her age, and she believes the issue lies within the computer systems at the airport, which likely don’t recognize ages over 100. Biggerstaff feels that the system perceives older travelers as “some stupid old lady” who might be confused about where she’s going or what she’s doing.

Technology Struggles with Passengers Over 100

Biggerstaff’s friend, Arline Thienel, who travels with her, agrees with this assessment, saying the system needs to be updated to accommodate people living longer lives. “I’d like to see the computers aligned up to 120 or whatever,” Thienel told FOX 26. “People live longer, so they don’t have to go through all that stress every time they travel.” The pair has even emailed letters to the U.S. Department of Transportation, as well as to the CEOs of United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, urging them to update their systems to better accommodate elderly passengers.

TSA Rules for Senior Travelers

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has specific rules for senior travelers. While all passengers aged 18 and older are required to show valid identification at the airport checkpoint, seniors 75 and older have certain exceptions during security screenings. These travelers are allowed to leave their shoes on, but they must remove light jackets for Advanced Imaging Technology screening. If seniors are unable to stand during the screening process, alternative security measures are provided.

Biggerstaff’s experience highlights the challenges that elderly passengers face in air travel, especially as more people live well beyond 100 years of age. While the TSA provides accommodations for seniors, it’s clear that the airline industry may need to update its systems to reflect the increasing number of older travelers. Biggerstaff’s story sheds light on the frustrations of elderly passengers who are often overlooked in the travel process, especially when it comes to age recognition in airline computer systems.