Disabled veteran faces battles with TSA while traveling

TSA stopped, checked vet for detected explosives on hands, wheelchair

HOUSTON – After proudly serving in Iraq, a former marine, whose been featured in military documentaries, never expected to face a different battle at home.

Marty Gonzalez has three purple hearts and two bronze stars.

"They took me into a private room and had to do a private search and recheck my bag that already went through an X-ray screening" said Gonzalez.

This past Monday, he and his wife were going through TSA security to board a return flight home from Seattle. That's when TSA agents told him the machine detected explosives on his hands and wheelchair.

The agent then explained that the reading could have also been caused by fertilizer or even hand lotion.

"His chair wheels through everything," said Gonzalez's wife. "His hands touch his wheels. The likelihood of him testing positive every time is really high."

TSA does provide an 1-800 number for disabled veterans to call for assistance.

Gonzalez said he didn't call because he thought he would be okay.

"I can get mad all I want, it's not really going to accomplish anything. I'd rather that than someone blow up another plane honestly" said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez hopes that the next time he or other injured veterans travel they can avoid the same TSA experience.

Anyone who would like to reach TSA in regards to a disabled vet can call 1-855-787-2227.