[Blindtlk] The Unfriendly Skies -- What happened?

Thu Apr 4 03:21:08 UTC 2013

Mark,

Many years ago, I was one of a group of people who jumped from an emergency 
exit of a plane in Baltimore.  The NFB was trying to demonstrate that blind 
people could evacuate a plane, if necessary.  We went to the door and jumped 
out.  It's all so fast, you kind of land on your bottom or back and slide 
down.  The slide has some kind of powdery substance to help you slide.  At 
the bottom you have to roll out of the way and get up as quickly as 
possible.  I'm glad I had the opportunity to do it, but wouldn't want to 
have to do it in an emergency.

Cindy

-----Original Message----- 
From: Mark Tardif
Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 9:14 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] The Unfriendly Skies -- What happened?

David,

I have flown many times and have never had the pleasure of having to
evacuate in an emergency.  But what is it like?  Do you simply jump onto the
slide and come down standing or sitting, or what?  I hope I never have to do
that, but I think it would be a good idea to know just how that works, just
in case.  Thank you.

Mark Tardif
Nuclear arms will not hold you.
-----Original Message----- 
From: David Evans
Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 7:58 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] The Unfriendly Skies -- What happened?

Dear All,

I totally agree.Also if you need to exit the aircraft out the emergency
exit, you must not have your cane extended as it could put a hole in the
slide or life raft.
I use a "D-ring" clip on the handle of my cane so I can clip it to a belt
loop on my side and leave my hands free and to make it easier to handle my
guide dog.
By the way, the policy for exiting the plane in an emergency with your guide
dog is to go to the exit, pick up your guide dog in your arms and then
jumpand land in a sitting position, on to the slide, with your dog in your
arms.
I can tell you right now and that is not going to happen with my guide dog
as he weights 120 pounds.
I plan on distracting him and pushing him out ahead of me or have someone
push him out right after I go and I pull on his leash and harness.
You should think about this as you may not have time to figure it out in an
emergency.

You have a right to keep your cane, but do not push it as the Air Carriers
Safety Act gives the support to the airline crew and not you.
You can be arrested and put on the " can not fly list."
I use a guide dog now, but was a cane driver for some 25 years and flew very
often.
I still carry my cane with me, dog and all, but I place it in the pocket in
front of me, clip it to my dog's harness, which I put between the seat and
the side wall of the aircraft so it is not loose.
I even worked on the design and development of the valve that inflates the
90 foot slides and am very famillur with the operation of the doors and
window exits, but I am still not allowed to sit in an exit row.
Those who do must be able to see and read the operation instructions and
able to see out the window to ensure that there is no fire on that side of
the aircraft or some other reason that the port should not be opened at that
exit.

You can get someone from the airlines or TSA to come to your chapter or
state meetings or convention to speak about this subject.
David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
Retired Nuclear/Aerospace Materials Engineer
Builder of the Lunar Rovers and the F-117 Stealth Fighter
david.hyde at wcbvi.k12.wi.us>
To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 10:44 AM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] The Unfriendly Skies -- What happened?

> It means along the side of the plane, against the wall. If you use a 
> telescoping or folding cane, I have always put those in the seat pocket. I 
> generally carry a spare in my carry-on luggage.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Daniel 
> Garcia
> Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 9:33 AM
> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] The Unfriendly Skies -- What happened?
>
> Well, I am sure a blind pilot could be instrument verified if the cokpit 
> was accessible. I am sure there could even be a way to land the thing.
>
> When you say I can have my cane stored in fuselage, does that mean next to 
> me in my seat? If these people are so concerned about safety, I feel safer 
> with my cane at all times. My cane is like an American Express Card, I 
> never leave home without it.
>
> Daniel
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Hyde, 
> David W. (ESC)
> Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 10:24 AM
> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] The Unfriendly Skies -- What happened?
>
> Your rights are the same as they were as a non-blind person. Airlines now 
> have rules dealing with exit rows, and being able to see is one of those 
> essential functions. You may not sit in an exit row. Those of us who were 
> involved in the airline fight are happy that the airlines are no longer 
> assigning us exit row seats. Some of us can tell stories.
>
> You may keep your cane with you, stored along the fuselage. You may refuse 
> help, under the ADA. On the other hand, under air travel rules, you must 
> comply with all crew instructions. I am not a lawyer, and have no opinion 
> as to which law controls. Rule of thumb, if you look like you know what 
> you're doing, they will probably believe you. Get help when you need it.
>
> They will take your cane for scanning at security. There is nothing you 
> can do about it. Even though it is demeaning to hold someone's hand and be 
> pulled through the detection device, you won't beat this one. One other 
> thing that seems to get checked at security is your dignity.
>
> Don't worry about flying as a blind person, unless, of course, you plan to 
> fly the plane. Then, please practice.
>
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