[Blindtlk] Experiences with American Airlines

Fri Jun 12 14:21:50 UTC 2015

We would love to have these discussions at the Travel & Tourism Division
either on our talk list or at National Convention at our meeting on July 5
at 6:00 - 9:30 PM. Secretary, Margo Downey, will be discussing her trip to
Washington, DC in 2014 to a conference on Air travel with those with
disabilities.

These are some of the issues we work on here with the NFB Travel & Tourism.

Our talk list is in my signature below. 

Cheryl Echevarria, President
National Federation of the Blind's Travel and Tourism Division
A proud division of the 
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND - "Live the life you want"
www.nfbtravel.org
To join the talk list
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org
631-236-5138
cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

Cheryl Echevarria 
Travel is our specialty and offering the best of meaningful travel for all
ages is our passion!
http://www.echevarriatravel.com
reservations at echevarriatravel.com
631-456-5394

Visit my website to get my FREE report, "Top 5 Good Reasons to Use a Travel
Professional"

I build my business on referrals. Please pass my details on to friends and
family members that deserve the best vacation that they can imagine

P.S. - Families of all sizes is my specialty. Whether you are just starting
out and looking for that romantic destination for your destination wedding
or honeymoon. Booking that planned family vacation to Walt Disney World or
that bucket list trip that Grandma  & Grandpa are planning for the family, I
would love to help you. 

We have partnered with Braille Smith. www.braillesmith.com for all her
braille needs.  Gail Smith is the Secretary of the NFB of Alabama

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Arielle
Silverman via blindtlk
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2015 3:50 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Cc: Arielle Silverman
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Experiences with American Airlines

Hi all. I have flown hundreds of times on many airlines and have only had a
few bad experiences. Unfortunately one of those bad experiences was on
American when a flight attendant told me I could only sit in a window seat
because of blindness. He later apologized and confessed that he had misread
the disability policies. I have also had several other flights on American
that were positive. So I think it has more to do with the crew than with the
airline. I suggest expecting the best but being prepared for the worst. Know
your rights and feel free to point out when something you are asked to do is
a violation of the Air Carrier Access Act, but at the same time, know that
these kinds of events are quite rare and don't let worries about
discrimination interfere with your trip. Best of luck!
Arielle

On 6/10/15, Elizabeth Campbell via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Chris,
> I haven't had problems flying American Airlines, and I've flown on the 
> airline many times.
> Sometimes I've used my cane while on other trips I've had my guide dog 
> with me. I've never had my cane taken from me by the airline and I 
> also haven't had issues with my dog other than having less room to 
> position himunder the seat in front of me.
>
> Let us know about your airline experiences, good or bad.
>
> Best
>
> Liz
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chris 
> Nusbaum via blindtlk
> Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2015 7:26 PM
> To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org; 'National Association of Blind Students 
> mailing list'
> Cc: Chris Nusbaum
> Subject: [Blindtlk] Experiences with American Airlines
>
> Hello All,
>
>
>
> Next week my mom and I will fly out to California to participate in 
> the National Braille Challenge competition. Due to the circumstances 
> of this particular trip and the family vacation which proceeds it, we 
> have to fly American Airlines rather than our usual Southwest. This 
> change of airline is naturally a cause for some degree of concern and 
> curiosity on my part.
>
>
>
> As has been the case with many other blind people, I have not 
> experienced any issues which stem from my blindness or my use of a 
> white cane when flying Southwest. Though I am often required to hand 
> over my cane in order for them to pass it through the mettle detector 
> at security, I have always gotten it back promptly and have had no 
> trouble carrying it on the plane with me. Southwest's staff have been in
general very accommodating.
> However,
> this will be my first time flying American. What experiences-positive 
> or negative-have you had when flying this airline? Has the staff been 
> helpful without being overly so? Have you faced any discrimination 
> problems with this airline? I believe the Federation has had a 
> contentious history with American due to their past discrimination 
> against blind passengers during the 1980s and early 90s. However, I 
> recognize that this may have changed in recent years. I look forward to
reading any insights you can share.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
> Chris Nusbaum
>
>
>
> Chris Nusbaum, Vice President
>
> Maryland Association of Blind Students
>
> A Division of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
>
> Phone: (443) 547-2409
>
> Email: dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com
>
> Twitter: @Chrisn98 and @NFBMD
>
>
>
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the 
> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the 
> expectations for blind people, because low expectations create 
> obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life 
> you want; blindness is not what holds you back.
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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