[nabs-l] convention questions

Fri Apr 23 23:37:40 UTC 2010

hello all,

i too want to put in my two cents worth on this topic since i travel a lot for nfb conventions, going back and forth to michigan and colorado, and also other events in my life while traveling in airports.

i too use assistance if it's necessary like if i have to go from one side of the airport to the other side. but, most of the time i just ask people where things are and, i just follow them they are going in that direction.

i'm very comfortable traveling independtally and, i hope the same is for others too. take care all and, i will talk to you all soon!

hugs,
from amy

----- Original Message -----
From: Arielle Silverman 
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list 
Sent: Fri, 23 Apr 2010 04:28:33 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] convention questions

Hi Kerri,

When I went to my first NFB convention by myself as a scholarship
winner when I was 18, I was similarly terrified about the process of
flying alone and getting to my destination. I had only flown
independently one other time, to visit my aunt and uncle who met up
with me right at the gate (before 9/11) and I also had little training
or confidence traveling in unfamiliar places. Though I was scared
initially, I will say the experience ended up being not only not
scary, but also one of the best things I did for my future confidence
and development, as it's clear you're hoping for as well.

There are tons of helpful people in airports, both staff and
passengers, and really it's impossible to get too lost without running
into someone who is more than happy to offer assistance. When you get
on your first flight, you can simply mention to the flight attendant
that you would like someone to meet you at your connection and escort
you to your connecting gate. When the plane lands, simply follow the
other passengers up the jetway and someone should be waiting at the
top, or if not, simply wait at the information desk just outside the
jetway. You can make the same request for a "meet-and-assist" when you
get on your second flight. This is a service airlines provide all the
time and not an inconvenience (in fact, often airlines want to provide
assistance even when we don't ask for it). The person who meets you at
the Dallas gate can walk with you to baggage, help you find your bag
and help you find a taxi or shuttle to get to the hotel. I would
recommend putting a brightly colored ribbon or other easy visual
identification on your bag, and also know what it feels like. You can
simply tell the person assisting you what your bag looks like, and
also stand next to the carousel and touch the bags as they go by to
find yours.

I don't remember if the Dallas hotel has a shuttle, but taxi service
will definitely be available. In either case, the vehicle you want
will be just outside the baggage area. Again, the airline employee who
is assisting you can help you find an open taxi or a particular
shuttle. Then simply tell the driver that you want to go to the Hilton
Anatole. At this point, even if you flew alone, you may bump into
other blind people attending the convention, with whom you can share a
cab.

I usually try to offer a dollar or two to airline employees who are
helping me, although they don't always accept it. They are being paid
for their work, similar to clerks who help us in the grocery store,
but an additional tip is still nice.

Seven years after my frightening trip to Louisville for the NFB
convention, I now fly by myself every 1-3 months to visit family or to
attend various NFB activities, and I don't give it a second thought.
Airports can feel intimidating with their size, but really I think the
airport is one of the safest places to navigate and there are so many
people around to offer information or assistance that it's really very
difficult to get seriously lost. All it takes is a few practice runs,
whether with or without assistance, to get the hang of it.

I sincerely hope that you will go ahead and make plans to attend our
national NFB convention. I am confident that you will be fine if you
make the trip by yourself. However, if you still want to try to
connect with other Federationists in your area, you might try
contacting Fred Schroeder in Virginia to see if anyone from the VA
affiliate is flying out of Pittsburgh. If Baltimore isn't terribly
far, you might consider trying to go with them. Since the National
Center is based there, there will be a large, lively contingent going
from Baltimore, many of whom are experts at airport travel and who
also enjoy mentoring and interacting with new students. You might also
see if you can hook up with some of us during your layover. Finally,
you may be able to get a direct flight.

In my experience, while training from an NFB center is great, you can
learn and grow so much by, as you say, just going out and doing things
and taking advantage of opportunities. So I definitely think you have
a lot to gain and nothing to lose by coming to convention this year.

Please keep us posted, and I look forward to meeting you at convention!

Arielle

On 4/22/10, Doug Oliver wrote:
> catch up with me on skype and I can talk to ya through all that, as I am
> gonna go to convention, so we can meet up and hang out a bit.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kerri Kosten" 
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>
> Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 7:02 PM
> Subject: [nabs-l] convention questions
>
>
>> Hi All:
>>
>> I am facing a little dilemma and wanted to get your input.
>>
>> I would really really like to attend convention this summer in Dallas.
>> I have a roomate lined up and she checked with the hotel and they told
>> her they have rooms available and my mother said she'd give me
>> financial assistance since I missed the Jernigan scholarship deadline.
>>
>> However, I did not receive proper blindness skills in high school. I
>> am trying to attend CCB but I don't think I'll be in by the time
>> convention happens and I have to decide whether I am going to
>> convention or not really soon.
>>
>> My biggest weakness area and where I have not been taught hardly at
>> all is came travel. Until just a few months ago my family guided me
>> constantly. I had one of those short folding canes and would bring it
>> along but not use it at all. I also was not taught proper technique.
>>
>> I now have a straight NFB cane and can use it okay but still do not
>> really know how to use it. I have flown before but was always with my
>> family and so didn't really have to go through much of the process or
>> get a skycab/assistance or anything like that, they kind of just
>> handled it for me.
>>
>> I really really want to go to convention but am terrified about flying
>> by myself and all that goes into taking a shuttle and getting to the
>> hotel by myself, then what do you do once in you room at the hotel?
>> I've been told to ask for NFB registration?
>> I really have no idea what I'm doing with all this.
>>
>> I am not so much scared about going through the airport in Pittsburgh
>> as I figure whoever brings me can help me to the gate and seating area
>> and such.
>>
>> The part that scares me the most is connecting to another flight, and
>> then what to do once I arrive in terms of getting to baggage claim,
>> then taking the Super shuttle to the hotel and all that.
>>
>> I think i'll be okay in the hotel.
>>
>> I have tried to talk to a few people about the process. They tell me
>> that to transfer to another flight all I have to do is get out of the
>> plane and go up to an info thing that I've been told is usually right
>> there and ask for assistance to the next gate. Is this correct?
>>
>> How about when arriving in Dallas? Do I also just go up and say I need
>> assistance to baggage claim then outside?
>>
>> How does the shuttle service work? Will they be out there already or
>> should I also ask the person assisting me to help me with the shuttle?
>>
>> Do I need to prearrange for assistance or can I just go up and ask for it?
>>
>> I've been told it's a good idea to tip whoever gives me assistance.
>>
>> I would feel a bazillion times better about this if I had another
>> blind person with me to kind of be there and guide me through all of
>> this. I'm not saying give me sighted guide all the time, but someone
>> else who is also going through it at the same time, same airport as me
>> so I'm not completely on my own.
>>
>> However, as of yet I haven't found anyone who is also flying out of
>> Pittsburgh.
>> I am from West Virginia, so the closest airport is Pittsburgh.
>>
>> There is no NFB chapter in my area.
>>
>> I talked to our First vice president yesterday but since he lives in a
>> different part of the state as I do he is flying out of Baltimore.
>>
>> I had my friend, the person who I would be rooming with write to the
>> Pennsylvania list-serve and ask if anyone is flying out of Pittsburgh
>> but there was no responses.
>>
>> I would give anything to go with my friend, but she is from Harrisburg
>> PA and so for her the closest airport would either be Baltimore or
>> Philly and Pittsburgh is the closest one to where I live in West
>> Virginia.
>>
>> As soon as I send this, I am going to email my state president but I
>> figured I'd put these general questions on this list first and see
>> what I get.
>>
>> Is anyone else flying out of Pittsburgh or if not does anyone know of
>> anybody who is or how I could find this out?
>>
>>
>> I have not officially decided anything yet so have not done anything
>> like book a flight, book my shuttle, or book my hotel room but I know
>> I have to decide soon.
>>
>> Should I skip convention this year and wait until I get more training?
>>
>> The problem with this is I really really want to go and I already miss
>> out on going and doing so many things I want because of not having the
>> confidence and travel skills.
>> I don't want to have to miss out yet again.
>>
>> But, I am very very very terrified and would feel much much better if
>> I could have someone to sort of help/guide me through this.
>>
>> Thoughts? What would all of you do?
>>
>> Kerri
>>
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>
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-- 
Arielle Silverman
President, National Association of Blind Students
Phone:  602-502-2255
Email:
nabs.president at gmail.com
Website:
www.nabslink.org

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