[nabs-l] convention questions

Mon Apr 26 03:42:23 UTC 2010

Hi All!!

First, thank you so much for all the great responses and offers of help!
You have no idea how they have encouraged me!

I think i am going to go whether there are other blind people on my
flight or not!

I sort of had a revelation the other day. What is the worst that can
happen? The worst thing is that I may get lost in an airport, or may
be standing outside waiting for a shuttle. Really...like all of you
said there isn't much to be scared of!

So, I think I'm definitely going to go!!
I'm so excited!

For where I live in W.VA Pittsburgh is in fact the closest airport. It
is only about an hour away, and even though I'd love to fly out of
Baltimore or Philly where there seems to be more people going it would
be a lot more convienent for me and whoever drives me to just go from
Pittsburgh. However, I want to thank all of you for your offers to
meet up and such...hopefully I'll get to meet up with all of you at
convention...but the most convient thing would be for me to fly out of
Pittsburgh.

I do have a couple of more questions though.

I have begun looking at flights. I found a nonstop one for $379 and
that's round-trip. For a round-trip nonstop to Dallas is this a
reasonable price? Should I go ahead and book sooner rather than later
or is it better to wait for better deals?

Also, as I said in my initial email I have a roomate lined up and the
hotel said there were rooms available though they did not go into
specifics. My friend and I did the math and we figured for the total
stay it'd cost about $186 each for a double, and $132 for a tripple.
It would be cheaper to do a tripple but then we'd have to find another
roomate.

What is the best way of finding another roomate?
Or, should we just do a double? It'd certainly be simpler to do that but...
What are your experiences and how do most of you handle this?

That's all the questions for now!

Again, thanks so much to everybody, hope to meet you all!!

Kerri

On 4/23/10, Brian Wooten <mbrianwooten at gmail.com> wrote:
> Kerri,
>
> I would like to echo Dominique's comments on Convention attendance.  I
> was fortunate enough to have gone to the Louisiana Training Center and
> attend last years Convention while I was a student there.
>
> By all means, go.  Do not wait for training.  As I have read in this
> email thread, there are lots of people willing to assist in any way
> they can.  This is a manifestation of the power we have in the
> community of the NFB.
>
> Most Respectfully,
>
> Brian Wooten
> Nashville Tennessee
>
>
> On 4/23/10, Amy Sabo <amylsabo at comcast.net> wrote:
>> 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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>
>
> --
> M. Brian Wooten
> Nashville, Tennessee
> Phone:  615-680-9656
>
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