[nabs-l] How to Files - Traveling by Air

[Arielle Silverman]

Hi all,

I would amend the beginning of this thread to add that most airlines
have a curbside check-in option which is very convenient, especially
if you are checking luggage. When I take a cab or have someone drive
me to the airport I often ask them to drop me off at the curbside
checkpoint for my airline; then I simply wait in the line (much
shorter than inside) and check my bag with them and obtain my boarding
pass. It is customary to give the curbside agent a small tip of $1 or
$2, although I don't always do this if I am also paying bag fees.

After checking in curbside, I simply walk into the terminal (without
bags) and then locate security.

One of the biggest hassles I face at the airport is airline staff
trying to direct me to stand in a special "handicapped" line making it
difficult for me to find the regular security line. I know I have
flustered airline officials on more than one occasion with my gentle
but firm statement of preference to go through the regular line. You
will have to decide whether or not this is a battle worth fighting. In
any case, once you find the end of the line, you can follow the rails
and the person in front of you to stay in line effectively.

To pre-board or not to pre-board is another choice to make. While I
wouldn't put down anyone who chooses to preboard, I would say I don't
think it's necessary, even if you are getting assistance to the gate.
When your boarding group is called, you can simply follow the person
in front of you in line down the jetway. I don't pre-board simply
because I want to educate the airline staff and my fellow passengers
that not all blind passengers require the same accommodations.

Another airplane fact: Usually the A, B, and C seats are on the left
(facing the front of the plane) while the D, E, and F seats are on the
right (again, facing forward). You can count rows to find your seat.
The airplane bathroom is usually at the very front or the very back of
the plane, so if you want to go, simply get up and walk straight
forward or straight back. I usually count how many rows I pass to get
to the bathroom so I can find my row again on the way back, and if I
am in an aisle seat, I'll put something on the seat so I can confirm
that it is the right row.

Arielle

On 5/16/10, J.J. Meddaugh <jj at bestmidi.com> wrote:
> While airports can often seem like some of the most confusing places to
> navigate, they are often the most simple. Consider a couple of points.
>
> Gates are usually organized in numerical order. For many airports, think of
> the gate area as a long hallway. Some will have all of the gates on one side
> of the hallway and other places (restaurants, gift shops, bathrooms, etc.)
> on the other side. Other airports place odd gates on one side and even gates
> on the other side. A few larger airports will have two different sets of
> gates, one on each side of the hallway, such as the A gates on the left and
> the B gates on the right.
>
>
> In many cases, these gates will be 50-100 feet a part from each other. So
> you can use this judgment to get an idea of about how many gates you've
> traveled. What you may try doing once you find the right concourse is to
> travel down a few gates and then ask someone which gate is nearest to you.
> You can also ask if it's on the left or right side.
>
> If you can avoid printing your ticket at the airport, you may save the
> hassle of having your seat reassigned or having your ticket flagged as
> needing special assistance. For shorter trips, it's often very feasible to
> not check any bags. Remember, you are allowed one carry-on and one personal
> item. Many travelers stretch this to using a laptop bag as a personal item
> and a smalled wheeled suitcase as their carry-on. It can generally measure
> 22 by 14 by 9, though some airlines allow bags a bit larger and as long as
> you're close to this number, you won't be singled out by a gate agent or TSA
> employee. If you can stick to carry-on luggage and print your boarding pass
> before you arrive at the airport, you can go straight through security to
> your gate without your seat being moved or any airline agents messing with
> your reservation.
>
> Be sure to check on your flight from time to time to ensure the gate hasn't
> changed or your flight is still running on time. If you can use text
> messaging on your phone, you can send a message with your airline and flight
> number to Google (46645). For instance, text "aa 2500" for American Airlines
> flight 2500. You will receive a text back with the current information.
> Alternatively, most airports offer wi-fi Internet access. While there is
> usually a fee to access the Internet, usually the airport website and/or
> flight tracker is accessible for free.
>
> Also, you may be looking for a snack or some food. You can either wander
> down your concourse and listen for sounds of grills, glasses clanging, cash
> registers, people ordering, etc. Or, the airport's website will often have a
> list of food establishments and other landmarks. The better websites also
> show where in each concourse a particular place can be found, such as the
> nearest gate.
>
> Who's next?
> Thanks, Joe, for starting this very useful idea.
>
>
> J.J. Meddaugh - ATGuys.com
> A premier Code Factory, KNFB Reader, and Sendero distributor
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Joe Orozco" <jsorozco at gmail.com>
> To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, May 16, 2010 5:48 PM
> Subject: [nabs-l] How to Files - Traveling by Air
>
>
>> Dear all,
>>
>> It seems the recent article resonated with some of our members.  Some of
>> the
>> responses suggest some people would have done the exact same thing in
>> similar circumstances, so rather than criticize or judge people's actions,
>> why don't we create an archive of ideas people have to address a myriad of
>> situations.  We could call each thread the How To Files, devote a week for
>> people to generate ideas per thread, and whoever is managing the NABS
>> website these days could create individual pages with a compilation of our
>> responses so that people can peruse the information later.  Here's my
>> first
>> contribution in hopes that others will follow suit:
>>
>> How To Files - Traveling by Air
>>
>> When traveling on an airplane, you should feel as comfortable as possible
>> to
>> ensure an enjoyable experience.  Remember these days it is possible to
>> make
>> your reservations over the Internet.  If the website proves difficult to
>> navigate, you may call the airline by phone and ask that the telephone
>> rates
>> be waived.  Keep in mind that taking this route may result in your not
>> being
>> able to take advantage of online discounts, and while organizations like
>> the
>> NFB are working to ensure website accessibility, you will need to find the
>> best course of action to reserve your trip there and then.  If at all
>> possible, try to check into your flight in advance to avoid having to
>> stand
>> in line to obtain your pass.  If you have to check in luggage, you'll need
>> to approach a counter or curb-side check-in anyway, but checking into your
>> flight in advance means you'll have the opportunity to choose your seat if
>> this was not done while purchasing your ticket or unless you're flying
>> Southwest.
>>
>> When you arrive at the airport keep in mind that most airline counters
>> will
>> be arranged in a central area.  Of course you have to take into
>> considerations that different airports are set up in different ways, but
>> your transportation will usually drop you off at an entrance that is most
>> closely located to your particular airline counter.  Now all you have to
>> do
>> is find the lines that correspond with your counter.  Sound difficult?
>> Sometimes you may need to keep your ears open for people walking by to ask
>> where the counter is located.  Listen for heels, rolling suitcases and
>> chattering kids who may be walking with their parents.  You will be
>> surprised at how willing people are willing to answer your questions, and
>> who knows, if you don't ask, you may pass up someone who could be on your
>> plane headed to the same destination.
>>
>> After finding the correct line you may discover that staying in line is
>> made
>> easier through following the velvet ropes.  Use your cane to gently tap
>> the
>> heel of the person in front of you.  If you are using a guide dog, ask
>> Cujo
>> to move forward until you fill the vacant space the person ahead of you
>> has
>> left after moving forward.  If you haven't tried all this before, you'll
>> get
>> the hang of it over time with a little practice.  Feel free to engage said
>> person in conversation.  Chances are the person in line may be on your
>> flight.
>>
>> So, you've checked your bags and obtained your gate passes.  While you're
>> at
>> the counter you may request assistance to get to the gate.  If you're
>> running late, asking for assistance may be prudent since you don't want to
>> get lost and potentially miss your flight.  If you're a diligent traveler
>> and have over an hour to kill, consider making an adventure of finding
>> your
>> gate.  After all, it's much more fun to walk around exploring than it is
>> to
>> sit still for over an hour.  What, you've got a book you'd rather be
>> reading?  Trust me, at 37,000 feet you won't be doing a whole lot of
>> walking
>> and will have plenty of time to catch up on what happens to your favorite
>> characters.
>>
>> And speaking of story plots, isn't it true that your characters need to
>> overcome a conflict to make the story worth reading?  Well, it's the same
>> concept here.  You will not fully appreciate your independence unless you
>> learn how to fully experience the joys of getting lost.  I assure you real
>> world adventures are far more fulfilling than the ones on paper.
>>
>> Here's the first major tip, when you're at the counter, do not try to get
>> the representative to give you the whole layout of the airport.  Just ask
>> for general directions to the security checkpoint.  People vary in their
>> ability to give directions, and if you learn how to break up your journey
>> into small pieces, you'll have greater success and will be less likely to
>> get overwhelmed and frustrated.
>>
>> Now, assuming you're still walking along by yourself, your task is to find
>> the security checkpoint.  With the general directions the representative
>> gave you, you're going to start off heading in the direction they gave and
>> already be on the lookout for the second person who can confirm these
>> directions.  So, obtain, then verify.  As you walk keep in mind the sounds
>> you can associate with checkpoints.  You will no doubt here the beep of
>> the
>> metal detectors.  Perhaps you'll hear the rattle of bags lumbering through
>> the x-ray machines.  Maybe frustrated security representatives admonishing
>> people to take off shoes and pull out laptops?
>>
>> Here's the next tip:  Wear shoes you can easily take off.  This is not
>> even
>> a blindness-related tip.  This is just an important point for blind and
>> sighted people alike.  If you wear complicated boots, you don't want to be
>> sprawled out on the floor undoing your laces while generally holding up
>> the
>> rest of the passengers.  Also, prepare your computers to be taken out and
>> put on the trays.  Look at your airline's website to find out what is
>> currently being allowed.  Again, if the website does not work, pick up a
>> phone.
>>
>> Just before you get to the security checkpoint you're going to encounter
>> the
>> first TSA representative who will verify your pass and identification.
>> Ask
>> him or her where the nearest line is to the metal detectors.  Remember
>> when
>> asking for directions to point with your finger to make sure you fully
>> understand where they are directing you.  If you're wrong, keep trying
>> until
>> you've got it right, or allow them to take your hand and point your finger
>> in the right direction.
>>
>> Okay, I've gotta run, but I hope others will chime in with getting through
>> the security checkpoint and finding restrooms, restaurants and ultimately
>> your gate.  I think we can all collaborate on what to do while flying and
>> how to properly exit the aircraft.  And, please add any details you think
>> important in the trip up to this point.  I'm sure even frequent travelers
>> may learn a thing or two.
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Joe
>>
>> "Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves,
>> some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."--Sam Ewing
>>
>>
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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