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

Mon May 17 11:29:28 UTC 2010

This is great material for the website.  I'll figure out the best way to 
incorporate it into the resources page.

Thanks much,
Meghan
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "J.J. Meddaugh" <jj at bestmidi.com>
To: <jsorozco at gmail.com>; "National Association of Blind Students mailing 
list" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, May 16, 2010 7:55 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] How to Files - Traveling by Air

> 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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