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

[Nicole B. Torcolini]

Lol, good point.  I guess the point that anything that people are not used 
to they might turn into suspicion.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David" <davidb521 at gmail.com>
To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 7:00 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] How to Files - Traveling by Air


> It's just one of many options. And wouldn't beeping luggage indicators be
> sort of suspicious as well? What if they thought it was somesort of
> explosive device in there paranoia? All I do is just feel part of the bag 
> AS
> it's going by until I find mine. Of course, if there are any other ideas 
> you
> may have that do not involve depending on a sighted person, or using a
> beeping locator, I would welcome them.
> David
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
> Behalf
> Of Corey Cook
> Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 7:19 PM
> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] How to Files - Traveling by Air
>
> Actually I was thinking the same thing. And raised suspicions in air ports
> are not a good thing.
>
>
> Corey Cook
> Email
> ccook01 at knology.net
> Facebook
> ccook01 at knology.net
> Skype
> coreym821
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
> Behalf
> Of Nicole B. Torcolini
> Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 7:25 PM
> To: davidb521 at gmail.com; National Association of Blind Students mailing 
> list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] How to Files - Traveling by Air
>
> Just two quick comments.
>
> 1. If you wanted to avoid the metal detector and dog equipment situation
> altogether, you could find/make a slip collar leash with no metal to be 
> used
>
> at the security point only and remove your dog's leash and harness.
>
> 2. I slightly question touching every bag on the carousel.  Yes, it's our
> way of identifying things, but some people don't understand, and touching
> everyone's bag as it passed by could raise suspicions.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "David" <davidb521 at gmail.com>
> To: <jsorozco at gmail.com>; "'National Association of Blind Students mailing
> list'" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 1:41 PM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] How to Files - Traveling by Air
>
>
>> Hi,
>> Another technique for finding bags is to have some tactile identification
>> on
>> the bag. You can actually kneel in front of the carousel, and feel every
>> bag
>> that goes by until you discover yours. The down side to that is that it's
>> a
>> little uncomfortable, and if your arms aren't long enough, you may not be
>> able to feel all of the bags that are farther back. But, it works well 
>> for
>> the most part.
>> David
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf
>> Of Joe Orozco
>> Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 2:00 PM
>> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] How to Files - Traveling by Air
>>
>> Dear all,
>>
>> Thanks for contributing to this thread.  Given the rate at which people
>> register on the NABS website, I know someone is reading the content, and
>> no
>> doubt your thoughts will be of tremendous value to students present and
>> future.
>>
>> A few more thoughts:
>>
>> 1. I have a guide dog, and when coming up on the security checkpoint it
>> has
>> been my experience that personnel automatically try to wand me since the
>> dog
>> will set off the metal detector.  So, I have Gator lie down while I walk
>> through the detector then call him to me so that I am clear, and all
>> that's
>> required is for the representatives to pat down my guide.  The extra
>> frisking is sometimes random.  You can't avoid this, but if you can take
>> the
>> initiative, if it is not random you can avoid adding a few more minutes 
>> to
>> your journey by having them pat down the dog independent of you.
>>
>> 2. If you are connecting to a second or third flight, ask the person
>> sitting
>> next to you to help you read the connecting gate number if you do not yet
>> know it.  Your fellow passenger may be walking in the same direction, if
>> not
>> headed to the same gate themselves, in which case it is not unreasonable
>> to
>> ask if you can follow them.  Actually, this simple maneuver may work if
>> you
>> are at the end of your trip and need to find ground transportation or
>> luggage claim.  Remember that bit of advice about breaking up your
>> experience into small, digestible chunks.  All this aside, it just makes
>> sense to feel comfortable talking to the people around you.  One never
>> knows
>> when a good educational opportunity will present itself, and talking to
>> people just helps you smooth out other aspects of social development.
>> Some
>> of my more interesting friends I've met while clinging to one of the
>> support
>> rails in one of the crowded DC subways.
>>
>> 3. It's been a while since I've checked bags, but when I do I try to find
>> my
>> luggage locators.  Some may find these look a little dorky, but you can't
>> beat pressing a button and having your bags chirp at you from the cluster
>> of
>> bags around it.  Others may suggest tying a bright pink Bowe or some 
>> other
>> colorful mark to clearly identify your bag.  You could do this, but if 
>> you
>> want a higher degree of independence, luggage locators are a good bet.
>>
>> 4. Listen to your surroundings.  Seriously, no great advance in 
>> technology
>> will ever replicate the surround sound that happens between your ears. 
>> We
>> all know the misconceptions of Super Man hearing abilities are false, but
>> do
>> take advantage of all the little clues from the sound of the ground 
>> people
>> are walking on to the general direction of voices to the racket of cash
>> registers, metal detectors, PA speakers, escalators, elevators, electric
>> carts and other sounds that traditionally flow through an airport.
>>
>> Some people have gotten good at remembering the general layout of certain
>> airports and could probably make a list of airports and the shapes of
>> their
>> concourses.  I believe the Atlanta airport is supposed to be one of the
>> easiest layouts, but to this day I forget what goes where when I change
>> planes in Atlanta.  Yet it's only a matter of time before I ask enough
>> questions and harass enough people before I figure out how to get from 
>> one
>> gate to the next.  It truly is something of an adventure each time, and 
>> no
>> doubt you will soon become an expert at recognizing that traveling by air
>> is
>> not too different from finding a new classroom, navigating a mall or
>> negotiating a restaurant.
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Still, ask questions if you have them.  No one would suggest the comments
>> up
>> to this point have exhausted every possibility.  That's what the list is
>> here for.
>>
>> 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
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Domonique Lawless
>> Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 9:57 PM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] How to Files - Traveling by Air
>>
>> Joe,
>> This is a great idea and I'm sure that Meghan who is most talented can
>> incorperate this into our site. Another thing to add is not to be
>> intimidated  by airline personell. When I was traveling home from a
>> trip to China a skycap wouldn't listen to me when I said politely that
>> I didn't need assistance. She kept insisting that I follow her and at
>> the time I had no choice since she snatched my boarding pass out of my
>> hand after I deboarded and went through customs. She ended up taking
>> me to the special service room where I explained to her coworker how
>> she wouldn't respect my wishes and give me back my ticket so I could
>> travel to my gate. Since I firmly held my ground I got my way and was
>> able to travel to my gate.
>>
>> My point is that only you know what's best for you and no one has the
>> right to push you around, whether they want to take your cane or stick
>> you in a "special" room all by yourself. It is best to remain as calm
>> and informative as possible when dealing with stubborn airline
>> personell but sometimes you have to let the gloves come off and not
>> give in. I appologize if this doesn't  make any sense. This past week
>> has been exceptionally stressful and my brain is still a little
>> frazzled.
>>
>> Best Wishes,
>> Domonique
>>
>> On 5/17/10, Meghan Whalen <mewhalen at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> 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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>>>>>
>>>>
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