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

[Jedi]

I often plan on the possibility that my gate's been changed, so I just 
ask someone who's getting off my first flight with me to read the 
monitor or ask a ticket agent anywhere in the vacinity. You do bring up 
a good point though: there should be an accessible way for getting at 
gate change information such as a phone line or something.

Respectfully,
Jedi


Original message:
> This has been a really good topic for discussion.
> I wonder though how do you find your new gate whin its been changed?
> There is noone around and there has been no announcement.
> So how is this acomplished?
> Melissa Green
> No person has the right to rain on your dreams.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Domonique Lawless" <dlawless86 at gmail.com>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 7:57 PM
> 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


>>>>> __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus
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>>>>> database 5118 (20100516) __________

>>>>> The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

>>>>> http://www.eset.com



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