[nabs-l] navigating the airports

Tue Dec 13 03:23:52 UTC 2011

Hi Ashley and all,
Below is a post I wrote last year about flying, which I think covers
most of the blindness issues. I added some to it to cover things I
missed. Whether or not to get assistance is really a personal choice.
I used to do it all the time, and now only do it about 5% of the time.
There's certainly nothing wrong with it, but if you're not in a hurry,
it's relatively easy to find where you are going without it.
Best,
Arielle

Regarding flying: I would say, first of all, don't worry about it too
much. There are blind people who fly by themselves all the time. Some
of us fly internationally by ourselves, and we often move smoothly
through layovers, baggage claim, security, and the other surprises
airlines sometimes like to throw at us. Some blind people use
assistance, some of us don't, and some of us use assistance only if
we're in a hurry or have a lot of baggage. In other words, there's no
one way to navigate the airport as a blind person. I flew by myself to
NFB convention for the first time when I was 18, too. I was very
nervous, and used assistance for the whole trip. Now I fly very
often-on average, about once every 1-2 months-and I don't think much
of it.

By all means, if you want to, go ahead and ask for an escort when you
check in for your flight, and walk with the escort through security to
your gate. There's no need to call ahead-just ask when you check in,
if they don't offer first. Keep in mind, they are legally required not
to force you into a wheelchair or to take any kind of assistance you
don't want-so be assertive and cite the Air Carrier Access Act if you
have to. (I only had to do that once and it shut them up real fast)!
But, since you mentioned in your email that
you are good at improvising and want to make this more of a challenge,
then perhaps you might think about doing part of your trip without
assistance, by walking around the airport on your own.

Many of us are afraid to walk around in airports by ourselves, but
really I have found that an airport is one of the easiest, safest
places to explore. There are lots of people around to ask for
information, and everything is indoors, so there's only so far you
will go if you get turned around. Instead of walking with an escort,
you might try just asking the person who checks you in, "Which
direction is security?" Then walk in the direction they tell you, and
double-check with someone else walking by to see if you are going the
right way.

Once you get past security, there will be central food court areas,
which you will notice because of their distinctive sounds and smells.
In most airports the gates are on carpet, and the gate area will sound
more enclosed and will probably have some kind of TV or radio playing.
Gates tend to go in numerical order, so you can ask someone sitting at
one of the gates, "What gate number is this?" and then ask them,
"Which direction is it to gate [gate number]?" Then you can count
gates, or walk down a few gates and then ask again what gate number
you are at.

When it's time to board-just follow the line, everyone is going the
same direction. It might take asking a few initial questions or
listening for the "ding" of the boarding-pass checker that's behind
the podium to find the line, but once you're in it, you can simply
follow everyone else up to the gate and down the jetway. You can find
your row by counting. Important thing-whether or not you use
assistance, you should absolutely know your gate number, and what seat
you're in on the plane.
In my experience, if flight info changes in any significant way (gate
location or departure time) this change is announced out loud over the
PA system. So I usually just ask for the gate number once and if I
don't hear any announcements, I assume it's the right one. You can
always double-check by asking the person next to you at the gate what
the destination is, or going up and asking the gate agent at the
podium.
Baggage claim is another thing you can just follow the crowd for. The
vast majority of people getting off a flight will be heading that way,
and signage for the baggage area is prominent, so people will be able
to give you good information to find it.
If you check bags, there are things you can buy-luggage locators, for
example-that you can use to find your bag. However, for me the
simplest solution has been to simply know what my bag feels like, and
to put a distinctive tactile/colorful ribbon on the bag. Sometimes
fellow passengers or volunteers will offer to keep an eye out for my
bag and at times they will spy it before I can find it by touch. But,
I have always successfully found my suitcase by touching all the bags
that go by. It weirds people out, but it works.

Of course, navigating the airport without assistance might take a
little longer, especially at first. But if you have the extra time,
it's a good way to learn more about the airport layout, and to boost
your confidence. I also like it because I don't have to stand around
waiting for an assistant, and because I'm free to go wherever I feel
like going without feeling like someone is watching or babysitting me.
If you want to try it for the first time, you might think about having
the assistant show you through security, but then finding your gate on
your own, or going with the assistant in Indianapolis but then going
it on your own from gate to gate in Chicago. (Actually, the first
airport I traveled in without assistance was the Chicago-Midway
airport on my way to an NFB Washington Seminar. I had a long layover,
decided to kill some time exploring the airport, and that's when I
realized how easy it really can be).

I'm so glad that you'll be going to the BLIND, Inc. prep program this
summer. During this program all of you will fly to Orlando together,
and will learn lots about airport travel.

Good luck and definitely feel free to ask any other questions you may have.

Arielle

On 12/12/11, Jedi <loneblindjedi at samobile.net> wrote:
> Ashley,
>
> The amount of assistance you take or reject is really up to you. If you
> want someone to take you to your gate, you can arrange it. If you do
> not, indicate that clearly to the person who arranges your boarding
> pass as they'll often push assistance on you that you didn't request.
>
> when you go through security, the law says that you can walk with your
> cane through the detector if you like. Just keep the tip to the ground
> and don't touch the sides of the detector as you pass through. This
> works best with an NFB cane as it is not made of metal. Either before
> or after you walk through, let them scan it in their x-ray machine.
> They may raise a fuss when you try to get it back (that is, if you scan
> it first and walk through afterward). It's up to you whether or not you
> want to deal with this particular headache. As for me, I personally
> feel more oriented when I walk through with my cane after letting them
> scan it. 75% of the time, that's no problem. But those 25% really are a
> bugger. As to the wheelchair, don't take it if you don't want it. It's
> your right to choose, not theirs.
>
> As to medications, you can take pills on board and liquids or sprays
> with clear bottles carrying less than 3 ounces a piece. Put these in a
> quart-sized ziplock and be ready to show them to the TSA agents as you
> go through. I'd also carry the doctor's perscription just in case.
>
> Respectfully,
> Jedi
> Original message:
>> Unfortunately, they take your cane.
>> I don't know about the other stuff.
>> They do take you to the gate, if you don't have sighted assistance,
>> already with you.
>> Also, I wouldn't use the wheelchair.
>> Blessings, Joshua
>
>
>> On 12/12/11, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>> Hi all,
>
>>> I haven’t flown alone and don’t know when I will. But I wondered what the
>>> experience is like.
>>> For security, do they take your cane and then you walk through the metal
>>> detector without it?
>>> Has anyone experienced those body invasive body scanners? How long does
>>> that
>>> take? Do you have to step in something for it?
>>> I think those scanners violate our privacy, but that is another matter.
>
>>> So when do you request assistance? What do you do if they bring a
>>> wheelchair? Just not use it, probably.
>>> Do they take you to your gate? Also, how do you obtain info found on
>>> those
>>> screens like flight delays or if they change the location for your
>>> flight?
>
>
>>> Also, any airline better than others?
>
>>> And not blindness related, but what is the rule now a days for medicines?
>>> Do they still ban everyday objects in carry on bags such as scissors,
>>> nail
>>> clippers, and tweezers?
>>> Flying is a pain for anyone, but its more convenient than taking the
>>> train.
>
>>> Thanks.
>
>>> Ashley
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