[nabs-l] First-time flyer, and I'm looking for advice

[Hannah]

Hey Christopher,
Welcome to the list! I don't post much, but I've also been 
following along on the topics being discussed.
I've been flying on my own since I was in middle school and I've 
found that people are super helpful.  You just have to be clear 
on how you want them to assist you otherwise you might face some 
awkward moments.  I let them know that I will need assistance 
when I check in instead of calling in advance to give them a 
heads-up because tons of people fly everyday and I'm not sure if 
they'll actually remember, lol.  Hope this helps although it's 
not much.
Cheers, Hannah

> ----- Original Message -----
>From: christopher meyer <christopher.meyer007 at gmail.com
>To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>Date sent: Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:32:45 -0400
>Subject: [nabs-l] First-time flyer, and I'm looking for advice

>Hey folks, my name's Christopher Meyer.  I've been following the
>message threads on the NABS list for, what, five or six months? 
This
>is my first time getting my name out to you all.  I would rather 
have
>done so with just a "nice to meet you" post about myself, but a
>pressing matter takes priority for me.

>I'm eighteen, blind, learning self-confidence, embracing the use 
of my
>cane, getting ready for college in the fall, and the prep program 
at
>Blind, Inc.  in Miniapolis over the summer.

>That's all background information to explain that I'm becoming 
more
>acceptant of what I can see--or really what I can't see.

>In two weeks, I'll be facing a good test of this "new-found
>confidence" as I've seen some of the NFB centers say they 
provide.  I'm
>going to be flying by myself for the first time through 
Indianapolis
>International, Chicago Midway, and Newark Airport.  I found the 
TSA's
>travel information and tips for "persons with disabilities and 
medical
>issues," which were helpful and reassuring for the security 
checkpoint
>process.  I've contacted my airline support, told them I'll be 
flying
>in two weeks and will need an assistant.  And I know that I can 
take my
>cane along without it counting as a cary-on piece or personal 
item.

>Other than that, what do I need to know and prepare for? I've 
flown
>before a few years back and just vaguely remember the general 
airport
>layout.  I do mean vaguely, so I'm anxious not knowing what to 
expect
>on that front.  Any tips or information worth sharing?

>I'll be clear: I'm naturally pretty good at improvising.  What I 
don't
>know right now I'll figure out soon enough--maybe while I'm en 
route
>to my first gate, maybe in Midway for my transfer and layover, 
maybe
>in Newark at baggage pickup.  Who knows.  But I'm also the kind 
of
>person who wants to be prepared for a challenge and hit it 
head-on,
>but prepared nonetheless.
>Eager to hear back all the same.


>Christopher

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