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

Wed Mar 23 04:33:20 UTC 2011

Hello,
I completely agree with Arielle. I fly all the time (several times per week depending on the month...)because of what I do. I travel between The US and Europe very often and have to walk around different airports. It might be a little scary at the beginning, but it's really not that bad. I tend to go around the airport by myself. I go through Atlanta so much that by now I pretty much know the place. I even figured out an area for my dog to go to the restroom. I only request assistance if I have very little time to go from one plane to the next one, and if they don't show up on time I just leave because I would rather find it by myself in a hurry than miss it.
Also, many times passengers themselves are much more helpful than airport employees.
There's one important thing though... Some airports don't announce flight departures through speakers. The worst example that I can thing of right now if Madrid. The only way to figure out gate changes, cancellations etc is through screens all over the terminal. In cases like this, my iPhone is my friend. I generally fly Delta, and I have the Delta application which will notify me of any changes instantly. Really, this application has been very helpful in many occasions. It also allows you to reschedule your trip if a flight gets cancelled etc. Other airlines probably have their own application too.
If you are a frequent flyer you can be a member of frequent flyer programs ran by airlines. After you've earned enough miles you get access to more private areas. I find that people in there are always helpful, and if I'm resting in there or doing something else they will always let me know when the flight is ready for departure etc.
Thie is my experience with airports... Again, it's generally not bad at all. And if sometimes things don't go well, remember that that happens to sighted people very often too.
Good luck!

IC
On Mar 23, 2011, at 12:01 AM, Arielle Silverman wrote:

> Hi Christopher,
> 
> First of all, welcome to the NABS list. My name is Arielle Silverman
> and I am the current president of the National Association of Blind
> Students. I'm totally blind and a Ph.D. student in social psychology
> at the University of Colorado. I first joined this list when I was in
> high school and have always found it to be tremendously helpful and
> supportive.
> 
> 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. 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.
> 
> 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 3/22/11, Laura Glowacki <orangebutterfly87 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Prescription medications that are in pill form can be in your bag
>> as any other item would be (carry-on or checked).  If it's a
>> liquid medication, then it would need to be in a ziplock bag and
>> checked separately at the security checkpoing.
>> 
>> If you know the airline you're flying with, you can go to their
>> website and find very comprehensive information on baggage
>> requirements, limitations and allowances, information for people
>> traveling with service animals, people traveling with other
>> mobility aids, and information about security measures affecting
>> what you and cannot bring on the plane with you.  I've flown
>> several times by myself, and it's a fairly painless process.
>> 
>> Good luck,
>> Laura
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Monday, March 21, 2011 9:29 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] First-time flyer, and I'm looking for
>> advice
>> 
>> 
>> You mentioned medicine in carry on bags.
>> You might want to check TSA policy. I think medicine has to be
>> stored in a
>> clear bag, like a ziplock bag, with labels.
>> That is a pain because you cannot carry it in a daily medicine
>> container
>> then.
>> Ashley
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: autTeal Bloodwortho
>> Sent: Monday, March 21, 2011 11:19 PM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] First-time flyer, and I'm looking for
>> advice
>> 
>> Hello Christopher
>> 
>> I myself have only flown once and was treated with dignity by the
>> airport
>> attendants. You do need to be specific, as in other impairment
>> you may or
>> may not have. Personally I was never asked if I wanted to sit in
>> a wheel
>> chair but I also arrived at the airport departure gate  with
>> sighted guide
>> and my foldable white cane erect. I was checked like any other
>> passenger
>> (cell phones, keys, etc need to be removed from your pockets). I
>> myself was
>> allowed to board the plane first but I was flying on a smaller
>> plane that
>> wasn't very crowded,
>> 
>> I believe you are allowed 2 carry on baggage . This is where I
>> put my
>> electronic devices (labtop, stream, etc) and perscription
>> medication and
>> such. I don't remember the weight for these but think duffle
>> bag/labtop bag
>> or for a woman a purse. in your check in luggage you need to put
>> any
>> shampoos, soaps, shaving utensils, colognes, etc. I don't know
>> how long ago
>> it was that you last flew but security is alittle ridiculous.
>> Even if you
>> come to the airport with food or drink you are not allowed on the
>> plane with
>> it.
>> 
>> hope i helped in some way. larger, busier airports are going to
>> be slower in
>> finding a flight attendant to assist you and you really have to
>> be patient.
>> I know in detroit from my arrival point to my departure point I
>> had to go
>> through 4 elevators and a moving sidewalk. You also may wanna
>> keep your
>> ittenary handy since your attendants may need the gate
>> information.
>> 
>> Good Luck
>>    -Teal
>> -----
>> From: "christopher meyer" <christopher.meyer007 at gmail.com>
>> To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Monday, March 21, 2011 5:32 PM
>> 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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>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
> -- 
> Arielle Silverman
> President, National Association of Blind Students
> Phone:  602-502-2255
> Email:
> nabs.president at gmail.com
> Website:
> www.nabslink.org
> 
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