[nabs-l] vacation tips please?

Humberto Avila avila.bert.humberto2 at gmail.com
Tue Jun 12 05:14:34 UTC 2012


Hello,

I think you should contact Ms. Arielle Silverman, who is on this list and
has done this frequently and has experiences in flying by herself and doing
travel altogether. I hope she is following this conversation and she can
direct you, off list if you two want. 
I haven't flown alone or traveled alone so I am sorry to say that I don't
have much to say other than directing you to this person. Good luck flying
to Georgia and have fun!

Cheers,
umberto

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Greg Aikens
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 9:58 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] vacation tips please?

Hi Beth,
Everyone likes to do things different ways, but this is the way I generally
handle things when I'm traveling through an airport alone.  If I am taking a
cab to the airport, I will have them take me to the curb side check-in for
my airline if it is available.  That way I can ditch my checked bags as
early as possible, because I feel like they make navigating independently  a
little more difficult.  If you do curb side check-in, it is generally
expected that you tip the person handling your bags.  You can choose to
follow this convention or not.  I have done both.  
If they don't have curb side check-in, I have my cab driver find the part of
the drop off area with the sign for my airline so as to have the shortest
path to travel once I get inside.  Once inside I will listen for the
counters, lines of people, etc. and head towards one.  If it is the wrong
one, they generally redirect me to the correct counter.  There are often
airline employees helping passengers in line to answer questions etc. so
keep an ear out.  

Once I have checked in, either curb side or at the counter inside, I ask for
assistance to my gate.  I know some people prefer to do this independently,
but I find it far less stressful and far quicker to get assistance with this
step.  Sometimes you have to wait a few minutes for them to get someone up
there to assist you, but I make sure I am waiting in an area where there is
an employee I can ask to make sure I have not been forgotten.  These people
have generally been helpful to me and have understood when I refused a
wheelchair.  Occasionally you'll get someone who just doesn't get it, but if
you are kind but firm, they generally get the idea.  

When you get to security there is generally a line designated for passengers
with disabilities.  Sometimes it moves faster and sometimes slower than the
main lines, so choose wisely.  If you have asked for assistance, you can ask
the person with you to help judge the lines.  At security, you have to put
everything you have into a bin, including your shoes.  I usually put my cane
through the scanner with all my other stuff, but I think I have heard of
people who keep it with them when they pass through the metal detector.  I
find it simpler to put the cane through and trail the side of the machine up
to the metal detector gate.  At that point I ask the security person to
reach their hand through so I can touch hands with them to walk straight
through the metal detector without touching the sides.  All in all, I am
separated from my cane for 60 or 90 seconds at most.  

The person assisting me helps me find my gate, where I make contact with the
people at the desk and then take a seat, as near as I can to the desk.  I
usually pre board just because it seems easier.  Again, you can choose to do
this or not.  

The biggest thing to remember is that the people assisting you are there to
help you, not to tell you what to do.  If you are ever uncomfortable, you
should definitely say something.  You are the one in control, and sometimes
airport staff need to be reminded of that.  Remember that you are allowed to
keep your cane with you at all times, with the possible exception of passing
through the metal detector.  

I wrote you a novel, but I hope at least some of this stuff is helpful.
Just remember that this is one guy's opinion.  Have fun in GA.  

-Greg
On Jun 11, 2012, at 11:17 PM, Beth wrote:

> Hi, guys.  What are you nabs-sters doing for vacations?  I'm actually
flying to Georgia to visit my boyfriend, and I would like some practical
no-nonsense tips on how to go through security and airport stuff period.
How should I deal with people who try to offer me a wheelchair to get into
the plane?  Whaut's the best way to deal with people who might ask me to sit
on the floor even?  This is only the second time I've planned a trip without
a group of blind people or family around.  I would like to get some good
tips on whuat to do at the airport, and how much it usually would cost for
you Denver people to go from east Denver, my house, to DIA.  Thanks, guys.
> Beth
> 
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