[nabs-l] vacation tips please?

Tue Jun 12 05:36:20 UTC 2012

Hello,
Wow, the below is pretty much exactly what I do! :O... I totally believe in 
asking from help from the get go, right as soon as you walk in the door. 
Airlines are often really good at getting you to where you need to go. They 
don't always know what Sighted Guide is though, so you'll probably need to 
ask them if you can please hold their elbow.
I often make some joke about how their elbow and I are having a nice 
conversation about what's coming up as we're walking if they still are 
grabbing me despite me holding their elbow in one hand and my cane in the 
other. That usually helps. I also shrug off the wheelchair, saying it's way 
too slow. I do however love the little golf carts they sometimes take you 
around in, those are way faster than I could walk!
But traveling with help gets you to the front of the line and keeps you from 
missing the flight. Also the airplane attendants know you're blind and let 
you know when they're coming by with the garbage or food so you don't miss 
it!
What I'm anxious to know is how traveling overseas works... Non parlo 
Italiano! LOL
Thanks,

Brandon Keith Biggs
-----Original Message----- 
From: 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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