[nabs-l] Questions about getting assistance in airports

[Kathryn Webster]

Hi Sami!

	Thanks for opening up a great discussion on the list. I am nearly
certain opinions vary greatly amongst blind students. In fact, I was talking
to a friend of mine this morning and him and my thoughts on this topic were
quite different.
				
The way one decides to orient oneself in an airport is dependent on the
person, the airport, and the frequency of traveling, among many other
factors. Personally, I travel quite often and do not prefer to use
assistance. That, I hope will  be something you are comfortable with one
day. In terms of traveling alone for the first time, first off,
congratulations on taking that first step toward independence! Also, you are
going to do just fine! People are there to help, employees or not. Always
ask questions if you are uncertain about a direction you are taking. I would
suggest getting acclamdated to the departure airport since you will most
likely be traveling to and from there a great deal in the future since that
is your home. 

As for receiving assistance, I would suggest asking for help once you get to
the airport, articulating that you would like to learn the area as much as
you can, while being efficient on time and what not. You are so right about
the wheelchair. Unless one needs it in order to get around, there is no need
for us, as blind people, to take that option away from individuals who
really need that mode of transportation. Not to mention that we should
demonstrate our confidence and capabilities by traveling independently.
Either way, it may be a great idea to travel alongside the airport employee,
rather than sighted guide for some amounts of time. Of course, it varies on
your personal comfort level, but while walking, you can just chat with them
and walk with your cane. It will make you feel so good once you get to your
gate for the first time!

Thank you again for beginning a great conversation to the list and I'm eager
to see what others have to say. Good luck on traveling and have a blast in
California!

Best,
Kathryn

-----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sami Osborne
via NABS-L
Sent: Friday, May 27, 2016 1:53 PM
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org; blindtlk at nfbnet.org; travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
Cc: Sami Osborne
Subject: [nabs-l] Questions about getting assistance in airports

Hi all,

I hope you're all having a great holiday weekend and enjoying spending time
with family and friends.

This August, I'll be traveling from my home state of NY all the way to San
Francisco, CA for a ten-day-long music camp for the blind.  This will be my
first time flying by myself without my family.  I'd like to ask you guys a
couple of questions about getting assistance to the gate at the airport,
which we, as blind people, probably all need.

First of all, how much in advance should you let the airline know that you
need assistance? When my mom was buying the plane tickets, she discovered
that one of the questions they asked was if I was a blind person with a
guide dog.  She didn't answer that because I only have a cane.  But on the
airline's website, there is no information regarding getting assistance if
you're blind.  
So I'd like to know if you'd need to apply for assistance well in advance of
your trip or just a few days before? Also, should you do it on the phone or
can you do it online?

Second, I know that they can help you to the gate, but will they assist you
with getting to the security checkpoint as well? When I go flying with my
family, the airport employees usually assist me with going through security,
so I already know that they can do that.  But as for getting from the curb
to the checkpoint, would they be able to do that?

Third, as I mentioned before, this is my first time  flying on my own.  I
know that a lot of times in the airport, they'll ask you if you want a
wheelchair, only because they assume the worst about us.  I think you know
what I mean.  Anyway, when I apply to get assistance, should I tell them
that I don't need a wheelchair and just use sighted guide with whichever
airport employee is walking with me, or would I need to do that  at the
airport?

I hope that you people who fly independently can help me with this.

Thanks and happy Memorial Day weekend,

Sami

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