[Nfbmo] Airlines

Tue Jun 7 04:49:44 UTC 2016

Hi,

Perhaps the man was following directions given by a supervisor.
When I flew about two years ago, I asked for some assistance at the check in
counter and no wheelchair was brought and there was nobody waiting in
orlando.
Thanks to Shelia for her story about navigating security and I will remember
to ask the person to change gloves next time I need to fly.
Let's hope to not read about any hastles next month.
Bryan

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbmo [mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Shelia Wright via
Nfbmo
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2016 11:08 PM
To: 'NFB of Missouri Mailing List'
Cc: Shelia Wright
Subject: Re: [Nfbmo] Airlines

I do not believe it is isolated at all. It almost seems like standard
practice. I've known of situations where the individual seems to accept what
the blind person tells them. If this is the case, there is no real problem.
They follow company procedures, but seem to respect what each individual
prefers. On the other hand, I have seen and heard about the airline escort
to refuse to listen to the customer, insist that it is required and will be
faster for him. It is the attitude, that I have a problem overlooking. 

The key is in how the person responds. There are blind people that have
other disabilities. They are not always visible. The airline escort may also
be on a tight schedule before they meet up with their next assignment. If
they don't bring the chair and it is needed, then the traveler that needs
the chair would have to wait until they go fetch one. I suppose that most
people who need a chair can request one when they check in on their
originating flight. However sometimes notes get missed. I don't usually ask
for assistance at the airport because the airline seems to make that request
whether you ask or not. If I don't need assistance, I can decline it. After
a flight I'm quite ready to walk to stretch my legs. However, there may be a
time I need it for reasons other than blindness. At that point I will ask
for assistance. If they have to push a wheelchair, just know it makes a
pretty good luggage cart for your carry on.

I think being the one to decide when I do or do not need assistance is what
is important.  

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbmo [mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Roger Crome via
Nfbmo
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2016 8:31 PM
To: NFB of Missouri Mailing List <nfbmo at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Roger Crome <r_crome1 at msn.com>
Subject: Re: [Nfbmo] Airlines

I wonder how isolated situations like this are.  If this was the lack of
education of one truly ignorant person, then a simple localized level of
advocacy would be effective, but if more people are experiencing this level
of insult, then maybe it is time to blitz the industry with advocacy.  I
wonder if the Missouri Affiliate could  approach the National Convention for
a Resolution calling for training of employees of the airlines at all
levels.  
Just a thought.
Roger

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 6, 2016, at 4:39 PM, Daniel Garcia via Nfbmo <nfbmo at nfbnet.org>
wrote:
> 
> When I arrive at Detroit last Thursday the person escorting me to the
luggage claim area had a wheelchair waiting for me. I told him I could walk
just fine and he insisted I make use of the wheelchair. I politely repeated
to him that I would not be using it. He did not insist and I told him where
my parents would be waiting for me. 
> 
> Let me digress  a little and address those of you who are wondering why I
even have an escort guiding me through the airport to begin with. If that
was your first thought when you first read this message then I urge you to
read "The Nature of Independence" which was a speech given by Dr. Jernigan
at the 1993 National Convention.
> 
> Now let's go back to the main focus of my message.
> 
> Back in the 1980's I was not blind and had no problem with how the
airlines treated me. Many Federationists though will remember firsthand the
efforts of the NFB to ensure that blind people would be treated better by
airlines. By my reading of history, it seems that things have improved
thanks to the efforts of the NFB. However, no matter how many laws and
policies are enacted to protect us, people are people and thus we have
situations where some airport workers still cling to outmoded ideas of what
the blind are capable of.  The person escorting me no doubt believed that
blind people are clumsy and unsafe and that it would be more convenient for
him to just have me sit down and shut up and allow myself to be taken in a
wheelchair.
> 
> Best Regards
> 
> Daniel Garcia
> 
> 
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