[Ohio-talk] Dayton airport

[Kaiti Shelton]

I wonder if such a demonstration or training would be received well by
the Dayton Airport.  I know Cincinnati did something similar at CVG,
and I have nothing but positive things to say about my experiences,
although limited, with that airport.  When going to National
Convention and coming home from it last summer, I had more trouble in
the Orlando airport where all the blind people were converging, and no
problems whatsoever with CVG.  I was especially impressed when in
security they said, "We'll have to scan your cane with your other
belongings, but we have another one you can take through the metal
detector with you."  I did end up borrowing the airport's cane and
traded the TSA worker at the end of the scanners for my own cane.  I
have to question why, if they do have to take the person's personal
cane for security measures, why don't all airports offer loaner canes
to blind travelers?

I'm especially interested in this, as I had to provide two separate
airports as potential departure and return airports for my trip to
Jamaica next summer.  I listed Dayton as my second choice, so it's
probably a 50-50 shot that I'll fly out of there instead of
Cincinnati.  If efforts are taken to educate the airport staff at any
point I would love to help out.

On 12/2/14, Cheryl Fischer via Ohio-talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I've experienced helpers at various airports who wanted me to sit in a
> wheelchair. Most became flustered when I refused.
>
> I usually say "I've been sitting a lot today and will be sitting even
> longer
> once I get in the plane, so I really need to walk."
>
> One airport employee explained that the reason they seemed anxious and
> needed me to get in the chair was because they were responsible for the
> wheelchair, and so they couldn't leave it behind. I suggested that we put
> my
> bags in the chair and that I would follow by holding onto their elbow while
> they pushed the wheelchair along. This worked out fine.
>
> I recall one time that I gave in and allowed myself to be pushed to my
> destination in a wheelchair. I don't remember the details, but I think it
> was a situation where I felt that it would be cruel to give this particular
> airport helper a hard time.
>
> Cheryl
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ohio-talk [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Deborah
> Kendrick via Ohio-talk
> Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2014 8:59 AM
> To: 'Marianne Denning'; 'NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List'
> Subject: Re: [Ohio-talk] Dayton airport
>
> This is very surprising.  I have flown out of Dayton many, many times over
> the past decade and never had the wheelchair conversation.
> Sounds like maybe you have just had the misfortune of running into one or
> two ill-informed employees.  And those can pop up anywhere -- and do!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ohio-talk [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marianne
> Denning via Ohio-talk
> Sent: Friday, November 28, 2014 9:24 PM
> To: NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List
> Subject: [Ohio-talk] Dayton airport
>
> I have been flying out of the Dayton airport lately.  Every time I have
> gone
> through that airport lately I have been told they would get a wheelchair
> for
> me.  I tell them I don't need a wheelchair but someone to walk me to the
> gate.  The conversation goes downhill from that point.  I have not used a
> wheelchair but they act like I have a bad attitude.  I don't yell at
> anyone,
> I try to tell them in an assertive way that I don't need the wheelchair.
> Has anyone else had a similar experience at the Dayton airport?  Could the
> NFB of Dayton or another nearby chapter offer to provide training to the
> different airlines and the meet and assist staff of that airport?
>
> --
> Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
> Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
> (513) 607-6053
>
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-- 
Kaiti Shelton
University of Dayton 2016.
Music Therapy, Psychology, Philosophy
President, Ohio Association of Blind Students
Sigma Alpha Iota-Delta Sigma