[Ohio-talk] Dayton airport

Wed Dec 3 13:00:43 UTC 2014

All,
I feel the need to reiterate that much of the treatment received at airports
is random, due more in part to the individual human you encounter than to an
overall staff deficiency.  Training for all people who deal with the public,
which includes us, is an ongoing need, but the annoyances we sometimes
encounter can occur anywhere.  
I have flown in and out of Cincinnati airport probably six times in the last
few months.  Some of those times, the curbside check-in guys recognized me,
called for someone to escort me to the gate, and all went smoothly.   One of
those times, however, about three weeks ago, I went inside and the sky cap
called for someone on his radio.  He clearly said "escort" and "guide dog",
but here came a wheelchair.  
It happens.  
In Minnesota a few weeks ago, learning that I had to go from terminal B to
G, I asked if there was an electric cart available.  There was and I happily
climbed aboard, but had I not asked, I would have been offered no assistance
at all.  
I've had my share of aggravated encounters with airport workers not
understanding my needs, but I think that for the most part, we need to just
keep smiling and educating, one person at a time.  
The cane that is offered at security, by the way, is typically an orthopedic
cane, not a long white cane.  Again, random.  I typically let them have my
cane, if they insist, walk the three feet through the portal, and stand
still until it is handed back to me.  If using my dog, I have her sit, walk
through, and call her to me.  
Again, dog treatment is random.  
I used to fly out of Dayton so much that many employees recognized me.
Still, more than once, security workers had the notion that, even though my
dog came through without me and set off the alarm whereas I did not, I had
to be patted down because I touched her before we arrived.  
Silly?  Yes.  But we are dealing with mere humans, often not highly educated
humans, who misinterpret some of the rules.  
I'm not saying that education isn't needed.  It is always needed.  I am
saying that each of us can and should take a piece of the responsibility for
that education, one ill-informed person at a time.  I admit that the older I
get, the harder it is for me to keep smiling, but experience has taught me
that it is by far the most effective tool.

Deborah

-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio-talk [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marianne
Denning via Ohio-talk
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2014 10:15 PM
To: Kaiti Shelton; NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Ohio-talk] Dayton airport

Deanna, correct me if I am wrong but I thought if you had a folding cane
they could visually inspect you did not have to let them take your cane.

I think we can learn from the airports and they can learn from us and it
will make travel better for everyone.  As long as a family member or friend
escort you back to the gates there shouldn't be any problems.  As I said, I
have usually been pleased with the Dayton airport.  It has only been the
last few trips where I have had challenges.

On 12/2/14, Kaiti Shelton via Ohio-talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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
>
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>

--
Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
(513) 607-6053

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