[Ohio-talk] Questions About Flying

Thu Mar 9 15:29:12 UTC 2017

Thankfully, I have only had severe issue with the wheelchair once. It happened in Cincinnati coming off of a US Air flight. I was told I could either take the chair or find my own way to baggage claim without any assistance, which I prefer to have just because airports are not high on my list of O&M priorities and I want to get in or out of them ASAP. Delta, United, and US Air's parent company American Airlines have never made me fight them over refusing to take the wheelchair-even while in Jamaica, where the disabled are treated with kit gloves. 

As has been said, the rest boils down to preference. I am much more concerned with getting to where I want to go then with figuring out an airport I won't be in for very long, so I do choose to go cited guide. I don't usually pre-board unless I have substantial amounts of luggage, or if I'm asked to pre-board so that the flight attendants can give me a more detailed safety briefing before they have to give the visual presentation for everyone else. I believe the one time that happened I was on a United flight, and I appreciated knowing exactly where I needed to go and do specific to that plane in the event of an emergency in advance. I try to pack as lightly as possible when I can, because if you can cut out the need to go to baggage claim it streamlines your process, but I make sure to have very easily identifiable suitcases, and I use attacked a luggage tag on mine. I think they do make these little devices that you can put in your suitcases and carry the other part with you, and when you get to baggage claim you can push a button to start an audible signal in your luggage to hear where it is. I'm not sure where or how you would go about getting those, though, or even what they are specifically called, but they sound like something I might invest in myself if I fly more frequently in the future.      

Kaiti Shelton

> On Mar 9, 2017, at 9:25 AM, Wanda Sloan via Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello gang: I wanted to say from my experience of flying.  I feel that this is a personal preference because there are lots of choices to utilize.  South West left Dayton, we have to go to Cincinnati or Columbus if you want to leave from Dayton, OH.  When lording your flight ticked if you want, let them know if you need assistance.  I have never had an issue with this.  I don't like walking in crowded air ports so, wheelchair, here I come.  Just something I would prefer doing.  .
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ohio-Talk [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of barbara.pierce9366--- via Ohio-Talk
> Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2017 8:31 AM
> To: NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: barbara.pierce9366 at gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [Ohio-talk] Questions About Flying
> 
> Welcome to the battle field. It has been some tine since I have had a real battle over the wheelchair. If you refuse firmly, they usually abandon that idea. If you have enough time before your flight to make enquiries, that is often the least frustrating way to get to your gate. You often come across a passenger going your way in the concourse who is  happy to read gate numbers to you. But if you want assistance, it is there for the taking as long as you remember to tip. As for pre-boarding, if I have a seat assignment, I just board with the passengers. You just courteously refuse to pre-board.- As you walk back in the cabin, you can put your hand on a seat back and ask out loud, “What row is this?” Some one always answers. Remember that seats A,B, and C are on your right as you walk back, and D, E, and F are on the left. I do pre-board on Southwest because the test seems to be you should pre-board if you need a little extra time, which I do if the seats are filling up, and I can’t tell where an empty seat is. I Think it is better for them and for me to go on while it is empty so that I am not clogging the isle. This has the added benefit of making it likely that I can store my suitcase above my head, where I can find it easily. 
> 
> As for retrieving luggage, I stand beside the carousel with my cane on it so that I can feel cases that go by. I lean over and touch each case that I find. Usually someone beside me asks what color my case is and warns me when such a case is coming toward me. It is quite easy. 
> 
> Hope this helps,
> Barbara
> Barbara Pierce
> President Emerita
> National Federation of the Blind of Ohio Barbara.pierce9366 at gmail.com
> 440-774-8077
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.
> 
>> On Mar 8, 2017, at 11:31 PM, Robert Spangler via Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hello everyone:
>> 
>> I am looking for input from those of you who are experienced with 
>> flying.  I just returned from CSUN where I had a great time!  The 
>> flying experience was OK, but a few things occurred which made me 
>> think that I should ask you all for some advice.
>> 
>> First, what's with the wheelchairs?  Anyone who has a disability is 
>> flagged as a wheelchair passenger.  They always wanted to stuff me in 
>> a wheelchair, which I steadfastly refused.  I do prefer to go sighted 
>> guide through airports, largely due to their busy atmosphere and my lack of familiarity.
>> Is this ill-advised?  Should I be attempting to navigate airports 
>> without their assistance?  It almost seems like it would be better to 
>> some extent, but I really just want to get through as quickly as possible.
>> 
>> During one instance, two assistants refused to help me when I turned 
>> down the wheelchair, so they had to call a supervisor.  He guided me 
>> to the bathroom, to get some food then to my next gate.  When I 
>> commented on how fast it went without a wheelchair, the guy agreed.
>> 
>> They always wanted me to preboard.  I know this isn't necessary, but 
>> it seemed rude to refuse so I just went when they came to help me.  
>> There was one time, however, when they did not come and I just boarded 
>> with everyone else when they called my group number.  As a side note, 
>> I always preboard Greyhound buses, just because I'm afraid of pissing 
>> off the bus driver, which has happened before.  Oh OK and yes I do 
>> like it when I get an entire seat to myself, I must admit.
>> 
>> I seem to recall someone talking about a method for retrieving luggage 
>> in the NFB literature somewhere, but I can't recall where it was.  I 
>> would be interested in reading any literature about flying with 
>> regards to being blind.  Honestly, at this point I view flying as a 
>> necessary burden.  Maybe you guys can share some tips that will make 
>> it easier in the future.  I am always open to new ideas which will 
>> help to increase my independence.  Plus, my sister and I are both 
>> coming to national convention this year and we both agreed that we are 
>> not going to be forced to be pushed around in wheelchairs.
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> Robby
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> Robert Spangler
>> Secretary, Miami Valley Chapter of the National Federation of the 
>> Blind of Ohio Spangler.robert at gmail.com
>> 
>> 
>> 
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> 
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