[Ohio-talk] Questions About Flying

Sat Mar 11 21:49:14 UTC 2017

Thanks, Barbara.
So for getting to places like the luggage area, do you just start 
walking and ask questions of people around you to help direct or do you 
ask for sighted guide from an attendant?

On 3/9/2017 8:30 AM, barbara.pierce9366--- via Ohio-Talk wrote:
> 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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