[Ohio-talk] Questions About Flying

Thu Mar 16 03:21:51 UTC 2017

You have mentioned tipping several times.  So this is for any random individual helping you at the airport?  Is this standard practice in airports or something?

-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio-Talk [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of barbara.pierce9366--- via Ohio-Talk
Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2017 6:24 PM
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

I just start by asking  for directions to baggage claim. If I am lucky, the cabin crew has told me what carousel our luggage will be on. Then, when I get to that level, I ask for that number carousel. Sometimes I have picked up someone whose job is accompanying passengers. If that happens, I don’t duck them. And I am careful to tip them for their efforts. Often I hook up with someone from my flight who is going that way and is happy to walk with me.It is usually pretty easy.
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 11, 2017, at 4:49 PM, Robert Spangler via Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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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