[Blindtlk] Subject: Re: Air travel tips

[Julie J.]

Hmmm...Well, why does that not surprise me?  LOL

My experience with my rigid cane  has been that they run it through the 
conveyor belt thing, where your purse, shoes and other junk goes, and then 
they hand it back to me.  I proceed through metal detector with cane in 
hand.  So I guess they are violating their rule about passing things 
backwards through security.

I have this thing about being separated from my cane and  this experience I 
have had through security has been fine by me.  they need to  ensure that 
passengers are not smuggling stuff they shouldn't on the plane.  I'm not 
delusional enough to think that a blind person is exempt from illegal 
activity or that terrorist couldn't fake being blind in order to get illegal 
stuff on the plane.

Overall I've had mainly very good experiences flying.  There have been a 
couple of times things didn't go so well, but I straightened that out and 
learned from my mistakes.   *smile*

Have fun with summer classes.  I took a few of those and you are right, 
whoever thought that sitting in class for 3 to 4 hours per day and then 
going home to do a couple more hours of study/homework is a good idea has 
some serious issues. LOL

Julie

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "T. Joseph Carter" <tjosephcarter at gmail.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 07, 2008 10:44 AM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Subject: Re: Air travel tips


> Julie,
>
> Regarding canes..  The rules combine in odd ways.  They need to x-ray a
> rigid cane (but not necessarily a folding or telescopic cane), they cannot
> pass anything back to you outside the checkpoint, and you cannot be
> expected to go anywhere without your cane.
>
> One of these things has got to give.  If your cane crosses the checkpoint
> without you, either you must get through the checkpoint without it or they
> must send it past the checkpoint the other direction.  I simply will not
> accept being manhandled like a piece of luggage, so the cane must be
> returned to me before I cross the checkpoint.  I generally must explain
> this to them every time I'm at the airport--politely of course.
>
> I unfortunately cannot attend convention this year.  I have three six-week
> summer courses happening at the same time.  It just cannot be reasonably
> done.  The person who decided to cram 11 week courses into 6 should be
> shot IMO.  The need to take these courses over the summer at the only
> times they are offered took me out of the running for an NFB scholarship
> for the second year in a row.  *frown*  Of course this is only an irritant
> because I've got just enough ego to believe I would've been likely to
> actually win one, and because I enjoyed the 2006 convention.  *grin*
>
> Joseph
>
>
> On Mon, Apr 07, 2008 at 08:50:54AM -0500, Julie J. wrote:
>> You are very welcome!  My best advice is to figure out what help you 
>> want,
>> if any, and ask for what you want very specifically.  If you need 
>> directions
>> then ask specific questions like, "what gate is this?" or "could you tell 
>> me
>> if United flight 1234 is still scheduled to leave gate 14 at 1:30?"  You
>> will get the information/help you want with minimal problems. If you feel
>> that what you need is for an employee to assist you  then ask for that.
>> But don't feel like you have to do what everyone else does or that there 
>> is
>> just one way to manage the situation effectively.  Do what is right for 
>> you.
>>
>> Here's my understanding about the airline rules in regard to canes.  If I 
>> am
>> incorrect here please someone clarify.  thanks!
>> At the security checkpoint, they will need to scan your cane, but you 
>> should
>> immediately get it back.   You should not have to go anywhere without 
>> your
>> cane.
>> Once on the plane your cane should remain with you, out of the way of the
>> aisle.
>>
>> Like someone else suggested, having all the information  you can in an
>> accessible format ahead of time  is a very good idea.
>>
>> If you are flying into DFW airport once you get off the plane, you just 
>> go
>> straight ahead to pick up your bags from the carousel.  then continue
>> further straight ahead to the exit doors.  There are a variety of 
>> shuttles
>> and cabs at the curb.  the hotel where the convention is held has a 
>> shuttle
>> that costs something like $20.  I have no idea how much a cab is, but I
>> would venture a guess that it is more than $20.  If you are flying in on 
>> the
>> 28th you are likely to find many, many other blind people at the airport
>> also headed to the convention.
>>
>> I hope to see you there!
>>
>> Julie
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