Category: Let's talk
After doing a bit of research, I'm curious about flying internationally.
I've flown several times by myself around the US and had no issues. I use a cane and just ask for a guide at check-in to the gate. Airlines do not require you to notify them in advance or make a big fuss over your independence or travel. I also do not check the box asking If I have a disability when I book a flight online; why should I? My accomodations are really not very limiting or annoying, especially since I give myself plenty of time at the airport to get help in case employee help is limited. No problem.
Let's take a look at some international airline policies, via their websites:
Air France
http://www.airfrance.com.cn/CN/en/common/guidevoyageur/assistance/pmr_reservation.htm
":
Do you have a sensory impairment?
People with sight or hearing impairments must be accompanied by a personal safety attendant.
And:
Visually-impaired or deaf/hard-of-hearing passengers
If you require special assistance at the airport, remeber to request this when you make your reservation, or at least 48 hours prior to your flight."
[the spelling mistake is not mine]
On to British Airways ...
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/disabilityassistanceinfo/public/en_gb
":
It is now the responsibility of the airport operators, within the EU to assist anyone with a disability during their time at the airport. This includes intellectual disability or impairment, age or any other cause of disability.
Airlines should provide the airport operator with advance information so that the appropriate service can be offered. To enable us to pass your request to them, where possible, please contact us 48 hours in advance."
These regulations seem much more limiting than those in the US. I don't think I should have to book a flight in advance If I choose not to; and I don't like the Air France statement that I must have a sighted "personal attendant." These regulations make travel sound like a nightmare of accountability and protocol, and these are just two of the major international airlines.
So who has traveled internationally, alone? How was the experience? Are these listed regulations followed and accurate? Are blind passengers on Air France flights *seriously* required to have sighted attendants? Or in your experiences are airport employees generally as friendly and helpful to blind travelers traveling by themselves as those in the US?
Brice
Hi
I know those statements sound bad, and I, personally, have not flown Air France, not as far as I can remember, and definitely not by myself. Generally though, accomodations in Europe have been better than in the U.S. (although my most recent experience seems to indicate this is getting worse). I've flown various airlines within Europe and neverhad a problem, flying from here to Europe I haven't has issues either, although I've flown with American based airlines for the most part.
I last flew British Airways in March from Helsinki, Finland to London, no problem whatsoever, Heathro, however, where I switched to my U.S. bound flight provided me with an Indian guy who was extremely rude and spoke very poor English (and his nationality doesn't really matter, I have many Indian buddies, so definitely not important, but it struck me this guy hardly knew English, which I think is bad).
I think the same principles apply in the U.S. generally the airlines must notify the operator at airports and I always check the visual impairment box if I can, what's wrong with helping them out by notifying them off thepossibility and help them plan. Sometimes I am switching planes with limited time to spare at an aiaport that is unfamiliar and keeping staff informed generally helps with the transition.
Some places in Europe blind/disabled passengers get to wait at special lounges with access to soft drinks and nice seats, rather than sit by the gate as in the U.S. (Copenhaggen airport comes to mind), most times I've had excellent assistance at Heathro and also in Frankfurt, Germany. I've heard the south European airports are a lot worse, accomodation wise, but I've never flown from one by myself. Curious to hear what others think.
I too have travelled solo extensively around the World and for the most part haven't experienced problems. I've used lots of different airlines too, though like wildebrew I can't say that I've flown with Air France. Certainly not with in the last 15 years and therefore not without a sighted guide.
I do, wherever possible inform airlines of my disability though, two reasons for this, one as a courtasy to the airline, after all, I am going to need assistance through the airports at both ends so to my mind it is only right to give some advanced warning of that. It is all well and good to say, "Well why should I tell them?" but what that thought fails to take into account is that we're just one passenger, some times in extremely busy international airports and that the airlines we're travelling with, may have several other disabled passengers to deal with at the same time. If they know of this in advance then they can be sure of having the staff on hand to assist everybody.
The other thing to take into account is that some airlines have specific quoters of disabled passengers that they can handle on any one flight. It's all to do with the speed that an aircraft can be cleared in an emergency. I remember a few years ago a big row erupted in the UK because disabled passengers were refused on a Ryanair flight for this very reason. I realize of course that you're very unlikely to be refused a seat on an aircraft for this reason, but it can happen and here's the thing, if you don't volunteer your disability in advance, you wouldn't really have a leg to stand on if it did.
Dan.
Well, of course, if you're in a wheel chair to begin with you don't have a leg to stand on. ;)
I've always found the too many blind people on a plane and getting out because of the disaster thing ridiculous. Hey, if we did survive a crash, we're used to not being able to see. The sighted folk are visually challenged by the smoke and fumes. This is interesting though. This morning I made a reservation to fly across the country. I didn't see any box to check for disability. Should I call the airline to let them know? My nervouseness about air travel is probably much more of an impairment than my visual one. my uncle was a pilot for 50 years for one of the major carriers. at age 86 he died an unrepentant alcoholic. whenever I hear the pilot I want to ask him how hard, how long and with whom did he party last night? It freaks me out that unlike a car if I don't like the driver, I can't just tell him to pull over and let me out.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to call the airline and just ask them to put it into your reservation. Unfrotunately sometimes, especially in New York, they try to force you into a wheel chair, and I draw the line at that, so just be careful and polite but insist on walking, you'll get enough bum time on the plane.
I've flown more times than I can even count and I still dislike air travel, even if rationally I'm fine with it, I don't like turbulance or crazy takeoffs and landings, but, fact is, on the plane you have pilots with thousands of hours of training and 9000 dollar screws (ok, may be New York governors can find more expensive screws at a hotel but I can't think of any ahrdware that is more expensive), tons of inspections and regulations. There really is no reason to worry, if you are the drinking type I suggest two glasses of wine after takeoff as the perfect amount for chilling and settling into a flight. I am going on a 2 and 5 hour flights on Tuesday myself and already loading up my mp3 player.
Wildebrew, Thanks so much for the kind words and good suggestions. Like you, I know there is actually very little to worry about. Intellectually, I am aware and appreciate that they now do breathalizer and drug tests on pilots. However, I still see my Uncle bill sitting at the airport with his "lemon water (really vodka) on ice with a twist). I want to shriek "if I'm going to die, please knock me out!!!"
Now, I'm going to open a can of worms. unlike many blind people I don't have a problem with the wheelchair. I mean, it is kind of embarrassing. I figure if I'm one nmore task that an overpaid overworked and underappreciated employee has to accomplish expediciously and I get to the plain before it leaves, what's the big deal? It's my experience that a llot of time, the use of the wheel chair has very little to do with our perceived ability and a whole lot more to do with what is the quickest and easiest solution to a problem. Besides I usually carry far too much, my back is killing me, and my nerves are fryed to the breaking point. Give me a ride please and can we go by the adult beverage distributor? Actually that last suggestion is just imagined. I can't drink.
I think the wheel chair is fine if you want it. I just like to, a. have a choice and b. usually they offer it to me after I've been on a 5 or 7 hour flight and I am going on an hour city hopper to NC (they only fly from Raleigh NC to London, for instance, so in most cases I'd have to connect through the northeast). My butt is practically sore at that point from sitting too long on a plane and the last thing I want to do is sit down again. Also I figured (and I might be wrong) the poor guy gets paid the same whether he walks me between gates or pushes my butt around the airport. I, actually, used to ask my assistants to drop me of at Chilli's for snack or a drink when I flew out of Charlotte, especially terminals A or B because the restaurnt was right between them, then it was just a matter of how far to walk in each of the terminals to figure out when I was at my gate.
Another confusing thing in the U.S. regarding air travel is tipping. In Detroit it is, apparently, expected that you tip an assistant, in Charlotte they're not allowed to accept tips. In New York I tried to tip nce and my assistant seemed almost offended. So now I generally don't tip but wonder if I am being cheap. I mean, I appreciate the assistance definitely enough to part with 2 or 3 dollars.
as for tipping, I'd always ask. it never hurts to show that you care. is detroit airport still, how sall I put this, the armpit of plane tragvel? Back in the '80s I had the pleasure of going through there several times and was singularly unimpressed. Sorry, any detroit residents. michigan is a beautiful state filled with wonderful. That one area used to leave a lot to be desired.
They've actually built a brand new terminal and the airport itself has been upgraded vastly on the inside at least, too bad the state itself has degraded just as fast. Like you say, it's a really cool place in the summer, and got the densest ethnic cities in the U.S. very close together, Arabs in Deerborn, blacks in downtown Detroit and white people in West Bloomfield (I think) all within 20 miles of each other.
The Jasmin bakery, about 10 ins from the airport, has the best middle eastern food in history, worth every dollar you spend there, and it's not expensive.
I've only flown a couple of times, and never internationally, but I never even thought of tipping the assistant. I guess if that ever comes up again, I'll ask if they are allowed to accept tips. Sounds like a good way to handle it to me.
I always ask. I figure life is tough and any extra money is welcome. interestingly a couple weeks ago at the hospitalwhile visiting my dad, my step mom and i went to lunch in their cafeteria. a lady offered to take my tray to the table. As it was very crowded I said "yes, please, and thanks." when i asked about a tip she playfully smacked my hand and told me to put my money back. she said she works because she likes her job. thought that was refreshing.
as for me, i've never had problems traveling abroad.
i usually fly easyjet or virgin, and as well as priority boarding, so can avoid the rush of the passangers, i have a persinal assistant at the airport, an a seat near to the door on the plain