Category: Travel and Tourism
Hey all.
In ten days, I’ll be boarding my first ever flight. I’ve done some research on travel sites to get a better idea of what to expect, and I think I’ve absorbed those resources to the best of my ability.
From what I understand, though, flying as a blind person can be a bit more challenging. Could you guys give me any and all suggestions as to how to go about this smoothly, whether they be conventionally or quirkily effective?
Thank you in advance.
Stop over thinking it.
It is like getting on the bus.
The only difference is you won't miss your stop.
Tell the airline about your disability, and once you are in the airport, they'll get you were you need to be.
Security has actually made flying easier for us.
Enjoy.
I agree with Wayne, relax!
Ditto and yes, just like a bus. Except, I absolutely adore the rush of lifting off into the air. Landing isn't nearly as much fun but once you're in the air it is a cramped snooze fest.
Do you have specific questions? It might help if you narrow it down.
Hmmm, I'm more concerned with security and having my bags/cane checked. I've heard enough horror stories to make me have some actual worry over it.
Don't take your guns, knifes, or bombs. You'll be fine otherwise. Lol
Forgot. Shampoo and such things need to be small bottles or you lose them.
I'd just buy what I needed in these items where I was going, and not carry it.
If you take your cane through, it'll set off the alarm and you'll get searched. I don't appreciate being touched by strangers, so I opt to put it in the bin, walk through, and get it on the other side. never had any issues with that in the years I've flown.
Get a doctor's note stating that he has prescribed any meds you might bring along in your carry-on baggage. I was fortunate that I had such a letter when I traveled overseas. I nearly ended up having to travel without my eye meds once, so now I always make sure to carry some kind of official proof. But keep in mind that I was on an eyedrop that I had to take regularly and it was a 16 hour flight. I am also not sure if this was due to my destination or if it's required for all travelers regardless of destination.
Thank you, Nat and Rask. Both are quite helpful to know.
I know most containers must be 3.4 ounces max, so I'll keep that in mind, Wayne. :)
I really appreciate the feedback.
Here are travel tips, tricks, tools and techniques from the Seing Eye. The document is comprehensive and covers more than just airport travel, but you should still find it helpful. http://www.seeingeye.org/graduates/travel-tips.html
In general: Pack light. Avoid checking luggage. Consider a front-loading (not top-loading) backpack like the Tortuga Backpack – as a blind traveler, having a free hand is helpful. Listen to flight attendants and other airport and security officials. A good attitude and a smile can work wonders. Bring a spare cane. Take advantage of Uber if it’s available at your destination. Don’t flash cash or cell phones in public.
This is not really all blind-related advice. Going through security, you will have to take off your shoes, so wear slip on shoes, if you can,loafers, or something easy and quick.
If you take along a carry on or backpack with computer, reading or phone gadgets, take as few of them as you can manage. Those will need to be removed from your backpack, including laptop out of its case, and put into a security bin to be checked. (I am anxious, having my gadgets out of my hands, and making sure I get every one of them back safely made me think about taking fewer of them, next time.)
If you want a bottle of water or food, you will have to buy that once you pass through security. (Actually, I think you can take food in with you, but not liquids.) So plan for that, if your flight is a long one! Airport snacks are not cheap.
The person assisting you will probably take you to your gate,and leave you. You may be there an hour or more before your flight departs. If possible, see if you can find a seat near to the check-in counter, so if you need something, you can easily find someone. and they'll see you, and will remember you're there, when it's time to board.
Relaxing is almost impossible to do, when it comes to air travel, IMO. The whole business of getting to the airport on time is more stressful than the flight, itself.
Thanks, guys. This is immensely helpful.
I'm a little confused by the backpack thing. I know I have just, ... a standard backpack. What makes ones like the Tortuga better than others (this is the first mention I've heard of them, so I am curious.)?
Honestly? I wouldn't worry about it. I've had a top-loading backpack that sits on its base and unzips across the top literally every time I've flown, and never once had an issue with it. Just do yourself a favour and remember where you put stuff, so you don't have to waste time rooting. Do that, and you'll be fine.
If you do happen to wear shoes that tie rather than shoes that just slip on and off, again, no big deal, particularly if you're not running terribly late. An extra thirty seconds while you do up your shoes isn't going to do any harm.
Don't take the cane through the metal detector. Just put it in the bin. You'll get it back very shortly anyway.
Make sure you haven't got any loose change in your pockets. That will set off a detector too. I've completely forgotten about a single renegade nickel or something, then ended up getting patted down even after I'd produced the offending coin.
One small tip for you though. I don't know if you get headaches easily, but if you do, or if you've got any sinus pressure when you fly, bring some sort of gum along with you, and try to chew a piece as you're starting to land. Might help when you're taking off, too. As a plane takes off and lands, it tries to equalize pressure or some such, and the upshot is that your ears will feel weird. It's one of the reason babies often cry while taking off and landing, because they can't just pop their ears, and the pressure bothers them. If you have gum, you'll pretty neatly sidestep this. It's not necessary, you won't be in pain or anything without it, but these days I always travel with gum just in case. I've had a cold on a flight before, and if you have a sinus headache, landing hurts.
You're right, not that it takes long to tie shoes. *laugh* I guess I feel pressure to hurry, and so...
I second the tip to know where you've put things in the backpack. that's what I was trying to say, too.
Oh, I'm sure you've thought of this, already, but have your ID and the boarding pass handy, in a pocket, or someplace where you can quickly get to it, because you'll be asked for these at several points.
Shoot, didn't think of that. Passport and boarding pass in either jeans/pants/jacket pocket, or if you carry a purse or whatnot, keep 'em in there. I'm actually flying here in a couple of days, and my own personal experience says that you'll probably worry about stuff right up until stuff starts going right. It seems easier when you're in the thick of things, and if all your assorted bits are in order, then there shouldn't be any issue.
For the record, they will let you take some foods through. If it's sealed, it's probably safe. Examples include bags of chips or candy bars in their wrapping. It's bigger containers of liquid and opened foods they might raise an eyebrow at.
Oh, one other thing:
If you're flying within the United States as an American, you should be at your airport of origin about an hour and a half out, but if you're a little later than that, you're probably still safe. Anything under an hour is cutting it close. If you're flying international, add anywhere from thirty to sixty minutes to that. It's better to get there a little early and sit on your ass for half an hour than it is to have to literally sprint to get to your gate because you're late. I've had that latter happen to me when the weather got unexpectedly nasty on the drive to the airport, and while it was definitely exciting, it was also pretty stressful.
Other than that, I kinda agree with the sentiment that yes, flying is a fairly big deal, but as long as you get help, know where your stuff is, and avoid breaking airport rules, you'll probably fly without a hitch.
Also, I'm not sure if you know this or are bothered by this, but once the plane is in the air, you hardly feel it. It's even less intrusive than being in a car, where you can always feel yourself moving. On a plane, the only time you'll know you're moving is either 1. if you really sit still and concentrate, and 2. if there's turbulence. Takeoff and landing, of course...you'll feel those too. But once you're in the air, it'll just be sorta loud and not much else.
Have fun. I did.
Most travelers just use regular wheeled suitcases. But suitcases can be a hassle, especially when you’re already using one hand with a cane or dog. A backpack is a good alternative, but most backpacks open from the top, like a trash bag, not from the front, like a suitcase. Backpacks are better for hikers, not tourists or business travelers. So the advantage of a suitcase that just happens to have straps for the back (called front-loading or panel-loading) is obvious: the entire bag opens, like a regular suitcase,
Which means you can quickly find items without unpacking or disturbing the rest of the bag’s contents. The Tortuga Backpack is just one option, but I like the dedicated computer compartment, and I appreciate that I can zip/hide the straps and use the bag like a real suitcase.
tl;dr: front-loading backpacks like the Tortuga are carry-on, can open like a suitcase, include straps that can also be hidden and are versatile for tourism or business travel. They aren’t necessary, but they make travel easier.
You guys are the best. I, too, will feel pressure to hurry along, so slip-on shoes it is.
So, in short, put electronic accessories in a ziplock as well as all liquids, and have my laptop in an easily unpackable position in my bag. Dump my cane in the bin and wear/carry nothing of a metallic nature. Sound about right in terms of the TSA?
Electronics such as phone and laptop need to be free of any coverings... just put them all
into one bin, along with your cane at security.
Liquids under 100mL in size (3 fluid ounces) need to be put into zip lock bags... all of your
liquids can go into one bag - no need to put one item in one bag, and as long as you can
still close the bag after you've put your stuff in it, you're fine... if the bag won't close, use
a second bag and put the stuff that won't fit into the first bag into the second bag. In
regards to the zip locks themselves, these bags can be found just before you get to the
line up for security. It's better that you use the zip locks at the airport rather than ones
you get at home, as the TSA has specific size requirements and they can get their panties
in a bunch if you use the wrong size.
Don't worry if you feel a little scared during take off and landing... this is normal. I've
been flying for 40+ years and I still white knuckle it and grip onto the arm rest during
take off and landing not that clutching the armrest in such a fashion will stop anything bad
from happening... once we're safely in the air or at the gate, my grip loosens and I
eagerly await the beverage cart to come by... mmmm, booze. L O L smile
I hope you have a safe and pleasant flight... who knows - you might get addicted to air
travel!
Oh... to further clarify in regards to the phone and the laptop... if you have a case on your
phone, you can leave that on, but if you keep your laptop in a neoprene sleeve, the laptop
should come out of that... if you have a plastic shell on the laptop, that can stay on.
Oo, I had no idea about using the bags an airport would provide (I never saw this in my research), but I'll definitely keep it in mind. Thank you!