Category: Travel and Tourism
Hi
I will be going to an airport alone, from my college campus. I know to call the
airport ahead so someone will be waiting, but how should i get to the airport?
I'll be leaving at about 4 in the morning. I have Uber and Lift accounts but have
never used either. there is also the option of a few cab companies, but they're
really expensive around here. Does anyone have any experiences, tips, advice
or ideas?
Thanks
Maddy
I'd just use uber if I were you. That's what I did to get to the airport in LA. and then ask the driver to walk you in to the desk or whatever.
Agreed with HOlly, or look into a shuttle service.
The problem with the shuttle service is that it only comes so far, and i would
have to walk a mile. I'm not really comfortable with that at four in the morning.
Uber for the win, seriously. Make sure to call it on the earlier side, though, because sometimes they're late. Nothing worse than being late for shit like this. Also, it's late in the night/early morning, so there may be lots of drunk college kids calling rides, depending on the day.
Well, I did this sort of thing before the days of Uber. lol. But I was also in Boston, and all I had to do to get to the air port was get on the tee (boston's underground train), and then follow the route to the airport. I used a taxi once instead though. I never called ahead to the airport, but I was also flying out during the day, not at four in the morning. so the call might be a smart move. I'd say don't worry about it too much. One way or another you'll get the help you need. Definitely try Uber if you can. If it was available six years ago when I was a frequent flyer, I'd have picked that as my top choice.
i would use the T, but like i said, 4 in the morning and anxiety. At this point, its
between Uber lift and a cab. i'm thinking lift though since they seem to be
better with the school
Hmm, I doubt there will be very many Ubers, or Lyfts available at 4AM in Rhode Island. You should look at those times prior to your departure date, both to get an idea of the app, and an idea of when drivers are available.
I agree re: using Uber. I'm fortunate enough to live in a city where the train goes right to the airport. But once you get in, it's just like being in a shopping mall or store. Get to a desk and ask.
Like any trip situation, have your flight information ready to hand. Probably easier now with cell phones, last I flew was 2007. Anyhow know where you are, where you're going, what time yu need to be there.
And when you accept assistance from someone in the airport always always ask what direction you're headed and how far it is to the destination. Ask where it's at because if you're stranded in the airport you may have to just start walking in that direction till you can flag someone down with a cart. I've been stranded twice, both times by what looked like a college-something.
Situational awareness is everything. And that's not just for the blind, my very sighted daughter gets that drilled into her from me all the damn time.
Plenty of other tricks to doing business this way ... and you need to see it as doing business instead of holding your hand out hoping you'll be led, or demanding your rights. Your wits are always with you, rights can be fleeting or an illusion at times.
so let's say you're on the plane deplaning. The airport personnel come to help you and they bring a wheelchair. You decline the wheelchair. They say if you won't ride they won't help you. Offer to buy a fellow passenger a beor a sandwich at the nearby place int the airport if they'll take you to the next gate first. Helps if they're going to that gate. Then, and only then, after you have both checked in at the gate, make good on your promise and buy them that beer.
If you negotiate, you'll get further. And getting through the airport can be challenging. I'm sure the uber independence trainer types have all sorts of things they'd tell you, I'm just a rogue, a guy who's taken more than a few knocks along the way. I try and do what works, and would much rather negotiate than beg.
not in RI Shane. Lol Leo... i don't think i would be allowed to do the beer thing
considering i'm 18, but its a good thought. lol. Good advice in general though.
Thanks guys, i think i know what i'm going to do.
Definitely agree about having your flight info. I always have it on my phone, but I also print it out in advance and make a folder. Use file dividers if it's easier. Separate your out and inbound flight info, so you can find it and show it to people easier. It also means if you lose phone charge you still have the information at hand.
Even if I can't read it I always carry a paper copy.
So, this might be a stupid question, but how do i get the information? like i have
the email, but should i just go on the website i booked with or the flight website
to print it? and how do i get it on my phone? I've never had to deal with this
before.
I've never had them tell me if I won't take the wheelchair they won't help me. I know people have in the past, ut I think airlines have gotten plenty of talking-tos about that kind of nonsense, and for the most part they're better about not pushing the wheelchair option. Yes, Lyft and Uber for the win, but like others have said, get familiar with the apps before you need them in a time crunch. For example, the first time I used Uber, I somehow managed to put my pick-up and destinations in the wrong fields, and got things all screwed up. So yes, maybe try using your chosen service for some less important trip beforehand.
Like others have said, have your info handy, including your photo ID, because they will ask for it at least twice as you go through the airport. Don't be afraid to tell the people assisting you what you do need as well as what you don't need. As with any assistance, some people are great, some are lousy. Good luck!
You can just print the email.
Ok. thanks.
Maybe I'm a rarity here, but I have never had to print anything going to an airport. I get to the desk, I tell them my flight number and time and destination, and show my photo ID. They have it in their computer anyway, so there's never any hassle. When my photo and name match up, I get processed. I have never had a hitch here.
I am not saying you won't, or that the advice on printing your itinerary is bad. It's not. But guys, have I been lucky, or is my way of doing things fairly workable? I've flown at least a dozen times in the past ten years and never had an issue, so I wonder if I'm just dodging bullets over and over again.
No, your way works, Gregg. I guess what I meant was, have it handy to yourself, in a format where you can read it. like you, all I do is hand them my ID, they look up the trip, print the boarding passes, and there's all the info they neeed. But just in case, I keep it handy for myself, like in a Braille Note-taker, or my phone, whatever format you can read. That way, if you're in a position where something doesn't seem right, you can keep track of your own flight times and numbers, not depend on someone else to read it. No, I don't print off the email they send me, because it does me no good, and they already have the info in print.
Some airlines require the printed email, so it depends on their instructions. Especially if you've checked in online and need to print your boarding pass.
it looks like they'll print it at the desk.