tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5426050656197929065.post7483499487624216926..comments2024-03-19T18:36:41.875-04:00Comments on Yes, That Too: Airports, AirplanesAlyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06413844178426365789noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5426050656197929065.post-32454356247830316582013-10-05T12:46:58.323-04:002013-10-05T12:46:58.323-04:00Thank you! This is wonderful!Thank you! This is wonderful!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5426050656197929065.post-33584078165431990432013-04-12T21:38:15.733-04:002013-04-12T21:38:15.733-04:00I recommend bringing some food. What airlines and...I recommend bringing some food. What airlines and airports provide is limited and frequently not good. You can't bring liquids through security, but a bottle of water is nice to have on a plane. Buy one after you pass security. Planes are very dry. A travel-sized hand cream is nice if your skin gets dry. Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12992737601449204795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5426050656197929065.post-22606582367399563892013-04-11T12:13:30.832-04:002013-04-11T12:13:30.832-04:00If you have health conditions that require water o...If you have health conditions that require water or soft food literally at all times, they do let you take H2O through (says the person with diabetes insipidus). A note is a good idea.<br /><br />On that line, if you have medical needles or anything, TELL THEM. Ditto for metal implants.<br /><br />SOooo don't wear clothes with sequins if you have to go through the nudinator machine. It'll get you a patdown.<br /><br />If you're going through multiple languaged places, make sure your communication cards are in all the relevant languages.<br /><br />Get. There. EARLY. <br />Neurodivergent Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02815685510033244185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5426050656197929065.post-55295341063090212982013-04-10T21:13:23.502-04:002013-04-10T21:13:23.502-04:00My students honey sρecs Ηеіghten the
visual exρer...My students honey sρecs Ηеіghten the <br />visual exρerience for thе about demandіng gameгs.<br />Reѕearcheѕ Have got put it down to ѕomеthing <br />lіκe this we a thespian through the noоb zone incredіbly libeгtіne with pocκets bursting <br />with Kama.<br /><br />Μy page - <a href="http://www.macdigitalalliance.com/groups/diablo-iii-delivers-enhanced-endgame-ii-nexus-wars-strategy-guide/" rel="nofollow">game</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5426050656197929065.post-44148922174716016282013-04-10T15:53:32.720-04:002013-04-10T15:53:32.720-04:00...oh wow, I didn't realise that I'd writt......oh wow, I didn't realise that I'd written *quite* that much until I tried to post it and found that it wouldn't even fit into the character limit when I cut it in half!<br /><br />It seems that I've also hyper focused for two and a half hours and forgotten to have dinner...<br /><br />Oh well, I hope someone finds my air travel survival strategies useful.<br /><br />Sorry for writing a comment longer than your blog post Alyssa, I've got a feeling that's probably poor netiquette :/Nathttp://gravatar.com/quarridorsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5426050656197929065.post-1739356861469458402013-04-10T15:48:18.552-04:002013-04-10T15:48:18.552-04:00*Social strategies*
How other people treat you va...*Social strategies*<br /><br />How other people treat you varies hugely depending on how you're perceived.<br /><br />I'm an autistic, white British, employed, younger-looking-than-I-am, usually articulate, androgynous but 'blending in' trans* person with no visibly apparent disabilities, generally taken to be a middle class student (even though I'm a 33 year old IT professional).<br /><br />I tend to attempt to be non-confrontational, friendly and slightly apologetic when I talk to people who are just doing their jobs, and I'm even more cautious when they're in positions of power over me. I try to smile at people, do positive small talk and make light hearted comments whenever someone's being nice to me (although I around airport security I just do what I'm told and only ask questions when I don't understand). I can't usually predict how strangers will gender (or age) me, especially based on first impressions, so I have several strategies around avoiding problems with this.<br /><br />I'm more likely to respond to aggressive or dismissive reactions or unpleasant treatment with crying rather than aggression. People's negative reactions to me are generally finding me slightly ridiculous, annoying or neurotic, or being upset for some reason or simply 'over compensating' once discovering how old I am (or, at airports, unfortunately on seeing the gender marker I'm forced to have on my passport).<br /><br />If you have a history of people responding to your attempts to be friendly and compliant with suspicion or aggression, you might need different social strategies to me.<br /><br />Given all the above disclaimers, I've found that it's best to find someone who works for the airline or who looks friendly when I'm lost of have a problem. This usually results in friendly attempts to help, even when they ultimately can't do anything constructive. I've had very few negative experiences from doing this, but I try to prepare myself for getting them.<br /><br />I've only had one unpleasant, upsetting airport security experience with body scanners and the operators disagreeing over my gender when travelling (leaving LAX), I was lucky to have someone I'd met at the convention I was coming from with me at this point or I would've struggled to calm myself down afterwards. I've otherwise not had problems and actually weirdly found the tight lower leg and arm pat downs oddly pleasant.<br /><br />I'm more likely to get upset during local public transport journeys than for international air travel, as I over prepare to the extreme for weeks or months in advance for the latter.Nathttp://gravatar.com/quarridorsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5426050656197929065.post-86604594144987378642013-04-10T15:47:35.328-04:002013-04-10T15:47:35.328-04:00*On the plane*
Tell the flight crew if you have a...*On the plane*<br /><br />Tell the flight crew if you have any seating or other access requirements. It may be helpful to have a letter explaining these requirements in case you're too stressed or anxious to explain. If you're prone to air sickness ask for sick bags and tissues in advance of takeoff and landing, especially if you haven't been able to get a window seat.<br /><br />If you've been able to book at flight at an off peak time and not all the seats are filled, you may be able to move to a different seat once the plane has taken off. In my experience you'll be asked to sit in your reserved seat for takeoff but may be allowed to make to any seat you like once the seat belt lights are off, as long as you ask permission and then tell the flight attendants where you changed to.<br /><br />I've been on empty enough flights that I was allowed to take an entire empty row of seats and lie down horizontally across them.<br /><br />Your feet are likely to swell up on the plane, I'd recommend taking a pair of loose socks to change into once you've taken off and settled into your seat.<br /><br />A neck support pillow can help you sleep in your chair. This may otherwise be difficult, especially if you're not used to sleeping on your back.<br /><br />Schedule breaks to get up and walk around, this can help with cramp and avoiding deep vein thrombosis (if you're in a high risk group take support stocking with you and also wear these). Work out which of the toilets are least frequently used should you need one in an emergency. Some planes have water fountains and cups in the middle of the economy section, if you bring an empty bottle on board you can also refill it here.<br /><br />Continued...Nathttp://gravatar.com/quarridorsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5426050656197929065.post-40897047679137250132013-04-10T15:46:33.375-04:002013-04-10T15:46:33.375-04:00*Preparation and contingency planning*
Work out c...*Preparation and contingency planning*<br /><br />Work out contingency plans for things that might go wrong, including who to contact in an emergency. And make sure that this person knows all about your journey in advance so they're not surprised should they be called upon.<br /><br />If going abroad, work out roaming charges for your mobile phone including SMS/text charges so you at least have the ability to contact someone in an emergency. However turn off expensive data roaming in advance. It's usually cheaper to get a local pay as you go SIM card when you arrive, or get one shipped to you in advance of departure.<br /><br />If you're visibly transgender or gender nonconforming (as I am), it might make sense to have a letter with you explaining this. I have also had success getting gender markers removed from boarding passes (very useful as I tend to be read as a different gender depending on if I'm calm or anxious).<br /><br />It may be possible to get a plan of the airport terminals you'll be in and mark where the airline check in and airport security likely are. If you need an accessible or gender neutral toilet, you may be able to work out where these are in advance.<br /><br />*At the airport*<br /><br />Once at the airport, even if it's not yet time to go to check in, to customs or to your gate, work out where these are and the route that you'll have to take when it is time. If your prospective memory is as poor as mine, set alarms to remind you to check notices and make a to-do list of steps you're meant to go through.<br /><br />When checking in, explain your access needs around seating and double check that your dietary requirements have been recorded. If there's anything you're unsure of and couldn't find out from the website, ask it now. It might be helpful to summarise what you think you need to do next to allow the check in assistant to confirm that your understanding is correct.<br /><br />You may find that it's possible to be among the first or last people to board the plane if you would find this less stressful. There's no harm in asking even if they say this isn't possible.<br /><br />It may be the case that you won't be able to have some of your access needs met so prepare yourself for this eventuality.<br /><br />Befriending someone else taking the same journey with you can be helpful should something go wrong. I realise that this isn't an easy thing to do and is usually something I only manage on the flight home after a large event. Having another person with you can also be a source of stress if they don't respect the way you need to do things to feel secure.<br /><br />You might discover that your bank account, credit card, breakdown cover, travel insurance or similar service actually gives you free access to an airline's private waiting lounge at the airport. If this is the case then I very strongly recommend taking advantage of this perk.<br /><br />Continued...Nathttp://gravatar.com/quarridorsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5426050656197929065.post-63444358069993250292013-04-10T15:45:36.105-04:002013-04-10T15:45:36.105-04:00This is a really good list. From my experience of ...This is a really good list. From my experience of traveling alone to the US (from the UK), I'd add the following:<br /><br />*Booking flights and transport*<br /><br />If you have access requirements for seating, such as needing a window seat to avoid airsickness (as I do) or an aisle seat to not feel trapped, or a seat with a space next to you if being accidentally touched by others is uncomfortable, you can increase the likelihood of meeting these by travelling at an off peak time, such as in the middle of the night on a week day. These flights are often cheaper.<br /><br />I find the flight relatively comfortable but the time in the airports very stressful so I tend to try to save on flights by booking at 'inconvenient' times when the airport is likely to be less busy and put the savings here into avoiding having to change flights mid-journey (something that I find extremely stressful).<br /><br />I also save up spend extra to have flexible 'open' train tickets for airport travel so that's one less thing to stress about on the way there and home (I've melted down or had panic attacks around missing exact train times enough times to know it's worth the expense). This is especially useful when travelling home at the end of your journey as arrival time and time to get through customs can vary hugely.<br /><br />If possible plan to give yourself extra time for check in, customs and check out when planning travel to and from the airport.<br /><br />Work out the transport option you're likely to take when you arrive (such as a taxi, hire car or shuttle bus to the hotel). Book in advance if possible. Use something like Google Maps to take a visual tour of the route to and from each airport and wherever you're staying so it's somewhat familiar when you travel.<br /><br />*Packing and luggage*<br /><br />If, like me, you're too uncoordinated for wheeled luggage and/or have hypotonic arm muscles or other impairments that make pulling or carrying anything for any distance difficult, get luggage that's a knapsack that converts into a suitcase and a smaller backpack. Find a trolley for your luggage as soon as you arrive at the airport, or ask a member of staff for assistance.<br /><br />Take at least a week's supply of all your medications (and a copy of your prescriptions, or a doctor's note) with you in your carry on luggage.<br /><br />Take a light change of clothes and travel toiletries with you in your carry on luggage in case your luggage is sent to the wrong airport or delays mean you have an extended wait without your luggage.<br /><br />Take an itinerary with you with all your emergency contact numbers on it. Put copies in your checked luggage, in your hand luggage and on your person. Make sure someone you trust at home and, if possible, someone you trust at your destination also has a copy of your itinerary.<br /><br />*Checking in online*<br /><br />Checking in online can often be done 24 hours in advance of flight time (check your airline's website) and allows you a much greater chance of booking a seat that meets your access requirements. Setting an alarm to remind you of this is likely to be helpful. Once you've done this then your seat is confirmed, your boarding pass is printed and all you have to do on arrival is hand over your checked luggage and go through security.<br /><br />If you have dietary requirements, you may need to book your airline meal in advance. In my experience, doing so means that you'll get your meal before everyone else, which may be a better sensory experience (or less awkward if you're an uncoordinated eater and sitting next to someone else).<br /><br />You may also be able to look at the airline entertainment options in advance so you don't have to make decisions while stressed, however don't rely on the entertainment system working reliably and do bring a back up.<br /><br />Continued...Nathttp://gravatar.com/quarridorsnoreply@blogger.com