Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Long-distance travel hacks. (self.Blind)
submitted by NovemberGoat
What are some travel hacks that might not be all that obvious, that you enjoy using while flying or traveling by train? While I'm a seasoned traveler myself, I'm never above learning something new.
Something that has helped me on my last handful of trips is taking the isle-seat on flights. If I want to use the bathroom, I can mark it by hanging something over the arm. I usually prefer the sleeve of my jacket or something, but the end of a seatbelt works just fine in a pinch.
My most recent trip yielded a great discovery in bathrooms themselves. When in a cubical, flush the toilet before anything. This way, you can tell if the lid is down or not, without having to touch around a potentially disgusting toilet-bole. .
Something that has helped me on my last handful of trips is taking the isle-seat on flights. If I want to use the bathroom, I can mark it by hanging something over the arm. I usually prefer the sleeve of my jacket or something, but the end of a seatbelt works just fine in a pinch.
My most recent trip yielded a great discovery in bathrooms themselves. When in a cubical, flush the toilet before anything. This way, you can tell if the lid is down or not, without having to touch around a potentially disgusting toilet-bole. .
codeplaysleep 12 points 3y ago
If you're traveling alone, even if you don't normally use a cane, take one with you for identification if nothing else. It makes things so much simpler when you need assistance, since it basically auto-explains the situation for you. Also, you'll be in unfamiliar places, so it may actually be useful for mobility, too.
lhamil64 1 points 3y ago
I agree with this one. I literally never use my cane normally, but I started taking it with me when I need to take a train. Then one time I had to wait and board alone, so I took it out and people were so much more helpful (almost to the point of too helpful even).
SusanOnReddit 6 points 3y ago
If you are in the aisle seat, you normally cannot raise the aisle-side arm rest. But in many planes, there is, in fact, a secret button that will allow you to do so. Makes getting in an out easier!
NovemberGoat [OP] 2 points 3y ago
They're on most of the planes I've been on. They've only really been missing on the tiny carriers who might still be using older seat models. Good shout though.
Raf_AL 3 points 3y ago
Don't they usually want to put you in a window seat? I think that's easier for those of us, who needs help with getting escorted off the plane when landing since you're usually the last passenger to get off.
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One thing I usually did before flying was to put my earbuds in my phone before going through security because then I didn't have to worry about the hassle of having to put them in in a crowded space and accidentally hit someone in the process. The earbuds also got less tied up, when I did it this way.
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One thing I usually did before flying was to put my earbuds in my phone before going through security because then I didn't have to worry about the hassle of having to put them in in a crowded space and accidentally hit someone in the process. The earbuds also got less tied up, when I did it this way.
razzretina 3 points 3y ago
I keep my ear buds in a washed Altoids tin. It cuts down on them being tangled and makes them last much longer. Although when I fly I usually bring my giant noise canceling headphones.
NovemberGoat [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Personally, I've never had a cabin crew or gate agent suggest I go in one seat over the other. I have been given bulkhead seats before, with the idea that it would be easier for an assistant to find me once everyone had disembarked. This has never made sense to me, since I can, and have simply walked to the bulkhead seats and just waited there once the plane has mostly emptied. Also, sitting in the window seat while everyone around me leaves just feels disabling. The last thing I want to do is to sit in a corner looking helpless, waiting for an overlord to come and save me.
I like the earbud trick. I don't currently use any, because my ears are strange and won't keep them in all the time, but I'll be sure to remember that when I finally find a pare that work for me.
I like the earbud trick. I don't currently use any, because my ears are strange and won't keep them in all the time, but I'll be sure to remember that when I finally find a pare that work for me.
codeplaysleep 1 points 3y ago
I can totally relate to this and have had the same experience numerous times. My usual response: "We're in a tube. This isn't the part I'm worried about getting lost in. I'll wait on the jetway after the flight for a gate agent to help me transfer."
Because, otherwise, 95% of the time they would just walk me out into the jetway and have me wait there for someone else anyway.
Because, otherwise, 95% of the time they would just walk me out into the jetway and have me wait there for someone else anyway.
Leckzsluthor 2 points 3y ago
Bring a blind friend, then you can skip all the lines. (I'm volunteering haha)
AmAsabat 1 points 3y ago
I always have wet wipes with to use when visiting strange bathrooms and use them to feel around. I try to sit near the back on a middle aisle seat, I try to travel with my dog and she has the seat next to me, and mostly even on long haul flights I don’t eat or drink anything I’ve not got in my own pack. To attract attention I ask Bess to bark, normally that brings someone quickly, other than that I have a strobe key light that apparently is very annoying. I have big noise cancelling earphone so I don’t lose them and as I wear sunglasses when travelling ( easier than prosthetic eyes ) it’s pretty obvious I’m blind.
TrippingWithNoSight 1 points 3y ago
When in doubt, boof it.
NovemberGoat [OP] 1 points 3y ago
How does one boof it, exactly? This sounds like it might apply to most of life. Haha.
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