Airline/Airport Experiences

[Jolie77]

I am as curious as to wonder about your experiences in any of those airports you have been to/or what was your experiences like when you were flying in the air? You guys can say anything you want to about what you have experienced, whether it's good or bad or anything else.

There was one time I was riding on an airplane that had departured from Louisville to Atlanta for the layover to San Francisco, California last year. I was approached by a stewardess on the flight from Louisville to Atlanta - Just when I was walking into the airplane and the stewardess came up to me and asked me if I would like anything to read? (I could read her lip very well though), So I replied and said "Yes, I'd like something to read". The stewardess pranced away and got a book, When she was returning to me - I hadn't even thought about anything like this and when that exact book came in my hand, I was SO SO fumed. My stomach was just about to boil but I had to rein myself in.

I hollered "Hey Lady", She turns around and goes "What?" I said "Don't you see what that book is for?" She goes "Oh, It's just a flight safety instruction book kit so you can feel it." She wasn't even getting it at all!! I was just about to get really pissed and at the same time I had to keep myself calm and said "Don't you realize this is a book made out for blind people? It is a braille book. I can see clearly. I am deaf which means I cannot hear." She goes "Oh, I'm sorry Ma'am our policy requires us to give this book to the passengers who has special needs." I said "Screw the policy, I do not care if it is for me. I want a regular book with the words on it. If you don't comply, I want your boss to come up here right now and have a word with your boss." The lady started to fumble and she was apparently getting a little bit flustered with frustration and said "I'm sorry, I'll take the book with me. Here's the flight safety instruction book kit" She proceeds to point where the book is at on the back pocket of the seat that is front of me. I nodded and said "Well thanks, You just have made my day very crappy" and rolled my eyes at her.

Geez, I mean really - What kind of a sense could they come up with? Anyhoo - That's one of my experience I had when I was on the flight. I'd like to hear yours as well to gather some feedbacks for every one of us to have a better experience while we are in the airports or on the flights.

 

[gnarlydorkette]

Jeez!
That was very ignorant of her!

Most of the times I do have good experiences with airports/airlines.
Sometime I have to go through more security because I cannot answer their question on time (ex: they ask me "do you have any weapons in your bag?" while I look down and pack my ticket in my purse then look up and smile at them. BAD MOVE!!!).
But while they frisk me, they realize I am Deaf and quickly excuse me to be on my way. Sometime I try to signal to them the fact that I am Deaf so they can ask me while I look at them, instead of them assuming I am avoiding their questions.

Sometime I get "special boarding" but that was back then when I was very young-- I used to go up to the ticket table and ask them when is my turn and then they would ask me if I am "hearing-impaired" to which I answered: "I am Deaf, yes." so they usually mark my ticket to inform the person to accept my ticket among the first group (first-class, business class etc) so I don't have to wait and wait until my group's turn because they typically broadcast it via radio-- and duh I cannot hear.
Just less stresses for me-- I don't have to look at people and spy on their ticket to see who else is in my group so I can follow (more like stalk!) them.

Recently I flew for first time as a vegetarian so I did have some troubles with meals-- I did pay for one flight's vegetarian meal but I forgot to pay for next flight (which was the flight that I was *VERY* hungry... I took three flights at that time-- international, of course).
So when the steward came and asked me for buffalo and chicken-- but I missed the cue to lipread him so I told him that I am Deaf and I didn't understand him-- he proceeded to gesture buffalo by putting up two fingers on his temple to represent horns then gesture chicken by flapping his arms! I laughed but I told him that I am vegetarian and if there is any-- he shook his head but he gestured he will take it out. so I just accepted-- I was very hungry. I, of course, ate carefully as I kept an eye out for those meat juice that seeped... YUCK!

The only bad experience I *ever* had-- was losing my luggage in Turkey and I had to wear same clothes for three days before they found and delievered to my hotel. The jetlag and the stench from my clothes-- I wasn't very happy! But at least they did find it so it wasn't all that bad.


I never got asked if I need help to get on the airplane, I never got offered anything that is for "special-needs" or whatever. I never got the feelign that I was mistreated. I think because I didn't ALWAYS tell them that I am Deaf on every flight. I fly a lot so I know what will happen et cetera-- and I usually write out what I want (for food, drinks, whatever) and keep to myself. No vocal or gestures. They probably think I just had a sore throat.

I usually have MORE problems with the passengers!!!!!!!!! I once sat next to this old lady who wore this POUTY fur coat (which just irritated me because it was too big and it was... TOUCHING me...!). It was an overnight flight to Alaska-- and I was VERY exhausted so I just went to sleep once I got on that flight. I guess the stewardess was speaking to me because the next thing I knew, something was PUNCTURING my ribs and I got upright and frowned-- it was the old lady poking me with her nails!! She frowned at me and said: "Cannot you HEAR her calling out to YOU?!" The damn stewardess was just asking me if I want a drink. NO! I WANT TO SLEEP! so I told her that I don't want anything for the rest of flight and I want to be left alone. She nodded.
BUT the passenger didn't hear me. so she kept poking me repeatedly when it was time for meal, drink, etc.
And every time, the stewardess kept telling her, "Oh dont worry-- she told me she doesn't want to be distrubed."
I felt like screaming at that passenger: "AND THAT MEANS YOU TOO!"
But fortunately, she got off at Seattle and I was able to sleep in peace until Anchorage!!!!

 

[Liebling:-)))]

wow interesting... I never experience like this what you both through... I know how you feeling...

I had been on the different planes dozen of times for years... I was traveller before start family.

I didn't complaint anything about them... I tried to remember... None...

 

[moonflower]

URGH jolie that was so awful for you

i had really pissed off day with a mother being so pissed i don't mind seat alone on the plane once the plane was full had to seperate us on the plane
but mother not wanna to leave me alone RME

airplane staffs not get it that we had to seat together for some reason sheesh

 

[Kuifje75]

Wow, a braille book, eh?

I never really had any negative experiences when it came to flying. Most of the time, I was asleep on the plane anyway. I remember when I was in Norway this past summer, flying in a tiny plane under Widerøe Airline, where only up to 40 people can fly on it. The flight attendant came to me speaking fast in Norwegian, so naturally I grinned sheepishly and said "døv!" whilst pointing to my ear. Then the woman spoke Norwegian again, but slower for me. I shook my head, and tried to say "på engelsk!" but I pointed to my English book instead. She realised very quickly then spoke very clear English, asking where I was going to. I said "Bodø" then she nodded and explained that the plane would be making a stop at Narvik, and will depart about 10 minutes late due to waiting for another plane to arrive with passengers. I was surprised how easy it was for me to understand her English, unlike American flight attendants.

 

[Kuifje75]

I remember another episode in Norway... this time it was at the airport near Liza's home. Liza and I were chatting at the airport, when some airport security came looking at Liza, asking about her. Her husband said that it was not her who was flying but me! So, he explained about the Norwegian Air safety rules, and asked the waiting hall for volunteers to "accompany" me across the tarmac to the airplane. Liza and I were puzzled and I thought it was funny but unnecessary!

Needless to say, a hot Norwegian guy volunteered to "accompany" me to the airplane, and he sat behind me. I was so tired and hungover from all the wine I drank the night before, and the plane was delayed due to heavy fog over the fjord. Finally, the Widerøe flight took off, and we arrived at Sogndal airport late. The guy told me to follow him to the next plane, which was waiting for us. When we got on the second plane, I fell asleep again. When we arrived at Bergen airport, I thanked the guy and he agreed that it was kind of silly.