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כָלב @kolev@babka.social@actuallyautistic Tips for solo airline travel? #ActuallyAutistic #travel
Not autistic but highly sensory sensitive.
A few tips.
First, wear comfortable headphones. Wired ones should work in most modern aircraft (not like the old days).
If you're going to use a phone/computer, then I recommend bluetooth for your comfort.
Some people like noise canceling headphones. They give me a headache, but your mileage may vary.
I find it's hard to read on a plane due to space, so I prefer audio entertainment.
Bring water. Drink lots. If you don't like water, flavor the water.
Aisle seats make for being jostled, but if you have to pee a lot, it's worth it. If not, window for the sensory benefits of a wall.
Bring favorite snacks.
If it's a red-eye, take a sleep supplement like melatonin or 5-HTP.
Any other concerns?
כָלב @kolev@serge I'm mainly concerned about the time constraints and navigating the unfamiliar airport with loads of people. I copied my flight number and confirmation code to a notepad in my pocket, so I hope that's enough to get on. I applied for special needs help from the airline as well, to make sure I get on the plane correctly.
My flight back home is 6 AM. !!
Doesn't the TSA have something against water? I'm even too afraid to bring beard oil.
Airports can be overwhelming. I almost always wear headphones outside anyway, and in a noisy airport, that helps.
To get on the plane, you need a ticket, ie a boarding pass. That's either printed, or on your phone. Anything else is insufficient. You'll get the pass when you check in at the airport, with a person or at a kiosk. You'll need your ID as well.
Airports are designed to be easy to navigate. An airport with thousands, or tens of thousands of people per day can't be too complicated or it causes problems. Imagine if 1% of passengers couldn't find their gate, with 10,000 passengers. They're made to be straightforward.
As for water, you can't bring water though security, but you can either bring a bottle and fill it at the airport. Some airports have bottle refill station, or you have to pay for a highly overpriced bottle of water past security near the gate.
@serge @kolev Serge's suggestions are excellent! I have a few small things to add:
1. Some airports have maps online showing where the airlines have their desks, where the gates are, etc. You might want to look at those maps before you travel, if they're available.
2. Airport cafes are awful for anyone with dietary restrictions, so it might be good to bring a few snacks. The TSA regards anything that's liquid or gel as a potential threat, so your safest bet is dry food like a bag of unsalted nuts.
3. I suggest adding to your notebook the phone numbers of anyone you might need to contact if a plane is delayed. That way, you'll be able to contact people even if your phone battery dies.
The single most important thing is to have ID, as Serge already mentioned. As long as you have your ID and boarding pass and you get to the airport early, everything else should work out.
Best of luck to you with your travel!
@serge @kolev Oh, one more thing: If you normally carry with you one of those folding multi tools that includes screwdrivers, a bottle opener, a small knife, and so on, leave it at home. The TSA will regard it as a weapon, even though you use it only for peaceful purposes. This is something I struggle to remember, because in my head a knife is a tool used for opening boxes, not a weapon to be used against any living being!
@serge @kolev
I was going to recommend headphones! They're the best when I'm out of the house and I don't want to talk to anybody. I don't even have to listen to anything, just wear them.
I often look for a mindless game to play on the inflight screen to play while I listen to podcasts or whatever.
Also, any movie can become a silent movie if you don't plug in the headphones. I still have no idea why spiderman and the sandman were fighting. I guess he wasn't tired.
@kolev @actuallyautistic when it comes to TSA/Border Security/Customs: dissociate, do what they say without any back chat (no matter how offensive or stupid their questions are), then laugh/get angry about it once you're safely at your destination
@kolev @actuallyautistic Minimalist packing to avoid checking luggage, thus avoiding the carousel crowd. Also, the less you pack, the less you have to be responsible for, and the restroom stalls and shops are only so big.
If possible, have two people that you're checking in with throughout the trip, (not in the same household), both as self regulation aide and general safety. Travel is not an exact science and if you're in regular contact with someone supportive, that can potentially help any issues that triggers. (I personally have a great talent for catastrophizing, so in unfamiliar situations, it helps me to have someone grounding me a bit from the outside.)
כָלב @kolev@suddenlyezra Clothes, toothbrush, laptop, beard comb. @actuallyautistic