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   Caleb KE0VVT 🇮🇱🏳️‍🌈🌱 (kolev@babka.social)'s status on Monday, 18-Nov-2024 04:49:26 JST Caleb KE0VVT 🇮🇱🏳️‍🌈🌱

   @actuallyautistic Tips for solo airline travel? #ActuallyAutistic #travel

   • Embed this notice
     Serge from Babka (serge@babka.social)'s status on Monday, 18-Nov-2024 04:56:58 JST Serge from Babka

     in reply to

     @kolev

     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?

   • Embed this notice
     Caleb KE0VVT 🇮🇱🏳️‍🌈🌱 (kolev@babka.social)'s status on Monday, 18-Nov-2024 05:05:21 JST Caleb KE0VVT 🇮🇱🏳️‍🌈🌱

     in reply to

     • Serge from Babka

     @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.

   • Embed this notice
     Serge from Babka (serge@babka.social)'s status on Monday, 18-Nov-2024 05:13:33 JST Serge from Babka

     in reply to

     @kolev

     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.