I would assume you could treat this similarly to a disability? As someone with a disability I don’t feel you are doing a disservice by contacting the cognitive disability team.. my thoughts. I know my girlfriend has called and gotten assistance for her mom who simply cannot read ENGLISH, as it’s her.. second spoken language, but she can’t read it.
Assuming it’s someone like my grandpa, that wouldn’t work either cause they’re unfortunately just illiterate. They never got to learn as kids! Just speaking and listening.
The tech on this is way easy to conceptualize because we have that on our phones already just by pointing the camera, but I had never looked into Google Lens really. That’s actually sick
The easiest thing is teach him the words “baggage claims” so he can look for the signs with those words. LAX is actually a very simple airport. United flights land at Terminal 7. There are 2 concourses there: 7 and 8. If he lands at a 7* gate (75, 76, etc), there’s only 1 path he can take to exit and that is towards the piano. Pass the piano, turn left thru the double glass door, then take the escalator down to baggage claim. If he lands at an 8* gate, there’s an escalator to the baggage claim in that concourse. You’ll need to wait for him at the baggage claim. Alternatively, he can ask a fellow passenger to guide him. People are usually happy to help, just ask.
Asking fellow passengers for help is an excellent idea. My big sister has mental disabilities but she does travel by herself. When she lands, she does ask fellow passengers if they can guide her to pick up her bags.
With a disability like that, as many have stated, you may want to call our accessibility desk to note his record as DPNA so our agents are better to assist them. Also, possibly upon departure and arrival, see if they will issue you gate passes to escort and meet them.
You haven't provided much information. Not being able to read? In English or at all? Call the Customer Contact Center and ask to be transferred to the Accessibility Desk and see what they offer - **1-800-228-2744.**
The world is still full of people happy to help. I’d just suggest asking for assistance along the way. I have to do the same when I go to places where the language overwhelms me, like Japan.
I often see people asking pilots or uniformed staff for directions and help in airports.
The emergency briefing document uses pictures, partly for the reason I’m sure.
If I remember correctly the day before check In you’ll get a notification in the app that has a map that basically serves as a gps that he could follow to gates. I also get asked in airports by strangers how to find their gates fairly often and point them in the right direction. People in person aren’t people on the internet, I’ve never seen someone unwilling to help out. Just ask.
You could request wheelchair service. I know that may feel insulting as he doesn’t have a physical disability , but it’s a way to guarantee someone there to take him to the gate, etc.
Yeah, I’m a wheelchair user and I think this is a totally acceptable use. I’ve heard some blind people use the wheelchair services basically so they can have someone safely navigate them to the gate since most airports don’t provide good ways for someone to find their gate if they can’t read signs. Obviously not the same situation, but the same potential solution.
I’d fly to him and pick him up. It sounds like a domestic flight if TSA is involved. Else, you can teach him how to use Google Lens to translate signs into a language he can read. Be sure to teach him how to secure a seatbelt and to keep it fastened.
If he can’t read any language, a caregiver companion may need to fly with him. Don’t forget that the ability to follow cabin crew’s safety instructions is mandatory.
I would be pleasantly surprised if the airline can offer this as a service. You can get gate passes to escort someone to and from the gate, which would reduce the scope of third party assistance. You can also just buy and cancel a Southwest ticket to get airside so you at arrival and someone else at departure can escort the traveler to and from the gate. You’d have no ability to assist aboard. For that reason it would help to have a companion fly with him.
That all sounds a bit over the top. Have you never traveled in a country where you didn’t have a clue about the language? I have and I’ve still survived just fine, in fact it’s kind of fun to be out of my comfort zone.
LAX is confusing anyway. I can read and I still have to ask for help!
I am covering all possibilities given limited information. “Can’t read” is too broad. City pair was also not included. It’s possible that the flight is from a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico, which is still a domestic flight but would feel like an international flight.
The original post has been modified to include the traveler’s native language is Spanish and he can’t read or write in either English or Spanish. It is unknown if he can speak English, but that is unlikely.
Flying on a Spanish bilingual airline like Volaris would be easier.
I learned the top phrases in all relevant languages. My Rosetta Stone has 25 of them. It was very handy when communicating with Germans, French, Italians, and Arabic speakers. I know 3 languages fluently and a handful of others at basic level besides the phrases. So, yeah I’ve traveled through foreign airports. ;)
Well does this person understand spoken English? Can they follow crew member commands? Seems a relevant question. But as others have said there are ways to get help. I wouldn’t want someone in an exit row let’s say who could neither read the safety card nor could understand or communicate.
Wait… he cannot read and write in his native language…
I would advised to not let him travel alone and go in immigration, those people are brutal to US citizen let alone a person that cant read and write and is going to be supper nervous. i can assumed they cant speak English as well.
Does he have a disability or just can't read? If he has a disability he can request assistance as others have recommended. If it's just a matter of not being able to read but he can communicate - people that don't know how to read (or speak the language) go through the airport ALL the time, especially at international airports like LAX. There'll very likely be a lot of bilingual spanish/english speakers in LAX too. He can simply ask various employees how to navigate - most people would be very willing to help. If it's just a matter of not being able to read he shouldn't have any problems navigating.
Throw some dark shades on them and tell united he's visually impaired. They will assist him and he gets pre boarding. Win win.....just kidding let united know and they will assist. Also they have a lot of pictures. When he gets to LAX tell him to fallow the signs that have a suitcase on them.
This is off topic but have you ever met him in person?
Does he have the necessary documents to enter the US(assuming he is coming from another country without a US Passport)?
I would assume you could treat this similarly to a disability? As someone with a disability I don’t feel you are doing a disservice by contacting the cognitive disability team.. my thoughts. I know my girlfriend has called and gotten assistance for her mom who simply cannot read ENGLISH, as it’s her.. second spoken language, but she can’t read it.
Gotta teach mom how to use Google lens translate
Assuming it’s someone like my grandpa, that wouldn’t work either cause they’re unfortunately just illiterate. They never got to learn as kids! Just speaking and listening.
Understandable
The tech on this is way easy to conceptualize because we have that on our phones already just by pointing the camera, but I had never looked into Google Lens really. That’s actually sick
I use it all the time when I go to the Asian market. It's fantastic.
and sometimes quite amusing
Call the United Accessibility desk and let them know of the situation and they will give him a meet and assist on both ends.
Best advice here
The easiest thing is teach him the words “baggage claims” so he can look for the signs with those words. LAX is actually a very simple airport. United flights land at Terminal 7. There are 2 concourses there: 7 and 8. If he lands at a 7* gate (75, 76, etc), there’s only 1 path he can take to exit and that is towards the piano. Pass the piano, turn left thru the double glass door, then take the escalator down to baggage claim. If he lands at an 8* gate, there’s an escalator to the baggage claim in that concourse. You’ll need to wait for him at the baggage claim. Alternatively, he can ask a fellow passenger to guide him. People are usually happy to help, just ask.
Asking fellow passengers for help is an excellent idea. My big sister has mental disabilities but she does travel by herself. When she lands, she does ask fellow passengers if they can guide her to pick up her bags.
Most people I encounter in the airport act like they can't read, so United is probably well aware of how to care for them.
😂😂😂😂😂 Too real
We have a saying that many people leave their brains at the airport door when they enter the lobby. Sad, but true.
But unfortunately, they retain enough brain stem to be wickedly arrogant or egocentric.
Yes, plenty of two year olds traveling in adult bodies.
With a disability like that, as many have stated, you may want to call our accessibility desk to note his record as DPNA so our agents are better to assist them. Also, possibly upon departure and arrival, see if they will issue you gate passes to escort and meet them.
He can’t read period or he can’t read English?
You haven't provided much information. Not being able to read? In English or at all? Call the Customer Contact Center and ask to be transferred to the Accessibility Desk and see what they offer - **1-800-228-2744.**
The world is still full of people happy to help. I’d just suggest asking for assistance along the way. I have to do the same when I go to places where the language overwhelms me, like Japan. I often see people asking pilots or uniformed staff for directions and help in airports. The emergency briefing document uses pictures, partly for the reason I’m sure.
Check with customer service, but I’d be trying to add DPNA - or possibly a LANG - with a comment “unable to read”.
If I remember correctly the day before check In you’ll get a notification in the app that has a map that basically serves as a gps that he could follow to gates. I also get asked in airports by strangers how to find their gates fairly often and point them in the right direction. People in person aren’t people on the internet, I’ve never seen someone unwilling to help out. Just ask.
You could request wheelchair service. I know that may feel insulting as he doesn’t have a physical disability , but it’s a way to guarantee someone there to take him to the gate, etc.
Yeah, I’m a wheelchair user and I think this is a totally acceptable use. I’ve heard some blind people use the wheelchair services basically so they can have someone safely navigate them to the gate since most airports don’t provide good ways for someone to find their gate if they can’t read signs. Obviously not the same situation, but the same potential solution.
I’d fly to him and pick him up. It sounds like a domestic flight if TSA is involved. Else, you can teach him how to use Google Lens to translate signs into a language he can read. Be sure to teach him how to secure a seatbelt and to keep it fastened. If he can’t read any language, a caregiver companion may need to fly with him. Don’t forget that the ability to follow cabin crew’s safety instructions is mandatory. I would be pleasantly surprised if the airline can offer this as a service. You can get gate passes to escort someone to and from the gate, which would reduce the scope of third party assistance. You can also just buy and cancel a Southwest ticket to get airside so you at arrival and someone else at departure can escort the traveler to and from the gate. You’d have no ability to assist aboard. For that reason it would help to have a companion fly with him.
That all sounds a bit over the top. Have you never traveled in a country where you didn’t have a clue about the language? I have and I’ve still survived just fine, in fact it’s kind of fun to be out of my comfort zone. LAX is confusing anyway. I can read and I still have to ask for help!
I am covering all possibilities given limited information. “Can’t read” is too broad. City pair was also not included. It’s possible that the flight is from a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico, which is still a domestic flight but would feel like an international flight. The original post has been modified to include the traveler’s native language is Spanish and he can’t read or write in either English or Spanish. It is unknown if he can speak English, but that is unlikely. Flying on a Spanish bilingual airline like Volaris would be easier. I learned the top phrases in all relevant languages. My Rosetta Stone has 25 of them. It was very handy when communicating with Germans, French, Italians, and Arabic speakers. I know 3 languages fluently and a handful of others at basic level besides the phrases. So, yeah I’ve traveled through foreign airports. ;)
Well does this person understand spoken English? Can they follow crew member commands? Seems a relevant question. But as others have said there are ways to get help. I wouldn’t want someone in an exit row let’s say who could neither read the safety card nor could understand or communicate.
Why don’t you travel with him?
Wait… he cannot read and write in his native language… I would advised to not let him travel alone and go in immigration, those people are brutal to US citizen let alone a person that cant read and write and is going to be supper nervous. i can assumed they cant speak English as well.
How old is said partner?….. if a minor can he be an unaccompanied minor and be escorted?
Does he have a disability or just can't read? If he has a disability he can request assistance as others have recommended. If it's just a matter of not being able to read but he can communicate - people that don't know how to read (or speak the language) go through the airport ALL the time, especially at international airports like LAX. There'll very likely be a lot of bilingual spanish/english speakers in LAX too. He can simply ask various employees how to navigate - most people would be very willing to help. If it's just a matter of not being able to read he shouldn't have any problems navigating.
Throw some dark shades on them and tell united he's visually impaired. They will assist him and he gets pre boarding. Win win.....just kidding let united know and they will assist. Also they have a lot of pictures. When he gets to LAX tell him to fallow the signs that have a suitcase on them.
This is off topic but have you ever met him in person? Does he have the necessary documents to enter the US(assuming he is coming from another country without a US Passport)?
[удалено]
I’m probably an ahole, but I’d just fake being blind this once.
Bring a companion support animal
Animals can’t read either. This would not be helpful, nor are “companion support animals” trained service dogs.
Besides the fact that companion "support" animals are no longer allowed, I'd love to see a picture of this amazing dog who can read.