SOAR- Starting Our Adventure Right!

Updated from a previous post- everything is still accurate as of 2/2/2016
Happy Flying!!

We had quite the adventure this morning. My husband, Steve our son, Ben and I went to Cincinnati- Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) to participate in the SOAR program.

In cooperation with Delta and Cincinnati Children's Hospital,  CVG invites families living with Autism to come and do a "practice run" to prepare you for air travel.

The first night was a parents only training to prepare you for what the day will look like. They went over the procedures, and provided us with visual schedules, and a social narrative in laminated form as well as digital. Then they were nice enough to validate parking!

Wonderful tools, including social stories and visual schedules were shared with families before the event to prepare for the trip.

So this morning Steve, Ben and I went to the airport with bags packed, and headphones ready. 

Packed and ready to go!

When we arrived there were signs welcoming and directing us. Then a special desk where they weighed Ben's bag, checked our ID's and gave us our boarding passes. Ben got his State ID this week, so even though he isn't 18 yet he wanted to show it off!

The details were important, and done very well!

Then we went through security. This is where I noticed the most anxiety. Many of the kids really didn't want to give their prized possessions to a complete stranger, OR put them through that scary machine. Thankfully everyone was able to get through it, and hopefully next time will be easier.

They checked us in and we had to take our shoes off, use the bins and walk through the metal detectors. 

There are no photos of this. You may not take pictures of TSA. One of the teens in our group took photos a couple of years ago, and Homeland Security came to their house. Not Fun!!

While we were putting our shoes back on there were TSA officers handing out cards with the TSA cares number.

1-855-787-2227- available M-F 8am-11pm Eastern Time  9am-8pm on weekends and holidays

THIS IS IMPORTANT- If you call ahead they will meet you before security and go through with you any time you are flying. I thought that was fabulous!!

In the terminal SOAR was even listed on the departure schedule. The little details were very well done.

On the flight board!

At the gate everyone was waiting very nicely. We even celebrated a birthday, and the chief pilot came and gave a young man (15 today) a pilots hat and wings. There were more than a few emotional adults, it was a very sweet moment.

Happy Birthday!!

We boarded the flight, buckled our seat belts, and watched the security presentation.

Then the plane pulled out and taxied around the airport (VERY COOL) the kids seemed to really like it. I know Ben loved seeing the runway lights, and the area where they practice emergency response.

Headphones to help with engine noise!

The one thing that wasn't realistic was getting to go in the cockpit! But even if you are striving for a true run through- who can pass that up??

Then we had to go get our bags of course. As Ben picked his up from the carousel we noticed a new luggage tag. It was a very nice touch!

We would like to thank Delta, Cincinnati Children's Hospital and CVG for an amazing program. It was a really great adventure!

What I learned-

• When you book a flight that asks for you to pay for a seat selection call the airline. Explain that one of the people in your party has a disability. They will place you together without a fee.

• Call TSA to meet you at security.- 1-855-787-2227

• Frontload or prepare your child or family member, so they know what to expect. Look up security videos from You Tube. Explain that Tomas the Tank Engine, or your favorite kitty will only be away from you for a couple of minutes (before you get to security)

• Stay calm and ask for help. Many of the TSA agents are receiving training concerning people with non-visible disabilities.