I flew the 787 for the first time today, EWR-IAH (and shortly to SFO). Loved the plane -- very comfortable, quiet, good IFE -- but had an issue that has me thinking a bit more about my red-green color-blindness.
Lost in the talk of all the other interesting ways in which the paradigm of travel has been changed (big windows, lower pressure, etc), is the change they've made to the lavatory occupied indicators. For most, it's probably no big deal. For me, and for others with similar color-blindness, the fact that the only indication that a lavatory is occupied is a red or green light is kind of a big deal. I stood around for a minute or two waiting for the light to turn off, assuming that it was on because someone was in there. Another passenger walked up and right into the bathroom. I was a bit surprised, turned to the FA, and found out that this was the only way to tell if the bathroom could be used. She was very nice and understanding, and helped me find another I could use.
This is not a complaint -- the extra minute or two waiting to use the bathroom is absolutely the smallest thing that could have gone wrong. I have emailed United, and will probably send something off to Boeing, suggesting that they consider a secondary way of handling the occupancy sign. But what it has me thinking about are the other ways in which assumptions have been made about those who travel on United planes.
I guess my question is this: Outside of the obvious disabilities that impact travel ability, what smaller issues have you run into because you can't see color properly, or have trouble with another sense? To what degree should we expect an aircraft manufacturer or airline to anticipate issues like this? I assume I'll just have to deal with this, and ask others if a lavatory is occupied. But I can't imagine that this strategy works in other instances. What have you encountered?
Lost in the talk of all the other interesting ways in which the paradigm of travel has been changed (big windows, lower pressure, etc), is the change they've made to the lavatory occupied indicators. For most, it's probably no big deal. For me, and for others with similar color-blindness, the fact that the only indication that a lavatory is occupied is a red or green light is kind of a big deal. I stood around for a minute or two waiting for the light to turn off, assuming that it was on because someone was in there. Another passenger walked up and right into the bathroom. I was a bit surprised, turned to the FA, and found out that this was the only way to tell if the bathroom could be used. She was very nice and understanding, and helped me find another I could use.
This is not a complaint -- the extra minute or two waiting to use the bathroom is absolutely the smallest thing that could have gone wrong. I have emailed United, and will probably send something off to Boeing, suggesting that they consider a secondary way of handling the occupancy sign. But what it has me thinking about are the other ways in which assumptions have been made about those who travel on United planes.
I guess my question is this: Outside of the obvious disabilities that impact travel ability, what smaller issues have you run into because you can't see color properly, or have trouble with another sense? To what degree should we expect an aircraft manufacturer or airline to anticipate issues like this? I assume I'll just have to deal with this, and ask others if a lavatory is occupied. But I can't imagine that this strategy works in other instances. What have you encountered?