PORTLAND — Nearly 200 people headed to the Portland International Airport on Saturday. They didn’t pack bags. And their final destination wasn’t a far-flung destination.
Their goal: wait in line, get a boarding pass, make it through security, board the plane, cruise around on the tarmac and head home.
Travel can provoke anxiety in anyone. But for those with autism and their loved ones, the journey can be particularly daunting. On Saturday, the Autism Society of Oregon worked with Alaska Airlines to host an event coined “Sky’s the Limit” to allow families a low-pressure travel trial run. Nearly two hundred people showed up from all over Oregon and Washington to participate.
It’s been years since the Bailey family, of Vancouver, has taken a vacation or flown to see their family who live out of state. The airport’s crowds, long lines, noise, the lights and revving plane engines — it’s such an overwhelming amount of stimulants, they couldn’t be sure how their son would react.
“It’s the unknown,” said Adam Bailey, his father.
Saturday was about finding out whether Colin, 10, their son, could adjust to the airport. It was about trying to create a new comfort zone and build confidence.
“Our hope for today is that this is a chance for kids and families to practice skills, to come to the airport, check in, get their boarding pass, ride around in the plane,” said Tobi Rates, the executive director of the Autism society. “When you’re autistic, it’s helpful to have patterns and routines. … This allows them to get that experience.”
One of the volunteers with the autism society looked caringly at Maria Cruz, 34, of Salem, Ore., and reminded her: “Take a deep breath.”
The event wasn’t solely about building confidence in the younger children. The parents also needed to know whether travel was possible before putting their kids on a plane with other passengers who might not be as understanding as Saturday’s seat mates.
Like the Bailey family, Cruz hasn’t visited her family in years because she’s worried her young son Ivan would meltdown. As if on cue, Ivan hit the floor and rolled over faster than Cruz couldn’t finish her sentence. Sometimes, Ivan will bolt.
“And he’s fast,” said Cruz.
Most of the families appeared to make it through security without many problems. They headed down the long walkway to gate C20, and like most airplane passengers, from there they waited.
Colin Bailey boarded the plane like a pro.
“He did fantastic, with the amount of people and children around him, he did a great job,” said Cara Bailey, his mother.
The thought of traveling, of seeing loved ones, of taking a family trip out of town, was liberating. But de-boarding didn’t go as well for Colin.
“He wanted to keep going. … It’s the transition he can’t do well yet,” said Cara Bailey.
Her son flew out of control, she said.
“It’s just going to take more practice,” she said.
Next year, they will be back. And someday, they will make it beyond the tarmac.
“I’ve never been to Disneyland. We would all sure like to try that someday,” Cara Bailey said.
