[Ct-nfb] from the seeing eye info for travelers with dogs

[Elizabeth Rival]

They did inspect my hands after inspecting the dog, even though I did not
alarm. New procedures are as follows below. Beth 

The summer months are times of increased travel for many of us and a lot of
that travel is by air. I'm sending this message to update you on a few of
the recent changes in the screening process for individuals accompanied by
service animals going through a security checkpoint at a U.S. airport. I've
also included reminders of how to contact some valuable resources should you
encounter problems while traveling. 

 

First, recent changes now require that after you successfully go through the
metal detector, you cannot make contact with your dog (other than holding
the leash) until the dog has been inspected and cleared by the U.S.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel. Even if you walk
through the metal detector and do not set off the alarm, you can be required
to undergo additional screening if you touch your dog before it has been
cleared. 

 

Second, the TSA now requires passengers with service animals to maintain
contact with their dog's leash at all times. This means that those
individuals who in the past handed their dog's leash to a traveling
companion or asked their dogs to sit and rest and dropped the leash before
walking through the metal detector can no longer use these techniques. 

 

Finally, passengers traveling with any kind of animal may now be required to
undergo explosives trace testing. This process is quick and easy and
generally takes place after you have cleared security. You may be asked to
hold your hands out, palm side up. The security officer will then wipe a
swab about the size of your palm across each of your hands and then ask you
to wait while a machine analyzes the swab for traces of explosives. This
process leaves no residue on your hands. 

 

Remember, TSA personnel cannot request that you be separated from your dog
nor are you required to remove your dog's harness, leash or collar. If you
experience any problems at the security checkpoint, you should request that
a supervisor be contacted for assistance. If you wish to file a complaint
against the TSA, send a message to: TSA.ODPO at dhs.gov and be sure to include
your name, address, phone number and email address as well as the date/time
you went through the security checkpoint, the name of the airport, and the
name of the airline, flight number & departure gate if known. Give a brief
description of what happened and include as much as you can remember about
your experience and the TSA personnel involved. 

 

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