[nagdu] why do we have to let airlines know that you have a dog

Wed Apr 14 06:20:00 UTC 2010

Marion,

It does help to know the law inside and out!  Doesn't mean you won't get
hassled, though, does it!  There's the rub, I guess.  For me, I try as much
as I can to smooth things out ahead of time, whether by discussing the
presence of the guide -- as with my usual cab company, because I have a
relationship with them -- or by showing up early enough to talk to the
person at the desk by the gate (it's late; can't remember the person's
title) to discuss my needs and wants as far as seating goes...  Well, on our
first and so far only flight, I was really lucky, I think, too, in that the
airline (Continental) crew were all really great and accommodating --
offering me more than I asked for or thought I needed! -- without being
pushy or patronizing or controlling.  They made sure, given spare seating,
that I had a good place to give my pup plenty of room by leaving a spare
seat between me and the next passenger.  I think they even told me I could
let her sit there!  I chose not to.  I wasn't any more prepared for the
hydraulics, since I hadn't clued in we were right over the wing, than my
dog. /lol/  The passenger in the aisle seat was really tall, and like dogs,
so he kinda provided a physical barrier without getting uptight when she
tried to take off as the plane did -- only in the opposite direction!  /lol/
She settled down once we were in the ari, and went to sleep, but I was
pretty sure there for a few seconds that she was going to jet out of the
plane through the roof!

Well, it was the first flight for both of us in guide dog terms, so we did
pretty well, and we were fortunate to have good airline staff working with
us.  Next time, though, I'm definitely going to safe up to go first class
for me -- no more back spasms for hours here, thank you!  And we won't be
over the hydraulics, so no leaping poodles!  Then again, nearly 2 years
later, she's all grown up and calm and settled.  Who knew?  /smile/

This is an interesting discussion.  The chances of my having to apply
anything I learn or decide this convention season is nill to none, but I
like to be informed ahead of time, so if it's not 'til next year, I will be
better prepared then, right?

Whether I will inform in advance or not remains to be seen.  But I do like
hearing the different sides of the issue from regular travelers and from
those who do know the law inside and out!

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Marion Gwizdala
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 7:06 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] why do we have to let airlines know that you have a dog

Jenine,
    Perhaps the "better way" to handle this is to not notify the airlines we

will be traveling with a guide dog or other service animal and require them 
to follow the law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability! 
I once traveled from Tampa to St.Louis, MO to do an educational program on 
the ADA to attorneys and police officers on behalf of the Illinois Attorney 
General's Office and had a flight attendant "advise" me that I was required 
to sit in a bulkhead seat. When I "advised" her that I would not sit there, 
she told me it was the law. I again "advised" her as to where I was going, 
what I would be doing there, and that I had a much better understanding of 
the Air Carrier Access Act than she. I further "advised" her that, if she 
insisted on violating my civil rights by forcing me to accept an 
accommodation I chose to refuse, I would file a Federal law suit against the

airlines and her. After consulting with the pilot, she "advised" me that 
they were going to make an exception for me! I wonder how many others she 
intimidated into submission, violating their civil rights! It's too bad we 
are "advised" to compromise our civil rights because of the ignorance and 
custodialism of the airline industry!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jenine Stanley" <jeninems at wowway.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 9:25 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] why do we have to let airlines know that you have a dog

> Cheryl,
>
> The advice given on the call was general. It was also meant to answer the
> issue of international travel.
>
> Technically, on flights within the continental US, if you do not plan to 
> ask
> for any accommodations, such as the bulkhead seat, for your service 
> animal,
> then it's your choice as to whether to notify the airline that you will be
> traveling with your dog.
>
> There are probably as many opinions about this as there are handlers. If 
> you
> just don't want the potential conflict or if you want to handle things at
> the start of your travel planning instead of at the jetway doors, then you
> might choose to notify the airline that you have a service animal.
>
> There is one instance in which you are required to notify the airline.
> That's if you have what is classified as a psychiatric service animal 
> whose
> role is to assist you with tasks related to a mental health condition.
> Taking this type of dog, who often has fewer tasks in its training than a
> standard guide or service dog, does require prior notice and documentation
> provided to the airline. This category does not affect most of us with 
> guide
> dogs though.
>
> Remember that generally when we give advice to people about what we as the
> school think is correct, we do so based on the majority of people's 
> comfort
> levels. So though no, you technically are not required to notify airlines
> about your dog on domestic flights within the continental US, it certainly
> can lower stress levels for many people to do so.
>
> I fly a lot and always notify airlines that I am traveling with my dog. I 
> do
> it for a rather sideways reason though. I want to make sure the flight 
> crew
> knows that no, there is no federal law that requires me to sit in the
> bulkhead seats if I choose not to do so.
>
> Hope that clears things up.
>
>
> Jenine Stanley
> jeninems at wowway.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of cheryl echevarria
> Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 7:26 PM
> To: nagdu
> Subject: [nagdu] why do we have to let airlines know that you have a dog
>
> On GDF conference call they are saying that we need to let airlines know 
> we
> have guide dogs with us.
>
> Why, that is not so.
>
> Cheryl Echevarria
> Independent Travel Consultant
> C10-10646
>
> http://Echevarriatravel.com
> 1-866-580-5574
>
> http://blog.echevarriatravel.com
> Reservations at echevarriatravel.com
> Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Montrose Travel 
> CST-1018299-10
>
>
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