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

Albert J Rizzi albert at myblindspot.org
Thu Apr 15 11:11:55 UTC 2010


I would have to agree with you here. Perhaps an interpretation of this newly
added coverage, coupled with wanting to avoid delays at the gate was the
impetus  for what the GDF was trying to address rather then suggesting an
opportunity for possible discrimination of any sort. It is also kind of a
nice thing to do so as to not delay the flight from leaving when you have
the types of flight attendents which made that exception for Marion. I just
love that one. the law is the law, but they made an exception. 
Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
CEO/Founder
My Blind Spot, Inc.
90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
New York, New York  10004
www.myblindspot.org
PH: 917-553-0347
Fax: 212-858-5759
"The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
doing it."


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-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Steve Johnson
Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 10:58 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

Yes, my point is that within the revised Air Carrier act, there is a
provision in which individuals using psychiatric service dogs, do need to
inform the airline, but only individuals using this type of animal.  And, if
I am correct, I believe it is for flights that are 8 hours or longer.  I am
going to just make an assumption here that maybe the information was
misconstrued regarding psych service animals versus dog guides with this
portion of the Air Carrier Act?  Just my opinion.  Although Michael did say
that other schools have made this statement as well, and if this is so,
those schools should be pointed out in this conversation only if it is
factual information.  Otherwise, it is heresay, and what we know for a fact
is what was heard and said with this particular school during the
teleconversation; no others.

I am not trying to point this out for arguments sake, but have learned that
this group seems to do best when factual information is presented for the
best discussion possible.  

Thanks for understanding everyone,
Steve


-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Tracy Carcione
Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 8:43 AM
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

Steve, this bit of law pertains to emotional support and psych service
animals, not guide dogs.  I'm a bit confused why you think it's relevant to
whether or not we have to tell the airlines we're travelling with a guide
dog. Perhaps you're pointing out the differences between kinds of service
animals?
I'm with Marion; I don't tell them.
Tracy

> Cheryl, taken from the updated Air Carrier Act of 2009:
>
> .Requires 48-hour notification that a customer is bringing an 
> emotional support animal or psychiatric service animal on board the
aircraft.
>
> Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals The definition of 
> service animals includes guide dogs, signal dogs, psychiatric service 
> animals, and emotional support animals.  Air carriers are required to 
> allow service animals traveling with persons with disabilities to sit 
> with them in the cabin of the aircraft.65 Passengers traveling with 
> pets, as opposed to service animals or emotional support animals, do 
> not have any rights under the ACAA. To determine whether a passenger 
> with a disability is entitled to travel with a service animal, air 
> carriers may ask questions and request documentation in certain 
> circumstances. The questions that may be asked and the level of 
> documentation that may be required will vary depending on the 
> individual's disability and the type of service animal. The purpose 
> for the variation in requirements is because 1) many people traveling 
> with a service, comfort or psychiatric support animal may have a have 
> a hidden disability so the need for a service animal is not apparent 
> and 2) the reason an individual with an obvious disability requires a 
> service animal is not always evident.
>
> As evidence that an animal qualifies as a service animal, an air 
> carrier must accept identification cards, other written documentation, 
> presence of harnesses, tags, or the credible verbal assurances of the 
> passenger with the disability using the animal.66 If an air carrier is 
> not certain of the animal's status, even after being told that an 
> animal is a service animal, additional questions may be asked, 
> including: "What tasks or functions does your animal perform for 
> you?," "What has the animal been trained to do for you?," and "Would 
> you describe how the animal performs this task or function for you?''
>
> For emotional support or psychiatric service animals, air carriers may 
> request very specific diagnostic documentation 48 hours in advance of 
> a flight. The documentation must be 1) current (not be more than one 
> year old); 2) be on letterhead from a licensed mental health 
> professional; 3) must state that the person has a mental or emotional 
> disability recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of 
> Mental Disorders (DSM IV); and
> 4) state that the animal is needed as an accommodation for air travel 
> or for activity at the individual's destination. The documentation 
> should also state that the health professional is treating the 
> individual and include the date and type of the mental health 
> professional's license and the state or other jurisdiction in which it 
> was issued. It does not need to state the individual's diagnosis.67
>
> Unusual animals such as miniature horses, pigs, and monkeys may be 
> allowed to travel as service animals.68 To determine whether the 
> animal will be allowed in the cabin, the air carrier may take into 
> account the animal's size, weight, and whether the animal would pose a 
> direct threat to the health or safety of others, or cause a 
> significant disruption in cabin service. If the animal would pose or 
> cause any of these things, the animal may have to travel in the cargo 
> hold. In addition, if there are restrictions on any of these animals 
> at the final destination point of travel, the animal may not be 
> allowed to fly at all. Other unusual animals such as snakes, other 
> reptiles, ferrets, rodents, and spiders may be denied boarding as they 
> may pose other safety and public health concerns. Foreign carriers are 
> required to transport only dogs as service animals.69
>
> Service animals cannot be denied passage because other passengers are 
> offended or annoyed by animals.70 Any service animal may be denied 
> boarding privileges if the animal barks, growls, jumps on people or 
> misbehaves in ways that indicate the animal has not been trained to 
> behave properly in public settings, poses a direct threat to the 
> health and safety of others, or poses a significant risk of disruption 
> of cabin service.71
>
> People with disabilities can sit in any seat with their service animal 
> unless they block an aisle or an area designated for emergency evacuation.
> If they cannot be accommodated in a requested seat, then they must be 
> given the opportunity to move to another seat within the same class of 
> service.
> A
> person with a disability may request a bulkhead seat or another seat 
> that better suits their needs. 72 A person traveling with a service 
> animal may ask to pre-board.
>
> Air carriers are not required to make modifications that would 
> constitute an undue burden or would fundamentally alter their 
> programs. In order to accommodate a service animal, a carrier does not 
> have to ask another passenger to give up all or most of the space in 
> front of their seat (This is rarely necessary, since most service 
> animals fit comfortably at the feet of the handler, beneath the seat 
> in front of the handler.) Carriers may try to find someone willing to 
> share their foot space. Carriers can voluntarily reseat a person 
> traveling with a service animal to a business or first-class seat to 
> accommodate a service animal, but are not required to do so.73
>
> In-flight services and facilities do not have to be provided to 
> service animals. Individuals traveling with the animals must provide 
> for the animal's food, care, and supervision.
>
> In the terminal, air carriers must provide animal relief areas. They 
> also must provide escort service to individuals traveling with service 
> animals to these areas, upon request.74
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
> Behalf Of cheryl echevarria
> Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 6:26 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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