[nagdu] why do we have to let airlines know that you have a dog
Steve Johnson
stevencjohnson at centurytel.net
Thu Apr 15 12:29:35 UTC 2010
Robert,
I wonder if this is for a total count of passengers in the case an *event*
occurs? Cheryl may know more about this?
Just my immediate thought...
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Robert Stigile
Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 11:46 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
Hello,
What the supervisor told me, since I asked for one, due to the poor conduct
of the employee, is that they have to put this indicator on your boarding
pass and let the pilot know, but in no way does it keep you from boarding.
Robert Stigile
E-mail: rstigile at sbcglobal.net
Skype: robertstigile1
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jenine Stanley" <jeninems at wowway.com
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
<nagdu at nfbnet.org Date sent: Wed, 14 Apr 2010 11:13:29 -0400
Subject: Re: [nagdu] why do we have to let airlines know that you have a dog
Interesting Robert,
I flew Southwest last week and will again in a couple weeks and I've only
heard this once, from a sky cap in New York several years ago who insisted
I couldn't go in without this mark on my reservation. He was quite wrong
of course and out of line at that point.
Southwest did not used to allow any pets on the plane. That policy has
changed but I think they can only go in cargo.
I guess I wouldn't mind if they noted my dog's presence for purposes of
emergency though.
Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Robert Stigile
Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 10:04 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users;
nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [nagdu] why do we have to let airlines know that you have a dog
Hello All,
I think that whether one sits in Bulk head or not is up to that person.
I personally do not sit there, because I have had my dog bumped from one
side to the other, when we were in rough turbulants, and the dog I had at
the time, was injured.
I sit in a regular row, with my dog under the seat in front of us, and I
have my feet straddling either side.
This keeps the dog from being bumped around.
I have had Airline crew try to change my seat without my permission, and I
have had airline crew feel that if I did not sit in bulkhead I would not be
able board the plane.
I told them to go look at the law, and the next thing you know, they were
telling me it is ok to sit in the seat I booked, which is what I knew in
the first place.
I learned of a new item when flying home from my state Board meeting this
last weekend, which is that Southwest says, that they must put an indicator
on my boarding pass, that states I have a dog, and that they have to tell
the flight crew before I board, that I am bringing a dog on board, so that
they know there will be a dog, in case something happens to the plane in
flight.
I guess, you learn something new everyday.
Take care,
Robert Stigile
E-mail: rstigile at sbcglobal.net
Skype: robertstigile1
----- Original Message -----
From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
<nagdu at nfbnet.org Date sent: Wed, 14 Apr 2010 07:57:53 -0400
Subject: Re: [nagdu] why do we have to let airlines know that you have a dog
I am sorry to say that I was not aware of this position that the bulk head
is the worst place for a guide. may I get the reasons why, because as a
new be I have been led to believe this to be true when I fly. I had in the
past coveted such seating due to leg room. But if it is unsafe for my
guide I would so like to know why so that I might make proper
accommodations for his safe travel. Thanks.
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."
Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Michael Hingson
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 11:17 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
Hi all,
I am with Marion on this one. I find that airline personnel tend to make
up rules often as they go along. They do so whether or not I tell them I
use a guide dog, but it tends to be worse if they know in advance.
It is unfortunate that the schools believe they need to even say that the
airlines should be notified. The schools are promulgating something better
off handled in a different way.
I find that when confronted by an airline person who says I must sit in the
bulkhead I simply ask "show me the law". The airlines keep copies of their
manuals, policies and related materials on all aircraft. If they cannot
show me the law usually that is the end of it. I have had more
confrontational situations as some on this list know. An airline was taken
to court by me and the NFB in the 1980s. We settled that case, but I fear
that airlines did not learn from their mistakes.
International flights may be a different situation depending on the laws of
the countries to which we are traveling. If we need to inform an airline
for the purpose of international travel it is not for the benefit of the
airline but rather because the country involved requires notification from
the airline prior to the trip as well as on approach.
Many guide dog schools either explicitly or implicitly encourage bulkhead
seating for guide dog users under the premise that there is more room for
the dog. This is also unfortunate especially since the bulkhead is the
most dangerous place for a dog.
Mike Hingson
The Michael Hingson Group, INC.
“Speaking with Vision?
Michael Hingson, President
(415) 827-4084
info at michaelhingson.com
www.michaelhingsoncom
for info on the new KNFB Reader Mobile, visit:
http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com
-----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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