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

Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC) REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com
Mon Apr 19 18:35:48 UTC 2010


Why? I mean what is the pilot going to do with this information?

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Robert Stigile
Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 12:46 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

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


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-----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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