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

Mon Apr 19 20:02:05 UTC 2010

Your guess is as good as mine.
I think that when they see me enter the plane, they will know 
there is a dog, since a 75 pound lab can't usually be missed.
Thanks,

Robert Stigile
E-mail: rstigile at sbcglobal.net
Skype: robertstigile1

 ----- Original Message -----
From: "Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)" <REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog 
Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:35:48 -0400
Subject: Re: [nagdu] why do we have to let airlines know that you 
have a dog

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

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

 _______________________________________________
 nagdu mailing list
 nagdu at nfbnet.org
 http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
 To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account 
info for
 nagdu:

http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/jeninems%4
0wowway.com
 No virus found in this incoming message.
 Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
 Version: 9.0.801 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2808 - Release Date:
04/13/10
 02:32:00

 _______________________________________________
 nagdu mailing list
 nagdu at nfbnet.org
 http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
 To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account 
info for
 nagdu:

http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/blind411%4
0verizon.ne
t

_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
for nagdu:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/info%40mic
haelhingson
.com

_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
for nagdu:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/albert%40m
yblindspot.
org

_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
for nagdu:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/rstigile%4
0sbcglobal..net

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.801 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2808 - Release Date:
04/14/10
02:31:00

-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: attachment
Type: application/octet-stream
Size: 305 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nagdu_nfbnet.org/attachments/20100419/d1d82c52/attachment.obj>