[nagdu] Guide dogs and airport security
Julie McGinnity
kaybaycar at gmail.com
Wed Jul 21 21:07:24 UTC 2010
Before I went on this list I also thought that everyone prefered the
bulkhead seats. Now I think I'm the only one who does. It's kind of
funny. I like those seats because I feel like I am trapped if I have
to sit in a window seat in the middle of the plane with a dog and 2
other people and a window keeping me boxed in. Of course, I don't
know if that is more due to my clostrophobia than anything, but the
bulkhead seats always work out better for us. When we sit in a
bulkhead seat, I don't have to surrender her harness to the overhead
bins, which I really don't like doing. It makes a lot of sense to
just put the dog under the seat in front of you, and Brie doesn't
really care either way. I think it's more for me than the dog. That
being said, I don't understand why the people at the airport think
that every single person with a guide dog wants to sit in the bulkhead
seats. Everyone has a different preference for a different reason,
and I think they should be accomidating by listening to us and what we
want insteading of deciding for us. Just my little take on it all.
On 7/21/10, Toni Whaley <blind_treasurer at verizon.net> wrote:
> Robert,
>
> I almost always have this issue. I prefer to have a window seat somewhere in
> the middle of the plane. I don't want to have to get up and move the dog to
> let people out. If they don't try to put me in bulk head seating,they try
> to put me in an aisle seat. It does get tedious at times going over the same
> ground.
>
> Toni
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Robert Stigile
> Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 1:00 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users;
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dogs and airport security
>
> Hello All,
> I have been following this thread since I returned home from both
> the convention and a vacation.
> I traveled to Dallas, then from Dallas to Vancouver Canada, then
> I took a shuttle bus from Vancouver across the United States
> Border, which I also had to go through a metal detector, and then
> I finally made my way home from Seattle back to Burbank
> California.
> In all of my travels, over the last two and a half weeks, every
> time I went through a metal detector, whether it be at the
> airport, the Docks for the ship, customs to come back into the
> states, I came across only one place where I had a question about
> my dog going through the screening with her gear on.
> I was at the Seattle airport, going through the detector, which I
> set all of my bags on the conveyer belt, and slowly approached
> the place where one goes through the metal detector.
> I made my dog sit, as I normally do, started through and the
> screener said, you have to take the dogs harness and collar off
> of her.
> I said no, I do not need to do that, I will not do that, and if
> you have a problem with it, I will ask you to call a supervisor.
> She said, we will have to pat your dog down when she comes
> through the screener, which I said yes, you are right, and
> proceded through.
> This was the first time, I had this issue, and I expect it to be
> the last.
> On another note, I am wondering, if anyone has a problem like I
> seem to have, with regards to the seat I sit in.
> When I book my airline ticket, I then choose the seat that I will
> sit in.
> I do not choose, nor do I want to be put in bulk head seating.
> I actually prefer about the middle of the plane, for many
> reasons.
> When I get to the airport, I check in and almost every time, they
> will try to move me to bulk head without telling me.
> The airlines seem to think, that they know best, where I should
> sit, and many have gone as far as telling me that the faa rules
> state that anyone with a service animal must sit in bulkhead
> seating.
> I have told them, that when they find that rule to come back and
> read it to me.
> Usually, they will come back after a while, and say you can sit
> here.
> I knew that in the first place.
> So, do any of you have this issue, do any of you care whether you
> sit in bulk head or in other seats.
> I am curious to hear from people on this list, who travel a lot,
> what is your preference, and if it is not bulk head, how do you
> handle this issue or does it come up with you.
> Thank you for reading.
>
>
> Robert Stigile
> E-mail: rstigile at sbcglobal.net
> Skype: robertstigile1
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ginger Kutsch" <gingerKutsch at yahoo.com
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
> Users'" <nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:29:01 -0400
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dogs and airport security
>
> Steve,
>
> I believe Dawn Jenkins is the President of the Staunton chapter
> of the NFB in Virginia - perhaps someone can give her a call.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On Behalf Of Steve Johnson
> Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 8:15 AM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
> Users'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dogs and airport security
>
> Could someone i.e. list moderator and list owner check to see if
> this person is an actual subscriber to NAGDU? If I am correct,
> this forward or reply has not changed at all with the exception
> of the name which is now Dawn instead of Brandy. I am going to
> block it on my computer just to be safe as it is just weird as we
> continuously get this same message lacking any narrative or
> response from the sender whomever it is. Anyone know this
> person?
>
> Thanks,
> Steve
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On Behalf Of Dawn Jenkins
> Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 7:06 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
> Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dogs and airport security
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chasity Jackson <chasityvanda at charter.net
> Sent: Saturday, 17 July, 2010 21:36
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
> Users
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dogs and airport security
>
> In the event that we get a security member who insists that we
> remove the dog's gear, how can we affectively argue the point.
> Perhaps saying, "The regulations don't require me to do that,"
> wouldn't be enough...And you know how people can sometimes be, if
> you ask for their supervisor, they are conveniently not
> available, so the staff member claims.
>
> I live in St. Louis and have never had a problem with airport
> security, but was just wondering what is the most affective way
> to handle it in the event it arises.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Charlene Ota" <caota at hawaii.rr.com
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
> Users'"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2010 8:49 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dogs and airport security
>
>
> That is really asking too much and putting you at risk for your
> dog
> running off!
>
> As for the pouch with the poop bags and the like, well, my boy
> gets a
> bit agitated when they start digging in that pouch, I think
> he'd
> probably get rather upset if they actually removed that pouch
> from his
> harness and tried to confiscate it. I'd probably definitely
> know about
> it if that happened!
> (smile!) Wonder what they'd even want with a pouch with poop
> bags anyway.
> Never know about these security types, do you.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Pawpower Creations
> Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2010 1:28 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
> Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dogs and airport security
>
> This is very true. By law they can not ask you to remove the
> dogs gear.
> Both Rox and I have experienced this, and we refused to remove
> either
> the harness or cape. We have had some interesting experiences
> in
> security, but so far they have not tried to force us to remove
> the
> gear. Asking you to remove the leash and collar is totally
> wrong. In
> fact I would contact the person in charge of airport security
> and
> report the incident and explain the law. If some one else on
> this
> list has information on how the law reads that would be good.
> I would
> be interested in knowing, and I will do some research and try
> and find
> out as well.
>
>
> Best wishes from the Pawpower pack!
> Bristol, Mill'E, Rudy, and Laveau
>
> Pawpower Creations, Products designed with you and your Canine
> in mind
> Bob Blackner/Rox'E Homstad
> 504-312-2609
> pawpower at cox.net
> www.pawpowercreations.com
> Custom made guide dog harnesses, leashes, collars, and
> relieving
> harnesses.
> Pawpower Creations is constantly growing and expanding as we
> strive to
> provide quality products for you and your canine companions.
> Soon we
> will be offering herb classes taught by a certified Herbalist,
> dog
> training classes, a training tips section, and other useful
> information for a nominal charge.
>
> We will also be selling hand crafted soaps, bath salts, and
> other
> fragrant products designed to relax the mind, cleanse the body,
> and
> soothe, calm and uplift your spirit.
>
> With eye upraised his master's look to scan, The joy, the
> solace, and
> the aid of man:
> The rich man's guardian and the poor man's friend, The only
> creature
> faithful to the end.
>
> George Crabbe
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Susan Jones" <sblanjones11 at sbcglobal.net
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
> Users'"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2010 5:41 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dogs and airport security
>
>
> Julie and listers,
> You should never even take your dog's harness off.
> What if you were traveling alone, and your dog decided to make
> a run
> for it, have an adventure?
>
> I know there are people on this list who can verify that the
> regulations do not require removal of the harness, let alone
> leash
> and collar.
>
> I had no difficulty on either end going to National
> Convention.
> Though I have had variances, such as people asking that we go
> through
> together, and they pat us both down, this is what I usually
> do:
> Have my dog sit at the door, make a long leash, go through
> first, and
> then call her.
> They will then call a guard to pat the dog down. I have never
> been
> asked to remove the harness.
> The worst thing that happened is that once, they confiscated
> the
> little poop patrol container that had plastic bags inside for
> pickup.
> I didn't realize it until we were on the plane. Not worth
> bothering
> about.
>
> Susan & Rhoda
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Julie McGinnity
> Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2010 6:17 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
> Users
> Subject: [nagdu] Guide dogs and airport security
>
> Hi everyone. I hope you are having a nice weekend.
>
> I just got back from a week long trip to Philadelphia this
> morning.
> At the airport both going there and coming back something
> weird
> happened in airport security. I am wondering if there are
> some
> policies I don't know about, or if the people were really
> doing
> something wrong.
>
> Last Sunday I traveled from St. Louis to Philadelphia. When
> we got
> to airport security, I took the dog's harness off and put it
> with my
> purse and everything on the conveyerbelt. I made her sit and
> stay
> while I went through and then called her after I was out. She
> came
> right to me, and of course she made the thing beep because of
> her
> leash and collar. I just waited at this point because this is
> what
> always happens, and someone always comes to pat the dog down.
> The
> last 2 times I have traveled it happened this way. Instead of
> coming
> over to pat the dog down, they asked me if I could take her
> leash and
> collar off and make her go back through. I said that I would
> really
> prefer not to do that, and I said that I don't mind if they
> need to
> pat her down because that's what usually happens. They then
> asked me
> again to take off the leash and collar. I didn't know how to
> argue
> with them further, so I just did what they said. I took off
> the
> leash and collar and let my mother call her back through.
> Thankfully, she was very good. I think she thought the whole
> thing
> was a game. She went through without her stuff on, and it
> didn't go
> off, and she came right to me. It was very hard to get a
> handle on
> her though without her stuff, and the security people had
> taken her
> leash and collar, so it wasn't like I could just put it back
> on her.
> I had to wait for them to scan it, which meant I had to hold
> on to
> her awkwardly and walk to where the stuff was going to come
> out.
> Brie was very good, but the whole process annoyed me. I don't
>
> understand why they couldn't just pat the dog down. That's
> what
> happened when I flew to and from Dallas. It seemed to work
> fine. I
> know how to take my dog through security. They tought us at
> guide
> dog school.
>
> When I flew back to St. Louis this morning I experienced a
> similar
> thing
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--
Julie McG
Lindbergh High School class of 2009, participating member in Opera
Theater's Artist in Training Program, and proud graduate of Guiding
Eyes for the Blind
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
life."
John 3:16
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