[nagdu] Pros & Cons of Advance Notice

[Wayne Merritt]

At times the space in the backseat floor area can get tight, but
that's mainly because the cab driver has the passenger seat way back.
Most of them have been willing to move their seats forward once I
pointed out that the dog was needing a bit more space. Still though, I
hhaven't yet informed them ahead of time that I had a dog and I dont'
intend to do so either. I'm a frequent user of the Yelllow Cabs in my
area. If something ever did come up, I would call into a supervisor
the same day and tell them the problem and to look up the cab number
if I didn't know it. They keep detailed logs of who picked up at what
time, and who made the reservation, so I'm not worried about the
driver getting away with anything. I've done this before as well, only
for very troublesome cab drivers, but the situation was fixed in those
cases. I've only had one driver nearly deny me a trip when he said,
"You can't bring that dog in here." I replied, "Yes I can, I do it all
the time with other cabs." He was surprised by this, but once he heard
that I did it with many other cabs, he relented. I got the feeling
that the driver saw the dog as a pet, perhaps because I didn't have
time to slip her harness on. I do recall calling in about that
incident though, mainly to make them aware. Even if I dont' 'have time
to put the harness on because I'm rushing to get out the door in time,
I always have it with me.

Wayne

On 7/30/11, Marion Gwizdala <blind411 at verizon.net> wrote:
> Larry,
>     On the one hand, notice is given out of consideration for space. On the
> other hand, if they refuse, you "get ugly". Would it not save the need to
> get ugly if you didn't give the notice? A public accommodation cannot
> discriminate against you because of your choice to use a service dog and I
> have not yet found any circumstances under which space is an issue, in spite
> of the fact that all of my dogs have been large breeds.
>
> Fraternally yours,
> Marion Gwizdala
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Larry D. Keeler" <lkeeler at comcast.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, July 29, 2011 11:08 PM
> Subject: [nagdu] Dogs and Taxis
>
>
>>I tell folks at the cab company or others out of consideration for space.
>>If they refuse Then I get ugly!  I also have the advantage of living about
>>100 yards from our major cab company, well I can just go down there and
>>complain!  Or maybe put some Holly presents on there doorstep!  Most folks,
>>
>>when they see how well Holly behaves they love picking us up!  I do have a
>>probblem with the way dispatchers put out the call about transporting a
>>dog!  It sort of depersonalizes us.  Also, sence I have had to transport my
>>
>>pet, who does behave but not as well as Holly, I imagine that some
>>confussion could arise about whether the call involves pet or service dogs.
>>
>>I usually don't tell restraunts, hospitals or anyone else though.  I figure
>>
>>unlike me, most folks are not blind and can see Holly doing her work.  They
>>
>>can obviously see how well she is traind as well.  Any questions and I also
>>
>>have her ID which I carry right along with my own.
>> Intelligence is always claimed but rarely proven!
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