[nagdu] airline placement of dogs and bulkhead related issues

[Margo and Arrow]

Michael, I agree with what you're saying. I am just saying that the Southwest policy itself has loopholes that crew members could try to use and apparently they did with Cindy. 

Margo and Arrow

----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Hingson <info at michaelhingson.com>
To: "'Nagdu Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" nagdu at nfbnet.org
Date: Thursday, December 27, 2012 11:16 am
Subject: [nagdu] FW: airline placement of dogs and bulkhead related issues

>
>
> Hi,
> 
> Concerning the issue of flight crews having wiggle room with the ACAA
> language, in reality, there still is no loophole.  Some airlines can try to
> insist that our dogs must be by the window to prevent emergency exits from
> rows.  If a guide dog is placed under the seat in front of us in a
> non-bulkhead row even this issue mostly goes away since then the blockage is
> no worse than people's feet being in the isle.
> 
> By the way, I believe the most important reason for not sitting in the
> bulkhead at ANY TIME is a safety one.  Dogs sitting in bulkhead rows can
> bounce around during turbulent conditions while dogs under the seat in front
> cannot.  In addition, it is easier to control a dog confined in this manner
> than one who has more room to move and panic in the bulkhead.  Even on small
> short-range aircraft there is room to put most dogs under the seat in front
> of us.  I always fly this way whether it be on Southwest, American, or any
> other airline.  Flight crews do not actually have a say in the matter. 
> 
> 
> Best,
> 
> 
> Michael Hingson
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cindy Ray
> Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2012 07:05 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Southwest Airlines: Customers with Disabilities
> 
> It does leave them a little loophole, but they really can't with a straight
> face say it is their policy that you are to sit in the bulkhead with your
> dog. It really isn't and cannot be. Their response to my complaint said that
> tye are aware of it. And their crew is going to say what they will no matter
> what their policy is because they, and may other folks, too, believe that we
> must do as we are told and will want to intimidate us.
> 
> CL
> 
> On Dec 26, 2012, at 8:34 PM, Margo and Arrow wrote:
> 
> > Well, that's great, but, this lea"es loopholes open for crew members to
> state the dog would obsthuct evacuation unless the dog is in the bulkhead or
> whatever designated seating they designate.
> > 
> > Southwest should have a clause stating that people are not required to sit
> with their assistance animals in the bulkhead but can choose their seating
> except for exit rows, I guess.
> > 
> > Margo and Arrow
> > 
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Steven Johnson <blinddog3 at charter.net>
> > To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
> > nagdu at nfbnet.org
> > Date: Wednesday, December 26, 2012 7:02 pm
> > Subject: [nagdu] Southwest Airlines: Customers with Disabilities
> > 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> Cindy,
> >> You may already have this information, but their on-line information
> states:
> >> 
> >> Trained Assistance Animals
> >> 
> >> Southwest Airlines welcomes trained assistance animals on all of our 
> >> flights. Except when too large to be safely accommodated, a trained 
> >> assistance animal traveling with and providing assistance to a 
> >> Customer with a disability will be accommodated in the aircraft 
> >> cabin. In accordance with federal safety regulations, the animal must 
> >> be positioned so as not to obstruct Customers' expeditious evacuation 
> >> in the unlikely event of an emergency.
> >> 
> >> 
> >> http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/unique-travel-needs/in
> >> dex-pol
> >> ._html
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> nagdu mailing list
> >> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nagdu:
> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/margo.downey%40ver
> >> izon.net
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > nagdu mailing list
> > nagdu at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nagdu:
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/cindyray%40gmail.co
> > m
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/info%40michaelhingson.com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/margo.downey%40verizon.net