[nagdu] airline placement of dogs and bulkhead related issues

[Cindy Ray]

No, there are no loopholes in the policy. The crew is expecting they know more than you and that you will not push back on what they are saying. If someone in authority is telling you that you can't do something because it is the company policy, they expect you will believe them. As for them buying that the dog is safer in other seats because of the bounce factor, I hadn't thought of using that one.

CL

On Dec 27, 2012, at 11:14 AM, Margo and Arrow wrote:

> 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
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
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>>> 
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>> 
>> 
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