[nagdu] airline placement of dogs and bulkhead related issues

[Michael Hingson]

Margo,

Cindy is right.  It's really not a loophole, but rather it's uninformed
flight crews.  They don't know their own policies.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Margo and Arrow
Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2012 09:15 AM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [nagdu] airline placement of dogs and bulkhead related issues

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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> >> er
> >> izon.net
> > 
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