[nagdu] FW: airline placement of dogs and bulkhead related issues

Fri Dec 28 00:49:13 UTC 2012

Hello Michael and all,
Yes, that is the argument that I give airlines when I fly, is the 
fact, that if they are under the seat they will not bounce around 
if there are turbulants.
I feel that the dog is safer under the seat in front of me, and I 
have made this argument with airlines to the point, that they 
have almost kicked me off the plane but when I told them to go 
and find the law that says I have to sit in the bulkhead, they go 
off and look for it and come back and say ok, you are right.

Robert Stigile
phone: 818-381-9568
e-mail: rstigile at gmail.com
Skype: robertstigile1
Twitter: rstigile

 ----- 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 sent: Thu, 27 Dec 2012 08:15:23 -0800
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-need
s/in
 dex-pol
 ._html

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