[nagdu] self identification

Sat Nov 23 21:25:21 UTC 2013

Fear not.  They will hear about this. 

Best,

Michael Hingson

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jenine Stanley
Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2013 12:22 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] self identification

And I'd hope, Michael, that if you don't file a complaint under the ACAA
against US Air for what they stated to you about their policy, which is
illegal under said ACAA, then they'll just keep doing it, whether you self
identify at the ticket ordering stage or at the airport.

Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com
http://www.twitter.com/jeninems

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael Hingson
Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2013 2:27 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] self identification

Genine,

While I understand your reasoning for self identification, the fact is that
the airlines make up the rules as they go, and they are good at intimidating
people who may not be strong enough to resist their extreme lack of
sensitivity, knowledge of the law, and common sense.  For these reasons I
usually do not identify in advance.  Here is a case in point.

Last Saturday I made a reservation on US Air.  (I usually use American as I
am executive Platinum on AA and can get most places with them.)  However,
because AA didn't fly where I needed to go I chose to fly US Air as it was
the best choice for my needs for a particular flight.  Given the experience
Al Rizzi had and because I wanted to get the full experience of how US Air
would treat me I decided to try an experiment and identify that I was
traveling with a guide dog.  Usually I do not so identify as I can simply
request in advance the seat I want and get it.  (I refuse to fly in the
bulkhead as it is unsafe and so that is not an issue.).

Anyway, immediately upon identifying the existence of my guide dog I was
told that US Air's policy was that I would be required to sit in the
bulkhead row.  I simply flat out said "no" and that I would be sitting
elsewhere.

After being put on hold for five minutes the agent came back to inform me
that she, with her supervisor's permission, put me in a non-bulkhead seat,
but that I might be changed back to the bulkhead at the airport.  The agent
switched my seat even though she had said that US Air's policy was that I
had to sit in the bulkhead row?  Really?  So much for a "policy".

I have no specific knowledge of the US Air policy, but I will learn it.
However, it doesn't matter.  The ACAA does not require me to sit in the
bulkhead nor even by a window.  Many blind passengers do not have my level
of experience and may not fight as hard.

I realize that at the airport people may also have the same fight to fight.
Even so, the fight is less likely if the airline has less time to make up
rules or become entrenched in a position.  If you think it is bad for blind
people with guide dogs I submit that people in wheelchairs often have even
more difficult times.  I have seen this happen with my wife, Karen, almost
every time we fly.

Finally, self identification should not be necessary as we should not have
to be singled out as a class.  If you really can make a case for needing to
identify yourself and your guide in advance to get a specific seat, and if
that works for you, then so be it.  If, for example, you feel that you need
the bulkhead then I can understand advance notice being given to the
airlines as that will be the only way you get that seat.  I would say again,
however, that bulkhead seats are arguably unsafe for guide dogs.  As a
result, Since most guide dogs will fit under non-bulkhead seats advanced
self identification is unnecessary and can only lead to more fights and
difficulties just as with taxis. 

Best,

Michael Hingson

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jenine Stanley
Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2013 07:46 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: [nagdu] self identification

Marion, 

I agree with you in most cases. Self identification just is not necessary as
someone working with any type of assistance dog. 

Air travel though is a bit different in a couple ways. I do self identify
there because: 

1. It's a very restricted environment. It's not like another plane will just
pull up to take you where you want to go. 
2. I want to pre-board for very specific reasons, to get the seat I want,
which I'm pretty proactive about, and to get all dog-related issues settled
ASAP so I can plug in and tune out. :) 3. But most importantly, under the
Air Carrier Access Act, if I want a specific seat or type of seat as an
accommodation for dog, I have to self identify, at least 48 hours before the
flight. 

So there ya go. 

Do I do this with taxi cabs, restaurants, stores, etc.? Absolutely not. 

Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com
http://www.twitter.com/jeninems

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