[nagdu] self identification

Sat Nov 23 22:09:44 UTC 2013

Hey Michael,

I'm curious as to why you say the bulkhead seats are not safe. I travel all the time and have been in just about every seat with my guy dog but I've never had any issues so I'm curious about what you're basing this off of.

Thanks and have a good day.

Mike Malarsie 
www.malarsie.com

> On Nov 23, 2013, at 3:25 PM, "Michael Hingson" <Mike at michaelhingson.com> wrote:
> 
> 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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