[nagdu] self identification

Fri Nov 29 05:56:55 UTC 2013

When was the last time that you flew with Southwest? Can you provide a link
to this policy?

Thanks,
Nicole

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cindy Ray
Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2013 11:34 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] self identification

I never self-identify. Sometimes the airlines decide they must make a
different boarding pass for me that says I have a emotional support animal.
Mostly it seems no issue. I know that when Southwest said I must ride in the
bulkhead because it was their policy, I looked up their policy and it said
the same thing as the Air Access Act does. Don't know about U.S.Air. I like
to preboard; I do that anyway without notifying them in advance, and this
works every time. The only reason I do it to get the dog in before others
are around. Maybe I should even stop doing that.
CL

On Nov 23, 2013, at 1:27 PM, "Michael Hingson" <Mike at michaelhingson.com>
wrote:

> 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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