[nagdu] Extra seats?

[GARY STEEVES]

Hi Daryl:

The issue here goes beyond company policy. It is actually the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) that requires any puvlic carrier to provide a seat space for a service dog over 50 Lbs. Personally I'm a big fan of this rule because my leggie poodle does not so easily curl up into a little ball in the same manner that labs seem to be able to do. However, I appreciate the issue. As an example, I was flying West Jet last fall and because it was a one way flight booked while on a Courage Canada programs trip to Alberta, I forgot to call their medical desk to add Bogart to my ticket as per their policy. When I called the day before the flight I was informed that the flight was full and I couldn't fly because there would be no seat for my dog. It is only a one  hour flight so I was willing to wave my rights. I had to go several levels of supervisors up to do this. In the end magically an empty seat appeared for Bogart beside me and everything was fine.

When I travelled on VIA Rail in eastern Canada with Bogart he actually got his own ticket. I'm sure he was pleased with that.


So I'm very much for this legislation we have in Canada and wish it existed in the states as well but I agree with the ADA in that we should be able to politely turn down an accomondation if we do not feel we need it.

Cheers

Gary

----- Original Message -----
From: Daryl Lang via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
To: Marion Gwizdala <blind411 at verizon.net>, NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 07:16:16 -0700 (MST)
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Extra seats?

Thanks, Marion,
I felt terrible on yesterday's bus trip because Jenny and I had two seats to oursrlves, and I think I heard someone wanted to buy a ticket. The dfiver said they were sold out. I didn't say anything because I am not sure what I heard, but I feel put over a barrel here!  Our law in Canada is much less clear.

Daryl and Jenny (who prefers the single seat because it's cozy!)

On November 1, 2014 8:19:53 PM MDT, Marion Gwizdala via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>Daryl Marie,
>
>	Here is an excerpt from the Americans with Disabilities Act Section
>501(d) which can be found at 42 USC 12201.
>
>(d) Accommodations and Services. Nothing in this Act shall be construed
>to
>require an individual with a disability to accept an accommodation,
>aid,
>service,
>opportunity, or benefit which such individual chooses not to accept.
>
>With kind regards,
>Marion Gwizdala
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Larry D
>Keeler
>via nagdu
>Sent: Friday, October 31, 2014 11:41 PM
>To: Daryl Marie; NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide
>Dog
>Users
>Subject: Re: [nagdu] Extra seats?
>
>I usually envite someone to sit with me. And, when the driver isn't
>looking,
>they move over and sit.
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Daryl Marie via nagdu" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Friday, October 31, 2014 5:58 PM
>Subject: [nagdu] Extra seats?
>
>
>> Hi!
>>
>> Others have spoken about this, but I would love an opinion.
>>
>> I travel frequently from Edmonton to Calgary by bus.  The company
>that 
>> our blind sports organization has an agreement with insists that two 
>> seats be assigned for me and my guide dog.  Even though I have made
>is 
>> perfectly clear that there is enough room for jenny and I in a single
>
>> seat, they block off two seats for us and insists that it is company
>policy.
>>
>> This is not something I wish them to do, I have made that perfectly 
>> clear on each trip I have taken, but am at a loss on whether to
>pursue 
>> this, and if I do, in what direction?
>>
>> I am interested in opinions and advice... I will make this very
>clear, 
>> I do NOT seek out the extra seat, have turned it down and told them
>to 
>> give it to someone else, etc. I DON'T WANT IT!  So don't jump down my
>
>> throat about receiving special treatment.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Daryl
>>
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-- 
Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.
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