[NAGDU] Airlines/preboarding

Tue Dec 6 15:42:14 UTC 2016

Hello All,

Hope our email finds everyone doing well and gearing up for the fast 
approaching Christmas holidays. I echo Marion's thoughts regarding this 
topic. My guide dog, Cash, AKA his majesty isn't exactly on the smaller 
end of the spectrum. He's a healthy 85 lbs and 26 inches at the 
shoulders. Fortunately, Cash is a nester, and likes to be in closed in 
spaces. I'm always amazed at how he can make himself fit. Raul and I do 
quite a bit of traveling and have a system in place that works for us. 
Soon, we'll be adding another guide dog to the mix, and I'm sure, he or 
she will fit in just fine. We've had numerous discussions with flight 
attendants regarding our not wanting to sit in the bulkhead. One 
attendant even said he was going to call the "supervisor." That of 
course never happened, I think this guy was spouting out hot air.

--
Stacie Hardy

In every guide dog, there beats the heart of a puppy raiser.
Twitter: @PatriotsGirl7

On 12/6/2016 3:58 AM, NAGDU President via NAGDU wrote:
> Jessica,
>
> 	I, too, am part of a two-dog family. Actually we are currently a
> four-dog family, as we have my wife's retired guide dog and our daughter and
> granddaughter, along with their dog,  are currently living with us while
> their home is being built. When Merry and I travel by airline, we preboard,
> as well. I believe this is respectful of other passengers, as getting our
> dogs situated, especially my little boy, takes some time.
>
> 	I would like to address the bulkhead issue for everyone's
> consideration. I know we have gone through this before, but it deserves
> repeating. About a year ago, there was a story about a toddler sitting on
> its parents lap when the airplane encountered severe turbulence. The child
> was thrown from the parent's lap and was injured. Consider the fact that
> there is no restraint for a dog lying in the bulkhead as there would be if
> the dog were under the seat. Also, my little boy is about 42" long, 30" at
> the shoulders, and weighs in at 110 lbs. When he sits on the floor in front
> of me, I have no room for my 34" legs! Furthermore, if we were to encounter
> the type of turbulence experience by the aforementioned toddler, I would not
> want my 110-pound dog to become a missile in the cabin. I know we want our
> dogs to be comfortable; however, my dog and I are just as comfortable under
> the seat in front of me - even more comfortable than in the bulkhead - while
> being much safer for him and other passengers. BTW, I find seat belts rather
> uncomfortable, as well, but I wear them nonetheless!
>
> 	I realize the choice of seating is a personal preference; however, I
> will continue to urge those with service dogs to consider making the safer
> choice!
>
> Fraternally yours,
>
> Marion Gwizdala, President
> National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU)
> National Federation of the Blind
> (813) 626-2789
> President at NAGDU.ORG
>
>
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise
> expectations because low expectations create barriers between blind  people
> and our dreams. You can live the life you want! Blindness is not what holds
> you back.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jessica Diaz PC
> via NAGDU
> Sent: Monday, December 5, 2016 10:47 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Cc: Jessica Diaz PC
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Airlines/preboarding
>
> Hello,
> My husband and I also are a 2 dog family and we always preboard. For me it
> is just easier and my main concern is getting the bags and dog situated in a
> not crowded environment. Also, as a side note, I use the line with Delta as
> well for requesting the bulkhead. For me when I fly, I want the dog to have
> room. He is big and his comfort matters to me. Delta is our go to provider
> for travel seeing as we use there credit card and always get tons of miles.
> They are awesome.
> Jessica Diaz And Saunders
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Peter Wolf via
> NAGDU
> Sent: Saturday, December 3, 2016 6:05 PM
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Peter Wolf <pwolf1 at wolfskills.com>
> Subject: [NAGDU] Airlines/preboarding
>
> Following up on Sandra's comment.
>
> We do preboard, particularly because we are a two dog family (guide and
> service).  For the airline, it seems to fit their methods naturally to do
> pre boards.  But I am very sensitive to this, and wouldn't care if it was
> preboard, or just a regular seat halfway down the plane.
>
> I know that no matter where we are, or in what seat, I am going to have have
> whole plane load of people behind me, possibly waiting for me.  So.   My dog
> and my luggage are dialed in.  I extend leash after turning right just
> inside the door to enter the center aisle, and tell Metukah "lead".  She
> tows me down the aisle lightly, two feet ahead of me, and I follow.  At our
> seat, we duck her in fast.  Standing, sitting or laying, I don't care, for
> now.  But she goes in and stays there out of the way.  It might even be in
> the seats opposite mine.  No prob because no one's on the flight yet because
> we are preboarding.   Next, I throw the bags right onto the seats or seat
> floor, and get out of the center aisle.  Being first aboard, the overhead
> bins are almost always empty.  Then, if you notice, actually plenty of room
> to stand in front of the aisle seat in our row, and just slip bags up into
> the overhead, like a "layover" basketball shot so to speak, even as people
> walk by in the center aisle onto the plane.  I don't mean throw them - I
> find that I can duck my head up from under the bin at the aisle seat and
> clear the bin, so that I can just reach up and roll in the bag without
> getting out to block the aisle.  Or, if this is a hassle for any of you, I
> also just get in the aisle and do it, but be out of the aisle in 30 seconds.
> That would be if I'm loading my gear and my wife's too.
>
> So for me this isn't about disability, except that it is nice to have pre
> boarded; it's really only a normal courtesy to treat loading in like a
> mission, clear out fast and let people get boarded!
>
> Happy flying!
> Peter
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