[NAGDU] Airlines/preboarding

Tue Dec 13 20:02:05 UTC 2016

I wouldn't recommend sitting in the bulkhead. I fly a lot, and some
planes have a first class seat in front of the bulkhead as someone
mentioned, or even nothing at all, which does give your dog more room.
However, many of the bulkheads have a wall in front of you. This
includes some Delta planes. Since there isn't a seat for the dog to go
under, they will have to take up your legroom, and possibly the person
next to you's as well if they don't curl up. Trust me, it's not
comfortable. The airline agents and flight attendants don't understand
this issue and will always claim that the bulkhead has more room.

Mike

On 12/8/16, Raul A. Gallegos via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hello Dan the man, no shoving is done as implied. So, I'm only assuming
> you were being sarcastic. It's a simple technique of having the dog go
> in back end first into the seat space. When his rump reaches the window
> seat, you gently help him turn into the space of the seat in front of
> your window seat. The end result is that his back is under the stet, and
> his body comes out to your feat. As Stacie mentioned, in the case of her
> dog Cash, he likes that much better than being out in the open. When I
> get my own dog in the next month and we fly, I will do the same with him
> as well. I don't feel safe flying in bulkhead.
>
> However, I also realize that what works for one person may not work for
> others. So, all I can do is make friendly suggestions and offer my
> opinions on what works best.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> --
> Raul A. Gallegos
> Assistive Technology Trainer
> “Any teacher that can be replaced with a computer, deserves to be.” –
> David Thornburg
>
> Voice/Text: 832.554.7285
> Office: 832.639.4477
> Personal Email: raul at raulgallegos.com
> Work Email: training at rgats.com
>
> On 12/6/2016 9:49 AM, Dan Weiner via NAGDU wrote:
>> Well then please tell me how you shove our dog under a seat anjd get them
>> to
>> stay there, and don't say things like " "oh just apply what they taught
>> you
>> at school".  Not being sarcastic, geuninely curious, who knows I might
>> try
>> it.
>>
>> Dan the man
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Stacie Hardy
>> via
>> NAGDU
>> Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2016 10:42 AM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Cc: Stacie Hardy
>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Airlines/preboarding
>>
>> 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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