[NAGDU] Airlines/preboarding

Tue Dec 13 20:24:47 UTC 2016

The nice thing about using Delta's disability desk is that they know the 
layout of each aircraft and can pick out a seat that will accommodate 
you and your pup safely and comfortably.  One agent I worked with 
suggested the second row of comfort seats behind the seats at the solid 
bulkhead, and on another occasion suggested a flight half an hour later 
that had a curtained bulkhead so Claire could slip under the seat in 
front and leave me with lots of leg room.

David and Claire Rose in Clearwater, FL

On 12/13/2016 3:02 PM, Michael Forzano via NAGDU wrote:
> 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
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> NAGDU:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/savedbygrace0421%40gmail.
>>>> com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> NAGDU:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/blind411%40verizon.
>>>> net
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> NAGDU:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/stacieandcash%40gma
>>>> il.com
>>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> NAGDU:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/dcwein%40dcwein.cnc.net
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> NAGDU:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/raul%40raulgallegos.com
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NAGDU mailing list
>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NAGDU:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/michaeldforzano%40gmail.com
>>
> _______________________________________________
> NAGDU mailing list
> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/david%40bakerinet.com