[NAGDU] southwest new guide lines:

[Michael Forzano]

Agreed. With Southwest in particular there is never a need to let them
know in advance, since there is no pre-assigned seating.

Mike

On 8/16/18, Aleeha Dudley via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> It bothers me that airlines are “strongly encouraging” passengers to inform
> them of their service animal before arrival at the airport. That just makes
> it feel like they almost demand it, and nowhere does it say that you are not
> required to notify.
>
> Aleeha
>
>
>
> Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows
> 10
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> on behalf of Sherry Gomes via NAGDU
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2018 1:17:59 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Cc: Sherry Gomes
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] southwest new guide lines:
>
> My friend is flying to visit me today from Washington State to Denver. He
> called me from the gate a while ago. When he checked in, the person at the
> counter asked if he dog is an emotional support dog. The dog was in
> harness,
> with a pretty big sign saying Guide Dogs for the Blind. LOL. My friend just
> laughed and said, no, this is a real service dog, a guide dog, and that's
> all there was to it.
>
> Sherry
> Sherry.gomes at outlook.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Janell via NAGDU
> Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2018 11:24 AM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: nellie at culodge.com
> Subject: [NAGDU] southwest new guide lines:
>
> FYI:
>
>
>
> Southwest Airlines is changing its policies beginning September 17, 2018
> to
> limit service animals to be dogs, cats, and miniature horses, and to
> classify psychiatric service animals as service animals. Confusingly,
> American classifies psychiatric service animals as emotional support
> animals. All the more need for the DOT regulations.
>
>
>
> Southwest (this link will select the Trained Service Animal tab by default;
> select the Emotional Support Animal tab to see that policy):
> https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/unique-travel-needs/customer
> s-with-disabilities-pol.html#unique_travel_needs_allergies_disabilities_pol_
> tab_list_tab_10
>
> American (this page covers both service and emotional support animals):
> https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/service-animals.jsp
>
>
>
>
> Caribbean Cruise Ships August 14, 2018
>
> (6:15 p.m.  EDT) --
>
> Royal Caribbean has updated its policy on emotional support animals.
>
> Emotional support animals -- defined as those whose sole function is to
> provide comfort or emotional support -- are no longer allowed onboard its
> ships; emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals under
> the
> Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).
>
>
>
> Service animals, which support people with both physical and mental
> disabilities, are still covered under Royal Caribbean's policy; they are
> permitted in all public areas, including dining venues, as long as they are
> on a leash or harness.  Disabilities that might require service animals
> include blindness, deafness and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
>
>
>
> "We are changing our policy, but the policy is being changed to better
> differentiate between emotional support animals and service animals because
> they are two very different things," a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told
> Cruise Critic.
>
>
>
> "Service animals that are formally trained and certified to perform a
> function are still welcome onboard with the proper paperwork and
> certifications.
>
>
>
> "We just want to be able to give all our guests great vacations, and the
> reality is some emotional support animals aren't properly trained."
>
>
>
> Royal Caribbean added that its director of accessibility and disability, as
> well as its travel agent partners with disabilities, were heavily involved
> with the process of determining how its policy should change.
>
>
>
> On Cruise Critic's Royal Caribbean forum, members expressed their feelings
> on the news.
>
>
>
> Cruise Critic member Don'tNeedAName said, "This is good, but as some above
> have alluded to, this is a very tough policy to enforce.  There is no ADA
> certificate for a service dog --merely a definition. .
>
> Nonetheless, there
>
> will always be rule-breakers, but that doesn't mean the rules shouldn't be
> in place.  If nothing else, hopefully the fact that Royal now has this rule
> on the books it at least makes one or two people rethink their actions."
>
>
>
> Cruise Critic member cruzer_3 added: "Never bothered me seeing dogs on the
> ship.  This new change doesn't bother me either.  To each their own.  I've
> always made the best out of all my vacations and will continue to do so."
>
>
>
> Cruisers who require service animals should notify Royal Caribbean's access
> department at the time of booking.
>
>
>
>
>
> Janell and Rosy
>
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