[NAGDU] [Nyagdu] FW: GDB's Position and Action Plan re: Delta Airlines New Policies for Persons Traveling with Service Animals

Sat Jan 27 16:30:55 UTC 2018

Well, I have to say I wasn't surprised by GDB's response. They are first 
class. I am a graduate from them I received 4 guides from them and I've 
received three from Pilot. I like both schools. I do feel that GDB gets a 
little snootie at times but when it comes to things like this they do come 
through with a well worded response.

Ricky Joe & Pilot Dog Darcy

-----Original Message----- 
From: Albert Rizzi via NAGDU
Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2018 8:01 AM
To: New York Association of Guide Dog Users ; 'NAGDUMailing List, the 
National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Cc: Albert Rizzi ; 'New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users' ; Tracy 
Carcione
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] [Nyagdu] FW: GDB's Position and Action Plan re: Delta 
Airlines New Policies for Persons Traveling with Service Animals

That is a well crafted response, and speaks squarely to the issue for me.

-----Original Message-----
From: Nyagdu [mailto:nyagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione 
via Nyagdu
Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2018 10:51 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Tracy Carcione <carcione at access.net>; 'New York Association of Guide Dog 
Users' <nyagdu at nfbnet.org>; 'New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users' 
<njagdu at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [Nyagdu] FW: GDB's Position and Action Plan re: Delta Airlines New 
Policies for Persons Traveling with Service Animals

Here is GDB's response, which I think is excellent.

Should we all be filing complaints?

Tracy

From: Theresa Stern [mailto:tstern at guidedogs.com]
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2018 6:18 PM
Subject: GDB's Position and Action Plan re: Delta Airlines New Policies for 
Persons Traveling with Service Animals

Please see the note below from Chris Benninger, CEO

**

Dear GDB Alumni:

As you know, last Friday Delta Airlines announced changes to their policy 
for customers traveling with Service Animals.  As promised, we are following 
up with you to share our official position and action plan.

Guide Dogs for the Blind understands the airlines' desire to address the 
ever increasing challenges presented by passengers flying with animals and 
falsely representing them as Service Animals.  Guide Dogs for the Blind 
believes that these animals who have not been trained to behave 
appropriately in public pose a threat to the safety of guide dog teams and 
other passengers. However, it is the position of Guide Dogs for the Blind 
that the proposed policy change at Delta is in direct violation of the Air 
Carrier Access Act. The new regulations are discriminatory in nature and 
cause an undue hardship on individuals who are disabled and who travel with 
the assistance of a properly trained service dog.

-          Requiring service dog handlers to present a health certificate
for their dogs 48 hours prior to flying is discriminatory as it does not 
allow for last-minute or emergency travel. Further, it presents an undue 
hardship on the handler as no other passengers have to submit similar 
paperwork prior to travel.  The Air Carrier Access Act clearly states that 
passengers with disabilities do not need to let airlines know about their 
disability prior to flying.

-          Requiring persons with service dogs to check in "at the counter"
is discriminatory as it does not allow equal access to all services provided 
by the airline including curbside and online check-in.  The Air Carrier 
Access Act was designed to ensure that persons with disabilities would have 
free and equal access to the same services as other passengers.

Further, the proposed policy does not directly address the issue of 
ill-behaved animals and their negative impact on the travel experience for 
people of all abilities.

Guide Dogs for the Blind is requesting a meeting with Delta airlines as well 
as a consortium of other airlines to discuss this matter further and to help 
them develop a solution that does not infringe on the rights of our clients 
and other handlers of legitimate service animals.  If you are also concerned 
about this new policy we encourage you to let your voice be heard. You can 
file a complaint at 
https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/file-consumer-complaint, or by 
phone at : ((202) 366-2220 <tel:(202)%20366-2220> .

We will keep you posted on any further developments.

Very Best,

Christine Benninger, CEO

<http://www.guidedogs.com/> Guide Dogs for the Blind

Guide Dogs for the Blind

Christine Benninger  |  President & CEO

cbenninger at guidedogs.com |  415.492.4188 <tel:+4154924188>
350 Los Ranchitos Road, San Rafael, CA 94903  <http://www.guidedogs.com/> 
GuideDogs.com

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