[NAGDU] Another Airline Question

Sat Sep 15 18:49:57 UTC 2018

To add to Marion’s message, even though the DOT may not fully investigate your complaint, they do want filing on issues as a means of tracking during this period of reduced enforcement. Yes, I asked that very question. We need to let them know that the small things matter just as much in the civil rights struggle as the big ones. 

> On Sep 15, 2018, at 1:12 PM, NAGDU President via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Alysha,
> 
> 	The DOT will only act upon complaints of actual violations, though
> in some instances, they might respond to specific policies to avoid the
> procedural process. For instance, if an airline staff member said you would
> need to provide paperwork for your dog at the gate, they might not act upon
> such a complaint unless you were actually asked for paperwork at the gate.
> On the other hand, if an airline published a policy stating you were
> required to produce paperwork at the gate before boarding, DoT may intervene
> at this point to advise the airline that such a policy would violate the
> ACAA. I hope this makes sense.
> 
> Marion
> 
> 
> Marion Gwizdala, President
> National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU)
> National Federation of the Blind
> (813) 626-2789
> President at NAGDU.ORG
> Visit our website
> Follow us on Twitter
> 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 Alysha via NAGDU
> Sent: Friday, September 14, 2018 6:05 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Cc: alysha.jeans at gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Another Airline Question
> 
> Thanks to everyone who has responded. I have a 60 lb. lab, so nothing out of
> the ordinary. But even though this is pretty minor in the grand scheme of
> things, I'm quite fed up with airline issues! Would it be worth reporting
> this to DOT now, or would it be best to wait and see how things go at the
> airport? If by some miracle I have no problems boarding the flight, would
> this still be an ACAA violation? It does seem like a good idea to report
> this to DOT since I think these questions on weight and breed are becoming
> standard for many airlines, but I can't help thinking I'm making a bigger
> deal of this than I should. I'm trying to restrain myself now from replying
> to United's email saying that I'm looking forward to traveling with my guide
> dog and am not concerned with whether or not they add him to their records!
> 
> Thanks,
> Alysha
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of NAGDU President via
> NAGDU
> Sent: Friday, September 14, 2018 1:52 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: NAGDU President <blind411 at verizon.net>
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Another Airline Question
> 
> Alysha,
> 
> 	I would simply ignore their requests for information. On May 16 when
> the DOT issued the advance notice of proposed rule making, they also issued
> specific enforcement priorities they intended to focus upon. Some of them
> were issues related to service animals, breed restrictions, and  advance
> notification. If I were you, I would file a complaint with the DOT and send
> the email you have received.
> 
> 	We have an excellent relationship with the enforcement office and,
> if you would like us to help you pursue this, please let me know.
> 
> Fraternally yours,
> Marion
> 
> 
> Marion Gwizdala, President
> National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc. (NAGDU) National Federation of
> the Blind
> (813) 626-2789
> President at NAGDU.ORG
> Visit our website
> Follow us on Twitter
> 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 Alysha via NAGDU
> Sent: Friday, September 14, 2018 1:42 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Cc: alysha.jeans at gmail.com
> Subject: [NAGDU] Another Airline Question
> 
> Since all the new service animal policies have been instituted, I've had
> trouble with airline employees hassling me at the gate for not notifying
> them in advance about my dog. I'm usually all for advocacy and education,
> but the gate agents don't listen to a word I say even when I pull up their
> own policies on my phone to show them, and my frustration level with this is
> going through the roof. So in order to avoid this drama for an upcoming trip
> with United, I caved and indicated that I have a guide dog when I bought my
> tickets. A few days later, I got an email from them with a subject line that
> partially read "New SSR Request" asking what service my dog performs and
> what are his weight and breed. Maybe I'm just being stubborn, but I really
> think that the only piece of info they need is what service he performs. I
> answered the email saying that as I indicated in my reservation, I have a
> guide dog. Well, they emailed me back saying that if I don't answer all
> their questions, they won't be able to add my animal. Does anyone know why
> they need to know my dog's weight and breed, and am I required to provide
> that info? Also, what does SSR stand for? Are they going to flag me as
> needing assistance at the airport? I'm tempted to just ignore their emails,
> but I know this will just cause more issues when I arrive for my flight.
> Thanks for any insights!
> 
> 
> 
> Alysha
> 
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