[NAGDU] Another Airline Question

Sun Sep 16 23:35:59 UTC 2018

I agree with Jenine; The Department is currently in the process of writing new implementing regulations and such things can be put into the regs, so, by all means, please file a complaint so they know what is going on out there!

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 Jenine Stanley via NAGDU
Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2018 2:50 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Jenine Stanley
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Another Airline Question

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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