[NAGDU] FW: Department of Transportation's Recent Guidance Regarding Traveling by Air with Service Animals

[Tracy Carcione]

Received this yesterday.

Tracy

 

 

From: The Seeing Eye [mailto:advocacy at seeingeye.org] 
Sent: Monday, August 12, 2019 5:08 PM
To: Tracy Carcione
Subject: Department of Transportation's Recent Guidance Regarding Traveling by Air with Service Animals

 



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Dear Seeing Eye Graduates:

As you may know, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued some guidance last week concerning traveling by air with service animals. Here is some information that we should keep in mind as guide dog handlers.

The guidance issued by DOT does not change the current law or regulations concerning air travel with service animals. DOT is expected to issue new regulations for traveling with service animals in the not too distant future and we will let you know when we have more information about that. For now though, the Air Carrier Access Act and corresponding regulations are still in full force. This new guidance, entitled “Final Statement of Enforcement Priorities Regarding Service Animals,” tells us where DOT will focus its limited enforcement resources in response to complaints it receives under existing law. For example, DOT makes it clear that it will not tolerate airlines imposing breed restrictions on passengers traveling with service animals. It also will take action against airlines that require people with guide dogs to provide advanced notice that they are traveling with their dog at or before check-in. However, DOT states as follows: “we do not intend to take action against an airline for asking users of any type of service animal to present documentation related to the service animal’s vaccination, training, or behavior, so long as it is reasonable to believe that the documentation would assist the airline in making a determination as to whether an animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.”

What does this mean for Seeing Eye graduates? We do not expect any major changes for guide dog handlers traveling by air as a result of this guidance. However, we suggest that for the time being, you carry your dog’s complete vaccination records and your Seeing Eye ID when you fly. These documents should be sufficient proof of your dog’s vaccination, behavior, and training if you are asked to present documentation at the gate. This does not mean that you should automatically expect to have to show these documents when you fly. Airlines should only be asking for them in specific cases where they need information to help them determine if an animal is a threat. We do not know how the individual airlines are going to interpret this part of the guidance and we want you to be prepared so you do not miss a flight.

We will be watching carefully to see if the airlines make any changes to their policies in light of this guidance and we will provide you with further updates as appropriate. Always remember, if you believe that an airline has discriminated against you because you are traveling with your Seeing Eye dog, you have the right to ask for a Complaints Resolution Official (CRO).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call The Seeing Eye at 973-539-4425 and ask to speak to Melissa Allman or just say you have a question about advocacy if you don’t remember my name. If you prefer, you can send me an email at advocacy at seeingeye.org. As always, The Seeing Eye is here to help and support you in any way we can as our graduate community continues to deal with these challenges.

Melissa R. Allman
Senior Specialist, Advocacy and Government Relations
The Seeing Eye

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