[NAGDU] PLEASE READ: U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Final Rule on Traveling by Air with Service Animals

Thu Dec 3 01:47:16 UTC 2020

For me, it depends on the manner of the paperwork. If airlines provide a
checkbox that states "I attest that my dog behaves" or something similar, I
have no problem with that. If the form is something which is difficult to
get, difficult to submit, etc, I will have to reevaluate whether a dog is
for me, and what options I have moving forward. When my choice to use a
service animal becomes more burdensome than not using a service animal,
then I really have to, in my mind, weigh the pros and cons of guide
ownership again, and decide if the pros outweigh the cons. If the process
of flying is made more stressful than it already is because of this
paperwork, and if I fly often, then my choice becomes a bit more clear.

On Wed, Dec 2, 2020 at 5:37 PM Jordan Gallacher via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> No more flying for me.  I refuse to show or have to show paperwork.
> Jordan
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Scott Wilson via NAGDU
> Sent: Wednesday, December 2, 2020 8:34 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <
> nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Scott Wilson <s.wilson661 at icloud.com>; Blind Talk Mailing List <
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org>; NFB Talk Mailing List <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] PLEASE READ: U.S. Department of Transportation
> Announces Final Rule on Traveling by Air with Service Animals
>
> I am glad they finally came to some sort of a decision, and it’s not as
> bad as it could’ve been. Although I am still disappointed to see that we
> have to provide paperwork. At least we don’t have to show up hours in
> advance to show our paperwork and have our dogs evaluated by somebody who
> probably is not even qualified. All in all I guess it could’ve been a whole
> lot worse. And one thing I’m very glad about! No more emotional support
> animals!
>
> > On Dec 2, 2020, at 6:05 PM, Raul A. Gallegos (NFB) via NAGDU <
> nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >
> > Hello all, I am sharing this with our various NFB lists. While we will
> be able to better answer questions and assist folks with clarification
> within the next several days, you are always welcome to email me directly
> at rgallegos at nagdu.org. Also, the NAGDU board can be reached directly by
> emailing board at nagdu.org. Because this topic has the potential to become
> rather sensitive, I ask everyone to be respectful of other opinions if they
> are different than yours.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > The U.S. Department of Transportation, DOT, has announced its final rule
> on Traveling by Air with Service Animals. This final rule amends the
> Department’s Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulation on the transport of
> service animals by air. Quoted from the website,
> https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/final-rule-traveling-air-service-animals,
> "This final rule is intended to ensure that our air transportation system
> is safe for the traveling public and accessible to individuals with
> disabilities."
> >
> > The full PDF can be downloaded from this same link, but here are some of
> the changes.
> >
> >
> > The final rule:
> >
> > ·        Defines a service animal as a dog that is individually trained
> to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability;
> >
> > ·        No longer considers an emotional support animal to be a service
> animal;
> >
> > ·        Requires airlines to treat psychiatric service animals the same
> as other service animals;
> >
> > ·        Allows airlines to require forms developed by DOT attesting to
> a service animal’s health, behavior and training, and if taking a long
> flight attesting that the service animal can either not relieve itself, or
> can relieve itself in a sanitary manner;
> >
> > ·        Allows airlines to require individuals traveling with a service
> animal to provide the DOT service animal form(s) up to 48 hours in advance
> of the date of travel if the passenger’s reservation was made prior to that
> time;
> >
> > ·        Prohibits airlines from requiring passengers with a disability
> who are traveling with a service animal to physically check-in at the
> airport instead of using the online check in process;
> >
> > ·        Allows airlines to require a person with a disability seeking
> to travel with a service animal to provide the DOT service animal form(s)
> at the passenger’s departure gate on the date of travel;
> >
> > ·        Allows airlines to limit the number of service animals
> traveling with a single passenger with a disability to two service animals;
> >
> > ·        Allows airlines to require a service animal to fit within its
> handler’s foot space on the aircraft;
> >
> > ·        Allows airlines to require that service animals be harnessed,
> leashed, or tethered at all times in the airport and on the aircraft;
> >
> > ·        Continues to allow airlines to refuse transportation to service
> animals that exhibit aggressive behavior and that pose a direct threat to
> the health or safety of others; and
> >
> > ·        Continues to prohibit airlines from refusing to transport a
> service animal solely based on breed.
> >
> > The final rule will be effective 30 days after date of publication in
> the Federal Register.
> >
> > --
> > Raul A. Gallegos
> > President: National Association of Guide Dog Users First Vice
> > President: National Federation of the Blind of Texas
> > 832.554.7285  |  RGallegos at nagdu.org
> >
> > "Blindness is a characteristic, not a handicap." -- Dr. Kenneth
> > Jernigan
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > d.com
>
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-- 
Best,

Nimer Jaber

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