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

Thu Dec 3 01:52:28 UTC 2020

Remember that the new rule only says that airlines can require paperwork. Also, some airlines like American have had on their books for quite some time a provision that says they can ask to see a rabies certificate. They have not enforced it, but the option has been there for years.

I don't like being required to show any forms, but I always have kept a copy of Alamo's rabies certificate as an image on my smart phone just in case. I haven't fully read the new rule, but unless there is something ridiculous like requiring updated forms every month I can cope. Given the amount I travel in a "normal year", I'm not going to worry about a requirement that may or may not ever be mandated by the airlines.

Best Regards,

Michael Hingson

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU On Behalf Of Jordan Gallacher via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, December 2, 2020 5:36 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jordan Gallacher <jordangandoliver at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] PLEASE READ: U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Final Rule on Traveling by Air with Service Animals

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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