[NAGDU] Air travel forms

Fri Dec 4 13:15:29 UTC 2020

Hi, I am new to this list. I am from Australia and are currently waiting on my fourth dog. I have been told they have a match and I know a bit about my new dog but because of restrictions around the virus we aren't able to train until the new year.

It has been a number of years since I flew with a dog and I never had to fill out a form like yours. However, I was told I had to have proof my dog was a trained Seeing Eye Dog with me on check in. I always carry the card the school gave me with the rules for service dogs and the card the school now gives with photo ID. However, a number of times I have turned up ready to show the cards and the person on the check in counter has just looked over the desk and seen my dog was in harness and that was enough proof for them. Most of the time the airline supplied a mat for the dog but it was so small and the dog scrunched it up into a ball before we took off. They describe it as an absorbent mat but it wouldn't even hold a small wee. So, I always travelled with a bath mat which had a rubber back and put that under the dog. The only rule I ever had an issue with was when they said that the dog would have to be attached to the seat by her harness. I couldn't see the reason behind this and thought it would be rather uncomfortable for the dog. In the end they actually just wanted to attached her lead to the base of the chair. Normally I would tie the lead to my leg so I could feel what she was up to so this time I had to keep leaning over to see what she was doing when I sensed her moving.

It has been a number of years since I flew with a dog so maybe things have changed since there and they have gotten better at checking dog's ID. I only ever flew with my first dog and she died in 2011 and since then all my dogs have had ID tags from the school so it is easier to proof they are qualified but I have never had to test it.

Well better start getting ready for bed. I'm just debating weather or not to put the bucket on my dog's head overnight. We had him at the vet's today for a sore on his foot so he isn't allowed to lick it. At the moment he is sleeping and leaving it alone but I'm not sure if he will do that all night. The problem with the bucket is he thinks when he has it on he can't move so I need him to be able to get a drink over night so it is a bit of a problem. I guess I will just have to see what happens tonight and if it looks like he is licking tomorrow night he will be sleeping with the bucket on no matter if he likes it or not.

Talk later.
>From Shaz.
Canberra, Australia.

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Julie Johnson via NAGDU
Sent: Friday, 4 December 2020 5:13 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Julie Johnson <julielj402 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Air travel forms

This document and the rules as I understand them look completely reasonable, fair and long overdue.  In an ideal world we would not need to fill out paperwork to confirm the obvious, but I am continually reminded that quite a few adults cannot act like adults.  If this is what it takes to fly with less drama then so be it.  I’m not completely convinced this will stop the shananogins, but at least signing a document where the person is reminded that lying in this instance is a crime, will hopefully cut  down on the drama, at least a little.

A big thank you to Jenine for working so hard on this for so long.  I know the long meetings with no clear conclusions were very wearing.  There was a lot of disagreement during the process of developing these rules.  Thank you for fairly representing all guide and service dog users, including those who owner train!

Julie

Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 3, 2020, at 11:37 AM, Jenine Stanley via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> From the PDF document containing the full text of the final rule: 
> 
> 
> Warning: It is a Federal crime to make materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements, entries, or representation knowingly and willfully on this form to secure disability accommodations provided under regulations of the United States Department of Transportation (18 USC Section 1001).
> 
> DOT logo
> 
> US Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form
> 
> Service Animal Handler’s Name
> Phone
> Service Animal User’s Name (if different from Handler) Phone Service 
> Animal Handler’s Email Animal’s Name Description of the Animal 
> (including weight)
> 
> Animal Health followed by a bold line
> Checkbox: [Insert Animal’s Name] is vaccinated for rabies.  Date of last vaccination.  Date vaccination expires in the dog.
> Checkbox: To my knowledge [Insert Animal’s Name] does not have fleas or ticks or a disease that would endanger people or other animals.
> Veterinarian’s Name (signature not required) Phone
> 
> Animal Training and Behavior followed by a bold line
> Checkbox: [Insert Animal’s Name] has been trained to do work or perform tasks to assist me with my disability.
> Name of Animal Trainer or Training Organization Phone
> Checkbox: [Insert Animal’s Name} has been trained to behave in a public setting.
> Checkbox: I understand that a properly trained dog remains under the control of its handler.  I understand that a properly trained dog does not act aggressively by biting, barking, jumping, lunging, or injuring people or other animals.  It also does not urinate or defecate on the aircraft or in the gate area.
> Checkbox: I understand that if [Insert Animal’s Name] shows that it has not been properly trained to behave in public, then the airline may treat [Insert Animal’s Name] as a pet by charging a pet fee and requiring [Insert Animal’s Name] to be transported in an FAA-approved pet carrier.
> Checkbox: To the best of my knowledge, [Insert Animal’s Nam] has not behaved aggressively or caused serious injury to another person/dog.  If you cannot check the box above, please explain.
> 
> Other Assurance followed by a bold line
> Checkbox: I understand that [Insert Animal’s Name] must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered at all times in the airport and on the aircraft.
> Checkbox: I understand that if [Insert Animal’s Name] causes damage, then the airline may charge me for the cost to repair it, as long as the airline would also charge passengers without disabilities to repair the similar kinds of damage.
> Checkbox: I am signing an official document of the US Department of Transportation.  My answers are true to the best of my knowledge.  I understand that if I knowingly make false statements on this document, I can be subject to fines and other penalties.
> Signature of the Service Animal Handler Date
> 
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