[NAGDU] Flying, part 2

Thu Jun 22 15:45:09 UTC 2023

Technically, they are supposed to provide the forms at the airport,,,, 
and are supposed to make reasonable efforts to allow a person to fly 
even if they didn’t fill out the form ahead of the 48 hour window. In 
practice, they are making no effort whatsoever and are either denying 
people or only letting them on the flight at the very last minute after 
saying that they would not allow them on the flight at all.

It’s pretty disastrous. We are working on it in every way we can.

/Æ

On 22 Jun 2023, at 11:26, Michael Forzano wrote:

> My interpretation has been that they are supposed to make the forms
> available at the gate regardless, however, based on Al's email, it 
> sounds
> as if airlines are actually interpreting this as the form is only made
> available at the gate if the flight was booked within 48 hours of 
> departure.
>
> Just another reason we need to do something about this. I'm glad to 
> here
> there are some options in the works.
>
> -Mike
>
> On Wed, Jun 21, 2023 at 10:37 PM Sarah Calhoun via NAGDU 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
>
>> The only attestation forms that can be used are the ones composed by 
>> the
>> Department of Transportation. When signing the form(s), you are 
>> stating to
>> DOT the information is truthful and correct.
>> If airlines want to require these forms, it is up to each airline to 
>> make
>> them accessible.
>> it is not mandatory for airlines to require these forms, but there is 
>> a
>> lot of misunderstanding surrounding this fact.
>> Along with the release of these DOT attestation forms, DOT stated 
>> airlines
>> who require these forms must make them available at the gate.  We 
>> know this
>> is not being followed. I recommend, each time you fly you have a 
>> completed
>> up to date form with you, even if you have completed forms on-line or 
>> the
>> airline has joined with Open Door Organization and use their system.
>>
>> Sarah
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Al Elia via NAGDU
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2023 8:21 PM
>> To: Christina Moore <moorechristina107 at gmail.com>
>> Cc: Al Elia <al.elia at aol.com>; NAGDU Mailing List, the National
>> Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Flying, part 2
>>
>> Everyone:
>>
>> 1. You need to check your airlines website for their particular
>> requirements. Each airline has a different process for providing your 
>> DOT
>> form electronically if you book more than 48 hours in advance. You 
>> should
>> also re-check  the airline website each time you book a new 
>> reservation, as
>> several airlines have changed their procedures. It is all very 
>> frustrating.
>> You should be able to find information on your airlines service 
>> animal
>> procedures by googling your airline’s name plus service animals.
>> 2. You should always use the DOT form, not the form provided by the
>> airline with their logo/name on it. All airlines must accept the DOT 
>> form.
>> However, airlines have been refusing to accept forms with other 
>> airlines’
>> branding.
>> 3. MAke sure that if you bring a copy of the form with you to the 
>> airport,
>> you  bring one that has your signature’s date after the date you 
>> booked
>> your fglight. Also, keep in mind that you will need to check and 
>> comply
>> with any processes for providing the form more than 48  hours in 
>> advance of
>> your flight if you booked mor  than 48 hours in advance.
>> Bringing the form to the airport is not an acceptable alternative to
>> whatever processes your airline has on its website unless the airline
>> clearly states that all you need to do is bring the form with you to 
>> the
>> airport.
>> 4. NFB and NAGDU are working on a petition to amend the regulations 
>> about
>> flying with a service animal to reduce the barriers blind folks 
>> encounter
>> when flying with a guide dog. We are also working with legislators to 
>> enact
>> a pre-check for service animals pilot program that would eliminate 
>> the
>> requirement to deal with the DOT forms for program participants.
>>
>> We will be discussing the problems and solutions to our flyinhg with 
>> our
>> guide dogs  at our seminar and business meetings in Houston. I hope 
>> to see
>> you all there.
>>
>> Yours,
>>
>> /Æ
>>
>> Al Elia
>> NAGDU Board member
>>
>>
>> On 21 Jun 2023, at 9:22, Christina Moore wrote:
>>
>>> Yeah when I fly, I keep the form with me. I think they are good for 
>>> a
>>> year or so but I could be off on that timing.
>>> Does anyone know if you switch airlines you have to use that 
>>> airline's
>>> form? I did do the new form when I flew the different airline back
>>> last September but not sure if you can use the same form since it is
>>> pretty much the same thing just a different airline on it.
>>> Christina
>>>
>>> On Wed, Jun 21, 2023 at 8:50 AM Tina Thomas via NAGDU
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I would keep my DOT service Dog from with me.
>>>> When I was flying United March 12 2023 from Minnesota, I was 
>>>> stopped
>>>> and asked if I had the DOT service animal forms printed out and on 
>>>> my
>>>> person.
>>>> The woman of color asked me to present them. I informed her that I
>>>> had uploaded them on the website, and I had no way to print them 
>>>> out.
>>>> So she went to check the system a couple of times and then she came
>>>> back and said well we did find your form, however, you must have a
>>>> printed copy in the airport. She also asked me if I had a copy of 
>>>> the
>>>> forms on my phone and I said yes only  Because yes I did but still.
>>>> Everyone, be vigilant and be safe when traveling to and from
>>>> convention. I’m sure this issue is going to show up one way or
>>>> another. We are still far removed from the day after civil rights.
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> NAGDU mailing list
>>>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>>> for
>>>> NAGDU:
>>>>
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/moorechristina107%
>>>> 40gmail.com
>>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NAGDU mailing list
>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NAGDU:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/sc-tico%40att.net
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NAGDU mailing list
>> NAGDU at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NAGDU:
>>
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/michaeldforzano%40gmail.com
>>