[NAGDU] My concerns regarding the DOT service animal forms

[Bryan Gearry]

I just booked some flights with Delta and have ran into a very pleasing 
situation. I started to fill out the DOT forms (already had one on file) 
and the Delta Rep (Accessibility dept.) told me that I would not have to 
file a DOT form till March of 2025. I do not know whether that is tied 
to rabies Vaccines or not (which 3-25 is when due for another Rabies 
vaccine). I could not believe it so I called the accessibility desk 
again yesterday and this agent told me the same thing.  I just called 
Alaska Air and their policy is not as cut and dry, but once your in 
their system (you get a registration number or ID for your dog), when 
you go to fill out their form, it is tied to the DOT form and 
repopulates the form so as not to have to fill it out again. They use a 
3rd party vendor called Open Doors. It is also tied to the expiration of 
rabies vaccine. So it appears if you do the 3 year rabies vaccine, you 
need to fill out form only every 3 years. As far as Hawaiian, they seem 
to figure out a new complicated way to do these forms every time you 
book a ticket. Hopefully some one who lives and flies inter-island can 
shed some light on this.   The snow is coming down the 
mountains....Hawaii is looking awful good right now!   Erin and bryan

On 9/13/2023 12:03 PM, Melissa Allman via NAGDU wrote:
> Hi there. Southwest makes you bring the form to the gate. Here’s a link to their service animal page.
> https://www.southwest.com/help/accessible-travel-assistance#unique_travel_needs_allergies_disabilities_pol_tab_list_tab_10
>
> From: Elizabeth Campbell <batescampbell at gmail.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2023 3:08 PM
> To: Melissa Allman <MAllman at seeingeye.org>
> Cc: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>; TXAGDU List <txagdu at nfbtx.org>; jpare at nfb.org
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] My concerns regarding the DOT service animal forms
>
> Hi Melissa, thanks for your note I am flying on Southwest airlines.
> Also, Mike Evers I wanted to let you know that Nfb legal folks and our national Association of nine dog users are working very closely on this issue. I know that since the department of transportation first propose these forms that we have been fighting hard against them.
>   However it is my understanding that the DOT has refused to budge on this issue.
>
>
> On Wed, Sep 13, 2023 at 11:50 AM Melissa Allman <MAllman at seeingeye.org<mailto:MAllman at seeingeye.org>> wrote:
> Hi Elizabeth. Yes, this remains frustrating to put it mildly. Would you be willing to share which airline you are dealing with, as they all handle this differently unfortunately?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org<mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of Elizabeth Campbell via NAGDU
> Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2023 12:44 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org<mailto:nagdu at nfbnet.org>>; TXAGDU List <txagdu at nfbtx.org<mailto:txagdu at nfbtx.org>>; jpare at nfb.org<mailto:jpare at nfb.org>
> Cc: Elizabeth Campbell <batescampbell at gmail.com<mailto:batescampbell at gmail.com>>
> Subject: [NAGDU] My concerns regarding the DOT service animal forms
>
> Good morning all,
> I am writing to let you know about a frustrating experience I'm having with a task that should be simple, which is to complete the required U.S.
> Department of Transportation form for traveling with our service animals.
> I am taking a couple of flights on a different airline as I usually fly American which allows us to complete a form once a year and simply enter a service animal ID number when booking our travel.
> However, as has been said previously in town hall discussions and other meetings, we don't have that option when flying other airlines.
> Today, I tried completing the form, but I kept getting a popup window, even with the latest version of Adobe and the latest version of JAWS for Windows which prevented me from finishing the task.
> I even called Aira  and talked to an agent who tried to help me via the Microsoft Quick Assist app, but she ran into the same roadblocks.
>
> I believe we have accessibility issues on two fronts including completing the DOT form using software that is preventing us from completing tasks because of a popup that won't go away unless one reboots the computer.
> Then, we seem to have an issue with Adobe itself.
> It's my understanding that we should be able to complete the accessible PDF without jumping through hoops.
> Now, I will need to email the form to one of my work colleagues who has Adobe in hopes that he can help me finish the form.
>
> Thanks all for reading. I know that I am preaching to the choir so to speak, but this convoluted and unjust requirement for us who have already paid for our airline travel must stop. We should not be penalized just because we choose to utilize our service animals to further our independence.
> --
> Elizabeth Campbell
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