[Nfbf-l] Fw: Recent changes in U.S. airport screening process

Wed Jun 6 23:06:22 UTC 2012

good afternoon to all, I thought I would pass this valuable information 
along to my fellow NFBf members.----- Original Message ----- 
From: "The Seeing Eye, Inc." <info at seeingeye.org>
To: "Carlos Montas" <carlos.montas at gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2012 2:13 PM
Subject: Recent changes in U.S. airport screening process

Greetings Fellow Graduates,

The summer months are times of increased travel for many of us and a lot of 
that travel is by air. I’m sending this message to update you on a few of 
the recent changes in the screening process for individuals accompanied by 
service animals going through a security checkpoint at a U.S. airport. I’ve 
also included reminders of how to contact some valuable resources should you 
encounter problems while traveling.

First, recent changes now require that after you successfully go through the 
metal detector, you cannot make contact with your dog (other than holding 
the leash) until the dog has been inspected and cleared by the U.S. 
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel. Even if you walk 
through the metal detector and do not set off the alarm, you can be required 
to undergo additional screening if you touch your dog before it has been 
cleared.

Second, the TSA now requires passengers with service animals to maintain 
contact with their dog’s leash at all times. This means that those 
individuals who in the past handed their dog’s leash to a traveling 
companion or asked their dogs to sit and rest and dropped the leash before 
walking through the metal detector can no longer use these techniques.

Finally, passengers traveling with any kind of animal may now be required to 
undergo explosives trace testing. This process is quick and easy and 
generally takes place after you have cleared security. You may be asked to 
hold your hands out, palm side up. The security officer will then wipe a 
swab about the size of your palm across each of your hands and then ask you 
to wait while a machine analyzes the swab for traces of explosives. This 
process leaves no residue on your hands.

Remember, TSA personnel cannot request that you be separated from your dog 
nor are you required to remove your dog’s harness, leash or collar. If you 
experience any problems at the security checkpoint, you should request that 
a supervisor be contacted for assistance. If you wish to file a complaint 
against the TSA, send a message to: TSA.ODPO at dhs.gov and be sure to include 
your name, address, phone number and email address as well as the date/time 
you went through the security checkpoint, the name of the airport, and the 
name of the airline, flight number & departure gate if known. Give a brief 
description of what happened and include as much as you can remember about 
your experience and the TSA personnel involved.

The TSA recently launched TSA Cares, a new helpline number specifically 
designed to assist travelers with disabilities. You may call TSA Cares toll 
free at 1-855-787-2227 prior to traveling if you have questions about 
screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security 
checkpoint. The hours of operation for the TSA Cares helpline are Monday – 
Friday, 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. Eastern time; weekends and federal holidays, 9 
a.m. – 8 p.m. Eastern time. You can also visit the TSA Cares Web site at

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/disabilityandmedicalneeds/tsa_cares.shtm 
or email TSA-ContactCenter at dhs.gov to request information about screening 
procedures.

If you believe you are experiencing discriminatory treatment by air carrier 
personnel or contractors (e.g., pilots, gate agents, or flight attendants) 
you may request immediate on-site assistance from a Complaint Resolution 
Official, commonly referred to as a CRO. You may also file a complaint with 
the Department of Transportation (DOT) at:

http://airconsumer.dot.gov/CP_DisabilityandDiscrimination.htm

For those wishing to learn more about the rights of individuals traveling by 
air with a guide dog, you may call The DOT’s Disability Hotline at 
1-800-778-4838. The Hotline is available from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. ET, 
Monday through Friday, except holidays.

This message was sent to carlos.montas at gmail.com by info at seeingeye.org

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