[nfbwatlk] Fw: Information about TSA and service animals

[Mike Freeman]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "debby phillips" <semisweetdebby at gmail.com>
To: <wcb-l at wcbinfo.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 3:58 PM
Subject: [Wcb-l] Information about TSA and service animals


>A friend sent this and what with all the news about airport 
> security lately, I thought folks might find this of interest.  
> What To Expect If You Are Blind Or Visually Impaired And Use A 
> Service Dog
> If you are blind or visually impaired and use a service dog, both 
> you and
> your dog will have to go through screening.
> What Choices, If Any, Do You Have in the Screening Process?
> You will not be eligible for screening using Advanced Imaging 
> Technology
> (AIT).
> You can choose to undergo Walk Through Metal Detector (WTMD) 
> screening, or
> request a pat-down.  A pat-down may be conducted in a private 
> screening area
> by an officer of the same gender.
> IF YOU AND YOUR DOG GO THROUGH THE WTMD TOGETHER AND ALARM, BOTH 
> OF YOU WILL
> HAVE TO UNDERGO ADDITIONAL SCREENING.
> 1. To resolve the passenger alarm, the Transportation Security 
> Officer
> (TSO) will conduct a pat-down to verify that no prohibited items 
> are
> present.
> 2. Since your dog's harness most likely contains metal, the TSO 
> will
> need to physically inspect your dog and its belongings (collar, 
> harness,
> leash, backpack, vest, etc.) in order to resolve the alarm.  
> Although the
> dog's harness will not be removed, it and other items that ssthe 
> may be
> carrying such as a backpack are subject to screening.
>  IF YOU AND YOUR DOG WALK THOUGH THE WTMD INDIVIDUALLY AND ONE 
> OR BOTH OF YOU
> ALARM
> Additional screening will be conducted as described above on 
> whoever causes
> the alarm.
> 
> 
> WHAT YOU CAN DO TO FACILITATE THE SCREENING PROCESS
>  1. Inform the Security Officer that the animal accompanying you 
> is a
> service animal and not a pet, and carry appropriate 
> identification to verify
> this fact.
>  2. Inform the Security Officer how you and your dog will walk 
> through
> the WTMD (walking together or with the service dog walking in 
> front or
> behind you).
>  3. Keep control of your service animal while the TSO conducts 
> the
> screening.
> 
> 
> WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU EXPECT
>  The TSO should:
>  .. Offer to assist you in placing your accessible property on 
> the x-ray
> belt.
> . Provide you with verbal instructions regarding the screening
> process.
> . Allow you to stay with your dog throughout the entire 
> screening
> process.
> . Allow you to go to the front of the screening line if you 
> choose to
> do so.
> . Allow you to go to the front of the line to be re-screened 
> when you
> have to leave the checkpoint to take your animal to a service 
> animal relief
> ea.
> 
> 
> WHAT ARE SOME OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
>  If you leave the sterile area to relieve your dog, you will 
> have to undergo
> the entire screening process again.  When you return to the 
> security
> checkpoint, however, you are entitled to move to the front of the 
> screening
> line to expedite the process.
>  Medication for service animals is permitted through security 
> checkpoints
> once it has undergone x-ray or visual inspection screening.  All 
> liquids,
> gels, or aerosols will have to undergo Liquid Container 
> Screening.
> 
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