[nagdu] TSA Screening of Service Animals

[Angie Matney]

Hello everyone,

I found what I was looking for through a link on Seeing Eye's access page (www.seeingeye.org/access). Here is information from the TSA about the screening process. The direct link is:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1056.shtm

I'm reproducing part of this information below. Note that you will not be required to be separated from your dog; that your dog's equipment and belongings will not be removed from the dog; that if your dog sets off the alarm but you don't, only the 
dog must be searched; and that TSA screeners must ask your permission before touching your dog. Tami, I couldn't find anything directly related to a cavity search, but...I'm pretty sure that's not what the TSA had in mind.

Here's the info:

General 
list of 7 items
" If you have a service animal, you are encouraged to inform the Security Officer that the animal accompanying you is a service animal and not a pet. This
will provide you with an opportunity to move to the front of the screening line since the Security Officer may need to spend more time with you. 

" It is recommended that persons using an animal for assistance carry appropriate identification. Identification may include: cards or documentation, presence
of a harness or markings on the harness, or other credible assurance of the passenger using the animal for their disability. 

" At no time during the screening process will you be required to be separated from your service animal. 

" Security Officers have been trained not to communicate, distract, interact, play, feed, or pet service animals. 

" The Security Officer should ask permission before touching your service animal or its belongings. 

" You must assist with the inspection process by controlling the service animal while the Security Officer conducts the inspection. You are required to
maintain control of the animal in a manner that ensures the animal cannot harm the Security Officer. 

" If you need to leave the secure boarding area to relieve your animal, you must undergo the full screening process again. Inform the Security Officer upon
your return to the security checkpoint and she/him will move you to the front of the screening line to expedite the screening process. 
list end

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Service Dogs 
list of 4 items
" Advise the Security Officer how you and your dog can best achieve screening when going through the metal detector as a team (i.e., whether walking together
or with the service dog walking in front of or behind you). 

" If the walk through metal detector alarms in the situation where you and your service dog have walked together, both you and the dog must undergo additional
screening. 

" If the walk through metal detector alarms on either you or your service dog individually (because you walked through separately), additional screening
must be conducted on whoever alarmed the walk through metal detector. 

" If your service dog alarms the walk through metal detector, the Security Officer will ask your permission and assistance before they touch you service
dog and its belongings. The Security Officer will then perform a physical inspection of your dog and its belongings (collar, harness, leash, backpack,
vest, etc.) The belongings will not be removed from your dog at any time. 
list end