[nfb-talk] Question about screening Service Animals and Their users.

[David Evans]

Dear Sur,

I am not concerned with getting a pat down.
I am asking "Why" can I and my guide dog not go through the scanners like most everyone else.
What makes that impossible?
I am a Nuclear/Aerospace Materials Engineer.  Therefore I think that I can well understand any technical reasons that you might present.
What makes it possible, for me to pass through the scanners and not my dog?
What dangers are there that prevent him, but don't effect me?
If I remove his leash and harness,and pass it through the X-ray machines along with my lap top and other carry-on baggage.  Why then can I not place a nylon leash and collar on him and let him accompany me through the full bodies scanners.
We both can stop in the middle and I can raise my arms and if needed I will train him to raise his leg or lie down and roll over so you can see all sides.
I was kidding about raising the leg, but I don't like to be treated any different than my sighted peers.  I am asking these questions as if I am investigating Why I should let and accept the TSA being able to segregate and treat me differently than everyone else.
I want to hear the reasons that would allow TSA to discriminate against me and my guide dog Jack.
If I can go through the scanner physically, then why can not Jack, who is smaller and not bigger or smaller than many a human child?
I am sure that the National Association of Guide Dog Users would like to know also.
It seems to me that anywhere a person can just walk through the scanners and out the other side, instead of having to have someone put hands on them, it would be better and faster for all concerned.
I will wait to hear your explanation.  "Its just the policy" is not enough here.

David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Thackeray, Brewster 
  To: David Evans 
  Sent: Friday, November 26, 2010 11:59 AM
  Subject: RE: Question about screening Service Animals and Their users.


  Dear Mr. Evans,

   

  You aren't the first person I have heard from who read this release as you did, but I'm glad to be able to tell you that you and most other people who are blind will not face additional screening beyond what they previously did. Although you would not be able to go through the advanced imaging technology machines that have recently been introduced, you still can proceed through standard metal detection just as you always have. As in the past, if you and your dog pass through separately, and neither alarms, neither of you will get a pat-down. If either of you do alarm, then whichever of you does would be patted down. 

   

  We want to encourage all travelers to plan ahead to avoid setting off alarms if possible. 

  I hope that you will have a pleasant travelling experience.

   

  Sincerely,

   

  Brewster Thackeray

   

  Brewster Thackeray

  Senior Policy Advisor 

  Office of Disability Policy and Outreach TSA-33

  Office of the Special Counselor

  Department of Homeland Security

  Transportation Security Administration

  601 South 12th Street, E11-202S

  Arlington, VA 20598-6033

   

  571/227-4831

  brewster.thackeray at dhs.gov

   

   

   

   

   

  From: David Evans [mailto:drevans at bellsouth.net] 
  Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 2:39 PM
  To: "ODPO atbrewster.thackeray"@tsa.dhs.gov
  Subject: Question about screening Service Animals and Their users.

   

  Dear MS. Basha,

   

  I am a Blind man and a service animal user.

  As I understand the letter, It says that I must under go a pat down and can not use the scanners.

  I would just like to know why?

  Is it my dog or is it me that can not go through the scanner.

  I am a Nuclear/Aerospace Materials Engineer and would like to know why I and my dog can not go through the scanners.

  I can remove my dogs harness and pass it through with my other carry on's and can use only a nylon leash to guide my dog and to stand in the scanner with arms raised to be scanned.

  If the pat down is the only way, I can put up with it, but I would like to have the option if I can to be screened like everyone else.

   

  I can be reached at:  drevans at bellsouth.net  .

   

  Yours,

   

  David Evans

  19601 Carolina Circle

  Boca Raton, Fl. 33434

  Home: (561) 482-5684

  Cell: (561) 789-2488