[Njagdu] FW: Recent changes in U.S. airport screening process

[Vincent Chaney Jr.]

Information For Anyone Traveling With a Guide Dog/Service Animal:

Please share this with anyone whom travels with a Guide Dog through airport security. This is vital information to understand the laws, rules and what to expect when we are traveling...

Vinny
Vincent G Chaney Jr
732-251-8650
President, NFBNJ Diabetes Division
President, NFBNJ New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users
Vice President, NFBNJ Technology Division
Webmaster: nfbnj.org http://www.nfbnj.org

-----Original Message-----
From: The Seeing Eye, Inc. [mailto:info at rhartigan.bmsend.com] On Behalf Of The Seeing Eye, Inc.
Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2012 3:20 PM
To: Vincent Chaney
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.