Experience flying with a sd!

[MakiraMarlena]

It's my understanding that they can't force you to provide papers saying "yes, this dog is a service animal", if I read the ADA and the ACAA correctly, and the only thing I see is section 382.55, paragraph 1, of the ACAA that says:

Yes. Unless it is a companion, therapy, psychiatric or emotional support animal. Then they can ask for documentation, as animals that are not trained to perform a task (where the owner requires only the animal's presence) are not covered by ADA. Some airlines will accept a doctor's prescription for a psychiatric or emotional support animal.

If you have a service dog that is trained to perform a task, the only thing they can ask is what task the animal is trained to perform. They cannot ask for documentation, certification, proof of training or a demonstration of the task.

Do not pay for early bird. You should be able to preboard with a service dog. That means you would get on the plane with the disability preboards, before anyone else.

 

[gilesmt]

I have flown more than 40 times with my service dog. My dog is a lab, and my first dog was a lab.

Tell security how you want to go thru the process, I do not allow them to touch me or my dog, until after we go thru. This is how my school thought me, have the dog line you up, and tell the security guy to stop being pushy or touching you. Once you are lined up, let go of harness turn to the dog and say stay, again tell the security guy to shut up you know what you are doing. Take just the tip of the leash, and walk backwards thru the machine and tell the security guy to be patient and shut up. Once you are thru call the dog, and once thru tell her to sit. Then tell the security on that side they may touch the dog now. Then give your dog lots of praise for getting thru it again.

Up until about two years ago I always got a bulkhead, but since they started charging more for the leg room they no longer give it to you even if you ask. I asked and was told no so much lately I just quit asking, my dog was trained in school how to sit on a plane. Do go on and board first. Most of the time the dog needs to be sitting facing the seat in front of then they lay down and with your help slide them back as far as they can go. One plane in all the years allow the dog to sit sliding in to the seat in front rather than under mine, you will just have to figure that out yourself. I would suggest that you get the window seat unless you know the person with you and they won't want twenty potty breaks other wise your dog will be stepped on a lot by the window person getting in and out. If you have family and you know they will not get out, than take the isle seat it is easier.

In my 40 plus trips I have never once been asked to prove my dog is a service dog, I have never been asked for documentations. I am not up with ADA but I do think airlines can ask for it, or they definately could up until ADA changed in 2010, and I can not think of any reason why they would have changed that part. So yes airlines can ask for proof, yet as I say I have never been asked. I do know that teachers at my school have told stories of being asked for documentation, although rightfully so they were traveling with a service dog but the dog was not working for them, the dog was being transported by them to school or new handler.

Hope that helps, by the way the only airline I fly that will put me in bulkhead now if asked is jetblue. I fly alaska and delta the most. So I can't say anything about south west since I don't think I every flew with them.

 

[gilesmt]

I have flown more than 40 times with my service dog. My dog is a lab, and my first dog was a lab.

Tell security how you want to go thru the process, I do not allow them to touch me or my dog, until after we go thru. This is how my school thought me, have the dog line you up, and tell the security guy to stop being pushy or touching you. Once you are lined up, let go of harness turn to the dog and say stay, again tell the security guy to shut up you know what you are doing. Take just the tip of the leash, and walk backwards thru the machine and tell the security guy to be patient and shut up. Once you are thru call the dog, and once thru tell her to sit. Then tell the security on that side they may touch the dog now. Then give your dog lots of praise for getting thru it again.

Up until about two years ago I always got a bulkhead, but since they started charging more for the leg room they no longer give it to you even if you ask. I asked and was told no so much lately I just quit asking, my dog was trained in school how to sit on a plane. Do go on and board first. Most of the time the dog needs to be sitting facing the seat in front of then they lay down and with your help slide them back as far as they can go. One plane in all the years allow the dog to sit sliding in to the seat in front rather than under mine, you will just have to figure that out yourself. I would suggest that you get the window seat unless you know the person with you and they won't want twenty potty breaks other wise your dog will be stepped on a lot by the window person getting in and out. If you have family and you know they will not get out, than take the isle seat it is easier.

In my 40 plus trips I have never once been asked to prove my dog is a service dog, I have never been asked for documentations. I am not up with ADA but I do think airlines can ask for it, or they definately could up until ADA changed in 2010, and I can not think of any reason why they would have changed that part. So yes airlines can ask for proof, yet as I say I have never been asked. I do know that teachers at my school have told stories of being asked for documentation, although rightfully so they were traveling with a service dog but the dog was not working for them, the dog was being transported by them to school or new handler.

Hope that helps, by the way the only airline I fly that will put me in bulkhead now if asked is jetblue. I fly alaska and delta the most. So I can't say anything about south west since I don't think I every flew with them.

 

[powellrj]

This is off topic, but it was on facebook this morning and I thought I would post it on this thread:

Fantastic true story A woman was flying from Seattle to San Francisco. Unexpectedly, the plane was diverted to Sacramento along the way. The flight attendant explained that there would be a delay, and if the passengers wanted to get off the aircraft the plane would re-board in 50 minutes... Everybody got off the plane except one lady who was blind... A man had noticed her as he walked by and could tell the lady was blind because her guide dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of her throughout the entire flight... He could also tell she had flown this very flight before because the pilot approached her, and calling her by name, said, "Kathy, we are in Sacramento for almost an hour, would you like to get off and stretch your legs?" The blind lady said, "No thanks, but maybe Buddy would like to stretch his legs." All the people in the gate area came to a complete stand still when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane with a guide dog for the blind! Even worse, the pilot was wearing sunglasses! People scattered. They not only tried to change planes, but they were trying to change airlines! Two tips for the day… 1. Things are not always as they appear and 2. A day without laughter is a day wasted.

 

[bedogged]

This is off topic, but it was on facebook this morning and I thought I would post it on this thread:

Fantastic true story A woman was flying from Seattle to San Francisco. Unexpectedly, the plane was diverted to Sacramento along the way. The flight attendant explained that there would be a delay, and if the passengers wanted to get off the aircraft the plane would re-board in 50 minutes... Everybody got off the plane except one lady who was blind... A man had noticed her as he walked by and could tell the lady was blind because her guide dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of her throughout the entire flight... He could also tell she had flown this very flight before because the pilot approached her, and calling her by name, said, "Kathy, we are in Sacramento for almost an hour, would you like to get off and stretch your legs?" The blind lady said, "No thanks, but maybe Buddy would like to stretch his legs." All the people in the gate area came to a complete stand still when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane with a guide dog for the blind! Even worse, the pilot was wearing sunglasses! People scattered. They not only tried to change planes, but they were trying to change airlines! Two tips for the day… 1. Things are not always as they appear and 2. A day without laughter is a day wasted.

This is a hysterical story! Thank you for taking the time to post it.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I have flown more than 40 times with my service dog. My dog is a lab, and my first dog was a lab.

Tell security how you want to go thru the process, I do not allow them to touch me or my dog, until after we go thru. This is how my school thought me, have the dog line you up, and tell the security guy to stop being pushy or touching you. Once you are lined up, let go of harness turn to the dog and say stay, again tell the security guy to shut up you know what you are doing. Take just the tip of the leash, and walk backwards thru the machine and tell the security guy to be patient and shut up. Once you are thru call the dog, and once thru tell her to sit. Then tell the security on that side they may touch the dog now. Then give your dog lots of praise for getting thru it again.

Up until about two years ago I always got a bulkhead, but since they started charging more for the leg room they no longer give it to you even if you ask. I asked and was told no so much lately I just quit asking, my dog was trained in school how to sit on a plane. Do go on and board first. Most of the time the dog needs to be sitting facing the seat in front of then they lay down and with your help slide them back as far as they can go. One plane in all the years allow the dog to sit sliding in to the seat in front rather than under mine, you will just have to figure that out yourself. I would suggest that you get the window seat unless you know the person with you and they won't want twenty potty breaks other wise your dog will be stepped on a lot by the window person getting in and out. If you have family and you know they will not get out, than take the isle seat it is easier.

In my 40 plus trips I have never once been asked to prove my dog is a service dog, I have never been asked for documentations. I am not up with ADA but I do think airlines can ask for it, or they definately could up until ADA changed in 2010, and I can not think of any reason why they would have changed that part. So yes airlines can ask for proof, yet as I say I have never been asked. I do know that teachers at my school have told stories of being asked for documentation, although rightfully so they were traveling with a service dog but the dog was not working for them, the dog was being transported by them to school or new handler.

Hope that helps, by the way the only airline I fly that will put me in bulkhead now if asked is jetblue. I fly alaska and delta the most. So I can't say anything about south west since I don't think I every flew with them.

Remember though that airlines do not have to comply with ADA. They comply with ACAA regulations and they are not the same as ADA regulations. It would behoove any disabled traveler to familiarize themselves with the differences in what it is required to be done by the two different entities.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I have flown more than 40 times with my service dog. My dog is a lab, and my first dog was a lab.

Tell security how you want to go thru the process, I do not allow them to touch me or my dog, until after we go thru. This is how my school thought me, have the dog line you up, and tell the security guy to stop being pushy or touching you. Once you are lined up, let go of harness turn to the dog and say stay, again tell the security guy to shut up you know what you are doing. Take just the tip of the leash, and walk backwards thru the machine and tell the security guy to be patient and shut up. Once you are thru call the dog, and once thru tell her to sit. Then tell the security on that side they may touch the dog now. Then give your dog lots of praise for getting thru it again.

..........

Are you serious? You actually tell TSA employees to, "shut up," and not be pushy? How many times have you been pulled aside for a special screening due to your rudeness towards security? Why not try being polite?



http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/passengers-service-dogs

 

[gilesmt]

Are you serious? You actually tell TSA employees to, "shut up," and not be pushy? How many times have you been pulled aside for a special screening due to your rudeness towards security? Why not try being polite?



http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/passengers-service-dogs

Yes I do, and I have tried to be nice. But they grab me, push me, grab my shoulder, take the handle of the dog, put there hand up as I start to walk and I walk right into them. They are the rude ones. I have never been pulled aside, but I have stopped the line and demanded a supervisor so I could have the supervisor train the TSA worker while I show him how a blind person with a guide dog should go thru the detective. Which usually does get results, because they do not have the right to touch me or my dog, and I do know what I am doing, I am sorry for those behind me that may have to wait two extra minutes for me, but pushing me, pulling me, taking my dogs harness or leash only slows down the problem, and they give me some of the waste directions of anyone, walk straight and I hit my head, turn around and my dog gets up and moves and does not sit like I told them. Take the hand of the person on the other side, hey if I could see her hand do you think I would have the dog. Take the dogs harness off, why then I can't move at all. THEN when I finally do get thru, my stuff is not there anymore they took it, they don't help to get me my shoes or anything, they go right onto the next person. It is them that are rude and if they would just show respect for a person who needs two seconds more, than it would go so much smoother but when they are grabbing me, pushing me into place, telling me to walk forward, and trying to control my dog than yes, I tell them to stop it and shut up' and yes they have there supervisor called.

Which brings me to the next great thing, if you are flying from California, Oregon, New York and Michigan you have a much better time with TSA, because of the dog schools in those states for the blind, they have trained TSA people who know not to touch the dog or to push you, or pull you or interrupt you in anyway because they know immediately you have been trained and can do it with no help from them. But your out of luck everywhere else, at least that is my experience. And I will be nice when they go to training and learn how to help rather than just push you threw, by man handling you.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Yes I do, and I have tried to be nice. But they grab me, push me, grab my shoulder, take the handle of the dog, put there hand up as I start to walk and I walk right into them. They are the rude ones. I have never been pulled aside, but I have stopped the line and demanded a supervisor so I could have the supervisor train the TSA worker while I show him how a blind person with a guide dog should go thru the detective. Which usually does get results, because they do not have the right to touch me or my dog, and I do know what I am doing, I am sorry for those behind me that may have to wait two extra minutes for me, but pushing me, pulling me, taking my dogs harness or leash only slows down the problem, and they give me some of the waste directions of anyone, walk straight and I hit my head, turn around and my dog gets up and moves and does not sit like I told them. Take the hand of the person on the other side, hey if I could see her hand do you think I would have the dog. Take the dogs harness off, why then I can't move at all. THEN when I finally do get thru, my stuff is not there anymore they took it, they don't help to get me my shoes or anything, they go right onto the next person. It is them that are rude and if they would just show respect for a person who needs two seconds more, than it would go so much smoother but when they are grabbing me, pushing me into place, telling me to walk forward, and trying to control my dog than yes, I tell them to stop it and shut up' and yes they have there supervisor called.

Which brings me to the next great thing, if you are flying from California, Oregon, New York and Michigan you have a much better time with TSA, because of the dog schools in those states for the blind, they have trained TSA people who know not to touch the dog or to push you, or pull you or interrupt you in anyway because they know immediately you have been trained and can do it with no help from them. But your out of luck everywhere else, at least that is my experience. And I will be nice when they go to training and learn how to help rather than just push you threw, by man handling you.

Thanks for being assertive when the Airport Security Screeners are not acting appropriately and not following procedures.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Thanks for being assertive when the Airport Security Screeners are not acting appropriately and not following procedures.

Being politely assertive is fine, so is asking for a supervisor. Yelling at anyone telling them to shut up is not.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Seems pretty clear that pp doesn't just jump into the communications mode that bothers you. It is often difficult to communicate with one's "inside voice" given the background volume at most checkpoints. It may well be necessary to be loud and shocking to get the Airport Security Screener out of their canned monolog and into an attentive mode.

 

[gilesmt]

Being politely assertive is fine, so is asking for a supervisor. Yelling at anyone telling them to shut up is not.

No where did I say I was yelling at them. I might try the word shush first, but it usually does not work with these people. As I say, I travel a lot for work, more than 40 times with a guide dog in 5 years. This is my experience, since it am blind, it will be totally different for someone in a w/c, or with a cane, or with an autistic child. I am telling you my experience, and most of these TSA people, think if they just take over, push and pull the person into the correct line, tell the person they have to walk forward, when the me hi e works just as well if you walk backwards, and they think they can put there hands on you and your dog, and just keep talking until you do it there way. I am blind man handling me is not going to make the line shorter, taking my dogs handle is not going to make me move faster, it is going to endanger my safety and my dogs working. Out of all the professions out there, for a blind person to encounter, I believe this profession is the absolute worst, that is my experience with years of flying, and it is the same with a cane or a dog, they just don't get it they just want the line to move and refuse accommodations, my accommodation is to walk backwards thru the machine so I can still have my dog under my control and get thru without having to set off the machine, my way takes maybe 30 seconds or less if they just let me, if they are pushy, pulling, not allowing me to turn backwards and continuing to put there hands on me to turn me around it has taking up to an hour, and yes once I missed a plan because I needed training to go on before I could leave, but never have I been scanned because of my behavior, I do believe some people may not be working, at least I hope that is the case, but yes I am assertive, but never did I say I yell at them. They don't understand that a blind person uses hearing more than anyone else to tell me what my eyes can't, and there constant talking telling me to turn around, pushing me into place and me having to tell them to stop touching me, just makes it so I can't hear which makes me need a few seconds of quiet to get my barings again. Just like you assuming that I am yelling when I did not say I yelled at them, they think if they just push me or the dog into place it will all go faster, next time it does not say I was yelling, ask before you assume, and that is all I want from them. If you read the post it states, tell them what you want, I tell them and they proceed to go against what I say, and I am a lady, when a man puts his hands on me without my permission, I don't care if it is a cop, or security or a rapist, I am going to tell them to stop and I am going to get upset and mad, especially if I have already told them how this works and that I am trained and have experience doing so.

 

[gilesmt]

Just so people understand this also, I am going by a law that protects guide dogs, so not all service animals fall under this. There is a law in all fifty states that protects me from anyone interfering with the the team work of a guide dog and blind person. When they man handly me or grab my dogs leash or handle, I refer to that law and call a supervisor, they are interfering with the team work of my dog and me.

So I am not advocating that you need to be as assertive, I am not advocating that you say shut up, I am saying what I experience as a blind person, I am saying IMHO tell them what you need, but unless you are protected by a law, which my guide school hands us a copy of and puts it into a laminated business size card, and which I have laminated for each state I enter and make sure I put in my pocket for those TSA people, I advocate you do not be as some say rude. And I am saying, I am never rude until they put there hands on me or my dog, or make it so I can not use my sense of hearing to help me thru. Maybe that is why I have never been scanned further, I pull out the law and show them, I also call the supervisor that there people just interfered with my working dog and man handled me. I also tell the supervisor I am more than willing to help him/her train the staff. I always get an apology. I also should mention I almost always travel alone, so agin rules would change if you had a family member able to help.

 

[bedogged]

Just so people understand this also, I am going by a law that protects guide dogs, so not all service animals fall under this. There is a law in all fifty states that protects me from anyone interfering with the the team work of a guide dog and blind person. When they man handly me or grab my dogs leash or handle, I refer to that law and call a supervisor, they are interfering with the team work of my dog and me.

So I am not advocating that you need to be as assertive, I am not advocating that you say shut up, I am saying what I experience as a blind person, I am saying IMHO tell them what you need, but unless you are protected by a law, which my guide school hands us a copy of and puts it into a laminated business size card, and which I have laminated for each state I enter and make sure I put in my pocket for those TSA people, I advocate you do not be as some say rude. And I am saying, I am never rude until they put there hands on me or my dog, or make it so I can not use my sense of hearing to help me thru. Maybe that is why I have never been scanned further, I pull out the law and show them, I also call the supervisor that there people just interfered with my working dog and man handled me. I also tell the supervisor I am more than willing to help him/her train the staff. I always get an apology. I also should mention I almost always travel alone, so agin rules would change if you had a family member able to help.

Your posts have been very interesting and informative. It would never have occurred to me that blind people would have so much difficulty with TSA. I can't even imagine how it must feel to have people you don't know and can't see touching you. I don't blame you for getting irritated.

 

[JillyBean1899]

Just so people understand this also, I am going by a law that protects guide dogs, so not all service animals fall under this. There is a law in all fifty states that protects me from anyone interfering with the the team work of a guide dog and blind person. When they man handly me or grab my dogs leash or handle, I refer to that law and call a supervisor, they are interfering with the team work of my dog and me.

So I am not advocating that you need to be as assertive, I am not advocating that you say shut up, I am saying what I experience as a blind person, I am saying IMHO tell them what you need, but unless you are protected by a law, which my guide school hands us a copy of and puts it into a laminated business size card, and which I have laminated for each state I enter and make sure I put in my pocket for those TSA people, I advocate you do not be as some say rude. And I am saying, I am never rude until they put there hands on me or my dog, or make it so I can not use my sense of hearing to help me thru. Maybe that is why I have never been scanned further, I pull out the law and show them, I also call the supervisor that there people just interfered with my working dog and man handled me. I also tell the supervisor I am more than willing to help him/her train the staff. I always get an apology. I also should mention I almost always travel alone, so agin rules would change if you had a family member able to help.

Apparently I read your explanation in a completely different tone than the majority of other people. I had a feeling you weren't being outwardly rude to people, that this was your interior monologue. And I totally get where you're coming from. Most people in any sort of service related job have a mental voice that says what we're thinking when we get asked the SAME FREAKING QUESTION for the 500th time that day (especially if it's "where's such and such" when it's right in front of them), but we don't let our mouth say that. If you were as rude as posters here thought you were being, you wouldn't be needing to ask for a supervisor, the TSA agents would have already pulled you aside and called them over to deal with the "unruly passenger". There's a difference between being assertive and flat out rude.