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Viewing Travel Tips for Flying with Service and Guide DogsTravel Tips for Flying with Service and Guide Dogs
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You deserve to enjoy traveling and experience all the wonders that able-bodied people can. It is your right. That is why there are strict laws in place to protect you and your rights. However, you must prepare carefully when you plan to fly. By Darlene Siddons The first thing that you should research is which airlines fly to your destination, then find out which one has a non-stop flight. Your return ticket should also be non-stop. Then if you have a choice of airlines, find out which one has the least restrictions for your service animal. That is the one with which you should book your tickets. You can make your reservations online. However, once you get your ticket with all of your flight information, be sure to call the customer service department of the airline and state your needs and requirements. Make sure they indicate them on your ticket information. This is the time to request bulkhead seating and to remind them that the Americans with Disabilities Act states that guide dogs and service animals are permitted to travel with their humans on public transportation. When the special requests are in place, ask them to email you a copy of the updated information. Then be sure to do all of this for your return ticket, as sometimes this information is not automatically put on the return ticket. Also get the name of the service representative and a direct phone number for the service department in case you need to call back for any reason. While you are talking with the service representative, be sure to ask about the exact documentation and requirements for your service animal with that airline. Remember that each airline may have individual requirements and certificates in order for your service animal to accompany you while flying. These requirements must be current, and usually can be completed by your veterinarian. Carry these papers with you along with your tickets and boarding passes. Your service animal is not considered a pet, so it is in a separate category, and you should not be charged any extra costs to have it board with you. Do remember that you will need to get clearance and will be subject to quarantine laws where you are landing. Be sure all of that research is done prior to leaving so that you are not separated for any length of time. When you get to the airport, your guide dog and all of its equipment will need to be physically inspected right along with yours. Inform the inspection station of the best way to inspect your dog and be very clear, as only you know your animal's training. If your dog has been trained that it is off duty when its equipment is taken off, be sure to indicate to the inspector that he/she should leave the harness, etc. on, and do not let inspection personnel separate you from your animal. Once your guide dog has been cleared for travel, flying with your dog should go smoothly. It gives you freedom to know that you can enjoy traveling and experience all the wonders that able-bodied people can, which of course is your right. That is why there are strict laws in place to protect you and your rights. About the Author: Darlene has been an active traveler, and most of it was done as a single traveler. She was traveling alone long before it was a popular thing to do for women. To make the story even more interesting, she is a polio survivor and uses a walker and a small scooter to be mobile when she travels. She, needless to say, is a Specialist in Traveling with Disabilities and can personally assist you in all of your mobility traveling needs. She knows the right questions to ask, to get the right answers. Of course, she can assist mobile and active customers with the same expertise. as she is a Personal Travel Specialist also. Darlene Siddons Travel. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com) |
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