Easy Travels; Service Dog and All

By Javier Robles

Traveling is one of my favorite things to do; it is also my least favorite. My wife, daughter, son and service dog concur with this statement. Mainly, because they have traveled with me and know I do not pack lightly; a short list includes:

• One Power Wheelchair (300 Pounds)
• Battery Charger
• Cushions
• Camera and lenses
• Tripod
• 14 catheter trays

This list is just the beginning and does not include clothes, shoes, lotions, potions, etc. I am “high maintenance” to say the least. Maybe I could leave the camera and case home now and then? Maybe? However, it is not traveling with things or people that make it hard on someone with a disability.

What makes it hard for someone with a disability to travel is the “human factor”, or sometimes a lack of humanity. People with disabilities who are unprepared to travel in today’s world better think twice before boarding.

The following have all occurred to my family and I while traveling:

• ten-hour trip to Hawaii turned in to a huge pressure sore from extended seating.
• Waited 6 hours for a ride from Miami Airport to South Beach, although it had been reserved and confirmed. Reason: We do not have a lift-equipped van available. To which I answer - No Shit!
• Airport personnel while connecting my battery pack switched polarities and fried the wheelchair computer. What I said: Oh No! Where is that smoke coming from?
• Power chair returned by airport personnel resembled molten metal artwork. What I said: What the f@#% $%&&* *(^##%.
• While in Mexico we decided to see the sites, cruise bus style; not a good idea. I asked the tourist and my new bride to assist me (lift) out of my wheelchair, up the steps and into a seat. My pants dropped halfway to the seat (no underwear) with the whole bus watching. What they said: Oh My God!

The bottom line is that traveling can be a real test of patience for people with disabilities. Therefore, here is some helpful travel information from your friends at ThisAbled.com. Happy trails.

Air Travel

• Inform the airline ahead of time that you will be traveling with a service animal.
• Be on time. This usually means an hour and a half early for domestic flights and two hours for international ones. If transferring assistance will be needed always be early and alert the personnel at gate check-in.
• Although not technically required, if you have a service animal identification card bring it with you.
• If your dog wears a vest or harness have them dressed in it.
• Walk your companion right before boarding if possible. Ask the airport security where you could walk your dog.
• Do not provide your animal with too much water or food before the flight. It is sometimes better to feed them after the flight is over. The water intake before the flight should be very restricted; you do not want your dog to have an accident mid-flight (Yes, they have accidents too.)
• During the security check be prepared to have your dog patted down by hand or scanned with an electronic wand. In addition, the dog may be walked through the same scanning machine used for humans. If the dogs’ uniform has pockets make sure they are free of dangerous or flammable materials, such as, knives, lighters, screwdrivers etc. These items will be confiscated and disposed of by security. See the TSA Permitted and Prohibited Items List
• The person will also be screened by the security personnel and may be patted down, checked with handheld wand or both. The pat down is more likely to occur if the person uses a wheelchair. The person and chair may be swabbed for chemicals or explosives. This usually involves shoes or chair being swiped with a “gauze like” material that is then inserted into a machine that looks for these substances. See the DOT Fact Sheet
• The service animal is expected to be under your control at all times. Do not allow it to roam freely anywhere in the plane or airport. Keep the animal from interacting with other passengers as this may cause them to be distracted.
• To file a complaint against an Air Carrier just click and download the following application: the DOT PDF Form
• Note: Always check that the place you are traveling to have similar laws to the United States when it regards service animals and your rights as handler. Many places have quarantine laws which require you to leave your dog for a certain period of time. This includes Hawaii in the United States.

Train Travel

Traveling with a service dog on a train can be a chaotic experience if one is not well prepared. If going from one city to another within the same State boundaries traveling with a service animal may not require much preparation. However, here are a few quick pointers:

Local Trains

• Be on time. This usually means at least 45 minutes early when it comes to train travel.
• Always ensure that the stations you are coming from and traveling to are accessible if you use a wheelchair, scooter or other mobility device. Calling the transportation provider ahead of time is suggested.
• Be careful of raised platforms that require elevator access as elevators can break. This is especially important if your destination station has a malfunctioning or broken elevator. Nothing ruins your day faster than being stranded on a platform. One option is to get on the next train hop off at an accessible station and come back on a train to the station. You will want to insure that the elevator on the other side is working before your trip. Another, option is to call the local fire department and see if they can carry you and service dog to street level.
• Tell the conductor exactly what you need in order to board the train with your dog. Under no circumstance may a train conductor deny a person with a disability access to a train because they use a service animal, such as a guide dog or service dog.
• Watch The Gap! Sometimes when boarding a train you may encounter a gap between the train and platform. This gap can be extremely dangerous to service animals and their handlers. If you use a mobility device ask the conductor for a “Bridge Plate”, which fits in the gap between the platform and train. This plate will provide you and your dog a safe way onto the train.
• Sit in an accessible train car that has space designated for wheelchair access. This allows more room for your dog. If the space is taken you may ask the conductor to clear the space for you.
• If you are blind, visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing you may want to advise the conductor what station you will be going to and weather they should alert you of arrival.

State-to-State Travel Via Train

A number of the suggestions made above apply on State-to-State travel as well as local. However, the time required on these trips is considerably longer and may require numerous other accommodations for you and your dog. Amtrak (www.amtrak.com) basically has a monopoly on this kind of travel in the United States. Therefore, our conversation will focus on them.

• To make reservation on Amtrak you must call any of the following:
  Telephone 1-800-USA-RAIL or 1-800-872-7245
  TTD/TTY call 1-800-523-6590
  Note: Ask the booking Agent about the discount for passengers with disabilities and their travel companion (person not dog).
• Reservations can be made up to 14 days in advance but can be booked with as little as 24 hour notice. If booking a sleeper car you will need to give as much notice as possible in order to assure a spot.
• Let the booking agent you are traveling with a service animal and weather you will need “Red Cap” assistance with your luggage, chair or navigating the station.
• In a post 911 world everyone needs some form of identification to travel intrastate, Amtrak is no exception. Besides your boarding pass the conductor may and probably will ask you for 2 forms of ID. Have them readily available.
• Café Cars are usually your best bet if you are just traveling a few hours. Most provide wheelchair access and a table for computers, reading and yes eating.

Did You Know?

If you use your States Para-Transit service you may qualify to use a similar service at the State you will be visiting. This will more than likely require documentation from your current provider to the provider in the other state. The provider in the State you are visiting then will either approve you to be served or not. If approved, most offer only a limited amount of time, such as two or three weeks. Moreover, their States Para-transit rules may differ from your home State. For example, the window for waiting for a vehicle may be longer or the area “shadow route” may smaller. Call providers way ahead of time to insure satisfaction.

Tips for Traveling

• Consider sending your medical or other supplies (in my wife’s case shoes) ahead of time through United States Postal Service (www.usps.gov ), United Parcel Service ( www.ups.com ) or Federal Express ( www.fedex.com ). Do not ship expensive or fragile medical equipment without proper packing and alerting the carrier.
• Call the hotel to hold your items in a safe place and let them know when your shipment will arrive.
• If you have medicine that needs refrigeration most hotels will provide a refrigerator free of charge. You should request it ahead of time if possible.
• This tip is hit or miss. I have had a 50/50 success rate with it. If you need information about the area you are visiting call a local Independent Living Center. All have some sort of Information Department and most have people with disabilities as employees, who know the area.
• Consider purchasing your dogs food at your final destination because dog food takes up space and is heavy.
• If you can afford it, “tip well” or at least appropriately. Front line staff will always remember the person who stiffed them than who didn’t.
• Always check for extremes in weather were you are headed. Especially, if it could affect your disability or your dog does not do well in it. August in Miami is brutal for people and dogs; but in may it is heavenly.

If you have problems at airport, hotel, or transportation provider let management know. Most importantly, have them document the problem; especially if it will involve reimbursement or credits towards future travel. If you’re lucky next time you will be traveling First Class.