TSA wants pax to remove service dog's collar
Jul 11, 2012, 4:35 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ATL
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TSA wants pax to remove service dog's collar
While going thru security yesterday at SMF, I saw a woman in the next line with a handicapped child in a wheelchair and a service dog. The child was cleared with a minimal patdown - the screener was very gentle and considerate. The mother was directed to the magnetometer. She made the dog sit and stay, and walked thru, still holding the long leash. When the dog came thru, the metal on its collar and leash alarmed. The man in charged wanted them removed, and the mother refused, saying it was against the rules. After much discussion, he finally relented and allowed her to pass. All he had to do was run his hands over the collar and leash to see there was no threat. 
Jul 11, 2012, 5:53 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
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While going thru security yesterday at SMF, I saw a woman in the next line with a handicapped child in a wheelchair and a service dog. The child was cleared with a minimal patdown - the screener was very gentle and considerate. The mother was directed to the magnetometer. She made the dog sit and stay, and walked thru, still holding the long leash. When the dog came thru, the metal on its collar and leash alarmed. The man in charged wanted them removed, and the mother refused, saying it was against the rules. After much discussion, he finally relented and allowed her to pass. All he had to do was run his hands over the collar and leash to see there was no threat.
If your service dog alarms the walk through metal detector, the Security Officer will ask your permission and assistance before they touch you [sic] service dog and its belongings. The Security Officer will then perform a physical inspection of your dog and its belongings (collar, harness, leash, backpack, vest, etc.) The belongings will not be removed from your dog at any time.
Jul 11, 2012, 7:46 pm
#4
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Jul 11, 2012, 8:10 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
While going thru security yesterday at SMF, I saw a woman in the next line with a handicapped child in a wheelchair and a service dog. The child was cleared with a minimal patdown - the screener was very gentle and considerate. The mother was directed to the magnetometer. She made the dog sit and stay, and walked thru, still holding the long leash. When the dog came thru, the metal on its collar and leash alarmed. The man in charged wanted them removed, and the mother refused, saying it was against the rules. After much discussion, he finally relented and allowed her to pass. All he had to do was run his hands over the collar and leash to see there was no threat.
Jul 12, 2012, 8:43 am
#7
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 68
That's pretty terrible really, considering the prevalence of service dogs nowadays and the information about them that is widely available. But you still get the odd cafe and restaurant owner who doesn't know the rules and orders the dog to be left outside.
Guess no matter how much education you make available to people, you can't make them read it or understand it.
Guess no matter how much education you make available to people, you can't make them read it or understand it.
Jul 12, 2012, 11:42 am
#8
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Mike
Jul 13, 2012, 6:37 am
#10
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Jul 13, 2012, 7:01 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
The inspection process may require that the handler to take off the monkey’s diaper as part of the visual inspection.