I would have no problem with restricting pets to one car, but you could not legally bar (nor should you want to) a service dog, so it cannot be 100%
Sorry to hear that. Testing indicates that I am allergic to cats and dogs but it has not prevented me from having them as pets. Compared to ragweed and mountain cedar the dander allergy barely even registers. Next time you have a cat visitor see if these suggestions help.I was getting my apartment ready for a cat, and thought the dust from cleaning was triggering allergies, and went for testing. I was right about the dust, but was very disappointed that I was very allergic to dog and cat, both of which I really like.
I, too, am allergic to cats but have had cats all my life. I’ve never had allergy tests, though. Mine is triggered mostly after touching/petting my cat so I always wipe my hand on my clothes afterward or if near the sink rinse my hand.Sorry to hear that. Testing indicates that I am allergic to cats and dogs but it has not prevented me from having them as pets. Compared to ragweed and mountain cedar the dander allergy barely even registers. Next time you have a cat visitor see if these suggestions help.
- Do any brushing outside with the wind behind you
- Wash your hands immediately after touching the cat
- Don't let the cat jump on counters, tables, or furniture*
- Use real HEPA filters for your HVAC and vacuum
- Consider a standalone HEPA filter for your bedroom
*People will tell you that cats cannot be trained but spraying a cat with water can train them to stay off counters and furniture
When my first wife and I were in grad school, we were going to spend New Year's Eve with a high school buddy who had a cat. My wife got such a bad allergy attack that we had to crash at one of other guests' house. A few years later, when we had moved to Baltimore, I got home from a business trip and found my wife had decided to adopt a stray kitten she found in the back yard. She had some allergic reactions at first, but eventually got over it. When we split, she wanted to keep the cat, which I agreed to. She then later adopted a couple more stray cats. Go figure.I was getting my apartment ready for a cat, and thought the dust from cleaning was triggering allergies, and went for testing. I was right about the dust, but was very disappointed that I was very allergic to dog and cat, both of which I really like. (can't have dog where I live) The cat idea got scrapped. I still take care of my neighbor's cat when they are away, take allergy pills that week. I always thought it was hayfever because of the time of year when they take their trips.
I think sleeper should be safer than coach, as the door keeps out some of the smell, even if not all of it. It also offers you the security that you have no direct seat neighbors who may inadvertently spill food crumbs on the floor, on their (or your) clothes etc.Coach would have the same issue as Sleeper as far as someone bringing some seafood to their seat and eating it there, though as far as I know there is no significant seafood available in the Cafe Menu. But that does not prevent someone from bringing their own on board.
I would have no problem with restricting pets to one car, but you could not legally bar (nor should you want to) a service dog, so it cannot be 100%
I have often heard such stories. My mother used to be allergic to cats until she inexplicably adopted a stray cat and then the allergy diminished.When my first wife and I were in grad school, we were going to spend New Year's Eve with a high school buddy who had a cat. My wife got such a bad allergy attack that we had to crash at one of other guests' house. A few years later, when we had moved to Baltimore, I got home from a business trip and found my wife had decided to adopt a stray kitten she found in the back yard. She had some allergic reactions at first, but eventually got over it. When we split, she wanted to keep the cat, which I agreed to. She then later adopted a couple more stray cats. Go figure.
I don't believe that would be legal. My understanding is that service animals can not be restricted from areas of public access.Why should it not be possible to restrict service animals to particular cars.
After all, the allergic mechanisms in your body are not going to make an exception because it is a service animal.
I agree.There are two considerations about service animals and allergies: the law and ethics. The ADA gives service animals priority in the law. Ethics requires compromise if at all possible, for both parties have health needs. Ethical service animal handlers will work with the attendant and conductor to find a solution that satisfies everyone. One solution might be to ask a roomette ticket holder in another car to switch rooms so that dog and allergic person are in different cars. In other words, in ethics my right to have a service dog does not trump your right to good health.
And to particular sleeper rooms too. That way extensive cleaning can be targeted to those rooms. Having pets/service dogs anywhere just compounds the problem for the vast majority of petless riders who now seem hostage to riders with pets. Almost all dogs I see on trains now seem to be of the non service variety.Why should it not be possible to restrict service animals to particular cars.
After all, the allergic mechanisms in your body are not going to make an exception because it is a service animal.
If everyone was like you there would be no problem. Unfortunately not everyone is like you. Any system that depends on only ethical people using it is a system destined to be abused.There are two considerations about service animals and allergies: the law and ethics. The ADA gives service animals priority in the law. Ethics requires compromise if at all possible, for both parties have health needs. Ethical service animal handlers will work with the attendant and conductor to find a solution that satisfies everyone. One solution might be to ask a roomette ticket holder in another car to switch rooms so that dog and allergic person are in different cars. In other words, in ethics my right to have a service dog does not trump your right to good health.
The only thing that separates a service dog from a support dog is what the passenger chooses to call it. The moment Amtrak (or anyone else) attempts to verify anything they're risking regulatory fines and public outrage. I've yet to find a situation where self-policing makes any sense but the ADA has made it clear that easy abuse is preferable to putting any responsibility on the owner.Amtrak does not recognize, nor is required to carry "support animals" Only service dogs are afforded protection under ADA on Amtrak. Anything else is a pet and should be required to follow the rules for pets. The scammers and liars only make it harder for the legitimate owners of service dogs to get the acceptance they well deserve.
No, that's not quite true. Naming it a service animal doesn't make it so. Real service animals such as seeing-eye dogs, and alert animals that detect strokes or other medical conditions receive extensive training. They're also expensive as heck, due to all that training and behavioral teaching that goes into it.The only thing that separates a service dog from a support dog is what the passenger chooses to call it. The moment Amtrak (or anyone else) attempts to verify anything they're risking regulatory fines and public outrage. I've yet to find a situation where self-policing makes any sense but the ADA has made it clear that easy abuse is preferable to putting any responsibility on the owner.
Another thing of relevance to transcontinental travelers is that nearly all commercial airplane cabins are pressurized to the equivalent of an altitude of 8,000 feet. I even checked this once, taking an altimeter aboard and getting a readout of about 8,000 feet when the pilot told us we were at 35,000 feet. So unless you can get a ride on a ship passing through the Panama Canal or around the Horn, you will have to deal with an altitude of at least 5,000 feet or its equivalent if you want to travel from the east coast to the west coast of North America.Elevation issues: This seems to be as good a place as any for this issue: There are a considerable number of people that due to various issues have to have oxygen concentrators or even portable oxygen bottles. There are also many people subject to altitude sickness, or have reduced lung function. For these people, elevation can be a major issue.
First and foremost, if you have any issue with altitude, do not take the CZ. The elevation at the Moffet Tunnel is 9,239 feet, and at Donner Pass 6,687 feet. Denver, being the "mile high city" at 5,280 feet above sea level, is at the base of the Rockies. Most of the line between Moffet and Donner is above 5,000 feet, with the lowest point likely being Salt Lake City at 4,226 feet elevation.
The Southwest Chief also has many miles at elevations of 5,000 feet plus. The high points are Raton Pass (in tunnel) elevation 7,588 feet and Glorieta Pass, elevation 7,500 feet. Both of these passes are in the section between La Junta CO and Albuquerque NM. As well, at least 100 miles of the line west of Albuquerque is above 6,000 feet elevation.
On the Empire Builder’s route, the highest point is Marias Pass, elevation 5,213, located between East Glacier and West Glacier. Although this line has the two longest railroad tunnels in North America, they are west of this point and both at lower elevations.
The Sunset Limited’s route’s highest elevation is 5,078 feet at Paisono in West Texas. The rest of the route, to the best of my knowledge is under 5,000 feet. This route also goes through the lowest point on any railroad in the US, -205 feet at Forrum CA, near the Salton Sea.
These same issues are relevant if you are driving, as well. I intend to add more later, including information on atmospheric pressure and boiling point of water relevant to altitude.
To you and I this is absolutely true, but if a passenger is willing to lie about a pet being a service animal there is not much Amtrak can do about it thanks to the ADA's insistence that nobody can be seriously challenged unless the animal is completely out of control. The ADA does not recognize pets as service animals but it also makes it extremely difficult (and potentially very expensive) to risk challenging anyone who is willing to lie about it.No, that's not quite true. Naming it a service animal doesn't make it so. Real service animals such as seeing-eye dogs, and alert animals that detect strokes or other medical conditions receive extensive training. They're also expensive as heck, due to all that training and behavioral teaching that goes into it.
A simple solution would be to have service animals registered, licensed and photographed - much like a drivers licence. That would end 99% of problems with animals on board. All other "pets" should be required to be in carry cages while on board with no exceptions. No one is forcing people to travel with pets.To you and I this is absolutely true, but if a passenger is willing to lie about a pet being a service animal there is not much Amtrak can do about it thanks to the ADA's insistence that nobody can be seriously challenged unless the animal is completely out of control. The ADA does not recognize pets as service animals but it also makes it extremely difficult (and potentially very expensive) to risk challenging anyone who is willing to lie about it.
Indeed. It is kind of odd that Amtrak requires and ADA allows the human traveler to have a photo Id, but not require or allow the inspection of same for any accompanying service animal with special training they may have with them.A simple solution would be to have service animals registered, licensed and photographed - much like a drivers licence. That would end 99% of problems with animals on board. All other "pets" should be required to be in carry cages while on board with no exceptions. No one is forcing people to travel with pets.
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