Algebralovr

Price varies from one trainer to the next as well as one part of the country to the next and how many tasks/what types of tasks need to be trained, but count on at least a couple thousand plus. I would say the range would be $2,500 to $4,000 (the lower end would be you training the dog with the trainer, keeping the dog living at home, while the upper end would be the dog living with the trainer during the training process - with allergy scent training, I am not sure if it would be safe for you to do the training at home...).

 

You don't have to wait until she is older to start the training, as earlier is actually better. I would definitely be looking for trainers now. Be sure you search for reviews/ask on service dog message boards or Yahoo! Groups for the trainer's reputation, as there are some bad ones and scam artist ones out there (just as there are scam programs, too).

Thanks, Quampapetet. They have been working with her, teaching her to find certain scents. Basically, training her the way you'd train a hunting dog to hunt a scent. That is the kind of training usually done in my rural community. They are trying to get her to stop and bow when she finds the scent. Xena will definitely need someone else to work with her when it is time to train for peanuts and tree nuts - the big things she is needed for. Right now, she loves to find her "daddy's" dirty socks.

I'll tell her to start looking for message boards and Yahoo! Groups along with FB. She graduates from college 2 weeks from tomorrow! I'm amazed that Xena is as well trained as she is, considering she is being raised by a couple of college kids (my DD and her BF), and that my DD wasn't able to work with her all summer while she was recovering and getting strong enough to walk again!

You don't actually arrive in San Juan until 3 or 3:30 pm, then you depart at 10 pm. Of the stops, I would pick San Juan to skip. While I've enjoyed checking out the old Spanish Forts, I'm a bit of a nerd.

Link to paperwork filed for those who want to wade through it:

 

https://consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/robert_j_zammetti_et_al_v_southwest_airlines_co_et_al__cacdce-14-01792__0011-0.pdf

 

I like all the included nonsense about no checked bag fees.

Wow! I waded through it all and wow!

First, everyone knows there is n o such thing as a free lunch. The bags don't fly free, they include the cost in the cost of the ticket. You either pay with the ticket or you pay at the airport when you check a bag (unless you fly someone like Alegent who charges for everything).

Similarly, they reward their frequent customers with earlier boarding. This is listed on the website. I had to laugh about the statement of someone buying a ticket 30 minutes before boarding and getting a better position. They really wanted the land - side agent to re-issue boarding numbers because of a canceled passenger? Wow!

SW could easily fix this by taking all preboards to the back of the plane. The exception would be for truly non-ambulatory who arrive in their personal wheelchair. Not scooter, because anyone who rides a scooter has the ability to take a few steps. No airport wheelchair. Personal wheelchair.

Somewhere I also saw that an able-bodied attendant must go with the wheel chair bound person. Maybe for cruises or at least tenders -- can't remember. If non-mobiles had to have an attendant that could help them believe me they would not fly often. I am not really against handicapped persons -- it is tough but just like handicapped parking spaces some folks do not mind taking advantage of the situation and making it hard for everyone. It is not easy to regulate such things either and insensitive and crass often goes hand in hand with a demanding personality and loud voice.:rolleyes:

We had an interesting summer, including flying to Europe and back. My DD was in a wheelchair, plus we traveled with my 70 yr old mother. We arrived at O'Hare with DD in a WC. She could take a few steps, but just a few. Because of the WC, she was pre-boarded. Since we were traveling as a family, they pre-boarded the entire family. She made her way down the aisle to her seat with assistance, and the rest of us get her bag put away.

When we arrived in Zurich to transfer planes, her chair was waiting for us along with a pusher to get us across the airport. Since our connection was a smaller plane, she would have had to climb about 20 steps to get in. That just wasn't going to happen. They transported the entire family out to the plane, raised the lifter to get us in, and we were on board before anyone else.

There is a reason to pre-board the individual in the WC and an assistant. We had assigned seating though.

Upon our return, through Toronto, we learned that there were 21 passengers on the plane who needed WC assistance. One was using crutches and had a leg in a cast. My DD had her own WC. The rest were primarily older, non-English speaking, or at least with limited English. The pusher said it had become a real problem, and they don't have enough staff or wheelchairs for all who want them when that happens.

I have to say that requiring one to bring their own WC would certainly limit the number of people wanting assistance, but would create another set of problems. I love the idea of saying they can board with families or in their own earned A position on Southwest. I'm starting to fly enough that I am likely to get an A position at T-24, although it certainly isn't guaranteed.

I still don't think a lawsuit is the answer to the EBCI though. The terms are written out, and nowhere does it say you'll get an A.

This is our first cruise and it is for 10 days from San Francisco to Mexico. Cruise lines indicates at their website that a passenger's passport to be valid at least for 6 months after the cruise ending date.

 

My wife's passport expires 4,5 months after the date our cruise ends.

Our cruise end date Feb 7th.. Her passport expires in May 20th.

Is this a deal breaker or just a recommendation by the cruise lines?

 

We are not even planning leaving the ship while at Mexico for any shore excursions...

 

Plus it is a "Close-loop--cruise" which begins and ends in San Francisco and since we live in the area, no International flights are involved.

Most US Residents say they don't even take their passports during these cruises and instead they use their drivers licenses+birth certificates as an ID for boarding...

 

Any ideas?

Which cruise line are you sailing on? If you will be on a line that accepts birth certificate and photo ID, then the 4.5 month vs 6 month isn't an issue.

They tend not to carry a full selection of the line. I've also seen them priced above MSRP. My recommendation is to purchase the product locally where you can get help if you need it.

We sailed on Celebrity last summer while DD was in a wheelchair. We arrived to the cruise port via water taxi (it was Venice) and when they saw she was in a wheelchair, someone was immediately called over to push her and lead us through the embarkation process. They pushed her into the registration building, where we were handed off to a member of the ship's crew who was tapped for the day.

One difference may have been that we arrived with our own. Since they fly free, it made sense to purchase a lightweight one for her - especially since we got a great deal on one. It was under $100 via Amazon.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! (Just a day late)

We had a good one, and I was so proud of my DD and her pup! DH and I have been worried that she was struggling to correct Xena, but this time it seemed to be going well.

Yesterday, we piled in my van and drove the 100 miles to great-grandma's for dinner. Xena came along. She did well in the van, settling down nicely once the van was in motion. We got to the host (great-aunt since great-grandma gave up her home) and Xena walked inside and downstairs without jumping on anyone. She really seems to settle into "work " mode when the gentle leader is around her muzzle. We were the first ones there, and Xena was allowed to inspect the family room, have a snack, water and do her business in the yard. She also made friends with the lab next door.

Then the little children arrived. At 2 and 3, they are afraid of dogs. They had been told ahead of time Xena would be there, and were so afraid they had to be carried, quivering, into the house. DD'S hand was on Xena ' s harness, to make she she stayed put, but it didn't seem to be a problem. The little children were forced into the room, ran over to the other side where the toys were, and Xena stayed where she was. Yay! All afternoon, the little ones gave her a wide detour, but she seemed content to ignore them when they ignored her. The next set of kids showed up, 5 and 8, and quickly made friends with Xena. Naturally, each received a face - bath when they came over to make friends.

We had brought the portable kennel along, and set it up in the other room during dinner, since we figured the children would drop a lot (they did) and we didn't want her to be tempted.

We let her out after the small people were done eating and cleaned up after, and she did a good job laying at DD'S feet for coffee and cake.

I'm guessing the next step means we need to find someone to complete her training once she finishes settling down (she is not quite a year yet.) Can anyone give me an idea how much to expect that to cost? Quampapetet maybe? I'm hoping we can find someone in the St. Louis area. Xena will need the final stages of SD training as well as scent training. Our main goal is peanuts, but if we can add tree nuts or some of her other serious triggers, it would be awesome.

They are still doing something. My TA just paid off my February cruises, and when she sent me the receipts, the second one referenced both cruises and the total cost of the two cruises together.

I second the recommendation to look at thrift stores for sport coats. I would have the boys wear them on the plane if that is how you get there.

If they don't want to wear them, tell them it is practice for being an adult in the professional world. I see a lot of college students who are so uncomfortable in a coat and tie when they approach a career fair or interview that it makes a tense situation even worse. Mine practice wearing dress clothes regularly so that when the interview comes, at least that isn't another problem.

My newest dilemma is whether my son should wear his tux, his suit, or his dress blues on our next cruise.

A lawsuit is not the answer, though. If you don't like the terms, don't pay for EBCI! I usually don't, but my DH likes not having to be on the computer at T-24.

I'm sick and tired of people who say "I didn't like the outcome! I'm going to sue you!"

An unlocked GSM phone will work most places. You can then either use your regular carrier by calling them and asking them to open up your account to work globally. Each location will have a different rate. Some locations have bundles that make it cost effective.

T-Mobile has one of the best global prices, and they work in many places. Last summer, we bought a Moto E smartphone from Motorola for $129, unlocked for Global use. Then I called T-Mobile and said I was interested in trying out their service, and I was bringing my own device. The $50 per month package was unlimited texts most places I planned to go, unlimited 3G Internet where I planned to be and calls when I was outside the US were $0.20 no matter if I was calling a number local to where I was or calling back to the US. We were so glad we had that phone, as it allowed us to easily find ATMs, connect with friends who live overseas that we were meeting, and call back home when we missed a flight and had to overnight on the way home (we ended up on 2 different flights back, to 2 different cities). I could have used my regular phone, but each text would have been $0.50, calls would have been $2.99 per minute. I would have been counting every minute and every text. The phone has gotten a surprising amount of use since then....

I'm not sure what Shake is talking about. When I book on board, the prices are the same as the prices on the website at the time. But I get extra OBC for booking on board. Sometimes, there are also better perks for booking on board.

If I find a cheaper price when I get home, I get the cruise re-priced to match the new price, and keep my on board booking perks, as long as the new price isn't a special promo.

Medjet assist is not insurance. They will fly you from any hospital that is at least 150 miles from home to the hospital of your choice (usually near your home) as long as you are medically stable, just because you want to be near your family and your own doctors. The reason to purchase it is because you don't want to be in a foreign hospital and want your own doctors and to be near family in the event something happens. They will not pay any hospital fees should you have any.

I generally fly Southwest. I do track airfare to see if it is going high or low before I make plans. However, you cannot depend on last year's prices to really plan. Also, the credit is only good if you plan to fly again, in the 12 month period from when you booked.

That said, for me there is more flexibility with Southwest than many others. Keep in mind that the cheapest fare is only available until it isn't. Sometimes the prices go down and I can get a credit - in case I can use it. Often, the prices don't go down at all.

As for best time to book - we booked in September, found a reduction in mid - October, and the prices have risen since then.

The only way I know of to fix any of this is to complain to the PTBs. Last January, I flew out of STL to Baltimore on Southwest. The line to get through the TSA was quite long - long enough that I was glad I had three hours before my flight. I snapped a photo on my phone and sent it to the TSA, Southwest and my congressman. One of the photos I took showed a bunch of TSA agents standing around doing nothing while we waited in lines, and only only scanner open. A total waste of time and people.

In February, we waited an extra long time to clear after our cruise n the Equinox. When I got home, I again wrote a letter to my congressman.

I plan to keep my phone handy the next few trips, and if the lines are like that again, y congressman will be getting more photos and letters. I encourage my fellow US citizens to do the same.

Maybe the cruise line will include a CBP agent on future cruises if enough people complain. For those of you who are able to sail the TAs, I hope you complain in writing about the time it took, and suggest that it was not necessary. There must be a CBP agent that would be willing to join you on the TA!

Be aware that WN is tinkering with their scheduling right now. They are even tinkering with already scheduled flights. Their on-time ratings had gotten poor, due to lessened turnaround time between legs of flights. So, they started adjusting to give a few more minutes.

They delayed releasing the newest booking window (although it is open now) and they adjusted a few existing flights. Our 8 am flights from STL to FLL in February were adjusted from 8 am to 7 45 am. Not a huge change, but enough that we groaned.

Also, their pricing isn't as good as it used to be. We arranged flights for May to fly STL to SEA. I compared on the Southwest site, as well as Kayak and Expedia. United was the least expensive, even with bag fees. When I checked other ratings, and took the existing credit we had with WN into account, we stayed with WN. I would rather fly in a 737 than a little bitty plane from STL to DEN to switch planes. Plus, the WN website showed one price, then when I got to checkout, it was actually less than the shown price! I've never had that happen before! The price in the cart dropped from $345 to $270 per person! Something was strange, but I wasn't going to complain about that!

Appreciate your response - thanks! Did you book through TA or directly with cruise line? I have a feeling if I booked directly, I'd also get it back via OBC. But in this case, he (TA) told me specifically the higher port charge rate is locked in - no refund or ship credit.

Hi, I used a TA and got the OBC for taxes and port charges. You never know, though.

I've had it happen where the taxes and fees went up, and I didn't have to pay more. When the taxes and fees went down, I didn't have to lay less, but once on the ship I received a small OBC as the actual fees were lower than I paid. YMMV

It is unlikely that you'll be denied boarding, but I recommend a letter from your Dr listing that you are under their care and not contagious.

The last few months, there have been a nasty virus going around that leaves behind a cough that lasts for months. I had it from June through August, DH got it in Sept and still has a touch.

My Dr recommended Delsym for my cough. It is OTC and comes in a 12 hour liquid and a short term lozenge.

Ft Lauderdale tends to cost less to park or stay than Miami. I would look for a Ft Lauderdale hotel that would let you leave your car, then book a shuttle to POM to get to the first cruise.

Then, I would book a private vehicle or possibly a shuttle (if one will do it) to get from POM to Port Everglades. With 5 of you, MJS might do the POM to PE drop off. http://gomjstrans.com/MJS_Trans/Home.html

You might find that a non-cruiseport hotel makes the most sense, such as Hyatt Place Plantation . It might require a dedicated rather than shared shuttle service, but with five of you, the cost difference is not high.

What if you used the same hotel as the friends you are meeting for the second cruise and a shuttle service?

If you cannot find a shuttle to take you directly from POM to Port Everglades, I would recommend a shuttle service that would pick you up at POM and take you to the Ft Lauderdale Airport, then a cab from FLL to PE.

If there are more than 2 of you, I would just book a town car. Most shuttles from FLL to POM and reverse run $15 per person per trip. The trip from FLL to PE will be $15 to $20 in a cab.

Any suggestions on the best way of doing a winter 20 17 booking once they are released? We were planning to book on board while there in February, but I'm liking this all-inclusive idea. I would love to combine it with the booking on board OBC.

I guess I could book with my TA as soon as the schedule is released, so that I hold my room and price. Then, if the all-inclusive continues, I could book on board. Then have my TA cancel the first reservation, assuming the pricing and perks are the same, and then move me into the room I really want.

Sounds like a hassle, so I'll need to discuss it with my TA, but might be what I need to do.

We've had the same issue on the Feb 21, 2015 cruise. I was able to register for the Feb 14 cruise on Reflection, but the next week is a no-go. Frustrating!

Been trying once a week for months.

If I still don't get registered before we leave, I'm thinking of speaking to the Concierge once on board about a time and place, then posting on the roll call when we dock in St. Thomas.

Hi,

 

First off we're British so any tax charged we can't claim back.

 

We're looking at a cruise from Rome to Spain next May on the Eclipse (via Greece and Turkey). I'm wondering what the VAT situation will be whilst on the ship - getting some mixed responses saying we'll be charged in Spain (where we dock only) and some saying we'll be charged at the Spanish rate throughout despite leaving from Italy - where I think VAT is 21%).

 

If VAT will be charged is there anyway to minimise the impact - pre purchase drinks packages (there's an offer on at the moment)?

 

Will the VAT rate change throughout the cruise?

We sailed Equinox in June from Venice to Istanbul. No VAT was charged when the stores were open for goods. The stores were not open until we were under way. For wine purchases, we were once charged when we ordered a bottle while docked.

Since you are leaving EU territory entirely when in Turkey, I don't see why they would charge all the time. I've only heard of that happening when the ship never leaves the EU. I certainly can't see them charging Spanish rates the entire time!