Community outreach specialist for Guide Dogs for the Blind Jake Koch looks out the emergency exit door with his guide dog Fourly after practicing opening the door during a training event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, puppies-in-training and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building. "This sort of thing is helpful because when you can't see, it's hard to conceptualize flying. Something like this where you can actually feel everything increases safety and helps make it less mystical. It helps people feel more comfortable with flying," Koch said who has limited vision.Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Dog and human attendees wear uninflated life vests and practice sitting in an inflatable airplane raft that would be used in an emergency situation during a training event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, puppies-in-training and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Alaska Air first officer Laura Mason shows Chris Yoon around the cockpit controls during a training event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, puppies-in-training and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building. Yoon took his first flight with his guide dog Sadie a month ago and said after this training, "I'm very much prepared for anything now on a plane."Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Volunteer puppy raiser Denise Ivie walks her golden retriever puppy-in-training Harlow down the aisle of the plane during an event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, puppies-in-training and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.
Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Volunteer puppy raiser Kelly Bergee, her father Don Swanson, right, and seven-month old puppy-in-training Taffy get accustomed to the plane and oxygen masks during an event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, puppies-in-training and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.
Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Volunteer puppy raiser Denise Ivie sits with her golden retriever puppy-in-training Harlow down the aisle of the plane during an event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, trainers and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.
Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Guide dogs-in-training wait patiently below their handlers during the classroom portion an event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, handlers and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
An Alaska Airlines flight attendent shows Chris Yoon and his guide dog Sadie the emergency exit door and slide during a training event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, puppies-in-training and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building. Yoon took his first flight with his guide dog Sadie a month ago and said after this training, "I'm very much prepared for anything now on a plane."Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Volunteer puppy raiser Grace Hall smiles out the cockpit of the mock plane during an event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, handlers and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.
Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Guide dogs-in-training wait patiently below their handlers during the classroom portion an event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, handlers and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Guide dog-in-training Taffy lies down under her trainer during an event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, handlers and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Guide dogs-in-training wait patiently below their handlers during the classroom portion an event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, handlers and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Dog and human attendees learn about an inflatable airplane raft that would be used in an emergency situation during a training event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, puppies-in-training and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Alaska Air first officer Laura Mason pets Chris Yoon's guide dog Sadie during a training event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, puppies-in-training and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Guide dogs-in-training wait patiently below their handlers during an event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, handlers and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Dog and human attendees wear uninflated life vests and practice sitting in an inflatable airplane raft that would be used in an emergency situation during a training event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, puppies-in-training and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Dog and human attendees practice using an inflatable airplane raft that would be used in an emergency situation during a training event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, puppies-in-training and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Dog and human attendees practice sitting in an inflatable airplane raft that would be used in an emergency situation during a training event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, puppies-in-training and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Attendees stand at the bottom of an inflatable emergency exit slide during a training event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, puppies-in-training and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Puppy-in-training Taffy sits below her volunteer puppy raiser, Kelly Bergee, in a mock airplane during an event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, handlers and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.
Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Alaska Air first officer Laura Mason talks with Chris Yoon in the cockpit during a training event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, puppies-in-training and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building. Yoon took his first flight with his guide dog Sadie a month ago and said after this training, "I'm very much prepared for anything now on a plane."Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
People and dogs explore a mock airplane during an event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, handlers and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Guide dogs-in-training wait patiently below their handlers during the classroom portion an event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, handlers and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Alaska Airline volunteer trainers go over safety measures like oxygen masks with attendees during an event hosted by Guide Dogs for the Blind and Alaska Airlines where guide dogs, handlers and people with disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, were able to explore mock airplanes and learn various safety measures in a controlled environment, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Building.Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Alaska Airlines and Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) teamed up for an event this week, which allowed guide dogs-in-training, their handlers and people with a range of disabilities, including visually impaired, hearing impaired and those reliant on wheelchairs, to explore mock airplanes and learn to navigate them in a controlled environment.
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The program, now in its sixth year, is free and can make flying a less daunting experience for travelers and their guide dogs. Attendees were able to sit in airplane seats, let the dogs get familiar with the cabin, learn about safety measures, including emergency landing and exit row procedures, as volunteer Alaska Airlines flight attendants and pilots walked them through operations and answered questions.
Around a dozen labs and golden retrievers, mainly puppies-in-training, sniffed and wagged their way under seats and around the inflatable life raft and even into the cockpit.
“This sort of thing is helpful because when you can’t see it’s hard to conceptualize flying. Something like this where you can actually feel everything increases safety and makes it less mystical and makes people feel more comfortable with flying,” said community outreach specialist for GDB Jake Koch, who helped to organize the event and attended with his own guide dog, Fourly, a five-year-old black lab.
“I choose to have a guide dog because of the type of travel I do, it allows me to easily transition between environments,” he said.
Another attendee, Chris Yoon, has had his guide dog Sadie for a year. He recently took his first flight with her when moving to Seattle from California last month.
“I didn’t know how she was going to do so I booked first class, right in the front row, to give her more room,” Yoon said. And after taking the training this week he said he is “very much prepared for anything now on a plane.”
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Koch also sits on the Alaska Airlines Disability Advisory Board where he is able to help advocate for the disabled community and shape airline policies regarding accessibility.
For example, airplane manufacturers have attempted to maximize cabin space in recent years which often results in shrinking legroom and space under the seat for passengers. Under seat space where a guide or service dog would need to lay down during flight.
"We can tell Boeing engineers ‘we need that space,’” Koch said of the advisory board.
“We empower Alaska to push their contractors to advocate on behalf of people with disabilities.”
