TSA new guidelines for AD relief areas

In about 30 years I may consider flying again......

The following comes from the Department of Homeland Security's Monthly Civil Rights and Civil Liberties newsletter, which is available to the public at:
http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/gc_1290194696145.shtm

TSA Announces Guidelines For Building Animal Relief Areas Beyond Airport Checkpoints Air travelers with service animals sometimes face difficulty if they need to transfer planes, because service animal relief areas are outside airport secure perimeters. Waiting for an escort, walking to the relief area, and getting back through security and to the connecting plane can take more time than is available. To solve this problem, after coordination with CRCL, TSA's revised version of "Recommended Security Guidelines for Airport Planning, Design and Construction

http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/airport_security_design_guidelines.pdf

"...makes clear that there is no security obstacle to establishing a
service animal relief area inside airports' secure area. This is a
necessary first step to solving the connecting flight problem for this group of travelers with disabilities.

The following text is from page 69 of the "Recommended Security
Guidelines for Airport Planning, Design, and Construction" document
cited above:

b) Individuals with disabilities will often be able to use these
landside areas for their service animals. However, for transiting/connecting travelers with disabilities, access to landside relief areas may not be possible due to time constraints and disability-related reasons. In order to allow such travelers access to service animal relief, airports may choose to locate a more limited service animal relief area on the sterile side (for example using artificial materials and with fewer amenities), or may provide travelers with escorted access to non-designated outdoor areas for the purpose of service animal relief.

c) Airports should determine the need for, design, and location of
designated Service Animal Relief Areas for use, and the circumstances in which access will instead be afforded to other outdoor areas. For transiting/connecting travelers needing access to those service relief areas located inside the sterile area, an appropriately badged escort will be required.

Jeremy Buzzell, Senior Policy Advisor - Office of Disability Policy and Outreach Transportation Security Administration - Department of Homeland Security