Here’s an adorable little dog flying American Airlines. But there is no way it is a service animal, and a pet in cabin (that requires paying a pet in cabin fee) must remain in their carrier under the seat for the duration of the flight.
Great service and super pet friendly #americanairlines my dog is a frequent flyer @AmericanAir pic.twitter.com/SP3x4rg6ip
— Gloria (@gloserna) September 6, 2022
Airlines have cracked down on emotional support animals, with the assent of the Department of Transportation, but that just means they’ve created paperwork and attestations. The average passenger who used to bring an ’emotional support animal’ on board didn’t overlap with the kind of passenger adept at navigating a paperwork bureaucracy in order to be able to bring an emotional support animal on board. So the Noah’s Ark approach to flying, with two of every kind of creature from turkeys to ponies to bunnies has moderated substantially.
Just because you see a dog on a plane now doesn’t make it a legitimate service animal. If it remains in the carrier underneath the seat it’s probably a ‘pet in cabin’ following those rules (and paying the requisite fee, and by the way this takes the place of your carry on). And if it’s out, well, then the passenger has successfully navigated the bureaucracy. It’s still easy to spot a fake.
What human of a legitimate service dog travels with dog pillows so the dogs can rest comfortably at the gate & on the plane? Not to mention there are 2 service dogs for a human. Srsly @AmericanAir how can you let this happen? Vests don’t make ‘em real! @garyleff @OneMileataTime pic.twitter.com/I2cmdg1twC
— . . . (@Transiting) September 5, 2022
The person sharing this to social media flags that these were actually Delta passengers and not American Airlines passengers, but lays out some pretty good standards by which we can tell if you’re not seeing real emotional support animals.
- They’re being fed treats, and not just meals
- Their owner speaks to them in baby talk
- The animals rest on pillows
- And there are two animals per passenger
Service animals aren’t ‘pets for someone with emotional challenges’ they are trained working animals.
We appreciate your loyalty and feedback. Service animals are trained to assist with the disability that person has in all public areas.
— americanair (@AmericanAir) September 5, 2022
Oh, and if the animal is part of a photo shoot in the aircraft window, they aren’t a real service dog either.
Was AA’s Twitter response from a bot. It’s ridiculous. It’s worse than handicap parking gamers.
“Airlines have cracked down on emotional support animals”
In conversation yes
More animals than ever before onboard in seats in picnic baskets,coat linings pockets,checked through in cages (dangerous)and whatever else
Many have lost their marbles over the past few years or about too.They can no longer relate to humans.And are desperate for something /someone to hold onto .Sad really that folks are so lonely
Its been tough on many and I get they are emotionally fragile but they are ruining it for people that have a real need for guide dogs that are blind etc
We have had pets for decades and never once have we thrust them in front of other passengers and crew members on a flight. Bad enough the younger out of control kids lol
WARNING
DaninMCI (the first commenter) is a climate change denier. Climate change having reached scientific consensus backed by legions of empiricism, would require extraordinary evidence to refute. DaninMCI did not provide any evidence other than his opinion. In denying climate change DaninMCI actually reveals his low IQ. He does not have anything meaningful intellectually to contribute.
Actual Statistician
DaninMCI is right on target with his comparison.
Gary – my daughter has a service dog and she flies with him. Just to correct your statements – people do bring pillows or blankets so the dog can lay on them, service dogs do get treats (part of the positive training routine) and a person can legitimately travel on an airline with 2 service animals. They have to be declared and certain documents (varies by airline) must be completed.
Agree emotional support animals was a scam but don’t assume a dog (or dogs) with a pillow getting a treat isn’t a legitimate service animal.
That’s not a dog in FC, it’s breakfast for a coyote.
Maybe if the airlines would revisit reasonable options for traveling with pets that people would not look for loopholes
I bring this up periodically on travel blogs and similar places only to get the wrath of the Internet dumped on my head for the mere suggestion of wanting or needing to fly with my dog. But there really Should be a pathway for transporting animals across the country that does not involve driving or outrageous and unpredictable methods.
I don’t care. I’d rather fly on a flight full of non emtional support creatures than with 90%+ of those so called humans any day. And I bet some FA’s would say the same!
Too many signs. But people are so selfish they don’t care about others.. Another way how terrible this world is
The good news is now it is just the non-service dogs of selfish travelers and not cats and other pests.
@AC – Any pointers on recognizing fake service dogs? For instance, my understanding of service dogs is when you come to a stop and sit down, they do likewise rather than trying to run around and making noise.
Another sign would be if you see a support animal stop to install a small brown modern art exhibit in the middle of SLC airport’s beautiful terrazzo floor.
I watched that last summer and used it as a real life lesson for my kids to keep their shoes on in public.
@Christian – it is really about how they act. A trained service dog will not leave its owner, will not bark or make a scene and will lay down at the owner’s feet and not move for the flight. My daughter that’s a 50-60 pound golden retriever and you would never know he was there if you didn’t see him. He was around $8000 (along with additional training) and was trained from birth to not react to noise, other animals etc along w standard training.
IMHO true service dogs are never a problem unless someone is allergic to them but the ADA gives people the right to fly with the dog so if you are allergic the option would be to changer your seat or change flights. People with service dogs have as much right to be on the flight as anyone else.
Again – I differentiate true trained service dogs from emotional support animals or regular pets in the cabin (who, unlike service dogs, as Gary noted have to be in a pet carrier
I have two emotional support animals, and I’ll be the first one to admit it’s a scam However, barring any realistic ways of traveling via air with my animal, I will use every loophole I can.
My Basset Hound is too big for an underseat carrier, and I won’t put her as cargo due to the horrendous track record some of these airlines have. We’re I allowed to buy her a seat, or even the whole row: I’d happily pay extra and do so. Since I am not, I improvise.
@Mangar. 100%! I have a pug. He is too big to fit under the seat and the airlines won’t accept him in cargo. He is a great dog and loves traveling. Since he isn’t my emotional support animal, I have no way of getting him from the west to the east coast. I’m confused why I can’t buy a seat for him – it’s not about avoiding a fee, it about being able to travel with my externally well behaved animal
Even half the people in the comments admit they scam the system. Airlines should ban all animals… period. How selfish, oh I won’t check my huge dog so I’m just going to let it annoy the entire row. Try doing that when I’m in your row and see how that ends. Self entitled pricks…
Gary,
It would be nice to have a reasonable conversation about this topic without name calling, but such are the wonders of the internet. Probably inconceivable that some might think there are reasons to travel with an animal besides taking them on a beach vacation or instagram photo-op Again, if there were reasonable options or adult discussions that would be nice. Growing up, we moved all over the world and never had any issues or concerns about having our dog go as cargo (a though many reject, but if done right, is probably a very good option) and I would consider it again, but for many reasons it appears that airlines have given up on this service – probably not worth the bad press?
-m
Who determines if an animal is a service dog or an emotional support dog? Probably not you, Gary. I can’t make the determination either. I’m sure there are legit doctors that designate edge cases as real service animals all the time. As long as they continue to do so, not much airlines can do.
At the end of the day, the amount of people with pets has increased, the amount of people flying by airline continues to grow and broaden, so airlines need to come up with better ways to transport pets. This is where airline innovation, which is sorely lacking, could come into play. I’m sure some people would pay a premium for pet friendly airline service. Some would also pay a premium for pet-free flights. Let’s see both offered. Tons of hotels and apartment buildings market themselves as pet friendly.
Start charging for same cost as a an airline ticket PLUS cleaning fee of $200 for emotional support animals and offer FREE the cargo hold. FIDO will be steerage with suitcases
For all saying ban animals or buy a ticket for them Federal law protects the rights of people to travel with true service animals at no additional cost and that won’t change. However there are specific steps you need to follow notifying the airline that you have a service animal and the airlines require documentation. True service animals are specially trained and will not cause a problem.
You can rightfully argue other animals should be banned but service animals will continue to fly whether you like it or not since that is Federal law protecting people with disabilities and airlines must accommodate them
Stop blaming the airlines !!! They have to follow the law , and if you don’t like it fly private.
@AC
I agree. True Service Animals need to be registered and fully trained and pass a qualification exam. The owner needs to have a legitimate medical need. Having your PET trained to pass a service exam and claim it is emotional support is done every day.
Emotional support animals in most cases are just accessories to the owners wardrobe. If you can’t emotionally take a plane without your miniature cavapoo or your pocket poodle take a car
I know many people have have their PETS trained and claim they are service animals. They just well trained pets
I don’t have a pet, service animal, or ESA, so I don’t know the rules, but if legitimate licensing entities are registering “pets” as “service animals,” then the issue is on them, not the airlines.
@Mets Fan – agree. Only thing I would add is many conditions are not obvious. My daughter appears fine but has severe migraines and some other medical issues for which her specially trained service dog helps.
Don’t assume if people aren’t blind or physically impaired the service dog isn’t legitimate
I have an issue with 2 little dogs with diamond collars and Gucci leashes-pink little coats and bows in their hair..in lounges barking at other dogs and begging for food….
Also if you need 2 emotional support dogs maybe u need more theraphy or less travel.
@Mangar, @aw
I agree. My dog is not a “support” animal and I would not pretend she was but it is unreasonable the airlines don’t provide me a way to fly with her (she is 37 pounds so can’t fit under seat and I would never put her in cargo). I would happily buy another seat for her in the FC cabin with me. Why isn’t this allowed? As far as some of the other comments about not wanting animals onboard—I agree that their are many who are abusing the system and who are not assuring their dogs are well-trained. However, I completely understand wanting to have your dog with you. Many are much better companions than humans could ever be. The airlines really need to address this issue.
If someone is so mentally unhinged they require a dog on a flight, perhaps they should stay off the plane in the first place. I flew from Calgary to Dallas on a regional jet and my seat mate had THREE ‘service dogs’. I barely had room to put my feet. The ‘service animal’ movement is horribly out of hand. If you need to travel with pets then take a bus, Amtrak or drive a car.
Gary, I’m sorry, but you’re wrong here. Sure there are people who misuse service animals, but feeding a canine a treat doesn’t indicate that it isn’t a service animal. Animals, just like humans, face pressurization issues as aircraft descend, and having a small treat can help their ears regulate the pressure. You can’t train ears to not pressurize.
As for speaking sweetly to your service animal, they don’t just work as seeing-eye dogs, they do many tasks. An animal can provide a meaningful (and legally permissible) service to a human, and also be loved and adored by that human.
I’m sorry that you, and many on this blog, don’t care to accommodate people with disabilities who are inconveniencing you in no way, but I’m glad the DOT isn’t willing to cut people off quite yet.
@DFWSteve those are the people who demand everything. When you see grown adults push a dog in a baby stroller you know they are not playing with a full deck.
I do not have any pets because I do not want any pet hair on my clothes. Dont pring your shedding dogs onto the plane and set them free.
So if you have a peanut allergy, I have to give up my peanuts.
But if I have a allergy, I have to give up my seat/flight, not you?
Yeah, that’s not right. And yes, I’m equating my need for peanuts to your need for .
@John – if you are referencing an allergy to dogs then yes you need to change seats or flights. Not speaking for standard pets in cabin but if the dog is a service animal they are protected by Federal law and airlines must accommodate them at no cost. At time of booking it is noted that such an animal will be flying and the airline requires information and registration of that animal (which is reused for future flights).
So I guess the answer is yes you have to change your plans if you have an issue. Life isn’t “fair” so that isn’t a reason. In this case Federal law protecting people with disabilities trumps any concerns or issues you may have.
I have driven 2000-mile round trips because I have true disability needs for which my dog is essential to meet. This option is always much more expensive than double fare on a plane, which is not even allowed. But my barely viable income makes the $20,000 necessary for certifiable service dog training a cruel joke. Taking a bus in this country is horribly hazardous to your physical and psychological health, as I just learned. I remain sickened by foul, toxic air on a 2hr Greyhound bus trip, which also cost me over $6000 in baggage lost by GH because I was too sick to retrieve it at the destination station. Take a train if you want to spend three weeks on a trip that is a three day drive. US public transportation options are as broken as is everything else in this supposedly civilized country
Yea AC, it’s nice to see someone as yourself who is educated on the law, Unfortunately you’re preaching to ignorance. Of course people with disabilities have to be accommodated, anybody who thinks differently is an idiot! And as for the tough guy in this blog YOUR DADDY who’s gonna show you how it ends in his row, lmfao! My 115 lbs Rottweiler SERVICE DOG will keep you in check, I promise..lol Don’t start something you won’t win..lol