Hello Anin

where I can understand the point you are making about people abusing the system, yet I do think it somewhat presumptious that you dont know this member nor their health problems, yet are suggesting this was an attempt at abusing the system. If someone has disabling mental health problems and they need their dog with them while traveling why would that be less acceptable than say someone who is sight disabled

I was also surprised to see the comment
why would you have denied a "true service animal" in the first place

Hi Chemar,

You are correct, I do not not the original poster's situation but I thought I mentioned that. I apologize if I came across as implying that a mentally disabled person has any less of a right to a service animal than a physically disabled person (such as a blind person). I did not mean that at all. I have a mental disability myself as well as have a friend with an emotional support animal and a couple blind friends with seeing eye dogs. These animals are essential to their lives and I'm very glad we have the law in place to allow them to travel with these companions.

I did, however, get the sense that the poster was just trying to get her puppy to be able to travel with her not that she needs the puppy to function normally in her day to day life (services a service/emotional support animal provide and the reason we have the law). That may not have been his/her intention but I just wanted to make the community aware that using the service/emotional support animal law as a means to to be able to travel unrestricted with your pet is truly an abuse of the system.

While I have never denied a service animal, I have heard of and saw a case where it happened. Agents sometimes have a hard time distinguishing between a pet and a service/emotional support animal and it is their job to discern what really is a service animal because we cannot board pets unrestricted. While emotional support animals do require documentation, service animals don't necessarily. I don't want to state specific examples but I will say that I've read about cases where the passenger went to check in, was advised of the fee to bring their pet, then tried to pass the pet off as a service animal to avoid the fees. Of course this doesn't happen all the time but it does make it a lot harder for the true service/emotional support animals out there.

I'll just give an example of my own case. This is part of the reason why this issue is very near and dear to my heart. I have a pet I am very emotionally attached to. I honestly feel like she's my only friend and I have considered asking my doctor for the letter to make her an emotional support animal so I can fly with her. Since I work for an airline I fly a lot! and she is too large to be a cabin pet so the only way I could travel with here anywhere would be as an emotional support animal. But the fact of the matter is that I don't need my dog with me at all times, I can function fine without her so would not feel right asking my doctor to consider her an emotional support animal.

I am not saying our mental disabilities are less life-altering than physical disabilities. I'm just saying we shouldn't use our mental disabilities as a means to travel with our pets unless they truly are providing a service. I meant no disrespect to the original poster.

Thanks!
Anin

Hi Anin,

once again I can only repeat that I think it wrong to judge someone else's motives without actually knowing their situation.

If someone has documentation for their service/support animal, then they should not be given the 3rd degree about it. If their doctor felt it was needed then that should be enough "proof"

I am personally offended at how often physically and mentally disabled people have to jump through hoops to "prove" their needs. They are already dealing with enough and it pains me to see them have to have extra burdens loaded on them

yes, there are people who are chancers....that is life and it occurs in all areas. But to make people already suffering go through more on the slim chance that they are faking is IMHO and abuse of authority.

sorry but this is an issue I feel very strongly on too

nomatter the "fakers" I would rather see 100 of them get through than see even one genuine person denied the right to have their service/support animal with them.

nomatter the "fakers" I would rather see 100 of them get through than see even one genuine person denied the right to have their service/support animal with them.[/QUOTE]


AMEN to that! I'll be traveling with an ESA for the first time on Saturday and I keep having panic attacks. I'm afraid I'm going to be given the third degree and I don't know how to handle if if I am! I'm terrified of the personnel making a scene at my expense!

While one trip on SWA the flight was not only full but had many disabled people. My golden doodle stood in the bulkhead in front of me with his front paws and face in my lap, shoulders. Good thing it was the shortest flight you can find. lol The disabled gentleman who I had the enjoyment of sharing the flight with was with the Shake-a-leg sailing organization for the disabled. He invited me to a free sail!
Anyway, all my other flights on SouthWest have been wonderful! With my previous labrador I flew strictly American Airlines, and never had a problem Of course, that could be because my brother worked for them? But it was always first class flying with them.

I read here where someone said they would get a paper saying their animal is a "psychiatric service dog." Never heard of one that way before. HOWEVER do know that if you use the term "service" dog/animal, that you must be able to share at least 3 tasks the animal does for you that you cannot do for yourself. You also need to demonstrate that you have complete control of the animal at "all" times. ("All" being a bit subjective.)

No, airlines do not have to allow emotional support animals. And if they suspect that your animal can't do any tasks for you (such as my bunny) they can deny it access to the cabin.

I think I understand all sides to these situations, and that many other disabled people do also. Please don't stretch the law. It's a very tough place to be to NEED assistance and not be in a place of having it. That goes for those who are questioned unreasonably about their service animals, and for those who aren't able to obtain a truly trained assistance animal.

While we need a national certification program (or better yet, a State oversight department working off national guidelines) let's not push things before we can comply well enough. Those who are on the boundaries of legal and not needing to worry about legal will fall through the cracks if we push certification before the sponsors and volunteers are made available, imo.

Peace!

Tiffy, please call the airline and tell them it is an ESA. You might print up a tag to hang on it's container (that fits under the seat in front of you)... put it in fine print, but put the truth. They don't have to allow it, but most want to be able to. If you that IS your carry-on, and you are quiet and polite when speaking to them, being honest, odds are they will let it fly in the cabin.

Don't be afraid to ask them to ask the pilot if they can make an exception, should they insist no emotional support animals in cabin. If you tell them about your panic disorder, and how the animal calms you, they probably will want one for every passenger!

You might be required to pay a $50 fee for the ESA to fly in cabin under the seat. IDK GOOD WISHES ON THIS FLIGHT!

No Tiffy must have a letter from a mental health professional and give 48 hours notice that the dog will be flying, otherwise they are not supposed to allow it. As long as the letter is satisfactory and dog if well-behaved no carrier is needed. Tiffy also should not be charged to fly with her ESA. The airlines are required to allow it. Make sure you bring the ACAA regulations and calling before to make sure you have everything you need to make it as easy as possible. Just remember when you get to your destination that you need to stay at a pet friendly hotel and pay the pet deposit.