D was just on a flight with a pit-mix that looked to be close to that size, maybe a bit less. She texted a few photos, in one the dog’s standing in the aisle and the armrest of the seat is at his neck level, just above his back but below his head. Fortunately for the owner, D said the flight attendants all loved the dog. The dog was super friendly and sat on various people’s laps during the flight, including my D.
I kept thinking of this thread and how a non-dog person would’ve been freaking out. No vest on the dog, btw. And no crate, and the owner didn’t buy him a seat.
Whenever I hear these stories about these pets flying, especially the big dogs, I can’t help but wonder what would happen in the event of a forced landing and evacuation and the ensuing chaos/panic of such an event.
@happytimes2001, if the dog is a service animal or an ESA, the airlines have no choice (except in very limited circumstances). It’s a law, and they must comply.
I understand the law about service animals and ESAs, but why don’t the airlines require someone to purchase a seat if the animal doesn’t fit in the space below the seat in front of them? They could reimburse the person if there are extra seats on the flight (like SW does with people who buy extra seats because they are “customers of size”), and at least the animal has a little spot to stand in, or a seat to sit on, so they’re not in the aisle.
Is a dog in aisle during takeoff and landing somehow not a potentially dangerous projectile --but my purse is? There is no reason for public health and safety to be so flagrantly violated.
I personally think the laws need to be changed significantly to avoid the widespread abuse that is ongoing. I agree that these animals (especially the larger ones) pose various safety risks. I’m betting that the number of people who actually need these animals with them every moment is a mere fraction of the number who claim that status.
I also think that these online diagnoses of disability should be illegal.
I agree that an animal that cannot fit under the seat should be required to buy a seat and that the airline
should provide a washable removable cover for the seat and a appropriate seat belt as well.
I am not thrilled with animals on the plane at all. D has traveled with her dog under the seat but I
refused to do so when D asked me to bring her across county.
I am now nervous to take my dog with me on flights (she is 10 lbs and fits in a carrier) because I see many big dogs. My dog is great with humans but certain dogs set her off, and I can never figure out exactly which ones or why. I’d hate to be dealing with that on a flight.
gouf78, yes, but why not change that? If it was sanitary AND the animal had an appropriate seatbelt (yet
to be designed) why couldn’t that rule change? A muzzle also. And maybe only window seats.
I haven’t read thru all the posts, but this just seems like a clash of rights. We just got back from vacation where our upscale hotel restaurant was covered in dogs. I like animals and some were very cute sitting in child strollers and some were labeled “ESA” wearing vests, but what about the rights of individuals who don’t want to eat with animals or sit on planes next to animals because of allergies etc.? Airlines have to allow passengers to have their rights for an ESA, but what about the rights of others?
There is no “ESA Vest” (at least none official - they are mocked up). And the airlines websites claim that they require an ESA letter to be current (within a year), written on letterhead form the person’s treating mental health specialist that explains the diagnosis and how the ESA is part of the treatment plan used to ameliorate the patient’s MH diagnosis. I doubt any airline ever asks to see the letter, nor would they look closely to see if its current. Lots of abuse on line about how to get these letters, sadly.
This would be curtailed if those with animals had to stand in a separate slow line at the airport while somebody had to check out your letter, look over your animal (and tell you that your pet needs a cage, muzzle, fit under the seat etc., can’t sit in a seat, block an aisle or you need to be very last to board at the back for safety reasons).
Actual service animals (which can be registered) get priority.
When my son flew his new puppy in cabin but not as an ESA last week he was required to be at the airport 2 1/2 hours before takeoff. He had to supply the check-in agent with a health certificate and have the dog and carrier weighed (no more than 20 lbs. total) and the carrier checked to make sure it was the right size and that the dog could stand, turn around and lie down in it comfortably. He also had to pay the $125 fee in person.
The “ESA” vest is probably constructed as a way to stop probing questions and challenges. Don’t know if it was official but I have seen a variety of harnesses/gear identifying the animal as an emotional support animal.
Ditto when kid traveled with her cats (my avatars). Only one cabin pet was allowed per person so her dad traveled with her to bring the cats to the US. Paperwork and airport weigh in etc. And I bought JetBlue branded carriers to make sure that they could go under the seat. BTW, JetBlue had a nice online portal where you could buy travel for the pet. If a person with allergy or more than allowed number/type of pets were already booked on the flight, then your request would be rejected.
Not legal. The law specifically states they cannot be charged more for a service animal or an ESA animal. ESAs are not required to be allowed in temporary housing (hotels, B&B) so the owners of the hotels can charge a cleaning fee or ban the pets.