Another day, another dog incident, this time one that I personally witnessed on my recent United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Seattle. When a preboarding call was made for families with young children, an older woman with a puppy decided it was her turn to board with her “son.”
A Puppy Does Not Qualify For “Families With Young Children” Preboarding!
Our flight was delayed and so when I arrived at the gate, it was quite crowded. Boarding commenced a few minutes later. Those with disabilities (you know, like the ones who have a real service dog) were invited to board first, followed by Global Service members, and active-duty military members.
Next, families with children two and under were invited to board. A mature woman dressed smartly in a white linen coat with more botox and plastic surgery than anyone really should be allowed to have in one lifetime strutted onboard her with pooch. She had been standing around waiting to board since before boarding commenced, so it’s not like she just missed the Global Services call.
Even then, I was willing to let it go…but 1Ks were invited to board next and so I was directly behind her as we walked down the jetbridge to board the aircraft. There was a small traffic jam getting on the aricraft because of a person in a wheelchair, and guess what the dog did?
It climbed up (put its two front paws) on the luggage of another passenger. That strikes me as definitive proof that it was not a real service dog.
Folks, I’m so sick of this. And while you may be sick of me talking about this issue over and over, I did not go looking for a story. Instead, a story fell right in front of me, on my flight.
Credit to the dog for being well-behaved during the flight. I didn’t hear a sound from him and when the woman got up to use the lavatory (she was seated in row one), he remained and did not even whimper. I realize that many pets (pets, not service animals) are well-behaved. But that still doesn’t make this matter right.
CONCLUSION
If you are going to put a service animal vest on your dog and board an airplane, I hope your dog is actually trained. That means it doesn’t jump up on other people’s bags. Furthermore, taking your puppy onboard when “families with young children” are invited to board is simply uncouth.
This is now harassment. You’re looking for drama where there isn’t any…
You have a very novel definition of harassment. I’m looking out for those with real service dogs…
@Matthew … +1 .
Spot on Matthew. Thank you.
To the dogs credit he or she was obviously a trained service animal to behave, stay put at its owners seat while its owner was in the restroom. Disabled people are not required to identify their disability to placate aholes like you Matt! That dog is not even required to wear a vest, because again that would require the disabled individual to self identify themselves to placate your fragile 1K entitled ego. Service animals are required to be registered, trained and attached to their handlers reservation. The gate agent would not let the dog on the plane otherwise. The Americans with disability act does not require disabled individuals to self identify to placate your fragile ego!
ADA doesn’t govern and that dog was jumping on other people’s stuff.
Also NOT funny how your story is changed to meet your needs. You initial story … he put his paws on someone’s luggage … now he’s jumping all over it? yeah right. You are not believable on ANY front.
Girl, please. Don’t be pathetic.
Paws up = jumping up.
Paws up does not equal jumping up. Clearly writing a column does not equal intelligence either.
So you fly, maybe even more than most … who cares?
Lots of us travel more than most. Lots of us keep to ourselves, don’t take sketchy pictures of others, don’t grip about things that don’t concern us, try to be kind to others, don’t judge people on things we have no REAL understanding or intelligence on. It would be one thing if she or the dog did something wrong … but based YOUR story … neither did. Grow up. Most people quit being bullies in high school…
The irony to tell Matt to educate, then you spread misinformation…. There is no federal registration for service dogs. Puppies or dogs in training are also not federally recognized under ADA law as service dogs. Training takes a very long time. There is zero fully trained service puppy.
Well Mr. Klint, I am very glad you and your followers wear your ignorances LOUD and PROUD! Easier for the rest of us to identify from afar so we can steer clear!
Ok let’s start with how you identify the person is NOT in need of a service dog? When is the last time you were able to recognize a person with cancer that has the ability to affect one’s functioning of vital organs by LOOKING at the person? When exactly were you able to identify a person with an autoimmune disorder or a seizure disorder by LOOKING at them? How exactly did you identify that this lady, minding her own business, was in fact NOT in need of her service animal? Most people that have service animals do NOT necessarily need the animal to fly (like not a fear of flying) … they need the animal to f**ing LIVE! It should be noted that over 86% of people qualified (and VETTED) for REAL (and HYPER-TRAINED) service animals HAVE NO physical abnormalities that dummies like yourself can actually SEE.
How did you identify the dog was not a TRAINED service dog since you have NO F*** ing clue with what the animal was trained to do to help the woman since we just established you are not qualified to identify who is and who is not in need?
Let’s just go ahead and get out of the way that the dog putting his paws on someone else’s bag could not be at fault. I can honestly say even dogs that have extensive training … if one of there “common” functions is to remove obstacles for their person, that placement of his paws would NOT be alarming to ANYONE that has been around service dogs at all … not even a little bit. Because a dog that is technically trained to sense seizures is also trained to act different that standard “pets” like in pointing out obstacles. And WHILE this is a trait that is usually in control of the person … meaning she probably stands in a different distance than most people so as not to alert the dog that there could be obstacles … she could have stopped short because she is exhausted for what ever reason or maybe the person in front of her was moving at a certain pace and the all the sudden stopped short. This is certainly NOT a reason to judge that the animal is NOT a service dog. In fact, it would incline me to believe he was trained as a service dog.
If you look at how the woman is holding the leash and how the dog is clearly RESPONSIVE to a slack leash. JUST FROM THE FU**ING picture you took which really puts me on HIGH ALERT because I have a college aged daughter that MUST travel with a service dog … NOW I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT STRANGE MEN IN THE AIRPORT TAKING PICTURES OF HER AND HER SERVICE ANIMAL AND PUTTING IT ON THE INTERNET. I am pretty certain there is a list you should be on.
Back to the dog … he/she is clearly attentive to his person ON A SLACK LEASH. He is NOT just a pet. Most service animals do not have the luxury of much down time … they are ALWAYS ON! They never know when their person is NOT in danger. Dogs that are trained to sense seizures are not “picked” to be trained. Seizure dogs are usually happened upon meaning they show their ability and are then picked to be trained further as a service animal. There have been seizure dogs that have been everything from purebred small dogs to very large dogs to mutts. Some of the very best seizure dogs have been rescue dogs. Sometimes you have both dogs that can sense seizures and truly cannot seem to sense seizures all in the same breed.
Now since you clearly have NOT tried to travel with a service animal in recent years … especially since 2020, clearly you are NOT in tune with the excessive amount of paperwork that is due weeks before travel … so if you have a family emergency … you may be better off trying to drive across that ocean! Not only is there an excessive amount of paperwork (that possibly breaks hippa laws but that we submit anyway so that dumbasses like you that complain do not have a leg to stand on even though you clearly do not care), I promise you if that dog is out of carrier he has been trained to behave better than most humans in public (yourself included), has WAY more shots than a normal pet, and the person has jumped through many, MANY hoops and been vetted by both the government and the airline.
So I think it is really “cute” that you think that woman was not in need of a service dog. I personally, think people (LIKE YOURSELF) that choose to judge others on things that they are NOT QUALIFIED to make judgments on should have IDIOT tattooed on their foreheads so the rest of us do not have to wait for you to speak to see with what we are dealing.
I have wasted way too much time on explaining this to you and your followers. But in general, my advice to you is to be kind to others and NOT judge ESPECIALLY about things that you clearly have no clue about. But I would also venture to say those uneducated enough to judge others really are just that …
You got one thing right – you certainly waste a lot of time.
You’re also totally off-base.
Just keep it up, we all see who you are …
I don’t give a damn what you or anyone else think of me. I am perfectly comfortable in my skin …
Why did she HAVE to board early when they called for her? She does NOT have to. Just like First Class can board ANY TIME AFTER THEY ARE CALLED. She has EVERY RIGHT to wait just like anyone else. She only has to wait past her queue …
Do you train your service dog to put their paws on other people’s bag?
You are not entitled to YOUR own facts AND your need to continually contradict your original story … There is one person here that is laughably ignorant on the subject! Here is a hint, sweets …. it is not me or quite honestly anyone else here that commented on your story, whether or not they agreed with me … My grandma used to say,” when you find yourself in a hole, quit digging.” I have never found anyone that has more purely represented the need to follow her instructions than you! While I have found much entertainment in your truly brash ignorance, it will never be funny the way you treat others in this world.
Learn to be kind to others or you may find yourself in places that won’t let you come home. Peace out.
Bye, Felicia!
Thank you so much for calling these entitled people out… more people need to speak up…owners and their dogs in South Florida restaurants and grocery stores have totally got out of hand, and it’s illegal, federal law says you can’t do that, and a person can call the police on offenders…but unfortunately establishments are not enforcing the law…. keep up your good work… thank you.
As a fellow 1K, rest assured, if I ever see you taking creepy photos of me or my family as we board the plane, (for whatever reason you think is a legitimate justification to invade our privacy) that neither of us (you or I) will be boarding that flight.
ROTFL. I’d like to see you try, princess.
Kelly, you seem to miss the entire point of this article; the POINT is not whether or not this woman actually needs a service animal and/or IS her dog a service animal, the POINT is that “people with service animals” do NOT fall under the category of “families with small children”.
This woman CLEARLY was exploiting the lax rules around service animals as well as peoples hesitancy nowadays to challenge the legitimacy of a purported service animal, and even if her dog IS a service animal, she had NO right to board with “families with small children” and frankly she is one of the reasons so many people have negative views of people w/service animals.
Quite honestly, I seriously doubt Mr. Klint’s legitimacy of what happened as he seems jaded from the start and his story changed as his needs changed. And since I travel plenty on many airlines, they usually board ALL people that need extra time before and after and together because getting those people out of the way helps the rest of the plane board smoothly and in a timely manner.
And as Mr. Klint stated at the beginning of his story … THOSE WITH REAL DISABILITIES WERE INVITED TO BOARD FIRST …. IF you do not board during YOUR time to board are you stating that NOW you cannot get on the plane at all? Because if you think that a person with a service dog does NOT qualify as someone with a disability … I assure you they absolutely do … in the eyes of the law and the government and in reference to jobs and in reference to flying. Many of us do NOT board at the very beginning because we have the SAME rights as the rest of people flying to WAIT until whenever we and to get on the plane AFTER our boarding slot.
So basically his WHOLE point falls in … at the very beginning. You think that if FIRST class does not board during their slot that they are NOT allowed to board with the main cabin? Or with economy? Honestly … What is your point?
Hey Kelly, when did you stop beating your husband?
You’re laughably ignorant. The woman was standing there well before boarding started. She could have easily boarded when boarding was called for the disabled because she was standing right there waiting for more than 20 minutes due to a rolling delay. Instead, she boarded 1.) with “families with young children” and 2.) well before first class was called to board.
Sorry, you’re not entitled to your own facts.
Are you one of those people who scam the airlines with your fake “service” dog? Shame on you.
Not only are you wrong on numerous accounts, you are very clearly unwell and unstable. Puppies are not service animals. Do some research and learn to control your sensitive, frail emotions.
I would say the only ahole on here is you, Kelly S, but after reading other moronic responses cottling this entitled a– with anayu obvious fake service dog.. Service dogs are not puppies as they take alot of training . Need i say more? Also it is idiots like you tht encourage such blatant abuse of the system . I could go on about your stupid useless response but I know it would be a waste time as much as you being on this planet .
There are emotional support dogs too you know and they don’t have to have all the training of service dogs but are very essential to those who need them and I know there are people taking advantage but that happens with everything. You don’t know this persons story so why assume the worst?
Since 2021, ESA’s are not allowed to fly as service dogs unless they are with a military person.
ESAs are not service animals. Do your research before you spew nonsense.
Clearly you have never needed, or had a family member or friend who needed a service or companion dog. And by the way, service animals don’t always behave perfectly. Own it, you are being a drama king. This did not negatively affect your experience except for the degree you which you trumped it up. Whether or not the dog was allowed on board was up to the pilot, not you. Live and let live.
Somebody, cancel this guy’s column. There are more important things happening in the world.
I am the age of the woman you describe in your story – I am physically compromised with advanced stage incurable cancer. You can’t see my disability Perhaps you would look at me and think I was unattractive due to botox rather than ravaged by chemo and steroids. My dog is a poodle mix like the dog in your photo, one of the most intelligent breeds. You might think he looks like a mere pet, but he senses and discreetly alerts me to serious metabolic changes in my body so I can address them before they develop into a serious problem. Like her, I travel alone with my service dog and it is customary for disabled persons with or without service dogs to board just before or at the same time as people with young children — all who need extra time. We don’t think the dog is our child! For someone who bills himself as a travel writer/expert you are sorely lacking in observation and common knowledge and your ignorance of ADA, disabilities and service dogs is glaringly ignorant. You do a great disservice misinforming the public and mocking something you know nothing about.
She didn’t board when the disabled were invited to board, which is first and ahead of military and top-tier frequent flyers. She boarded when children were invited to board (fourth in the pecking order).
Matt is probably just one of the a-hole’s who does this.
Matt, you’re a moron. Is my observation of your intellect “harassment” too?
Her and her Botox and plastic surgery has nothing to do with her service dog. You’re just a male who can’t handle women.
Lol.
I’m just able to discern a prima donna after three decades in LA!
Or you have BECOME one after three decades in LA.
For a self-professed Christian, your mean spirit is a rotten witness. Gal. 5. Where is it in your insults?
The pettiness, the bitterness, the cruelty to other humans, it’s out of hand. Your very smart son will one day discover your mean words. Mark my words as a teacher for three decades, and a person who has watched multiple friends want nothing to do with believers because of people like you–because they see no love.
Your posts did not have this mean spirit until a couple years ago. They shifted. Please think about what you say. Or stop pretending to be a Christian.
What does it mean to be a Christian, Marnie?
Well said.
Harassment? You are kidding right?
Emotional support animals are a pathetic excuse for people who want to travel with dogs. Full stop.
Trained service animals in most case are fine, if they have licensing and proof.
If you need an “emotional support animal” (formerly known as a “pet”) and can’t fly without one… I don’t want you on a plane with me, you are too unstable to fly.
Lol
You know nothing about mental health and emotional support dogs if you think you can judge everyone as too unstable to fly. With your hateful attitude I wouldn’t want to fly with the likes of you but would have no problem flying with a dog onboard.
Who really cares? As a former airline f/an and employee of 22 years it is ridiculous to care about something so petty. It is usual for first class to board right after children and families and your picture appears that is what happened. I’d rather have a plane full of dogs than petty people. Many dogs saved and lost their lives for us during Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Always wonderful on our flights. Focus on important topics like illegal immigration, our economy and our VETERANS
No thanks Lola.
That comment alone explains perfectly that you are obviously someone who likes to judge people on what you believe are facts.
What’s more despicable is that you would rather focus on things that you can’t prove than doing a real journalist writing about the serious state of our amazing country. But then again the editors probably realize you can’t handle real journalism and are only spreading garbage to try and build a name for yourself. Well congratulations you have done that. Unfortunately for you those names are idiot, out of touch and view yourself as an an expert of nothing!
How erudite!
You need to get a real life. All that is happening in the United States you are concerned about a little dog. You sound like you are hateful and belong to be seated in the back of the plane. Get a life stop being so mean. You must be board so you should be a greeter at Walmart they would love to have you.
I concur Matt!!!
Wait…A man wrote this article? Not a woman?! Hahaha. That’s rich. I hear the View is hiring. Go give them a call. Hahaha.
My pronouns are thee/thou.
You have no idea what type of disability the woman with the dog has and boarding early could be for several reasons. If said woman was in a wheelchair would you judge her for boarding early to get situated with her assistive device.
Even the most well trained dogs can encounter something novel. How would you feel if you needed medication or assistance but then were judged for it. This article is weird and it violates that person by taking her picture. Boo
Matt is an idiot. Keep calling out these horrible people Matthew. You’re performing a great service.
Send the dog and the owner back to the check-in counter .
Simply pawesome entitled women breaks multiple rules to have her way. No one says anything to stop her. This is why we have serious problems. At least it didn’t have an accident or bite.
Matthew missed an opportunity to have a bit of fun. He should have said:
“Excuse me, young lady, this family member appears to be older than 2 years old. Boarding is for those with family members under 2.”
If you want to short-circuit people’s expectations, make a negative request/demand but pepper it with compliments and humor.
At least that’s what one of my former corporate managers tried to pull off on me during a review. It didn’t work (on me.)
Is this a problem with the people and their dogs, or United empowering their employ enforce their company policies?
Maybe I missed it but where are the pictures with “service dog” on the dog? I think it’s far more likely that instead of it being a service dog it was an animal she paid to be there as her pet, not a service dog… unless you forgot to add those pictures.
Service Dog is on the harness
@Maryland … Perhaps the dog was named “Service Dog” , and the photo shows merely his name tag .
You mean fake service dog is on the collar.
Service dog is on the side of the harness. Sadly I’ve never seen one of these fools state the truth.
As others have pointed out, “Service Dog” is written on the harness.
Also, pets that are not service dogs are required to be in a carrier on United. Unlike service dogs, pets are not allowed to be out of a carrier and on a leash on the plane.
Meh-she’s boarding from Los Angeles to Seattle and everyone knows those cities have gone to the dogs.
Looks like a “doodle” mix. The dog, not the lady. Sweet, well behaved. Again, the dog. However, both should have waited until “passengers with pets” were called for boarding.
Every time I fly to Mexico with either volaris or Aeromexico they let my family board first because we have service dogs. This is the airline employees telling us to go ahead and board before most other passengers for carrying dogs with us.
Actual service dogs are a whole different thing.
WOW. Here you are again continuing your crusade against man’s best friend. AFTER I explained that 70% of households have pets!
We get it, you hate animals. You want to see them dead. You want to devote your blog to attacking pets. You have given up miles and points related topics and now its personal!
Some of us hate children and resent them on airplanes. I do. They crap and vomit and cry and they are a nuisance. Maybe we should start to have common sense rules about screaming kids – as a parent how do I know one of my J or F trips was ruined by one of your screaming brats?
Pathetic
A strangely common non-sequitur. Children are humans. God bless the parents who are willing to raise children into adulthood. After they become adults, these children will keep society running. They will pay taxes. They will maintain our infrastructure like sewers, utilities, and roads. They will deliver our food and supplies that keep our societies running. They will become sanitation workers who remove garbage from our cities and towns. They will become teachers and engineers and first responders. They will become nurses and tradespeople. They will become entrepreneurs who start new businesses.
Dogs won’t do any of those things. It really is a bizarre comparison!
Mr, Klint, thank you for highlighting these unpleasant incidents regarding dogs on planes whenever they occur! 🙂
Do you think it’s okay to lie about being disabled?
Do you think it’s okay to lie about your dog being a service dog?
That’s what you are supporting here.
Yes indeed. Bailey, who happens to share the name of my beautiful former Golden Retriever, is advoacting for people lying and breaking the law. How pathetic.
I am a retired professional dog trainer. These fake service dogs (no matter how well trained they are) continue to be an issue. Fortunately this situation didn’t escalate into one but you never know until it’s too late. I’ve seen cases where a so called “service dog” pooped in the aisle of an airplane & passenger’s had to smell & view the diarrhea the remainder of the flight. I’ve seen dogs shake in fear in crowds & snap/growl/submissive pee in public. I’ve seen reactive “service” dogs attack other dogs just passing by.
The breaking the rules of a true service dog will one dog literally stop the ability of their service if this keeps up. True service dogs spend a year or more in training & that training costs thousands of dollars. There are strict rules & disciplines in place for them for a reason. I hate it when those rules are broken for selfish people who want all access for a pet that may or may NOT behave in public.
LMAOOO
“Hey, I love animals unlike YOU. Animals should be able to be on planes doing whatever they want! Don’t like it? You’re a bigot!!!”
Get a grip, Bailey.
So true E Don!
The bigger problem is families with children qualifying for a special treatment. No way they should be able to board before FC or even any level United member. I’m good with the cappers in wheelchairs and active military but after them everyone else should board with their group.
All these “special” people are more of the devaluation of airline loyalty programs.
Just like the pregnant women who claim they’re disabled because they’re pregnant. Give me a break.
This w0m@n will go on a one-way to h311. The rest of us are in purgatory until she gets there. The end of civil society.
Yep Big Tee, idiots like this start the slippery slope to the nonsense.
Oh please, a bit too much hyperbole from both of you.
Please stop writing silly story like such after the fact. If you believed that she had broken the rules, you should point out at the time as the event unfolded.
No – that puts me in jeopardy. My way brings attention to recurring abuse and draws more eyeballs, hopefully in a way that will lead to meaningful change, not a single correction on a single flight.
If you were halfway responsible for actually looking at the rules, you would know the DOT requirements stipulate pre approval of service animals.
“Forms and advanced notice
If you’re traveling with a service animal on flights operated by American, we recommend that you electronically submit the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Service Animal Air Transportation Form that verifies your service animal’s health, training, and behavior to the Special Assistance Desk at least 48 hours before your flight. We’ll notify you as soon as your document is approved.”
Pre-approval is simply the submission of a self-attestation form.
News flash: people lie.
My wife is disabled (MS) and needs a 3 wheel scooter to get around. She also has service dog, a 6 pound Alpha-Poo. We rarely fly anymore due to us both having disabilities. We did, however, have to fly to CA from the East Coast recently. Being disabled my wife and I (I was able to go with her) were able to board first to get out of the way for the other passengers. Our dog, Riley Jane , laid on my wife’s lap, or mine, the entire 6 hour flight to CA. She never moved, barked or had any accidents. Same story coming home. I understand that not all dogs are like Riley. I only post this so that all dogs on flights are not the same and shouldn’t be classified the same. Well trained dogs, or dogs that just are laid back like Riley, are a real comfort for those that use their dogs as service dogs.
I agree this whole service dog thing is ridiculous especially for those who truly need service dogs this is nothing more than a pet and a person who feels that she’s better than anyone else. I have a dog the same size I love my dog but that doesn’t make it a service dog.
While I do not condone the behavior of a fake service dog owner, I find it comical that this is a story. The bottom line is that this passenger made you get to your seat 20 seconds later.
Move on.
That was not my complaint. My complaint was the fraud perpetrated against the airline.
@matthew what was the appropriate behavior for the women with the dog? Wait another few moments for first class to be called? You could finish the story with the proper etiquette lesson. That might be helpful.
Leave the dog at home or put it in a cage.
“Cage.” “It.”
This tells us everything we need to know about the validity of your perspective. I’m tired of anti dog people whining and moaning about people traveling with their dogs in cabin, as we should all be entitled to do. I support everyone who is taking steps to ensure that they are not separated from their dogs on flights, and each tirade of this sort makes me more committed to pushing for a reality where the anti dog perspectives expressed here are simply not tolerated in civilized society.
I agree with you, Matthew. So many people need to be brought into a room and watch filmstrips on basic citizenship and manners.
A dog putting two paws onto a piece of luggage is “definitive proof” that it’s not a service dog? Thanks for the laugh.
On someone else’s luggage? Um, yes…
Service dogs are a fiction created by people who have mental instability and cannot function in public and are then perpetuated by people who falsely claim their animal is a “service dog” to cheat others out of what is rightfully theirs. They should be banned from airplanes. You can’t fly without your mutt? Take a train …
Ever met a vet with real PTSD? Guess u think it’s not real! If you did, you know immediately it’s true & their dogs are life savers. They can’t be without them. Think about what ppl who fought four YOUR ass to be negative about them. You’re a very selfish, mad at the world know it all. No room for you in the understanding crowds.
Matt,
You are correct. Too many people claim service dogs that really are not. First class passenger, only because of money. The “Elite ” people need a good old fashioned butt spanking!
Matt, I agree I’m sick of it too. I saw a lady with a pit bull at Walmart and we all know damn well that is not a service dog
APBTs can be service dogs. I’ve seen them as mobility dogs in particular, but there’s no reason they can’t be taught to perform other tasks.
I saw a woman with a pit bull in the basket at Trader Joes in Delray Beach, Florida… the dog problem here in restaurants and grocery stores is terrible…it is totally unsanitary and against Federal law….too many entitled people… leave your dogs home where they are much more comfortable…
Are you feeling alright, Matthew?
As someone who trained service dogs, invested months (12-15 months), it is sickening to see people bringing their PETS places reserved for service dogs. A true service dog would NOT put its paws on anything unless given the command. Unfortunately until the government (oh I can hear a certain group cringing) steps in with REAL regulations, requirements and official documentation will this ever begin to be corrected. I am a dog lover and I could’ve easily slipped a vest on my dog and taken him everywhere, but he wasn’t a service dog. He was my best friend, my copilot, my confidant, my partner in crime, but he wasn’t a service dog.
Apparently MT is irritated by the fact that someone brought a doodle to the plane. Is this really problem? Hm, United mentioned. Maybe something about airline? BTW, the lady with doodle not so old (hands identify the age). And why it is MT business how many surgeries this women did? Or is this bc she crossed your 1k status? Last comment, there more real problems in the world to pay attention to and write about. Time to grow up.
Yawn.
Matthew Clint story about woman with a service dog puppy-
Matthew-
You sound like a real b*tch. Service dogs can include service dogs in training, especially puppies in the wee years.
You don’t know that lady? Why do you make a c*nt of yourself assuming things? Quit being a b*tch. You said in your own words that the puppy stayed in place on its own in flight so…
Learn up on disability laws and get a f*cking clue and some good f*cking taste cuz you sound like used sour lemon douche hating on the possibly disabled.
Travel pro? Dude? You’re a faggot stalker taking photos of single women from behind that could just very well be disabled and already feeling bad vibes, especially more so from the anal retentive “wannabe” reporter taking photos of granny *ss in the airline kiosk. Ps. Adults w/small children and the disabled usually board at the same time before every one else. Get a clue retard.
You should get a service dog so you’re not such a judgemental bitch when you travel and write your next column. Grow the fuck up and quit being a hater…
I’ll stick up for you here, Matthew.
Some people here clearly feel animosity towards you because you can afford to be a frequent flyer. If anything is irrelevant here, it’s that.
What matters, and what you correctly pointed out, is that rules are there for a reason and should be followed. It’s the basis of an orderly and civilized society.
I mean, why even have a dog to just flout the rules and board with the disabled? Might as well just pretend to have an invisible disability, or just use a wheelchair even though you don’t need one.
And why limit it to airplane situations? Why not just run red lights when you feel like it, or jump the line at the supermarket?
What fun life would be if we all did that! We are all capable of it. Just some of us choose to do it and most of us thankfully don’t. The ones who do need to be shown what happens when everyone does it so they can see why it’s wrong. Or at the very least, they need to be called out and corrected, preferably by someone with authority to do so like an airline employee plus security if needed plus police if needed. It’s a major part of the reason those jobs exist — to keep things civilized and orderly.
I traveled with a large Golden Retriever for years. I paid the extra cost for each flight and always had to prove his health with recent vet records, signed forms stating his ability to fly safety, and proof a vaccinations. Every time I showed up for a flight I was asked to board with families and children so I would have a few extra seconds to settle my dog. The point was to maintain the flow of boarding, not to be first on the plane. My dog was never disruptive and always better behaved than the children around us. The unvaccinated, runny nosed, seat kicking, fart goblins . Maybe minding your own business should be a future goal?
No Timmi. Not if a “service animal” vest is placed on the household pet.
Mine your own business matt.
Zzzzzz. This got me to chuckling as I was drifting of to sleep. Thanks.
This is a major pet peeve of mine. Once at target a little dog jumped out of the cart it was in to run up and jump on my daughter who was about 2 years old at the time. Another time at a frozen yogurt place a woman had her dog sitting on a couch indoors that was barking at customers walking in. And another time I saw a dog at a restaurant sitting up at the table with the owner at their outdoor patio aggressively barking and growling at people walking by. ESAs are not protected by the same laws as service animals and if a dog can’t behave in public, they shouldn’t be there. If it puts stress on the dog and people around the dog, how is that ok? I’m a dog owner, my lab is a bit timid, I would never take him somewhere that might stress him out.
If she had a service dog it could be that she had a disability. Just because she is dressed well and has had plastic surgery doesn’t mean that she doesn’t. She might have missed the disabled call. Pick on something or someone else.
And the jumping on another passenger’s bag?
A) there is NO service dog license/ qualification/…. (well there are many, but there is no “official” one)
B) if a dog can help recognizing ceisures/low blood sugar early or helps with panik attacks = service dog
While you would assume they need to be “well trained” that is NOT the case. If you get a service dog as an i.e. blind person you need to make sure it is trained for your disability. Jumping on a piece of luggae is not a KO criteria for a service dog.
But what if she’s diabetic or epileptic and her dog alerts her? I don’t know if you should be the gatekeeper of who gets to bring service animals. I get that you’re frustrated by the notion that someone is getting away with something – and clearly you’re upset that a dog put it’s paws on someone luggage (though I can’t help but think you’re making a mountain out of a molehill). There are so many instances where you could be jumping to the wrong conclusion that I can’t get behind your outrage. Sorry.
Working in retail, I got my fill of these so-called “service ” dogs. Had one specifically who would come into the store a few times a week. This dog growled at me on a few occasions when I walked around the edge of a counter, etc. When this dog growled at another customer merely for walking down an adjoining aisle, it was the end. When I told her that her dog had to leave the store, she screamed at me that she was going to sue the store and specifically me. Didn’t care. If her dog would hurt another customer, it would be a whole other set of problems.
Thank you Dawn! It is important for the public to understand that staff can *legally* require a purported “service” dog to be removed from a store if it is acting in a threatening manner. Growling is definitely quite threatening!
As a former CRO (Conflict Resolution Officer – basicly a walking ACAA encycolpedia), airline executive, TRAINER, and even counter dragon – I can tell you Matt has this spot on. TRUE service animals (NOT “emotional support animals”) ARE TRAINED to stay NEXT to their human. To NOT wonder, wag its tail, change its stance, or approach other humans or dogs.
a REAL service animal will either stand in FRONT of their human, or sit to the side, while waiting. The animal will NEVER walk in front of the human unless guiding them, and I can assure you, a REAL service animal would not “paw” or “jump” on someone’s luggage, let alone approach it.
Also, its NOT an ADA requirement. Its ACAA – Air Carrier Access Act.
*and I also have friends with service animals, and know someone in town that IS a real service animal trainer (they are even on social media, been on CNN, etc*
Thanks for this. I quite agree. Poor Kelly S is very confused.
Service dogs board in pre-boarding on UA at the beginning (during those who need more time), so she actually boarded late during that pre-boarding session. This is coming from someone who had a service dog, and has flown on UA with the dog, and is also a 1k. While misbehaviors are not allowed (typically related to barking, urinating, biting), I would hardly deem the dog putting paws on one bag that.
It was a cute and well-behaved dog, but not a service animal.
Once again I am at the airport with my service dog. Without his assistants I would not be able to travel or even go to the store alone.
He was trained over two years at the cost of nearly $50,000 dollars; over 70% of the dogs he began training with did not make it to full service dog. Why….because each dog must meet multiple personality requirements. They need to be attentive, calm, follow directions and want to work. They need to have the ability to walk on any surface, not be startled by loud noise (sirens, trains, whistle’s,airplanes ect.). As well as be able to learn over 40 tasks that will help MITIGATE THEIR TEAM MEMBERS SPECIFIC DISABILITIES.
There’s is not an easy task yet they gladly do all that is asked of them and more. As part of a service team that has mutual respect and love for one and other.
Unfortunately there are many individuals who will buy a service dog vest and take their wonderful pet to places that they are not allowed. This may seem like a innocent act…but it is not a victimless CRIME. These animals are often untrained, and will act out in unfamiliar places. My service dog has been attacked on planes,cruise ships and in Costco.As a ‘real’ service dog can not be aggressive it is up to me and those around me to protect my dog…many real service dogs have been removed from service after an attack because of fearfullness after being attacked. Also poor behavior on the part of fake service teams can affect the treatment real service teams receive. My service dog is not a choice but a nessesity to assist me to do what so many others take for granted!
No puppy can be a trained service dog…it takes years. But a puppy can be a service dog in training, but that status doesn’t provide the animal public access rights.
That’s not correct. Service dogs in training (accompanied by a qualified trainer) have all the rights and access that a completed trained service dog has. If they didn’t, there would be no way to get them fully trained. Your service dog did not become trained to behave in public places (including transport) without lots of exposure to those places. Take it from a service dog trainer.
I work at the VA and we do not recognize service dogs in training.
Yes I am in a position to know this for sure and to enforce compliance. I’m Some of my previous VA’s allowed it, but it is not truly allowed.
Yes-I know this is not what you believe but true. And yes- I previously trained service dogs (real ones) and took them to a VA.
Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA:
Q6. Are service-animals-in-training considered service animals under the ADA?
A. No. Under the ADA, the dog must already be trained before it can be taken into public places. However, some State or local laws cover animals that are still in training.
Wow. I’m amazed that so many commentators have used Mr. Klint’s article as a means to publish their own inadequacies. Good article. Complex issue. I’m impressed with your thick skin, Matt. I’m looking forward to reading more of your writings.
Have you already reported all the incorrectly parked cars on your road for today?