A JetBlue passenger allegedly snuck a dog onboard, then the dog defecated in the cabin. Incidents like this are exactly why airlines need to enforce pet rules before the aircraft door closes…and have the freedom to ban dogs altogether on flights.
JetBlue Passenger Allegedly Snuck Dog Onboard, Then Dog Defecated In Cabin
A JetBlue flight crew had to message ahead for help after a passenger allegedly snuck a dog onboard and the dog made a mess in the cabin. Per View From The Wing, the incident occurred on JetBlue flight 1368 from West Palm Beach (PBI) to Westchester (HPN). The flight crew reportedly sent an ACARS message asking operations for assistance on arrival:
PLZ ADVISE OPS HPN, SEAT 16B, SNUCK DOG ONBOARD, IS NOT COOPERATING, DOG POOPED ON PLANE
https://twitter.com/Dirt_Diver_24_7/status/2069408467157500309
That is quite a message…
The flight still arrived early, and the aircraft reportedly operated its next flight about an hour later, so this apparently did not turn into a major operational disruption. But the underlying issue is bigger than this single JetBlue flight.
Pet Rules Exist For A Reason
JetBlue allows small dogs and cats to travel in the cabin, but they must be in an approved carrier that fits under the seat. JetBlue charges a pet fee, and the pet is supposed to remain in the carrier during the flight.
Service animals are different. JetBlue accepts trained service dogs, but they must remain under the control of the handler…this does not appear to be a story about service animal abuse.
I have written about onboard pet incidents many times, and so most of you know my position. I am not anti-dog or anti-pet. I understand that some passengers travel with legitimate service animals and that others responsibly travel with pets in carriers.
But the system breaks down when passengers decide the rules do not apply to them. Not only is it unfair to the crew, but it is unfair to other passengers and especially to responsible pet owners and people who truly rely on trained service animals, because every incident like this makes the public more cynical and makes my cry louder to allow airlines to ban dogs, regardless of the circumstance.
We don’t know how small this dog was or whether JetBlue could reasonably have “caught” it before boarding. Maybe it was one of those little purse dogs? In any case, shame on the passenger. I hope s/he is banned from JetBlue.
CONCLUSION
A JetBlue passenger allegedly snuck a dog onboard, refused to cooperate when discovered, and then the dog defecated in the cabin.
Thankfully, this incident does not appear to have delayed the flight or taken the aircraft out of service. But it is another reminder that people are rampantly abusing dog rules onboard. Passengers who travel with pets need to follow the rules. Airlines need to enforce those rules before boarding (though it isn’t clear if JetBlue failed here of the dog was very carefully hidden).
But maybe it’s time to give U.S. airlines more leeway in banning all types of dogs from cabins, regardless of circumstance?
Tomorrow we will look at another cat incident…
image: JetBue
PBI to Westchester? Could I be wrong guessing entitled owner allows the dog to poop all over the place ? Shame. Publishing photos of the human offenders should be mandatory.
The dogs or the ‘owners’? Bah!
Town & Country mag… Puh leeze.
I was thinking the same!
When I saw this story at VFTW, I was eager to see Matt’s ‘hot-take.’ I was not disappointed. Can’t wait for the cat-incident tomorrow! *meeeeow*
The dog owner should be fined or arrested for aiding and abetting a stowaway.
Matthew thinking of the family and hoping everyone stays comfortable through the heat dome! Cooling thoughts
For real. Wasn’t Paris at like 100F/40C?! That’s insane. There is simply not enough ACs over there either. I fear for the elderly and vulnerable.
It’s crazy hot. Last year Matthew discussed installing air conditioning.
When I saw the title, I thought it was definitely VFTW.
Another dog hating article on this Blog. I’ve seen humans do much worse to airplanes than a dog small enough to get snuck on could ever do with their tiny poops.
You defend dogs being snuck onboard and defecating?
Dogs are gross, and do not belong anywhere.
Yes this is wrong on so many levels,and it’s the owner who is to be blamed.The dog doesn’t know what a jet is and no doubt would rather not be there.We had a perfectly behaved dog in first class Miami to Chicago.A dog defecating in cabin is awful, but no worse than the human pigs who leave the toilet disgusting for other passengers after them,very hostile passive aggressive unlike the dog.
“A dog defecating in cabin is awful, but no worse than the human pigs who leave the toilet disgusting for other passengers after them” No worse? I’m picturing the worst lav I’ve seen, and a dog defecating. You have a considerably different priority structure than I.
You missed the point I was making entirely,the dogs actions are not malicious.If you are the world traveler you imply, I question the honesty of your statement,I have seen more than a few airline lav poop smears forcing me to find another lav.Havenot been on a single flight where a dog pooped or behaved unruly.
what obnoxious, entittled behavior. I hope he is banned for life on JetBlue, or should I say JetPoo. The traveler should be put on the no fly list as well.