A mangnamamous “service dog” was so exhausted from his laborious role as caretaker and guardian that he had to rest on a couch and eat food or drink intended for human beings in an American Airlines Admirals Club. Someone give this brave pooch a medal.
Service Dog Lounges On Furniture In American Airlines Admirals Club, Chows Down
Oh, you did not think I was going to miss out on an opportunity to point out another documented case of service animal abuse, did you? This incident took place at an American Airlines Admirals Club at Los Angeles International Airport (the Terminal 5 lounge as far as I can tell).
Under a grand rotunda, stood a grand dog with a service collar around his neck (this one for only $9.99 on Amazon…).
His human, fashionably dressed in Ugg boots (which would have had her thrown out of the nearby Qantas Lounge in Terminal B), an athleisure outfit, and not one, not two, but three carry-on items (because why should rules apply to me, whether that be concerning dogs or bags?), certainly was in great need.
But caring for her loyal pet service companion, she went over to the food bar and fetched something for her darling child:
I wonder what pooch ate?
American Airlines’ own rules about pets:
Carry-on pets are welcome in Admirals Club lounges, provided they remain in their kennels.
Where was the staff here?
Hey folks, I don’t want to hear the trite quips about, “I’d rather see dogs than children running around” or “The dogs are better behaved than the low-class trash they carry.” Blah, blah, blah.
That doesn’t change the fact that dogs should not be standing on furniture or eating human food out of human cups…in fact, dogs should not be allowed in lounges.
If you need a dog to get around, maybe you think twice about flying?
But of course, this is all a game. If airlines were allowed to ban service animals tomorrow, most folks would be just fine…as they had to be for decades before the proliferation of dogs onboard. Somehow people all survived just fine…
I’m not so heartless as to fail to recognize that some folks genuinely depend on their specially-trained service dogs when out in public. My ire is not addressed to those folks, but I wish they were the ones standing up and shouting about the Lululemon prima donnas who lie, cheat, and steal in order to take their trophy pet in the cabin with them.
I’m so jaded now when it comes to dogs on planes and I will conitnue to document these cases in hopes that in an era in which common sense is being thrown out the window, maybe just maybe some common sense can be restored to the skies and airlines can start banning these pesky pets from the skies.
Hat Tip: View From The Wing
Great post. Agreed.
I’m with you until you went full nuts. If you need a service dog, you should be allowed to travel? I’m sure that blind folks and veterans with severe PTSD enjoy your entitled worldview. Not very Christian of you, Matthew.
I asked a question – I did not make a declarative statement. The “this is why we can’t have nice things” idiom rings true – shame on the losers for ruining it for the blind.
*shouldn’t
Service dogs are medically related.
If someone pretends to be a doctor and treats patients, they can be fined and punished.
Same for fake service dogs. Since the owner is responsible fine them.
you gotta give the Service Dog issue a rest. We know your position, we know what’s right and what’s wrong. The airlines are going to deal with it or not; probably lean to the not. it is life as it is in the USA now…very me me me.
Pooch is a little paunchy. My guess is the chair was wet with slurp and how unfair to the next guest that sat there! Beyond the service dog lie is a highly inconsiderate owner. I love dogs but there are places they just don’t belong.
But he’s sooooooooooo cute
Perfectly said Matt! Amen
Pets are some of the worst contributors to climate change.
Entirely useless and yet requiring food and what not.
I ran into a situation last week when I was in the Terminal E club at DFW with a woman bringing her Precious into the club, who was apparently excited to be there. Meanwhile, four paces behind was the husband, dragging all of the luggage and looking incredibly depressed. You could really tell what that relationship was like.
No, Admirals’ Clubs are no places for dogs. Never saw a dog in a United Club in years of using them.
Probably Dave Edwards dog, undoubtedly he’s the kind of person who thinks the rules don’t apply to him, particularly if “the chair was wet with slurp and unfair to the next guest” because that’s exactly the type of person Dave Edwards is.
“If you need a service dog to get around, maybe you should not be traveling at all.
But of course, this is all a game. If airlines were allowed to ban service animals tomorrow, most folks would be just fine…as they had to be for decades before the proliferation of dogs onboard. Somehow people all survived just fine…”
Wow. Just wow. ::Big Thumbs Down Emoji::
Dogs should be eating the same food that we eat
Dog food is utter poison
Our rule is before we eat, we give our mini poodle her fair share. Then we are allowed to eat (though still sharing)
Is this something we can get MAGA outraged about? I absolutely despise the way Trump ignores the law to abuse executive power, but if he’s going to do it anyway, add this to the list Mr. President! Just ban service animals that aren’t necessary. Eliminate any emotional needs from consideration. Physical disability assistance animals only.
Thank goodness we don’t get this nonsense in Europe.
That lady is dressed like an entitled bitch. She was definitely not going to manage the fake service dog.
The entitled bitch whose leash she held probably wouldn’t be caught dead wearing that outfit.
I’m aghast. I’m practically fainting from the shock. Did the dog hurt you? Or was it the fashion sensibilities of the owner that injured your delicate feelings? In either case, I can understand the level of upset.
Concretely, what harm resulted from this grave offense against the moral and aesthetic order? Is it that a blogger famous for, say, suing Swiss over a First ticket that wasn’t, might get upset seeing a rule violation?
Out of curiosity, are you equally upset watching motorists who fail to stop for pedestrians at unmarked intersections? Or is the hysteria in this case possibly because the scene you witnessed taunts you with the possibility that some people give more attention to their pets than you might give to your children?
I would much rather see a pet in a lounge than a travel blogger. But I wouldn’t get upset about it unless the blogger attempted to eat food intended for humans from receptacles also meant for humans.
Perhaps the airlines could provide fainting couches for delicate bloggers who witness pets and unfashionable boots?
Oh, I find the boots very fashionable.
Shut it. Matthew didn’t violate any rules by buying advertised Swiss F award, geez! Talk about far-reaching statement!
It’s just the Admirals Club which is basically a 3rd world country. It doesn’t keep me up at night. I have the AA card with club access. American Airlines should be paying me to use their worthless clubs. LOL
I like the powdered omelets in the morning, though!
Trump should be focusing on stuff like this ie, revising the ADA rules to allow airlines to ban all animals not in a cage instead of some of the other stuff he is focused on. It is ridiculous, of course if you are allergic to a dog, you just have to suffer through your flight.
Don’t blame the dog, blame the owner and all US airlines because this could have happened on any of them. Don’t worry though, Criminal Trump and the lout who is his side kick will outlaw disability any day now and service dogs will be no more. It’s all part of MAGA.
I certainly do blame the owner, not the dog.
They should also ban kids under 16 from the lounges! Lounges were originally created to provide frequent business travellers – ADULTS! – with a QUIET space to conduct work while waiting for their flight. Today, they are nothing but ersatz daycare centers for spoiled, out-of-control brats and their careless, overindulgent parents.
Enough is enough with this fraud. But it makes me wonder….maybe I can wear a Lebron James jersey to the airport and get the celebrity VIP treatment?? After all, I am wearing a clothing item that says I am Lebron James, so I must be the actual Lebron James, no?
This is why most Pets and lets call them what most are, Pets should be banned from public transportation.
I represent veterans with service dogs, who have been trained and tested. This owner did not have a real service dog. A service dog works and doesn’t sit on furniture. They are very disciplined workers. What this woman did was to smear every passenger who has a trained service dog. It’s enraging.
Agreed and thank you. A cause I support
Clearly this is Jetway Jesus’ pet.
Hopefully the state finally prosecutes Jetway Jesus under California Penal Code 365.7, which allows a $1000 fine and/or 6 months in jail.
Ugh… And if as the dog entitlement wasn’t enough, look at the size of that carry-on bag with a gusset so bulging it’s about to explode. I have never met this woman, but I can tell that she’s a horrible, horrible person.
If Common Sense were common, more people would use it.
So disgusting. She should be banned for life.
Wow,just wow,so many judgemental bitches,no wonder I lean misanthropic.I see absolutely nothing wrong with the woman,her attire,the dog is well behaved,and for all anyone knows,maybe the only family she has,(LA is a very sad place to be a human)neither one is bothering anyone,well,not intentionally,LOL.This would be another non issue if spoiled adult babies would mind their own business and stop projecting their selfish foibles on others.
Dogs aren’t allowed in restaurants (for hygienic reasons) why are they allowed in a lounge. Great post Matthew.
Aside from the issue of dogs, many of these posts (similar to posts about airline crowding) are really people complaining about changing travel demographics. The young-ish woman in athleisure with the spinning bag and dog in tow is now as much of a typical traveller as pudgy business dudes in bad blazers. We see women like this in first class, lounges, hotel lobbies, etc. With the dramatic increase in dog ownership, many are interested in traveling with dogs. Given the huge market of this kind of traveler, airlines will accommodate them, regardless of federal regulation or people like me, Matthew Klint or Gary Leff consultant types complaining.
Many times people travel with their pets out of necessity,and it requires a lot of thought and planning before hand.The lounge rule was violated letting the dog out of the kennel,but with a likely lengthy layover before another stress filled flight,and eventual arrival at their destination.A lounge suits the purpose better than a crowded terminal.She let the pup out of its confines for a drink of water(I’m sure it’s not from the bar,nor do I see any food ,to back that hysterical accusation).I thought part of travel is opening up to /about other people who are different from ourselves and lead different lives,and embracing that fact.
Agree – and I have nothing against women in athleisure, which is what my wife wears when she travels. I like it! Just not the dogs. 😉
St.Francis is on the dog lady side…WOOF!
The food at the Admirals Club is worthy of a dog. American is sinking like the titanic.
At least it waa a plastic/?leather seat. The cloth ones are not good as the dog hair sticks and the next person to sit in the same seat gets the hair… I have seen people sit the dog at the table and feed them and seen dogs wandering in the lounge taking food of peoples plates on the low tables… sad but true
Thanks for covering this Matthew.