Federal law may prohibit any meaningful verification of whether your “service dog” is trained to perform “work” on your behalf, but it is still reasonable to point out that when a dog flops over an entire row and refuses to move at the owner’s urging–as was the case on recent United Airlines flight–it is probably not a service dog.
“Service Dog” Flops Over Entire Row On United Flight
As shared on reddit, the dog was cute and charming, but very poorly trained:
Very sweet dog, but clearly not a service dog. In my leg space the entire flight (including takeoff and landing). The owner tried but could not move the dog – too big and didn’t want to budge.
The traveler asks whether she should complain and I say YES…because no paying customer should be expected to grin and bear a dog in her personal space.
These cases are frequent. Earlier this week, another account was shared:
I had a “service dog” on flight recently. I have severe reservations about whether it was a service dog based on how often it was trying to get treats and ask for pets but it was the SWEETEST dog.
Her name was Lola and I loved her. At one point she tried to jump on my lap and I was ready to pick her up and pet her for the whole flight. At the end of the flight I go “it was nice to meet you-” and her owner goes “yeah!” And I finish my sentence “Lola” and me and the owner kind of glanced at each other awkwardly and I walked off.
It was like, lady, you were okay. Fine to share a row with, but I’ll travel with your dog anywhere.
Real service animals do not jump on the laps of strangers. Real service animals do not demand treats.
CONCLUSION
I am chronicling these cases, and will continue to do so, for a very specific reason. I want current policy to change. I want more documentation required and doctors to be fined and lose their licenses who certify service animals who are not adequately trained.
Your right to dignity and access as a disabled person is important, but it is no more important than the right of your seatmate to enjoy her seat without being disturbed by your dog.
Do you have a service dog story? Please share it in the comments below.
image: @noteverythingnotyet / reddit // hat tip: View From The Wing
It is correct to say that all people are entitled to all of their seat space whether disabled or not. But that’s no reason to put particular scrutiny on service dogs, which are in my experience far more likely to be pleasant seat neighbors than the people I have been forced to sit next to. The problem is not specific to service dogs or pets.
I’m talking more about physical occupation here. Certainly, a vulgar or stinky seatmate is probably far worse than a large but friendly dog, but a rude seatmate at least does not intrude into your space.
Have you been on a flight recently? In economy? People do regularly intrude in your space rolling over the armrest, spreading their legs wide open, dozing off on your shoulder, putting their bag under the seat in front of you. I’d take a dog in my leg room over that every single day.
Some people just seem to hate dogs and people who need to get their dog somewhere or have a genuine emotional support need for traveling with one. Just because you don’t doesn’t mean you need to ruin their day.
If they change their policy I hope it’s to allow all passengers to pay a little extra to bring their pup. Have 30 or 40 dogs on a flight just so you and the Reddit dog downvote brigade can absolutely lose your minds.
Well, you’ll have to try another hypothesis because I don’t hate dogs. I love dogs.
Thankyou so much for doing this it’s absolutely ridiculous people bringing their dogs everywhere I’ll bet hardly any of them are actually service dogs it’s crazy how easy it is to pretend they are, I would be beyond mad at a dog taking my space up that I paid for & some of us are scared of them or allergic where are our rights!!!
Y’all don’t get it do you.
He’s complaining about the people, not the dogs.
The people who are gaming the system.
Support this 100000%
I’m just speaking on my own experience, I had a ESA dog on several flights, (my therapist highly recommended it during my darkest times for my panic attacks, I no longer need/rely on now but it truly made a difference). Everytime we traveled on Southwest, my dog was welcomed by nearby passengers. Some would ask if they could sit next to us. A few times, I had to hold my dog to calm myself down and he fell asleep spilling slightly over the neighbors armrest and everytime I would adjust him and apologize, but they would always say don’t move him, let him lay on her/him. They always welcomed the spillage. When I would use the restroom, I had plenty of volunteers who were happy to watch him. Flight attendants would giggle with glee to see a pup on their route. I miss those days where I could fly with him. One time he fell asleep on a young lady’s lap and she told me to leave him there, she loved it and made her day. It’s always one bad egg that ruins the privilege for us all. Not all dogs are well behaved and not all owners are responsible.
ESAs are NOT service animals. Period.
Southwest’s lack of assigned seats seems perfect for this as it allows passengers to self select to sit next to the dog (or not).
You still can. Just follow the pet policy
I once had to deal with a passenger complaint about a service animal… they claim they got ringworm from it. That was just fascinating. I mean, the flight was from Baltimore, but I didn’t see Divine anywhere….
Obscure reference, but I got it!
J fare!
make the pax pay 3K for that flight. Then, their dog gets his/her own seat and a full meal
Pay up if you want to fly with your dog!
^^ I am derek, not Derek.
These laws are Communist. To each according to his needs, to each according to his ability (or something like that).
People who claim disability want and get free stuff on the rationale “to each according to his needs”.
Service dogs should be forced to pay or their owners pay.
If I want more leg room, I have to pay.
If I want a rental car instead of a city bus, I have to pay.
If I want a steak instead of a peanut butter sandwich, I have to pay.
If I am unlucky and get into a car crash, I also have to pay even though I did not choose to get into a car crash (just as disabled people didn’t choose to be disabled).
Service dogs should be licensed or disabled people should require a certification.
So let’s get this straight. You feel SO comfortable lumping all service dog’s and Service dog handlers into the group of this ONE passenger. To educate you, a service dog goes through months and sometimes years of training that animal is not a pet but considered by the Americans with Disabilities Act as a “piece” of medical equipment. We fly in first class so my large SD has enough room but come on dude, I am positive you expect accommodation in one area of your life or the other. My SD provides me with the ability to function normally.
Yes, lump them together. Since service dogs are so highly trained there is zero reason why they can’t be certified by a responsible agency and prescribed as a service animal by a licensed physician. That would solve 100% of the problems right there.
Whoa whoa whoa there Derek. Slow down before you start calling for eugenics. It’s one step away from a “disabled registry”
I would pay extra to have a dog sit next to me. That’s the only type of passenger I would be happy to share space with. Either that or a hot asian boy.
We found the pedo
Sounds like someone needs to be on the sex offender registry. Not to mention you have a thing for dogs.
Thank you Matt. Can I send you a donation? Airlines – it’s time you listen.
As a trained service dog owner, I side with the traveler on this issue. It is inconsiderate and rude to have your service dog spill into other people’s spaces. Just because you own a service dog does not entitle you to taking up others space. My dog is 84lb and I would not hesitate to purchase him his own seat for space. I would also request bulkhead.
So owners are just not aware or care, unfortunately. It reflects badly on all owners.
Ignorant article: First, service dogs are not certified by doctors. Second, service dogs are not robots and still dogs which means they may be stubborn at times or want a treat. Often times, service dogs are trained to alert their handler by pressing their nose on the handler’s leg and will often get a treat for correctly alerting (it’s dog training 101). A service dog’s first flight on an airplane could be very intimidating for them, even though they are trained to behave well in public. The AKC CGC test is commonly used to ensure service dogs can behave well in public before training on the specific task for the handler’s medical condition.
If you want policy to change, get educated on it first.
I’m saying they SHOULD be certified by doctors and also not allowed in first class.
And if your dog intrudes into my space, you should be thrown off the flight.
I agree. Please keep up the conversation.
So service animals should be certified by DOCTORS?
As somehow a doctor is a dog expert?
Putting the burden (aka high $$$ fdoctor fees) on the person who needs a service animal)?
And the “Not in first class” is so “Not in my neighbourhood”
And “My space” … you sound very entitled. So next time some passenger of size sits next to you that person should be thrown off the flight because of your imagined right to “my space”.
Yes, they are called VETS. You know, to ensure the dog is healthy and capable of handling work or performing tasks for the person with a disability. The human’s doctor should also sign, under penalty of perjury and license forfeiture, that the patient is in need of such an animal. And you should sign, as you do already, that your dog has been trained and that you are liable for the conduct of your dog, including accidents onboard.
And yes, if a POS invades my space, they should be removed.
That’s not entitlement. That’s a basic and reasonable expectation of purchasing a seat from an airline.
If you mean vets than say so not doctors. Gaslighting much?
The blelow can happen, but doesn’t need to (up to the airline):
And you should sign, as you do already, that your dog has been trained and that you are liable for the conduct of your dog, including accidents onboard.
From the Department of Transportation:
Under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) a service animal means a dog, regardless of breed or type, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.
>> now read carefully. Yes they need to be trained, but this is a requirement only “for the benefit of a qualified individual” > that could be recognizing panic attacks, low blood sugar, … so in the story above the dog behaved well, but in the end there is no universal training requirement “Can’t sniff people” “Has to not move more than 5 inches from owners'” leg.
Time to amend the ACAA to eliminate this…such foolishness doesn’t fly anywhere else in the world.
Forms signed by doctors is more of a lost cause than service animals on planes is- a form signed by a patient’s doctor is a bought and paid-for opinion. Good luck pursuing perjury charges on that.
Also your proposal to punish doctors who wrongly support the service animal charade requires that there is an entity that can authoritatively determine which person should and should not actually have a service animal. If an entity with this capability exists, that should be the entity that grants the permission to begin with.
Training for a service dog costs many thousands of dollars. Complaining that it costs too much to have a vet sign off on that training stretches credibility past it’s elastic point.
DVM: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
So, yes – DOCTOR.
I’m generally with you, except that first class bit. Disabled people should have reasonable accommodation. That doesn’t mean they should be allowed to park service animals in your space, but a blanket ban on first class is too far.
Doctors can and do document a disability for PEOPLE, they are not dog trainers or qualified to certify a service dog. Airlines are cramming us in like sardines … stop blaming the disabled person and look harder at the airline industry instead. The judgemental, wink are they really disabled because you are an “expert” on if they are or not, is appalling and sad. I love Southwest because of their inclusive practices, I travel regularly. If you have been upgraded for free from your middle seat so my service dog had more room (because I paid for the upgrade to make more room), you are welcome. I just want to be able to travel safely and be ignored.
To be clear, I agree on your distinction with doctors and only wish you the best. I do think there is severe abuse going on and I am tired of it. That doesn’t seem to be the case for you.
If we can afford to purchase a 1st class ticket to fly with our Service Dog, then we have every right to fly in 1st class. Our money is just as good as yours is. I fly with my Service Dog all the time and I am either in a bulkhead seat or first class. My SD doesn’t bother anyone. But she will stand on her back paws to alert me, or she will get on me depending on what she is alerting to.
What does she alert you of?
I’ve flown first class with my service dog. Discrimination is illegal, Matthew.
No, unlawful discrimination is illegal. Every decision we make is an exercise in discrimination.
My Service Dog Caine, before he passed,would alert me to Assholes like you..Coming from a medically retired Army Combat Vet..
Well, you just proved my point. You certainly don’t need a dog for that…and I served in the US military too so don’t pull your Army card on me.
Matthew, you should take a look at our system here in Queensland Australia. It works, because all service dogs are registered, all teams have an identification card. All service dogs go through training for their tasks (Guide, Hearing, Psychological) but they all must also do 6 months training and an exam for Public Access.
Airlines in Australia accept all srrvice dogs with Queensland certification because they know they are the real thing. If a service dog is from another state, they have to prove they have been trained by a select few training organisations in order to be able to fly.
It’s not perfect, but it’s better than trying to argue and prove your dog is a SD.
Makes a lot of sense to me.
What a crass class discrimatory b*tch you are saying a disabled person can’t fly with their service dog in 1st class. People need their service dogs while as you need a service muzzle evidentally. What a f*cking npc douchebag. Your attitude advertises you got vaccinated for covid at least twice:)
I’d ask the little girl to watch her language.
Your vendetta against people traveling with their dogs and self appointed entitlement to determine what a “real” SD is, is entirely insufferable. Please stop.
And your argument that SDs shouldn’t be in first is bonkers discrimination against people with disabilities. As someone whose doctor has urged me to start working with a SD and who always flies in first, please buzz ALL the way off.
Please keep your dog well-behaved and out of my personal space and we won’t have a problem.
You think a dog should be able to take up my legroom? Talk about entitled!
Thank God you are just a sh*tty attempt at a writer and not a decision maker. You have no idea how important service animals are. Ugh, you are such an irritation for me.
Little child, you should learn some respect.
Careful there ausmicdar.
So you do know that before you can purchase a ticket on a flight you have fill out department of transportation documentation providing many details about the dog it’s training it’s vet and more. Then the airline sends you a number for the dog that acts as it’s ticket. And if you aren’t sitting next to me you wouldn’t know she was kn the flight. Big difference between my dog who had over 9k worth of training before I even met her and a pet or an Esa. Regretfully there is no one certifying body but there are standards that responsible trainers will follow for training for example the va uses an org called ADI.
But believe me my dog is just as important as my medicine and you really wouldn’t want me next to you without her on a flight. Perhaps if you took time to contact an organization that trains and provides dogs.. your perception. Of them will change there is a reason service dogs and service ponies are protected by the ADA as a necessary medical device.
My gripe is not with genuine service dogs, but with poorly-trained dogs who are brought onboard because their selfish owners cannot bear to put them in a cage or leave them at home. I’m well-aware of the attestation form…but the honor system is no longer working.
My 8.5 lb Service Dog has saved my life many times over. You will never know he is even around. He is a Chihuahua, but he doesn’t yap all the time. He sits or lays still. He doesn’t misbehave, he minds his own (and my) business. I take him into restaurants, and nobody even knows he is around, unless they happen to see him. I take him literally everywhere I go. Stores. My temple, Restaurants (Oh.., once we were refused entry into a Cici’s Pizza. Well, I just got all the info together…names, dates, time of day…turned it into the ADA, and they fined that restaurant!) people remark how good and well-behaved he is. I tell them the way the dog behaves is how you tell the difference between a real Service Dog, and a fake one! Thank you!!
My partner has a large SD. It is very real, prescribed, and trained. Many dogs take years of training. 1-3, which sometimes (breed dependent) can be 1/3 or even 1/2 if their life. Ours gets continuous training and many others do as well.
That being said, there are many breeds that could be service animals. For those with mobility issues, a larger breed works wonders. For those with diabetes or seizure disorders, smaller dogs may work.
The washout rate is hellacious and the dog, vet care, and training is expensive. You can bet that the dog costs more without vet care than most first class tickets, even an emirates suite sometimes.
Now, sure, it’s a bummer for a passenger to have a dog at their feet. Maybe they don’t like dogs.
What do you propose as solutions? Oh, things that have nothing to do with how SDs actually work. You want a physician note for every flight? You got it. You want a registry? By whom should they be registered? Do you want the government to tell SD owners who gets a dog and who doesn’t? Yeah that works really well – just ask the VA about the disability process and ask veterans who have to prove TBI, PTSD, and missing limbs in order to get disability. They wouldn’t recognize cancer from burn pits for over a decade of experience and research. A bit more inconvenient than having a fuzzy well behaved animal next to you huh?
And then you talk about excluding them from first class – sure buddy. Let’s take a seat with double, triple, or more seat room and leg room and take that option away from people who can use that for their dogs.
I’ve been in this situation, many times traveling with my partner, bulkhead and with an 80lb SD. The amount of times I’ve seen comments about violence on here against people with SDs (or supposed SDs, since there still is an issue) next to them is appalling. Just know that if that violence or violent rhetoric gets extended to me, my partner, or her SD, I’ll make sure that the threat is taken care of.
Sure, there’s a problem with fakes out there, but I’m seeing fewer and fewer of them as it’s become a crime to fake an SD. Training is another issue. Many of these dogs are program trained, and some are partially gone and partially program trained. It takes so much money to train the dog and it’s not guaranteed to work, and continuous training is time and cost prohibitive. Should the owner become a professional service dog trainer as well?
There’s another issue at the airline/airplane level – the space is limited. You can’t expect someone who is disabled to shell out money for multiple seats, first class seats, or drive everywhere.
In the dozens of times we have traveled with our large SD, we have never had any issue with crew or passengers, most people have enough understanding to know that they don’t have the capacity to judge whether or not it is a real SD or a fake – unless it’s obvious. And most people have enough empathy to understand that while not perfect, disabled people requiring SDs need reasonable accommodation.
Wonderful story. But your needs and wants don’t supercede anyone else’s
Thank you for saying this, the toool who posted this likes to discriminate and low key harass people with disabilities. There is a good reason the ada are protections for people with service animals, protection from this bullshit person and his stupid crusade against service animals and making them accessible for those who need them but can’t afford what it would cost them to own one of thier own and the exploitation of the6 service animal need for profit alone. There is a reason we don’t have these requirements, you’re talking about requiring additional costs and vet services, while regular care is already a cost disabled people have to pay. Disable people majority live in poverty as their disability is already cost expensive with healthcare and these protections are there to keep the cost down so that not only rich disabled people get to benefit from the services these animals actually provide. And you’re talking about mild inconvenience and discomfort compared to people who needs these animals to function, and still experience more suffering than you ever will. It’s not a privilege to have a service animal more than it is to have a wheelchair. Get real you are in the wrong here. Leave people with service animals alone. Stop saying they are faje every time you see one, we know you’re looking for mistakes the service dog or handler makes and exploiting them with what you see. Service animals are not robots, they often do briefly act like the animals they are trained or not. That’s the nature of the beast. Why don’t you go ahead and build a AI robot that behaves perfectly and kind of set assist the disabled if you’re so against the use of animals instead of trying to take away peoples rights and protections. Screw you to the author of this article, get a life.
Hey Hope, why do you think the rest of the civilized world has either no problem certifying these animals or disallows them onboard and yet people still survive and even travel just fine?
29 year flight attendant here. I’ve had bigger dogs than this onboard. I’ve never had a passenger upset about having a service animal in their row. Service animals are always pre boarded before other passengers. So nobody is ever forced to sit next to a dog who doesn’t want to sit next to a dog. Quite the contrary. Passengers often enjoy sitting next to a dog.
You are just one of more than a million FA’s, so statistically, your experience is insignificant in my opinion. A lot of incidents of supposedly “service dogs” (whom were found out to be not service dogs) who severely bit and even de-faced passengers with their bites:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-attacked-emotional-support-dog-delta-flight-sues-airline-passenger-n1011881
https://kdvr.com/news/local/service-dog-bites-american-airlines-employee-dia-passenger/
https://georgiainjurylawyer.com/blog/horrific-dog-bite-case-atlanta-flight/
https://oharaattorney.com/airline-passenger-mauled-on-plane-by-therapy-dog/
The above are just the initial google searches, and there are a hundreds more. I think the above links are more credible than your 29 years of experience. Just saying.
“My Google search results are better than your 29 years of lived experience” – seriously?!? People like you are why the world sucks.
Yes. Because lived experience is what’s known as anecdotal evidence, and that never trumps cold hard facts like credible reports found via a search.
You do understand how science is done, right? We don’t study one person who smoked from 16 to death at 95 in a car crash and conclude smoking is not dangerous. We study many people. While searching the internet has its own biases, we do need numbers. I’ve never been mugged, so mugging must not happen. The one person’s experiences are a data point. We need more.
Two of your examples aren’t service animals, and one happened in a terminal, not on an airplane. So you’ve maybe got 1 legitimate example.
Where does the illusion that Service Dogs have to meet certain made up standarts come from?
Show me one official website that clearly defines a service dog (not what it does, but how it needs to behave to be classified as Service Dog).
Clickbait as you just stir controversy!
If anything attack the arlines for not accomodating the animal and/or petition for a “license” for service animals.
Quick copy & paste
I want more documentation required and doctors to be fined and lose their licenses who certify service animals who are not adequately trained.
Your right to dignity and access as a disabled person is important, but it is no more important than the right of your seatmate to enjoy her seat without being disturbed by your dog.
A) Educate yourself. “More documentation” there currently is zero required / “doctors to be fined … who certify…” NO ONE certifies service animals (ok some send you a piece of paper, but there is no state/federal certification)
B) Disbled persons dignity and access is less valuable than the possibility that a dog licks your leg?
C) “Right … to enjoy … seat” please point out this imaginary right in any airlines condition of carriage
Now I only have to figure out how to block these kind of stories from Boardingarea
You have to self-certify by signing this form.
You certify that:
I understand that a properly trained dog remains under the control of its handler. I understand that a properly trained dog does not act aggressively by biting, barking, jumping, lunging, or injuring people or other animals. It also does not urinate or defecate on the aircraft or in the gate area.
and also:
I understand that if [my dog] causes damage, then the airline may charge me for the cost to repair it, as long as the airline would also charge passengers without disabilities to repair the similar kinds of damage.
It’s time to start holding people liable for dogs that lunge and jump (as I’ve witnessed myself). Eject the passenger from the plane and ban them from future travel.
My service dog is trained to bark if I am unresponsive or having a seizure. He barks until someone comes to help me. I have had him for 8.5 years and he has saved my life 7 times. His trainer worked for the DOJ and helped set up Service Dog regulations. Unfortunately the regulations we have in the US are not perfect by any means and one of the biggest frustrations is fake “service” dogs. These fake “service” dogs make life miserable for those of us who have genuine fully trained and vetted service dogs.
BTW at least you show you bias open … as you as an “expert” on this topic probably know that there is a hge difference between “Emotional Support Animal” and “Service Dog”. But you group them all together
Home > Emotional Support Animal (ESA) > “Service Dog” Camps Over Entire Row On United Airlines Flight
I didn’t mention ESA once in this story…system automatically categorizes stories. I’m only talking about service animals here and am very well aware of the differences.
I put service dogs in the same category as the lines of “disabled” people and their entourages who need to pre-board early. It’s mostly a scam. People have figured out it’s a way to bring their dog along on a flight for free. Am I insensitive? Yeah. Those who have learned to take advantage in this society have made me so.
Facts.
I don’t own a dog. Dog owners treat their dogs like family. Most do not want to pay for an extra seat just for their dog and they get whatever paperwork they need to get him labeled some kind of a service animal and feel quite entitled & smug about it. I have quite a few friends who have done that. So if I was to buy a plane tkt and end up with a dog in my lap, I would NOT be happy. Dog lovers can have my seat. I also understand if a person has a real disability & desperately needs their dog – so be it. But accommodations must be made for the paying passenger too. Once the doors close on that aircraft we are all prisoners. We can’t move. The seats are god-awful in coach. To have to put up with an animal you do not know or love for long hours on a flight is just not fair to the paying passenger either.
Eileen,
You can NOT buy a seat for a dog. You can pay for having small dogs in your footwell (in a carrier) but you can’t pay to get medium/bigger dogs into a cabin (they would travel cargo).
If you don’t want your dog to sit on the tarmac in PHX at 110 degrees you have little choice (I never had to do it, but I understand the impulse)
Little choice but to lie…
…or (wow, the shock) leave your dog at home.
You absolutely can and MUST buy an extra seat for a [service] dog that cannot fit within your space. Those are the guidelines for many U.S. airlines, anyway. They are not enforced, obviously, but the standard is *supposed* to be that you can buy an extra seat [floor space] for a service dog if it does not fit completely within your designated space. Having a large service dog, I would probably go first class *and* get the extra seat- for my & my dog’s comfort, and the comfort of other passengers.
Disabled people with Service Dogs pay for their seat as well We don’t fly for free. The Dog does because it is considered medical equipment. It’s unfortunate that some people are taking advantage of the system, but those of us who have a medical issue that our Service dogs save our lives on a daily basis are not deserving of the attitudes or comments in this thread.
Some of you should be ashamed.
If you need O2 tanks to fly, you should have them. Should they lay on my lap or across by legs? Obviously not. You should be allowed to bring medical necessities, and I should not have my space/comfort invaded. If that requires you get an extra seat, so be it. Should you or “the airline” (i.e., the rest of us in airfare hikes) pay for it is another question. What if you need an iron lung? Can we draw lines?
I would find it useful if those arguing for real SAs would note many of us aren’t against the real that are properly trained, just the others. All SAs should be trained to respect other humans. They should not be interacting with other passengers. They can be trained to act properly or they shouldn’tbe a SA.
I sat next to a lady with a small dog and she allowed it to come to my food when I was eating.
People will say the have a pet in cabin until the cost is revealed. Then they say it’s a service animal. They lie.
I bet 50% of the animals that a customer says is a service animal are NOT. 1
Has the FAA ever tested whether the impact on evacuation timing when there are multiple large untrained dogs on a flight? My guess is that no airline would meet the required evac time. The FAA should strictly limit the number of dogs (trained or not) permitted on a flight.
Great point.
So you believe an organization that spent 9k training my dog doesn’t discuss things like that with us handlers during our training. I can handle my dog better then most people could in a panic situation. And she would be in my arms for the slide.
You can guarantee – or even predict your dogs reaction in a panic situation? Mmm, yeah okay ….
Thank god we don’t have to deal with this kind of nonsense anywhere else in the world.
Exactly. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?
Disgusting.
I presume no one has considered the people who are in fact allergic to dogs. What then?
Dog lovers say “too bad, so sad”
or (richly ironic), that you are “faking” it.
Incorrect and I ask the people in my row if they have an issue… if they do the FA will reseat them because of ADA
Why not reseat you? Why shouldn’t you have to move?
If your dog takes up more space than one seat, both of you should be reseated…that is no longer reasonable “accommodation”
You can just simplify this article by writing you’re a horrible person who hates disabled people and is ridiculously entitled. You didn’t have to write a blog about it. Save us all time from this absolutely atrocious article.
I’m seeing only one intolerant bigot here and it’s not me, dear.
This is exceptionally disappointing to read. It is very clear you don’t understand the actual structure and intention of the ADA ruling on service animals. As a disabled Veteran, I paid almost $20,000 to get a puppy from an appropriate breed temperament tested and trained as my service animal. The service animal must be trained to perform specific tasks for the handler, not to appease every other human with a sense of entitlement. I certainly don’t endorse that it is enjoyable if an animal jumps on someone other than their handler when they are working, but there are many service animals that are providing irreplaceable value to their handlers. Maybe start with trying to adjust federal funding for better opportunities for those that need service animals to get them; and then look at adjusting standards of working animals on planes. But starting with something that negatively impacts the disabled community without considering how to help them, is an uncomfortable view.
If you think that your dog has the right to invade my personal space, you are entitled and deplorable. That’s my only point – nothing about your right to have a service dog if you think it brings you comfort.
I think that you and others are overreacting with this issue. There are so many causes that actually make the world a better place. Poor dog.
I love responses like this: I, with my superior intellect, have determined that this issue, while valid, ranks too low to be a concent. Respect my authoriteeee!!
I’m a service dog handler. I travel with my dog and I’ve read a lot of sensible concerns & complaints here and in other threads.
I’ve also read a few misinformed troll-ish proposals and ideas. But the thing that most concerns me seems to be the failure of the airlines to properly accommodate handlers and their dogs (teams) in a manner that minimizes inconvenience to everyone.
Rows with adequate space / designed to accommodate teams seems like the most obvious solution.
I read all of your articles and generally enjoy them. However I am noticing more and more that you seem to complain about absolutely everything. Complaining about an innocent dog is a new low. Genuine service animal or not I would think you could show som compassion for an animal. Especially when it’s the other passengers who are the miserable travel companions
Perhaps you’re becoming one of them?
Something to contemplate.
David, I take your words seriously and appreciate you taking the time to comment. But I also think that if you think I am complaining about everything, you are actually not reading closely. I complain about dogs often…no doubt about it and with no apologies for doing so..but that’s about it.
I dislike people who dislike dogs. Not counting children who are scared because they haven’t been around dogs or had a had experience. Adults who dislike dogs are 100% a-holes. Hateful people who complain about everything.
This “obviously not a service dog” idea is also, BS. A service dog may perform a task that has nothing to do with how you see them behave in public. If they are friendly, social, and want treats, that does not mean they are not a service dog. There are well over 100 unique tasks a service dog may perform. It is discrimination to treat a disabled person as though they are faking it or as though they don’t need their dog. Surely there are people faking it but I would never assume unless the dog was causing a serious problem.
That said, I can empathize with your frustration. I’m 6’2″ so flying can be frustrating. We all wish we had more space. I already feel like I have no footspace so having a dog taking up my footspace would bother me, especially if I planned to sleep on that flight. I don’t think changing ADA laws is the answer though. The airlines should have a better system to ensure people with service animals get 1st row seats with extra leg room. A disabled person should not have to pay extra for that.
I used to fly several times a week for work for years and in that time never was seated next to a service animal and if they were on the flight I didn’t notice. What I did notice that was unfair to passengers was the CHILDREN. I do believe we should have stricter laws about traveling with children. There should be repercussions for parents who cannot control their children on flights. There should be designated no screaming flights with stiff penalties for screaming. Or even child free flights. Parents choose to have children but disabled people don’t choose to be disabled. These parents deliberately disturb the flight for anyone trying to sleep. If your children don’t behave, don’t fly. If you are not qualified to raise a well behaved child, don’t have children. Don’t make it everyone else’s problem.
What are your thoughts on children on flights? They are a MUCH bigger problem than service animals.
“Adults who dislike dogs are 100% a-hole” … Why exactly? I was attacked by a dog owned by a homeless person and had to undergo medical treatment and also tests to make sure I didn’t contract rabies.. Ever since I’ve been very nervous about dogs, especially larger ones. You might want to also consider some people are allergic to pet hair.. We can’t open a bag of nuts on a plane when someone has a nut allergy but it’s ok to sit a passenger next to a dog and for them to be ok with it?
Spoken like a true Kevin…
You will never convince me, or most rational people, that “There are well over 100 unique” reasons to allow a dog of any training type on an airplane.
Matthew, you do you. It’s your site.
Did he complain about an innocent dog, or did he complain about an irresponsible pet owners actions? SAs don’t take other people-s legroom, SA’s owners do.
Matt ,although Im not always agree with this time Im 100 percent! and thank you for trying so maybe we can change the law regarding service dogs!.I dont have one but as a agent fir a mayor airlines I deal everyday with the supose setvice dog than clearly I can tell they are not! we call it tge fake service dog! no other country in the world has this abuse and no foreing airlines put up with this.
Is a shame that people lie and abuse so much ,as you said Im even afraid to said anything I got even people tell me that I cant ask what service the animal providad witch my answer akways is,yes sr that is the question that I can ask! they just sing a dot paper sayibg that the dog is train,I love animals but more I know the people that really needs them ,and is sad that people lie so they can take their huge pet and had cont considerations fir the rest of us.
Thank you Marinela! I’m so sorry you have to deal with this sort of thing so often.
100% agreed. I would be LIVID if a stranger’s dog took up my legroom on a flight.
There are lots of people who are afraid of or allergic to dogs – how come that these folks should suffer?
Drs to be fined? Since when do drs certify a service animal? Also, grouping all together is a bit unfair. There are so many well behaved SA that are never mentioned. I do think its also ridiculous to not take into account that its possible the dog is afraid of flying. I could only imagine how scary if no one could explain whats happening. All that said, its just as ridiculous that they dont have their own seat or cage. And too many ppl do fake their certificates but does that justify making everyone provide proof? I think if it saves one person from being bitten, there should be some type of database or license.
Some important points to consider:
– Doctors are not dog trainers and cannot attest to whether a dog has been properly trained. Your specific ask on that is unreasonable and would prevent any dog from being designated as a service dog (with the rare exception of a doctor that trains SDs, but that’s not commonplace)
– Flights are strange situations for even the best trained dogs. I have a SD and keep him tethered because we don’t fly enough for him to pick up on the nuances of the situation (he’s flown on exactly 3 flights in 6 years). It might seem weird, but service dogs are not robots. He still tries to sit up at times because he’s confused by the situation.
– I am so stressed during flights that it causes the physiological changes that prompt my dog to alert, which doesn’t help and makes him sit up and nudge me, sigh.
– There are SDs that do exclusively home-based tasks and still need to travel with their handlers. They are dogs that typically are NOT going with handlers to restaurants, etc.
– Washing a dog for struggling with flying is anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 (or more) down the drain for the individual or organization that paid for the dog. It would make sense if a person was flying all the time perhaps, but not if it’s one round-trip flight a year.
– More than a few SD handlers that don’t need their dogs to task or work on the flight would be happy to find an alternative option, but there isn’t one for a lot of climates—dogs can’t fly in cargo for large chunks of the year in many places.
– SDs should NOT be encroaching on the space of others on the flight. That might mean that the handler has to purchase multiple seats or take a different flight.
While I agree that a dog that is being disruptive should not be on a flight, calling out the one dog for seeking treats from it owner was a little much (unless I misunderstood and they were seeking treats from the other seat mate). It’s entirely possible that they were trying to alert if they were trained to detect increased heart rate or increases in particular hormones.
I agree with one of the other commenters that airlines need to address the issue structurally. SD teams and other passengers shouldn’t even be put in these situations to begin with. The only airline I feel confident in flying with is Southwest, since I can purchase multiple seats to accommodate us, because I know my SD is unlikely to fly enough to be fully trained for that situation and I don’t want to impact another passenger.
I have a severe dog allergy and have a note from my physician that I carry on flights. I understand there are folks who need and have trained service dogs. But what is happening with pets is similar to the abuse with wheelchairs on Southwest or even folks who scam handicapped parking when they don’t need it. WE are a society that no longer seems able to distinguish legitimate need from selfish ” I want, its all about me”. Flight attendants go bonkers if you refuse to move a 6 inch bag from the aisle on takeoff and landing, but putting a large dog who may well panic in an emergency, no problem. The research is clear,there is no legitimate reason for non trained service dogs for to be aloowed. There are good medical and safety reasons, as well as hygenic concerns for non medically necessary pets to not be allowed.
As a CSA for a major airline AND Disabled veteran I deal with the DOT Self filling form our passengers use for the authentic Service Animals and Non SA in other words “My Squishy who JUST has to travel because I refuse to pay for the fee to travel with my dog!” Just like the wheelchair squads the entitlement of many in society unfortunately is what it is especially those who travel with dogs the size of miniature ponies. It’s unfortunate indeed our planes aren’t big enough to accommodate everyone to their individual liking but is an issue I believe no one will ever be satisfied with ie COS (Customers of Size) added in there too. My airline particularly doesn’t account for ESA but actual service animals that alert for example seizures and low blood sugar those types of medical issues which although I don’t ask many voluntarily relay in conversation. I’m empathetic yet I agree some dogs as I’ve observed flying myself ARE not the trained service animals many in the regular suggest their dogs are. Even grocery stores in my area no longer allow Service Animals considered ESA…blind/deaf, seizure support yes but nowadays it’s changing. Many of those upset with “Your” opinion must understand or just accept everyone else’s opinions IS their right. I, personally love dogs yet I don’t want to be intruded upon on a flight. My space I paid for is just that “mine” whatever uncomfortable seat, foot area etc…its mine for duration of our journey as customers together thus your Great Dane or cute Labrador isn’t okay with looking at you or me with those eyes as I’m trying to just “Be” perhaps on my way to a vacation or a funeral etc. Yes, DOT needs to address some of these things yet The Individuals whom are vehemently in denial about the rights as well as personal space of others must relax and respect others as well. It’s not a perfect world yet we live in it. Personally, I believe if you have a large dog used as service animal pay for upgrade for bulkhead aka Emergency Exit row but remember those questions from flight attendants. In a REAL Emergency how will you assist others and can you?! I have more I can say because I’ve observed A LOT…but I need coffee and it would be at that point a blog. I don’t wanna do one..
To the person who raised the spectre of a “disabled registry” – does that, in fact, not already exist, considering that the state issues disabled license plates and/or placards for disabled drivers ?
Why not a similar system for service animals ? Automatically issued ( when properly credentialed ) when the dog is licensed. No bother for the legitimate service animal owners, but it would weed out the fraudulent ones .
Do you know how getting a disabled plate/placard works? You get a note from your doctor and the agency gives it to you. It’s that easy.
Doesn’t this come down to the difference between a true service dog and a pet masquerading as a service a dog. I can’t see how anyone would be opposed to a true service dog on an airplane or any other venue.
But over the years we have changed the way we view pets. They are now full members of the family – four legged humans. Fur baby has morphed into fur son and fur daughter.
And for this reason we think our pet – sorry fur baby- should go wherever we go. And if we have to fudge a bit to get what we want …well..
I believe in ADA…”…equal access”, NOT privilege!,,
Your conclusion is biased, exclusionary and severely flawed. First, I am an investigator for the Department of Justice in the Civil Rights Division which covers Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues. Second, know your facts. Doctors do NOT certify several animals, they are licensed to treat and care for humans. They are not qualified to certify service animals. Next, did you know that most people in America who are disabled or become disabled end up in significant debt, and have a much higher chance of being in poverty after 10 years of being disabled? The more barriers you raise for disabled people to have the things they need so that you have your “dignity” is directly at the expense and hardship of people with disabilities. Furthermore, federal law specifically does not place any type of certification required for a service animal. The reason is that many places that train service animals charge over $20,000 for a service animal. Training is long and expensive. And service animals usually only live 10-14 years at most. So that $20,000 will be spent again and again. Statistically, most legitimate service animals are trained by their owners because the cost of a service animal is cost prohibitive. Therefore, as in so many other situation in America, the rights of the minority are upheld to prevent the unintentional tyranny of the majority.
Ask yourself this….. if you became disabled, and you find yourself financially in a bad spot like many disabled Americans do, would you be ok with having to not have a service animal because you can’t afford to pay for training and certification, or would you train the animal yourself? As a society, we protect those who need protecting even when it is inconvenient for us, regardless of wealth, health, disability or race. The notion that service animals should not be allowed in first class is laughable. You only speak to your exclusionary and short-sighted views.
As has been pointed out by others, ESA’s are not service animals and are not covered under federal law, however too many self-centered people who just can’t bear to be without their pet stretch the truth by printing fake certifications (there currently NO certification agency) and their poorly behaved pets make it harder for legitimate service animals. By printing fake certifications, they also mislead businesses into thinking there is some type of certification and then subsequently require the next service animal to have a certification or be refused service, creating more hardship for legitimate service animals. Businesses need to know 2 things, what they are allowed to ask (1, is this your service animals, 2, what does the service animal do for you). A business also has the right to have a misbehaving service animal leave, regardless of what claim the owner makes about the animal.
If you’d like to debate this further and be educated, you have my email and I can point you do a lot of research, statistics and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) which is where all federal laws and regulations are printed and searchable by anyone and is the principle custodian of records for the US Government for laws and regulations and processes.
Methinks Alejandro is – or is in league with- the wheelchair lawyers who routinely torture small business with their shakedowns
Even a website can be sued if it is not “accessible enough” – that’s the latest scam.
The ADA has done a profound amount of good – but is also one of the most abused by “claimants”
Yeah, cause having laws with no enforcement mechanism is a great idea
Why not apply the same solution to airline seating that we do to parking spaces? Using a parking space designated for the disabled requires a pass that has been certified by a medical professional. That requirement is to reserve a space that caters to those that are disabled. Those that are not disabled cannot use the space. The amount of spaces is codified into law, and if too many disabled folks need to use the spaces, they either need to choose to come back at a different time, or not use the space.
Take a row of coach – make it the ‘service animal row’. Require documentation to be able to reserve the row – just as the documentation to use a disabled parking spot. If the row is sold out – then in order to bring a service animal, take a different flight with open space. Just like having to come back for an available parking spot.
If the seats are not taken once the cutoff for sales, allow standby passengers to fill them – understanding they may be seated next to a service animal.
This applies the same logic to seats for service animals as is applied to parking spaces for the disabled. Its first come first serve, its a reasonable accommodation, and it solves the issue.
Seems to me the poor dog had nowhere to go. Airlines should have better accommodations for larger service animals.
Or maybe those dogs should just be left at home, right?
“Leave it at home” is a folish thing to say as a Service Dog is needed by the individual. You are so thick
Found a way to disable your blog’s feed to boardingarea. Last time you see me here.
Bye, Felecia!
(somehow the rest of the civilized world manages to do just fine with no dogs in the cabin)
“The rest of the civilized world” also allows service dogs
Not the way the USA does…
Where are you located? In USA there is no “certification” for service animals, any website selling registration or certification is a scam business. Also doctors have training in human medicine, not dog behavior, so that wouldn’t make sense to expect a doctor to be involved in a verification process with a service dog. It sounds like you could really benefit from understanding the current laws regarding service dogs before you run your mouth more and show how uneducated you are.
https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/#:~:text=a%20service%20animal%3F-,A.,dog%20been%20trained%20to%20perform%3F
I realize there is nothing in the USA beyond the form I linked to above. I’m saying there should be.
I like most dogs more than I like most people. That being said they are just dogs. This beyond bizarre entitlement obsession the US/West has with dogs (and cats) simply points to societal decay and weakness. I know, a bit heavy but still true cupcake.
You want to fly with a a service/esa dog? You pay for it and have the proper paperwork for you dog/animal. Incidents like this will plummet to almost nothing. Flying is enough of a pain in the ,,, without turning it into an airborne zoo.
A dog in the floor space of another passenger is first and foremost a safety and egress issue. FAA should not allow it (and i’ll bet the regs don’t) – and airlines need to enforce. If your dog is too big to fit on the floor in front of you, pay for the second seat.
Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the United States is the best country in the world to be disabled in. I’m willing to bet that the reason we have such issues with this when other countries don’t is because no other country in the world spends as much time and energy on guaranteeing disabled people the same rights as everyone else. Therefore, I am sure disabled people immigrate to the US almost constantly, artificially driving up the relative size of the population. This also explains the outsized influence they have on everyone else’s lives.
We need to make being disabled less “attractive/sexy.” I am hopeful that President Biden, who is absolutely aware of how out of control everything has gotten with this (mainly because I am telling him about it constantly), will roll back (if not completely repeal) the ADA.
The ADA was Republican legislation, signed in to law by Bush Sr. It was a blatant attempt to pander to the “disabled mob.” I appreciate that Democrats stand on principle in stark opposition to this outrageous legislative overstep, and may finally put an end to GUARANTEED dedicated handicap parking spots, non-smoking areas, ramps, and possibly fire escapes. So much unnecessary pork thanks to the efforts of “disabled” lobbyists who are paid big bucks to block ANY attempts at completely repealing the ADA.
Where are the guarantees for us able-bodied people? If we can’t get them, neither should the disabled. Period!
Doctors do not certify service animals, and service animals may in fact be self-trained and thus self-certified under federal law. Nothing requires a service dog vest, license, certification by some national agency, etc. All that is required is that the dog be specifically trained (even by the owner him or herself) to aid in a disability.
And that rule must change.
Sorry, too many fraudsters ruined it for everyone.
Weird how aisles are mandated to remain clear of bags and other personal items because they would impede an emergency evacuation. But yet, a giant dog laying down across the entire aisle is perfectly acceptable, and safety just goes out the window to accommodate a dog, and its owner.
These are the dogs in the SC eating off the owners plates…Also they seem to need to Pre-Board first lately. I have had the situation where the seatmates dog took up all of the foot area in the bulkhead. The FA had to tell her twice to let me have my foot space… crazy..
Let me guess – you’re one of those joyless people who lurk the doghaters subreddits and go around taking pictures of dogs harmlessly playing fetch in public so you can report them to park rangers.
What’s next? A disabled registry? Segregated airplanes? The amount of ableism in your post and in your fanbois is honestly off putting.
Who hurt you? Oh wait, nobody, because you’re able bodied and trying your best to make life harder for those who are not.
I’m not disabled either, btw. I’m just not a heartless misanthrope like you.
Wow. I’m just fighting for equality. You know, everyone gets their own legroom. Planes are tight enough arleady…
This exact scenario happened to me on a Delta SJU-ATL flight. I was in 1B and the person + dog was in 1A and the dog intruded on most of my floor space. I complained and the FA made him move the dog to his area but of course this lasted all but 2 minutes. The dog was clearly not a real service animal. Complaining to CS yielded 9500 mi.
Valid pro and con reasons concerning service animals. My blind sister from Calif flew many times on UAL with her guide dog, including my own flr i was working. She always paid for a bulk head row of 2 seats for safety of pax and her dog to sleep/stretchout on the floor. That’s how my blind school teacher sister flys . Her dog trained at the Guide Dog School for the Blind in San Rafael, Ca are the oldest certified a nd decorated school of this type. Other ESA facilities should be vetted by ANY person interested in owning these special helpers, yes? Some travellers will do this to prevent any problems on whatever transportation they may use. Will you?
This is the way – 2 seats to handle the size of the dog. It’s only fair to the dog, on top of safety for the other passengers in the row.
Matthew Klint sounds like a real cunt when it comes to service dogs on flight. Hang from a f*cking tree ya f*cking degenerate. 99 percent of dogs are better behaved than you are online. What a f*cking b*tch..m
Tell me what you really think, sweetheart.
It’s inot erecting how someone feels they know what I “real service dog” does and how they should act, as there’s many different types of services that service dogs provide. My husband is a disabled veteran, our dogs are military level trained service dogs, but they’re both the biggest lil joy bringers they could possibly be. They’re both very happy, very friendly/social and they can maintain this while “working” because they both provide different services, one senses blood pressure, diabetes and fainting issues and they other one is trained for ptsd assistance. If you were to meet them you’d see two very happy and friendly dogs who do not act militant in any way, they’re well behaved (one more so than the other) but at the end of the day they’re dogs. Also dogs get nervous and can act differently on a plane, doesn’t mean they’re not working because they’re not acting as you deem they should. Every time we’ve traveled we’ve had to show our proof of service dog training from the agency that trained them, training doesn’t guarantee perfect behavior. The amount of people who think my two aren’t service dogs because they’re so friendly is hilarious to me and they feel real foolish when we prove that they are. In the future move seats if possible, but to start a whole “service dog” debate because you have a platform is a bit entitled and irresponsible.
Wow! This conversation has really gone off the rails!
As I understand it the article is simply about whether or not it’s acceptable for a dog (service. pet, ESA, whatever you want to call it), or any other possession (suitcase? shoes? coat?) to “occupy “ the adjoining space of a fellow passenger. The answer is simple- no.
That said I would gladly share my space with a well behaved dog. However to assume that everyone else feels the same way is inconsiderate and rude.
Feel free to misinterpret my comment and attack me without acknowledging the rights of a paying fellow passenger.
Thank you John. Some folks are very dense.
What a hero you are.
So bold of you to harass disabled people into longer and more arduous medicolegal processes to have their service animals with them on flights, all so you can have your legroom.
Someone sing your praises.
The fact that you’re repeatedly and shoutily replying to any and all negative comments with more aggrieved self-righteousness speaks volumes, too. God, you must be insufferable in person.
I’m a diabetic with seizures and my little guy doesn’t look or act like a service dog but when my sugar is low and im about to go down he knows he is in my face a under my left hand and or lickings my ears and wining. My own Dr saw this first hand and asked for him to get his medallion. Soooooo what do people have to say to that? Im just saying not all service dogs look or act like the old school service dog. There’s a new breed of veterans and disabilities. Times have changed . It’s time for people to become more educated.
What do you mean he doesn’t look or act like a service dog? You mean he jumps on other poeple? He barks? He’s not well-beahved?
I have a service dog. I purposely leave my service dog at home if I have a family member or friend who can provide the same services to me. I do not wish to encroach on other people’s space, or affect those who are allergic or afraid of dogs. If it is possible to leave him home I do. In the situations when it is not possible, I seat myself in areas away from other people as much as possible. This being said the OP has every right to be able to sit with her feet in front of her and move a little bit for her flight. Both of those dogs are taking up the space that she paid for. Again if the owners need those dogs to be with them, they should be with them, they should not have to pay more to have them there, but at the same time they need to have enough room to keep their dog in their space not someone else’s. My service dog is a great Pyrenees. He is huge and 160 lb. I would never try to fit him on a plane unless I purchased an extra seat with enough room for him without getting in someone else’s space. People have a right to the space that they purchased just as much as a disabled person has a right to have their service animal with them.
That’s a very respectable perspective!
All you haters…I have a hearing dog who goes everywhere with me..and never even one time in our travels around the world….has there been a problem with ( fake) service dogs. ..if a dog acts like smells like a service dog that’s all you need to know. Stop making accusations that you don’t know about. Personally I think everyone should have a service dog
You are a very self centered writer. Although it can be annoying that people bring fake service dogs onto flights and into just about any public area, that doesn’t give you the right to discriminate against trust service dogs and their disabled owners. Service dogs need to be trained and well behaved, and I feel as though stricter rules should be placed on service animals to prevent those who are not true service animals from being allowed in public areas. You should also never say accommodating those with a disability is a burden, that is flat out disrespectful of you. I highly frown upon you and how you choose to treat those with disabilities, yes I know, not much room is provided on planes, however, true service dogs and their owners are shown how to position their service dogs onto a position that doesn’t disturb others. although this isn’t taught at all facilities, it is taught at most. Those who do not respect your space most likely do not have true service animals OR where never properly taught at their training facility, which then falls onto them and their training facility. Do not ever disrespect those with disabilities ever again, you are a very horrible person for this and if I didn’t have human decency this message would’ve contained many inappropriate terms and words to call you. Fix yourself before you wreck yourself even more, nobody is going to stand for your disrespectful acts towards those who can not control their disabilities. And to add onto that, you are also disrespecting your retired service members that gave you the country you have, so, be more respectful or stop flying, and help those with true service dogs bust those with fake, they would appreciate less yapping annoying dogs distracting their technically medical equipment, not dogs. So again, fix yourself, you’re disrespectful and a horrible human being.
Kayla, I think you misinterpreted the writers message. He said that this dog was not a service dog. He had no.problem with trained service dogs.
Correct.
Has anyone used the word “unhinged” in a conversation with you
Licensing. Instead of the my anima does this for me, a licensing bureau that can take into account, the medical reason, the training provided, whether or not the animal was actually trained and passable. I was working as a passenger assistant for an airline and I once walked a wheelchair down a jet bridge with an alleged “service dog” strapped to the chair (the owner’s choice demand was to have the dog lasted to the chair). The 180 lbs dog weighed way more than I do and it almost caused me to crash 3 times. The owner had no control over that animal. From the dogs behavior (jumping on passers by, barking, rolling on the floor, you kinda get the idea, it’s not a service dog). But when those words come out of your mouth, the owners will fight. They know every trick, what you can ask and what vague answer will be sufficient, As employees, if we push too hard, or pry to much, it could be a reprimand or worse, cost us our jobs.
I am 100% for licensing. I believe that would stop alot of misuse and abuse. Trained professional service animals are a joy. I love animals, pets are great, too, just not when pet owners cheat.
Mr Klint,
Thank you again for writing firmly and respectfully on this topic! There are many of the “but what about kids, they’re worse than dogs!” comments here, as expected. Kids are humans. Dogs are not. Kids will also grow up to be the people who keep society running. You should be thankful that parents are carrying out the difficult task of raising them. Dogs are not people!
The “but what about kids” argument is quite silly!
Wow. You are truly a “wonderful” person. I am a diabetic. Diabetes is expensive. I didn’t choose to have this disease. I did decide to train my own diabetic alert dog (DAD). I saved several, if not tens of, thousand dollars doing it myself. He is a 100 lb German shepherd. He alerts me when my glucose level drops to a dangerous point and I may pass out. I have meters that require me to puncture my finger and wait for a response. They are impacted by heat, age, and even atmospheric pressure. I also have a constant glucose monitor. It is about 80% reliable and requires my smart phone and Bluetooth.
Yup. I pay a sh*t load for the privilege of living.
Image if I didn’t have my DAD to alert me and passed out or went into a coma while in flight. That flight would immediately land at the closest airport. You sound like you wouldn’t be concerned for me, just that you were inconveniently rerouted to save a life.
My DAD is also overtly friendly. It’s for a reason you a$$hole. He attracts attention. Attention I may need.
And repeal the ADA? How about we repeal your “right” to fly? How about we repeal which ever statute or law that allows you to make a living?
I hope that next time I fly across the country you are sitting on my right in first class. Because my dog HAS to be on my right side. I will have YOU removed from the flight for inconveniencing my ability to live.
Disgusting. You have no right to occupy my space Richard, or the space of anyone else. I hope I do end up next to you and it won’t be me who is being removed. You’re a vile and reprehensible person.
Richard sounds like a fat f*cking slob who never took care of himself and now is a burden on society due to his unhealthy choices. What a loser!
Matthew never called for a repeal of the ADA you stupid dotard.
As a dog owner, I don’t think dogs should fly in the cabin. While I understand a person needing a service dog, there are too many people that have their Yorkies as a “service animal”. A person flying should have to provide proof of their dog actually being a trained service animal, and it doesn’t have to give details on the owners condition that needs it.
Too many people abuse the system.
I mean, this has gotten a bit obsessive. We get it that you don’t like dogs, think they all smell and have no legitimate purpose in the world. This, despite the fact that they’ve lived as human companions for something approaching 100000 years and are uniquely situated to assist humans who have various disabilities. Most service dogs come from breeds and mixes that tend to he larger, because of their specific traits, which means they’ll take more space. So what?
So they belong on the ground, not in airplanes.