Some passengers bend the rules, and some broadcast it. A United Airlines flyer who brought his blind, 19-year-old dog into first class…outside its carrier…managed to do both.
Man Flies United First Class With His 19-Year-Old Dog In His Lap, Dividing The Internet
Here’s a story, flagged by One Mile At A Time, that’s part heartwarming, part absurd, and fully divisive. A “dog content creator” shared a video in which he flew United first class with his 19-year-old dog, Piper, seated on his lap, bypassing the carrier’s requirement for pets to remain in carriers for the entire flight. The dog, blind and deaf, was clearly beloved, but the stunt rubbed many viewers the wrong way, including me.
But first, I want to start with a compliment to the man. He could have just lied and said the dog was a service animal. Had he done that, he would not have had to pay anything and the dog could have been out in the cabin without restriction. Kudos to him for at least not lying about his pet being a service animal (in reality, this aging dog requires a service human…).
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In the video, the traveler cuddles with Piper, feeds him a tiny snack, orders “water for the dog,” and holds him throughout the flight. But when a flight attendant reminds him that “your pet needs to be in its carrier at all times,” he presses back: “The whole time?” The attendant confirms it must be. The dog visibly dislikes being in the carrier, and the owner warns, “This is going to get ugly.” After that segment, a second flight shows Piper strapped in a chest-mounted carrier-like contraption intended for a baby, with a hat over his head. No problems on that flight with his “wink, wink” baby.
Yes, this might be social media theater more than full compliance with two separate flights, but either way, the video went viral. Dog lovers see devotion. Rule-observers see policy violation. And United’s flight attendant was simply doing their job by pointing out the carrier requirement.
United’s policy for in-cabin pets is clear: non-service animals must remain in a carrier for the duration of the flight. That’s standard across airlines for safety, space, and comfort. Thus, this video raises questions about boundaries, enforcement, and how far some will go for content or compassion.
As an aside, I find the issue of human euthanasia to be among the most difficult medical ethical dilemmas we face as a species, but I thought Pete made a good point on Ben’s blog when he said, “Blind, deaf, decrepit, and nineteen… It’s not for the dog’s benefit that he’s being forced to live like this.” That’s another discussion for another day…
As much as this cute dog tugged at my heart, the rules exist for good reason. Ultimately, all this shows what a disaster the current guidelines are concerning dogs. I still think a network (not just Bark Air) could make money by creating a pet section similar to the old smoking sections, but flouting the rules like Piper did really isn’t cute.
CONCLUSION
This stunt shouldn’t be taken as a model for pet travel. If you bring a non-service animal on a flight, use approved carriers and follow the rules. It’s time for the Department of Transportation to allow carriers to ban all dogs, even service animals, but a smart carrier could certainly market itself as a pet-friendly airline…I would applaud that innovation, even though I would also avoid that carrier. Most importantly, this story may amuse and provoke, but it shouldn’t encourage bending rules for Instagram reactions.
How would you judge Piper?
OMAAT was on this before you, Matthew. But, at least, you were ahead of Gary, this time. I look forward to reading the same bogus arguments from the anti-dog folks. ‘But, but… the rules!’ We know. But… ‘cuteness.’
Regardless of opinion regarding this particular episode, it’s sad and pathetic that many people believe that pet’s rights outweigh human rights and that pets deserve more respect and courtesy and health care than other humans. Pets should not be eating caviar while children are starving, pets shouldn’t get elite expensive healthcare while people cannot even get basic healthcare. A runner shouldn’t have to risk injury and/or allergic reaction by jumping away from an ill-behaved pet who leaps at the runner at the last possible second as they’re passing on a sidewalk.