About time!!

https://www.washingtonpost.com...port-animals-planes/

Department of Transportation proposes ban on emotional support animals on planes

Members of the public have 60 days to comment on the proposed rules.

By Lori Aratani
Jan. 22, 2020 at 1:31 p.m. CST

Airlines would no longer be required to accommodate travelers who want to fly with emotional support animals such as pigs, cats and rabbits, under new rules proposed Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The proposed rules, years in the making, narrow the definition of service animal to dogs that have received individualized training to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Psychiatric services animals, which had not previously been classified as service animals, will now be included under DOT’s proposal.

The changes, DOT said, are an attempt to better define what animals should be allowed to fly and what rules travelers need to follow. The goal, the agency said, is to “ensure both safe and accessible air travel.”

Over the years, the definition of what is considered a service animal has expanded to include animals travelers say they need for emotional and psychological support when flying. As a result, airlines have seen a sharp increase in the number and variety of such creatures in the main cabins.

(DOT offers guidance for people traveling with emotional support animals)

According to the industry trade group, Airlines for America (A4A) the number of emotional support animals traveling aboard commercial flight increased from 481,000 in 2016 to 751,000 in 2017.

The proliferation of animals has led to conflict and sometimes injury, but because federal law doesn’t address the issue of emotional support animals, airlines have had little recourse except to accommodate them.

But the question of which animals should be allowed to travel in the main cabin of an airplane has been controversial. The department’s Advisory Committee on Accessible Air Transportation, established in 2016, examined the issue, but was unable to resolve which species should be allowed.

Service animals are those that have been trained to perform a certain function, and under the Americans With Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations must be made for a person using one. No training is required for emotional support animals, which has led some to question their legitimacy.

Transportation Department officials said they limited the definition of service animal to dogs because the vast majority of service animals are canines. However, they said they are open to those who think the definition should be expanded to include other types of animals trained for service. Members of the public will have 60 days to comment on the proposed rule.

(Read and comment on DOT's proposed rule regarding air travel and service animals)

DOT officials noted that the proposed rule doesn’t prohibit people from flying with emotional support animals but the decision will be left to the airlines.

The proposal won praise from industry groups, who have long pushed the department to put limits on animals on planes.

A4A called the decision to limit the definition of “service animal” to include only dogs that have been specially trained to perform tasks for an individual with a disability, “a positive step in protecting the legitimate right of passengers to travel with a service animal.”

[Miniature horses are welcome as service animals, but monkeys are a maybe, according to U.S. airline regulators)

“Airlines want all passengers and crew to have a safe and comfortable flying experience, and we are confident the proposed rule will go a long way in ensuring a safer and healthier experience for everyone,” said Nicholas E. Calio, A4A’s president. “We commend [Transportation Secretary Elaine] Chao for her leadership providing the clarity travelers, employees and airlines need by ensuring only dogs trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities are allowed onboard aircraft.”

The proposal also won praise from Sara Nelson, president of the Association for Flight Attendants-CWA.

“Passengers claiming pets as emotional support animals has threatened the safety and health of passengers and crews in recent years while this practice skyrocketed,” Nelson said. “Untrained pets should never roam free in the aircraft cabin. Flight Attendants have been hurt and safety has been compromised by untrained animals loose in the cabin.”

(DOT embarks on major rewrite of rules for animals on airplanes)

Other elements of the proposed rule would limit the number of service animals a person can travel with to two and would allow airlines to require those traveling with service animals to check in an hour ahead of the check-in time for the general public. Airlines would also be allowed to require that service an animal fit within its handler’s foot space on the aircraft.

(When flying with your pet, going the proper route can come with a steep cost)

While, an airline would continue to be prohibited from refusing to transport an animal based solely on its breed, it would allow it to refuse to transport an animal that exhibits aggressive behavior.

DOT officials said there is no set timeline for when they will make a decision on a final rule.

Woo HOO!

NMFT! (No More Fucking Turkeys)(!)

People always abuse everything. Idiots.

Can’t happen soon enough.

I’m super impressed by legit service animals but fed up with the lying assholes who take their untrained animal onboard

Good. This silly shit should have never even begun. If people need “support animals” beyond seeing eye dogs for the blind, perhaps they’d best stay home where it’s safe.

Ya know I get that animals can provide a comfort in a special way to certain people, but a pet is a pet.

I'm tired of going out to eat to find some person brought their dog with them inside.

To pay money to get on a flight and find somebody's animal next to me would be infuriating.

I fully support this.

Cheers~

Commented. Thank you!

Here's hoping that this happens.

thats great news - perhaps I will get on a plane again without 3 small pigs and a ferret

Perhaps a bit unfeeling, but I would suggest anyone who can't venture out of their home without a dog, cat, turkey, pig, bird, whatever in tow shouldn't leave the house at all. Instead, maybe they should seek a buffet or psychiatric counselling.

Just on one trip to my dinky local airport, nine dogs escorting individuals. Eight tiny dolled up little dogs with eight dolled up 250 pound women each in high heels. One wounded young man with visible scars limping proudly wearing USMC t-shirt with his German Shepard. This fix is overdue.

Should apply to everywhere. Not just planes.

There goes my plans to buy a miniature horse.I am always late to the party.

quote:

Perhaps a bit unfeeling, but I would suggest anyone who can't venture out of their home without a dog, cat, turkey, pig, bird, whatever in tow shouldn't leave the house at all. Instead, maybe they should seek a buffet or psychiatric counselling.

^^^^^
The treatment for agoraphobia is psychotherapy not a support animal. It is a legit condition usually diagnosed with a Panic Disorder.

About damn time.

Dammit. I gotta cancel the order for my emotional support Piranhas.

Fuuuucccckkkk!!!!!

I was hoping to take my emotional support alligator on a transoceanic flight ....

Bummer.

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
Perhaps a bit unfeeling, but I would suggest anyone who can't venture out of their home without a dog, cat, turkey, pig, bird, whatever in tow shouldn't leave the house at all. Instead, maybe they should seek a buffet or psychiatric counselling.

I'm with you. A service dog with specific tasks to perform for its human is one thing--"emotional support" animals are a totally different thing. (Mind you, I'm not saying that PTSD is not real, or that the presence of a support animal cannot be helpful--just that I don't think airline passengers (or restaurant patrons) should have to put up with them.)

flashguy

Yes!!!!

Thank God. Last two flights, one dog shit himself, the other barked for four hours straight.