quote:

Originally posted by MattW:
I fly Delta 99% of the time, is this something that is more common on the budget airlines?

Not necessarily.

The ones taking the flight seriously, usually have a small animal, packed up in it's own boutique/custom carrier, most people don't notice or, have a few don't pet/touch patches on their dogs harness. I've seen a bunch of backpack carriers that actually had a creature in it. Sat next to a women on a 13hr flight to Europe, her dog didn't make a peep and was perfectly fine hanging out in its backpack carrier.

The ones parading around with the terminal with their animal on leash, carrying on with an aire of exclusivity, participating and encouraging conversation, are the attention seekers. They're the problem, their pet, is really just an accessory.

Last year my wife experienced serious complications associated with an autoimmune issue. Before her illness, I was skeptical of those who appeared to be "healthy." But after seeing my wife's rapid decline, I became more sympathetic because not everyone's illnesses are readily apparent. My wife lost 25 pounds of mass and muscle in 3 months, having to use electric carts, wheelchairs, and a walker. She's 47, 5'6" and 120#. Fortunately she's on the mend and no longer needs those aids. She does occasionally use the handicap parking spot.

Now, I say this because I believe there are legitimate needs for emotional support animals. But like most of you, the process for vetting these animals has been pathetic and abused. I fly 30-40 roundtrips per year and have seen my share of laughable excuses for service animals. Just this past Sunday night at Burbank airport, a woman in a wheelchair was struggling to make any progress to her gate. She had a roller bag, a cane, sunglasses (was she blind?) and Chihuahau in dog crate in her lap. I pushed her to her gate. While pushing her, she mentioned her dog sensed her seizures. The dog was shaking with fright, as if the dog was having seizures!

I feel bad for legitimate service animal owners who see ugly abuse. The emotional service animal abuse has been a loophole for cheapskates to fly frequently with their pets without paying the $50-150 fees.

quote:

Psychiatric services animals, which had not previously been classified as service animals, will now be included under DOT’s proposal.

So, George or Georgette cannot bear to be away from their pet rooster, ostrich, badger, etc will be allowed to have their "support animal with them in the cabin". Is that what they are saying? Just get an excuse from your favorite doctor and you are good to go.

My version is if you cannot stand to be separated from you pet ostrich, stay home.

I distinctly remember traveling with our dog. A 3 lb chihuahua many years ago. He was in his cage which practically fit under my seat.

We had to put him in the hold. It was especially entertaining to see him, in his cage being transported from one airplane to another in England. FOUR! motorcycle cops, 2 in front of the flat bed pickup, Jose (our dog) in his cage on the back of the pickup, moving about 100 yards to the departure gate for the rest of our flight to Germany. Same BS on the way home.

We saw no real problem with the airline's decision back then. But that was when reason over ruled stupidity/insanity!

Oh, and we had to have his shot record along, too!

quote:

Originally posted by HayesGreener:
I have a good friend who is a senior Captain with a major airline. He has told me about having "emotional support" ducks, turkeys, goats, etc., and the best was the Ocelot that got out of its crate and ended up panicked in the cockpit before they closed the door. I think he has decided to retire and I am sure this emotional support animal bull shit had helped him make that decision.

Did you buy him a emotional support animal vest as a gag retirement gift?

quote:

Originally posted by Elk Hunter:
I distinctly remember traveling with our dog. A 3 lb chihuahua many years ago. He was in his cage which practically fit under my seat.

I adore my hound and have traveled with him a fair amount....always in my own truck/car. I'm not subjecting him to the airport/flying nightmare, and I don't feel a need to inflict him on others. Of course I don't 'need' him with me to operate as a functioning adult.

There needs to be an identified standard and process for certifying a 'support animal'. Since I've been very involved with Canine Companions for Independence for many years, I'm very well aware of a what an actual service animal looks and functions like.

quote:

Originally posted by EasyFire:
I guess I will be cooking my ostrich now.

Save me a drumstick

I guess I would reword the title of the thread to "US DOT proposes no longer forcing airlines to accept random animals on flights" because nothing in the article suggests a ban. Quoting from the OP:

quote:

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.
...
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.

Removal of the requirement is a step in the right direction.

To close the loop, it would be good if the DOT made some personnel and policy changes so these sort of unhinged mandates don't get done in the future.

I don't understand the problem. Mexico has been allowing people to bring their support animals on buses for years.

You know, the more I think about it, I’d rather sit next to or near a dog, ostrich or wombat than a screaming kid that is crawling all over the place.

quote:

Originally posted by ggile:
I don't understand the problem. Mexico has been allowing people to bring their support animals on buses for years.

I have ridden on planes in Iran that had sheep and goats aboard (military planes, too).

flashguy