Gongzuokuang

Negative physical reactions are not the only problem.

I am sympathetic to the various disorders people may have that indicate the need for an animal companion. However, what about when those needs come in conflict with someone else's disorder that makes them petrified of dogs? Cynophobia.

Dogs, monkeys, cats... do not belong in the passenger compartment of a plane.

CHOPCHOP767

That's why airlines limit pets in the cabin. In First, it's generally one pet in that cabin and economy, I've seen the limit set at three to four pets in that cabin. That way, if someone does have an allergy or a phobia, the airline has some flexibility to move seats. Now, those numbers are exclusively for the people who pay the fee. We travel frequently with our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and we pay the fee at time of booking to make certain that there is adequate 'pet space'. Moreover, he knows the drill and he sleeps the entire flight in his bag. The ADA was meant to protect people from discrimination. Sadly, it's been abused.

slawecki

i have been on a couple flights where there are a large number of children in diapers. they seem to have a poop contest. the stench is horrendous, and the leftovers are much more dangerous than dog poop. the diapers get stored in a leaky bag, or just dumped in the bathroom.

i usually fly tatl, so have only had a dog on one flight out of hundreds. most of these posts indicate dogs on most every flight. i have had chickens on more flights than dogs(fly to central america for chickens on board).

geirfugl

I would say,rather not,but I live in a country where driving a car is not considered a human right

I would actually go so far as to say that I would wastly prefeer to be on an airplane with somebody having a dog on their lap than somebody coming at me,full speed,in the oposing lane, having the same animal on their lap,but maybe its just me being a bit anxious,might actually go to a shrink for this anxiety to get a couple of certificats for my dogs

gahyland

True, however you're much less likely to be bitten.

But seriously, how can the presence of an uncrated animal be safe? On my last trip the FA was all over us about the phone cables being in the way, preventing safe egress in an emergency -- but the dog on the floor is okay?!

geirfugl

This is a realy good argument,but surely the main problem must be the profesional ethics of the practitioners who produce theese certificates for what seems to be very litle money,please do not give them any ideas about the "suport person" concept,although I rather likes the obvious free opgrades I would be entitled to with a lifetime certificate claiming severe claustrophobia,

newaamil

There is a racket going on with the emotional support trick that people use to bring their dogs on-board without paying. A close family member is now one of the people abusing this category!. It is time for airlines to start charging a higher fee if they want their dogs in the cabin and under no circumstances is the dog to be let out of a mandatory carrier. I understand that to get the certificate only requires you know someone that can sign one!!

Tizzette

Does anyone have any information about when and where airlines are checking for the letters of certification? At the departures counter? At the gate?

I got interested in this so I looked up some of the airlines policies. United has a tough policy (at least on paper) whereby this letter is to be submitted for review and possibly verification by email or fax a couple days before the flight. The others I looked at were vague: the letter is to be shown to a Customer Service agent, doesn't say when or where.

MasterGeek

Pets should be outlawed on cabin period. They are a luxury. Nobody needs them (except law enforcement and blind people)

WinSea

I somehow remembered, at least in Washington State, it is required to have documentations for your "service dog" But it is illegal to ASK for paper, which means you can totally refuse to show any certificates, the laws worded it in a very confusing way I think. In the case of bringing dogs to national parks (most of national parks in any States do not allow dogs) in WA, the rangers are not allowed to ask for proper paper for service dogs. I might be wrong but that's what I recall.

IceTrojan

I've noticed that owners walk their dogs into stores in WA MUCH more often than in California. Even into Starbucks, supermarkets, and other food service type places... and no challenge from the staff. I personally love dogs, but agree that they should stay outside.

WinSea

yeah that is a common thing in Seattle, the thing is we have SOOOO many coffee shops and most people are pretty chill about it. It is not allowed as long as the shop serves food, but not many shops are enforcing it, I personally don't have a problem with it, as long as the dog is well trained and behave well.

BSpeaker

And that is why I ALWAYS travel with wipes. The best ones are those "wet ones" in travel packs of 20 that you can find at Target or Wally world. Another option I've been carrying is from a new startup called Briotech Labs They have a spray that kills nasty stuff on contact. Lots of info on their site.

When I traveled in the past with my little ankle biters, I had to keep them In their carrier the whole trip. That was a long flight from Hawaii to California at the time. I did bring the carrier onto my lap from under the seat after takeoff. But I just opened it enough so I could reach in and keep them calm and pet them. Before I did that, though, I checked with both the FA's and my fellow pax to make sure they weren't allergic and it wouldn't be an inconvenience. Fortunately, people around me were dog lovers and my little guys were very sweet and didn't fuss the whole time.

Hard to believe someone would let a dog roam around or sit on a tray. Ewwwwwe! So much of this is just being conscious and considerate! If you believe everyone on a plane should be OK with whatever you want to do, then perhaps a private charter is a better way for you to travel! Just sayin'

JW76

I had no idea animals other than seeing eye dogs were even allowed in the cabin! That is just stunning that they would let an animal roam freely and defecate on the floor!

AKCuisine

When commenting on this particular air atrocity, please keep in mind there's a big difference between a bonafide - and well-trained - service animal and an "emotional support" or "companion" animal.

I concur that there seem to be a lot of people circumventing the rules by claiming their pet is a "support" animal.

If you follow the articles, you can find numerous examples of "emotional support pigs" on flights - or getting kicked off of flights. There's an "emotional support rooster" that travels in a pink tutu. And the list goes on ...