Hi:

I would like to get some info and would appreciate any response. I travel a lot with my dog and most of the time have no problem with having him with me in the cabin. Some airlines have strict weight limit. I was told that I should get a certificate from a doc and list him as a service pet ( need to have him because of anxiety, etc.). Can you please let me know what needs to be done. I can easily get a letter stating that I need my dog with me to "calm" me down, but will it be enough? Thanks!

MD

Most airlines have limits on the number of animals in the cabin, so you have to mention it in your reservation. If you have a specific airline you fly you may want to ask in that forum, as airlines can differ in their policies, and others can tell you their experience for that airline.

Wouldn't this post be better answered in Travel Buzz? You might want to post either there, or in the specific airline forum you want to fly.

Actually, we now have a Travel With Pets Forum so we'll move the thread there.

__________________________________

Cholula
OMNI Co-Moderator

Hi:

I was told that I should get a certificate from a doc and list him as a service pet ( need to have him because of anxiety, etc.). Can you please let me know what needs to be done. I can easily get a letter stating that I need my dog with me to "calm" me down, but will it be enough? Thanks!

MD

This is an interesting approach as to the best of my understanding service pets are NOT charged carryon fees. Hopefully others with more knowledge on this subject can join in this discussion.

Unless the dog is really a service animal, then I wouldn't try to cheat.

If you are flying with your pet as a service animal needed for emotional support then you will definitely need written documentation. The animal must either be trained specifically for support or behave exactly like a trained support animal. You can not sit in the exit row, and the animal must be able to lay down completely under the seat in front of you not obstructing anyone's egress to the aisle or sticking out in the aisle if you are seated in an aisle seat. If it displays any type of disruptive behavior then you might not be able to fly a return flight with it under this classification. If it's not an actual trained service animal you should never assume that just because it has behaved in the past it will on all future flights. Not trying to be negative, just trying to let you know some of the specifics if you are going to fly in this capacity and some of the problems I've seen when people have done this. If your dog is truly a support dog and you can't emotionally fly without its assistance then I hope you can find all the information you need about it. If you're just hoping to find an easier way to have your pet in the cabin I would strongly suggest you think twice. Have seen it backfire many times and it can create a very embarassing and costly situation for the passenger.
Good luck! :)

I'm allergic to dogs, but if it's a service animal I don't mind with the watery eyes, sneezing and itchy skin :p

I just wanted to respond with the unfortunate fact that some airlines require the pet to be in the carrier at all times. Even during a 37 minute delay. Please plan acordingly.

I just wanted to respond with the unfortunate fact that some airlines require the pet to be in the carrier at all times.In fact, I believe all, not just some, airlines require this. And indeed, it can be a major pain. When we moved out to CA with our cat, our non-stop IAD-SFO was cancelled and we ended up on IAD-CLT-SFO, adding more than 2 hours to our trip... not to mention that we then had to take a 90-minute BayPorter ride home once we got to SFO. The cat was not happy.

Indeed, plan accordingly and make sure the pet has sufficient space to comfortably move within the carrier.

However, skylady, note that the restriction about the pet remaining in the carrier does not apply to service animals. If the OP managed to get his/her pet classified as an emotional support animal, then it may be exempt from the restriction to remain in the carrier. (There was a long and rather bitter thread in the UA forum regarding emotional support animals... I'll dig up the link if I have time.)