zombietooth

As someone who pays $250- every time we fly with our dog, I am somewhat offended at the scamming that I have personally witnessed by others using the ESA card.

I have, on several occasions, had strangers with "ESA"s tell me that I didn't need to pay the outrageous PIC fees, I just needed to declare my dog as an ESA. One person told me that it is an insider trick for dog show people which allows them to fly without paying for their show dogs.

There are way too many scammers in this world! But, then again, maybe UA should have a more reasonable fee for PICs. There would then be less incentive to scam the system.

itsMoe

Just as an update to this - I wrote to United about this, and got a call back within about 4 days (the holidays were kind of in the way). The rep was very friendly. Here's what she said:

-Yes, service animals are permitted and no paperwork / proof is needed, however if the animal exhibits behavior indicating that it will be a problem during the flight (e.g. snapping at passengers), the passenger and their animal can be deplaned at the captain's discretion
-However, United requires a written note from a doctor if the animal is an "emotional support animal".
-They know that there's quite a bit of abuse going on by passengers attempting to avoid the surcharge for animals or those who don't want to put their beloved pet in a cage/kennel. However, I didn't get the impression that this is something that's being worked on / dealt with as a matter of priority at United

RacingJunkie

No airline is going to risk the bad PR on being proactive in enforcing ESA rules. All the pet lovers and wackos will come out of the woodwork saying they are being discriminated.

mmack

The "problem" could be solved by charging for all animals EXCEPT registered Service Animals such as Seeing-Eye Dogs.

cbn42

That would require creating a centralized registry of some sort, setting up a government agency or contractor to operate it, and amending federal laws to allow it.

Global321

It might be worth it for UA and other airlines to fund it as it would most likely boost revenue significantly.

deek

Yesterday I was on UA 536 MIA>DEN. I was seated in 2B when the pax in 2A boarded with 1 French bulldog on a leash and another in a carrier. The carrier went in the center between 1A/B and the leased pooch sat on the floor in front of my seatmate. When I questioned him about the dog in the carrier he replied the service animal (?) did better when traveling with the other dog - apparently the service animal requires a service animal of its own

I was going to squawk to the FA, but she was smitten with the pax & leashed dog, and I'd had enough confrontations this week from work ...so let it go.

Is this per UA policy or something the pax dreamt up and got the GA and FA to bless?

deek

aacharya

Just like the passengers with "disabilities" - UA can't ask. So they don't.

Bonehead

On the floor between the bulkhead and the seats in row 1? That seems a bit irregular, especially since the owner was in row 2 and nothing is generally allowed to be on the floor adjacent to the bulkhead for takeoff and landing.

HMPS

The first dog maybe the pax's Emotipnal Support Animal. The second one is to support the first dog.

One wonders what are the legal rights of the rest of the pax ?

eng3

I don't know the equip, but I know some have the under seat storage in 3 parts even in first. Maybe he means under 1A/1B?

I know there have been lengthy threads about this, but I wonder what would happen if 2B had a dog hair allergy. Who has to move?

notquiteaff

It was on AS, but on a recently flight the passenger in 6A (bulkhead coach) had a small dog in a carrier on the floor (gate to gate). The FAs did not say anything. I was in 6C and the dog was well behaved, so it didn't bother me, but I did wonder whether FAA rules for empty foot space are pre-empted by service or emotional support dogs. I assume the airline could have reseated the passenger in another row.

FLYDCA

The need for an emotional support animal must be certified by a mental health provider. They are not required to be caged during the flight. United is also not permitted to charge an extra pet fee in this case.

eng3

If the dog had been in 6C and I was in 6A, I would have objected. That's worse than someone reclining his seat in front of me during takeoff. Now it's affecting my own safety.

deek

Yes, dog #2 in the carrier went under 1A/1B in the center since leashed dog #1 was at 2A's feet. If I hadn't been so tired I would have escalated the issue - but as I stated, the purser was enchanted by the mutts and it would have been an uphill battle.

deek