villox

This is truly one of the strangest threads I've read on FT. I still don't know how I'd get my dog to go in a lav. If I ever traveled with him I gather I'd use a diaper. But generally he can go several hours without needing relief.

fgirard

When we would travel with my labradoodle, we would just check him in as luggage (crate was properly labeled, even had the "this end up" sticker) and he would survive flights of various lengths, even including HKG-JFK. He was happy when he was checked-in and happy when we got him out of Customs. Only once did we toy with the idea of paying the in-cabin fee, but we decided against it. It probably also helped that he was quite mellow and would normally just lay down and watch the world go by.

I think the most insane interaction that I have seen with an ESA was a few years ago at SFO. Just before boarding the LX SFO-ZRH flight, a guy went up to the counter to inquire about his ESA...a chinchilla. An argument ensued because said chinchilla did not have the requisite documents to enter Switzerland, and therefore would not be allowed to travel. The traveler claimed that because it was an ESA, he didn't need to do any of that since it was an ESA. In the end, I did not see him board the aircraft.

Beltway2A

Excellent! Considering I've never had to (and never will) perform a bodily function other than pissing in an airplane lav, I'm looking forward to animals exercising a similar level of self-control. Condolences to the OP for his/her unfortunate situation.

kettle1

WINNER thread of the week. I think this was a 2-1/2 hour flight. I sure hope the poor pooping pooch did not drink the "blue juice" in the LAV or worse get sucked in if the PX flushed. That would be a crappy situation. The "friendly skies - United".

GuyverII

Jeez, in a year we've gone from Economy, to Fight Club, to the Kennel Club.

exerda

This. I'd rather by far the dog go in the lav and have it picked up and flushed than in the carrier under the seats nearby.

nigos

The real problem relates to the increased number of animals in the cabin compared to a few years ago when the airlines more or less enforced policies that only allowed guide dogs for handicapped individuals. An increased number of pets (alias "comfort animals") inevitably increases the odds of poop in the cabin.

halls120

I'd rather have the dog go in its kennel in the hold where it belongs.

jcatman

Best post of the decade. ^

SFOrunner

"Back to your seat, pauper pup!"

Aussienarelle

As someonewho is allergic to animal dander (although love animals and have had a number of dogs and cats over the years and used my inhaler on a frequent basis) - this x 1000!

It is concerning enough to me to be on a plane with animals and having an asthma attack in a confined place with recirculated air without the additional concern of the lavatories having animal dander. I do try and avoid using lavatories on the plane and now have an added incentive to avoid them if people are taking animals in there.

I totally understand about legitimate service animals. Some of the best behaved animals as they have a job to do. Never thought about the bodily functions for them (apart from the animal relief areas).

Pets belong in the hold. Period

JVPhoto

I'm on an Allegiant flight with a therapy dog that has its own Instagram page...

Collierkr

Why does someone who MUST have a service dog with them need to travel internationally? I can think of a few you might offer but none of these are must travel or die situations. There are a lot of things that can be accommodated for in life but there are also limits.

catocony

I would have enjoyed video of you getting arrested after the plain diverted due to your criminal assault and battery on a passenger while in flight.

kale73

While I think I've made it quite clear that I do not approve of pets (including, by definition, ESAs) in the cabin, I would never go so far as to pick one up and flush it down the airplane toilet. That would be cruel to the animal and would likely put the lav out of service for the remainder of the flight.