Originally Posted by
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!!
The fee is the problem! Maybe if the airlines stop to charge the fee, or charge a small and reasonable fee, people will stop with this nonsense.
A doctor's letter costs about US$150, and it is valid for one year.
A pet transportation fee is about the same price, but for only one leg. If the carriers start to charge something like US$50 for round trip, for the eventual traveler may be cheaper to pay the fee instead of the doctor.
I know it won't solve the problem for large pets, but at least part of the problem will be fixed.