Emotional Support Animals in lounges?
Jun 19, 2018, 12:30 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,106
Emotional Support Animals in lounges?
So I know this is a tried and true topic but I'm currently sat in the JFK FL and a woman with a fairly large (50 lb or so) dog was taking food from the buffet and even said that she planned on feeding the dog some of the food from the buffet. It was very clearly NOT a service dog.
I'm very pro-dog and probably on the more permissive side than most for the ESA debate, but I think it would also be reasonable to not allow them into lounges. After all, it's a nice to have part of flying, but hardly something anyone needs (which is the whole point behind the ESA in the first place, they are supposedly a necessity).
I'm just kind of shocked there's not a policy to deny any animals not in kennels in the lounges.
I'm very pro-dog and probably on the more permissive side than most for the ESA debate, but I think it would also be reasonable to not allow them into lounges. After all, it's a nice to have part of flying, but hardly something anyone needs (which is the whole point behind the ESA in the first place, they are supposedly a necessity).
I'm just kind of shocked there's not a policy to deny any animals not in kennels in the lounges.
Jun 19, 2018, 1:02 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: AA-EXP
Posts: 618
I have seen pets in carriers in the lounge multiple times in CLT. One poor cat was meowing the whole time.
Jun 19, 2018, 1:15 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
I have been known to paw and whimper when an upgrade request at the lounge can't be processed on the spot.
Jun 19, 2018, 1:26 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,425
ESAs could probably be denied if its not an actual service animal. Airports are governed by the ADA and ESAs don't fall under the ADA.
Jun 19, 2018, 1:30 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 3,649
So I know this is a tried and true topic but I'm currently sat in the JFK FL and a woman with a fairly large (50 lb or so) dog was taking food from the buffet and even said that she planned on feeding the dog some of the food from the buffet. It was very clearly NOT a service dog.
I'm very pro-dog and probably on the more permissive side than most for the ESA debate, but I think it would also be reasonable to not allow them into lounges. After all, it's a nice to have part of flying, but hardly something anyone needs (which is the whole point behind the ESA in the first place, they are supposedly a necessity).
I'm just kind of shocked there's not a policy to deny any animals not in kennels in the lounges.
I'm very pro-dog and probably on the more permissive side than most for the ESA debate, but I think it would also be reasonable to not allow them into lounges. After all, it's a nice to have part of flying, but hardly something anyone needs (which is the whole point behind the ESA in the first place, they are supposedly a necessity).
I'm just kind of shocked there's not a policy to deny any animals not in kennels in the lounges.
Jun 19, 2018, 4:05 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Rolling Lakes Yacht Club
Posts: 4,988
This whole ESA thing is a farce and an affront to the those who have a bonafide need for a service dog. I was in the Club at PHX a few weeks ago and this gal was spooning with her dog on the floor of the lounge.
Jun 19, 2018, 4:28 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: USA
Programs: AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 652
"I was in the Club at PHX a few weeks ago and this gal was spooning with her dog on the floor of the lounge."
My goodness. Is there no basic decorum left while traveling?
My goodness. Is there no basic decorum left while traveling?
Jun 19, 2018, 4:45 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Owner of 2,000 TWA shares
Posts: 812
Could I fly with my wife on my lap? Humans are animals, after all. And the emotional support she gives me can't have a price attached to it. Se'd look great in that little red vest.
Jun 19, 2018, 5:06 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: SAN
Programs: AA CK, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 839
I love animals but really don’t want to share space and food with them in the lounge. As for spooning with a dog in the lounge - sick!
Jun 19, 2018, 5:10 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
My deceased dog (54+ years ago) would never be seated on the floor--she loved comfort and would have found the most comfortable chair to stretch out on.
Jun 19, 2018, 5:24 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: AY Plat, LH FTL
Posts: 7,375
Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age, but it seems to me that a grown woman spooning with a dog on the floor of an airline lounge just might have a valid need for an emotional support animal.
Jun 19, 2018, 7:30 pm
#12
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: LAX, SAN, ORD, MAA & COK
Programs: AA EXP 6+ MM, AC, DL (MM) & LT SC; All Airlines 10+MM, Hilton LT Diamond, Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 749
Jun 19, 2018, 7:40 pm
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
So I know this is a tried and true topic but I'm currently sat in the JFK FL and a woman with a fairly large (50 lb or so) dog was taking food from the buffet and even said that she planned on feeding the dog some of the food from the buffet. It was very clearly NOT a service dog.
I'm very pro-dog and probably on the more permissive side than most for the ESA debate, but I think it would also be reasonable to not allow them into lounges. After all, it's a nice to have part of flying, but hardly something anyone needs (which is the whole point behind the ESA in the first place, they are supposedly a necessity).
I'm just kind of shocked there's not a policy to deny any animals not in kennels in the lounges.
I'm very pro-dog and probably on the more permissive side than most for the ESA debate, but I think it would also be reasonable to not allow them into lounges. After all, it's a nice to have part of flying, but hardly something anyone needs (which is the whole point behind the ESA in the first place, they are supposedly a necessity).
I'm just kind of shocked there's not a policy to deny any animals not in kennels in the lounges.
99% of problems are best dealt with on the spot and if not dealt with were not important to you or to any other passenger.
Jun 19, 2018, 10:28 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,794
Jun 19, 2018, 10:32 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896