Emotional Support Animals, Service Dogs and Comfort Pets: The Definitive Thread
Jan 17, 2017, 10:15 am
#391
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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no argument
Jan 17, 2017, 10:43 am
#392
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: STL
Programs: DL DM; HH gold
Posts: 554
um, really? based on a number of posts in this and related threads (particularly this one), apparently there's a building consensus that a higher fee encourages people to declare their pets as ESAs so they don't have to pay
no argument
no argument
My personal view is that if you have so much angst in your life that you continually need a dog (or other animal) by your side, you should probably not be flying. I'm willing to bet the majority of ESA are fake and just a way to duck fees.
Jan 17, 2017, 11:22 am
#393
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,885
I think it is less of a money grab and more of a way to discourage people from making each flight a flying zoo. At least with the high fee, I tend to want to believe the owners will be a little bit more responsible with their pet on board. When my friends that have pets travel, they leave the pet with family because of the fee. Unfortunately, then you have people like my coworker (I chose to leave the conversation before saying something I regretted), who last week proudly said that she got the ESA waiver for her dog, because she couldn't stand paying the fee and she just had to travel with her pet. Worst part is, employees at the company have plenty of disposable income to be able to afford the fee. Sad that people so unabashedly abuse the system. I think the waiver should be available for people who truly need it, but it needs to be a lot harder to obtain.
Jan 17, 2017, 11:41 am
#394
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: DL PM, MM; Marriott Plat
Posts: 458
The other issue is Delta no longer allows pets as checked baggage, only cargo. If you have a dog that is too big to fit under the seat you either have to fake the ESA or go through the hassle of shipping as cargo (visit cargo center before and after the flight to drop off and pick up the dog - WITH a health certificate).
Jan 17, 2017, 11:41 am
#395
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Join Date: May 2005
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A few months back, I was flying <can't remember>/LAX. I was sitting across the aisle from a very pretty young woman with a small dog with the "E.S.A" designation. (she was an actress / model in LA of some sort) We started chatting, and she, basically told me (not in so many words) that she was scamming the airline, and how EASY it is to get the required papers for the designation.
I know I've seen the <phoney> ID cards for sale on eBay for something like $5 without a doggie photo, and $10 with a pic (IIRC)
I know I've seen the <phoney> ID cards for sale on eBay for something like $5 without a doggie photo, and $10 with a pic (IIRC)
Jan 17, 2017, 12:09 pm
#396
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,989
The thing that puzzles me is how personal values can be set aside to commit these scams (fraud) and is justified because....
(1) it is too expensive otherwise
(2) it is too inconvenient (for me)
(3) its part of the "family"
Do the same folks buy fake handicap placards online for that convenient parking spot?
Do they lie about kids age for discounts, concessions and waivers
Is faking one's birthday for freebies and discount acceptable.
I do witness wheelchair miracles so I supposed morals can indeed be placed on hold when it is inconvenient.
(1) it is too expensive otherwise
(2) it is too inconvenient (for me)
(3) its part of the "family"
Do the same folks buy fake handicap placards online for that convenient parking spot?
Do they lie about kids age for discounts, concessions and waivers
Is faking one's birthday for freebies and discount acceptable.
I do witness wheelchair miracles so I supposed morals can indeed be placed on hold when it is inconvenient.
Jan 17, 2017, 12:20 pm
#397
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 81
Animal-on-plane threads seem to bring out the pearl clutchers...
Jan 17, 2017, 12:49 pm
#398
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LIT
Programs: Blinged Out
Posts: 716
You are confusing "emotional support animals" with "service animals".
Service animals are the highly trained, carefully vetted dogs that serve a particular need for a disabled person.
Emotional support animals are pets whose owners spent $60 on the internet for a fake ID card and silly vest.
Service animals are the highly trained, carefully vetted dogs that serve a particular need for a disabled person.
Emotional support animals are pets whose owners spent $60 on the internet for a fake ID card and silly vest.
The ADA only pertains to "service animals." However, there is enough ambiguity in the laws to drive a truck through.
Jan 17, 2017, 12:54 pm
#399
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 275
At what point does this start to affect other passengers rights and comforts. For example, I am extremely allergic to animal dander. So if this dog were to be seated next to me, what right do I have to be re seated? I normally fly up front, so what happens then? Are they going to make the passenger with a dog take a later flight?
Seems like a potential case of, your "issue" is more important than my issue.
Seems like a potential case of, your "issue" is more important than my issue.
Jan 17, 2017, 1:00 pm
#400
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 275
I never understand the absolute need to take pets on vacations. Pet sitters and animal hotels exists for a reason. If you want to travel with your pet, put them in cargo. What gives dog/cat owners special privilege to be able to travel with their pets while I can't travel with my pet python?! (no I don't have a python, but example of self entitlement of these pet owners).
Jan 17, 2017, 1:13 pm
#401
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 81
I never understand the absolute need to take pets on vacations. Pet sitters and animal hotels exists for a reason. If you want to travel with your pet, put them in cargo. What gives dog/cat owners special privilege to be able to travel with their pets while I can't travel with my pet python?! (no I don't have a python, but example of self entitlement of these pet owners).
Is there an "absolute need" for anyone to travel anywhere for vacation?
Is there an "absolute need" to bring one's child on a vacation?
Is there an "absolute need" to drink alcohol on a plane?
Is there an "absolute need" for obese people to travel and ruin the experience for everyone else?
Jan 17, 2017, 1:43 pm
#402
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LAX/BUR, RDU
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Posts: 1,360
I have nothing against well-behaved dogs on flights if they have gone through the proper channels.
Jan 17, 2017, 2:58 pm
#403
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BWI
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 165
Something is wrong when more people oppose babies on a plane than dogs. I would be livid if I were on a plane and the dog did its business. (Yeah, I know it is rare...). I would be livid if I were on a plane with an ESA, period. 
Jan 17, 2017, 3:04 pm
#404
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 81
Sounds like an ESA might help...
Jan 17, 2017, 3:22 pm
#405
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 16
I know plenty of people who fly with their pets as an ESA. They use the ESA when it is convenient to bring the pet along (like to visit extended family) but not if it is an international trip or somewhere the pet can't come. To be clear, these are pets. But since practically everyone has some sort of emotional need he/she could claim (anxiety, stress, a history of ..., even if in the distant past) or just gets how to play the system, the pet is registered as an ESA for the flight on which it is convenient to "need" the pet.
Maybe it is the social circles I see, but I don't know anyone who has a real ESA, only people who have ESA-of-convenience.
Maybe it is the social circles I see, but I don't know anyone who has a real ESA, only people who have ESA-of-convenience.