Emotional Support Animals, Service Dogs and Comfort Pets: The Definitive Thread
Jan 18, 2017, 11:46 am
#421
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 81
And your post didn't say "faking ESA to bring the pet along for a vacation".
What you said was "I never understand the absolute need to take pets on vacations."
If you meant faking ESAs, then you probably should have said that. @:-)
Jan 18, 2017, 11:50 am
#422
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 81
I have pretty bad cat allergies and have sat next to a pax with a cat under the seat in front of me and did not have any issues. While I don't doubt that some people with allergies would react, I think this issue is probably overblown. Also, thankfully DL has air vents on all their planes so it is fairly easy to get freshly filtered air.
If you search the literature, it's pretty difficult to find evidence of actual reactions due to pets in a cabin. In fact, people are exposed to animals that they are allergic to more often than they typically realize.
And lots of people misuse the term "allergy". An allergy is a specific kind of immunological reaction.
For example, people often say "I have an allergy to milk" when they are simply lactose intolerant or "I have an allergy to penicillin" when it's just that penicillin gives them nausea and diarrhea.
There are many examples.
It all basically boils down to people building a narrative to fit a personal bias.
And it's also a great example of the fluidity of moral outrage.
"How dare someone take advantage of ESA regulations?!?!"
But then...
"So what if I drive over the speed limit at times. Everyone else does" or "It's ok if I pad my charitable donations on my taxes".
Breaking rules is terrible when other people do it and they offend my sensibilities. But I can easily justify it when I do things that suit my needs.
Jan 18, 2017, 11:56 am
#423
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,374
It all basically boils down to people building a narrative to fit a personal bias.
And it's also a great example of the fluidity of moral outrage.
"How dare someone take advantage of ESA regulations?!?!"
But then...
"So what if I drive over the speed limit at times. Everyone else does" or "It's ok if I pad my charitable donations on my taxes".
Breaking rules is terrible when other people do it and they offend my sensibilities. But I can easily justify it when I do things that suit my needs.
And it's also a great example of the fluidity of moral outrage.
"How dare someone take advantage of ESA regulations?!?!"
But then...
"So what if I drive over the speed limit at times. Everyone else does" or "It's ok if I pad my charitable donations on my taxes".
Breaking rules is terrible when other people do it and they offend my sensibilities. But I can easily justify it when I do things that suit my needs.
Jan 18, 2017, 4:54 pm
#424
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Gold, DL MM 8/22/16!
Posts: 2,563
The flight attendant carried the crate off and tucked it somewhere up front. I guess I was too stunned at the time to complain. The FA later came back a couple times and petted the dog and talked about how cute he was. I've since learned quite a bit about emotional support critters. I hope there isn't a next time, but I'm prepared.
Jan 18, 2017, 7:38 pm
#425
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: MI
Programs: HH-Diamond, Delta-Diamond
Posts: 129
Is the size of the animal crate posted anywhere?
At the gate could there be a animal crate test frame like there is for carry-on luggage?
I was "treated" to an adjacent lap-dog on my last flight since its crate wouldn't fit under the seat. A sniffing, lapping, bouncy, squirmy, hair and dander-flying lap-dog. It almost never sat. Stood and circled. It definitely didn't make me feel positive toward Delta, the dog owner, or the dog.
At the gate could there be a animal crate test frame like there is for carry-on luggage?
I was "treated" to an adjacent lap-dog on my last flight since its crate wouldn't fit under the seat. A sniffing, lapping, bouncy, squirmy, hair and dander-flying lap-dog. It almost never sat. Stood and circled. It definitely didn't make me feel positive toward Delta, the dog owner, or the dog.
Jan 18, 2017, 8:48 pm
#426
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 275
Considering the topic of discussion and multiple previous posts about pax faking ESA documentation to bring pets on board I assumed that the reader can follow the flow of the thread. My apologies for making the assumption.
Jan 19, 2017, 7:27 am
#427
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wayne, PA USA
Programs: DL MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, HHonors Gold
Posts: 7,242
I have pretty bad cat allergies and have sat next to a pax with a cat under the seat in front of me and did not have any issues. While I don't doubt that some people with allergies would react, I think this issue is probably overblown. Also, thankfully DL has air vents on all their planes so it is fairly easy to get freshly filtered air.
Jan 19, 2017, 8:52 am
#428
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
Then how do they rationalize the paranoia over peanuts where apparently one peanut on the upper deck of a 747 will cause someone with a peanut allergy sitting in the last row of coach on the main deck to immediately go into anaphylactic shock (or so we're led to believe)?
Jan 19, 2017, 9:00 am
#429
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,346
Jan 19, 2017, 1:36 pm
#430
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
It is demoralizing to see where we have gotten to.
Two hundred years ago, entire families were trekking across the continent in Conestoga wagons. Across barren plains and parch deserts. Risking starvation, dying of thirst, or attacks by indigenous populations. With the knowledge that there was a significant probability that some would not make it to the end of the journey.
Now, someone needs an emotional support animal to help them endure a two hour flight on what is demonstrably the safest mode of transportation that mankind has ever created.
Perhaps the horses or mules pulling the Conestoga wagons were ESAs?
Reminds me of a recent article asserting the low percentage of folks who, after a catastrophic national emergency, would not know how to build a fire to cook their food (or, for that matter, how to find food).
Two hundred years ago, entire families were trekking across the continent in Conestoga wagons. Across barren plains and parch deserts. Risking starvation, dying of thirst, or attacks by indigenous populations. With the knowledge that there was a significant probability that some would not make it to the end of the journey.
Now, someone needs an emotional support animal to help them endure a two hour flight on what is demonstrably the safest mode of transportation that mankind has ever created.
Perhaps the horses or mules pulling the Conestoga wagons were ESAs?
Reminds me of a recent article asserting the low percentage of folks who, after a catastrophic national emergency, would not know how to build a fire to cook their food (or, for that matter, how to find food).
Jan 19, 2017, 2:55 pm
#431
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SLC
Programs: DL FO, KM, & 1.7MM; UA nothing; HH♦; National EE
Posts: 6,344
Jan 19, 2017, 3:45 pm
#432
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wayne, PA USA
Programs: DL MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, HHonors Gold
Posts: 7,242
It is demoralizing to see where we have gotten to.
Two hundred years ago, entire families were trekking across the continent in Conestoga wagons. Across barren plains and parch deserts. Risking starvation, dying of thirst, or attacks by indigenous populations. With the knowledge that there was a significant probability that some would not make it to the end of the journey.
Now, someone needs an emotional support animal to help them endure a two hour flight on what is demonstrably the safest mode of transportation that mankind has ever created.
Perhaps the horses or mules pulling the Conestoga wagons were ESAs?
Reminds me of a recent article asserting the low percentage of folks who, after a catastrophic national emergency, would not know how to build a fire to cook their food (or, for that matter, how to find food).
Two hundred years ago, entire families were trekking across the continent in Conestoga wagons. Across barren plains and parch deserts. Risking starvation, dying of thirst, or attacks by indigenous populations. With the knowledge that there was a significant probability that some would not make it to the end of the journey.
Now, someone needs an emotional support animal to help them endure a two hour flight on what is demonstrably the safest mode of transportation that mankind has ever created.
Perhaps the horses or mules pulling the Conestoga wagons were ESAs?
Reminds me of a recent article asserting the low percentage of folks who, after a catastrophic national emergency, would not know how to build a fire to cook their food (or, for that matter, how to find food).
Jan 19, 2017, 4:41 pm
#433
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
Jan 20, 2017, 4:11 pm
#434
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
It is demoralizing to see where we have gotten to.
Two hundred years ago, entire families were trekking across the continent in Conestoga wagons. Across barren plains and parch deserts. Risking starvation, dying of thirst, or attacks by indigenous populations. With the knowledge that there was a significant probability that some would not make it to the end of the journey.
Now, someone needs an emotional support animal to help them endure a two hour flight on what is demonstrably the safest mode of transportation that mankind has ever created.
Perhaps the horses or mules pulling the Conestoga wagons were ESAs?
Reminds me of a recent article asserting the low percentage of folks who, after a catastrophic national emergency, would not know how to build a fire to cook their food (or, for that matter, how to find food).
Two hundred years ago, entire families were trekking across the continent in Conestoga wagons. Across barren plains and parch deserts. Risking starvation, dying of thirst, or attacks by indigenous populations. With the knowledge that there was a significant probability that some would not make it to the end of the journey.
Now, someone needs an emotional support animal to help them endure a two hour flight on what is demonstrably the safest mode of transportation that mankind has ever created.
Perhaps the horses or mules pulling the Conestoga wagons were ESAs?
Reminds me of a recent article asserting the low percentage of folks who, after a catastrophic national emergency, would not know how to build a fire to cook their food (or, for that matter, how to find food).
On the other hand, you could sit in amazement at how progressive and advanced our society has become, and that it works for so many more people than it used to, and that we are able to use our wealth and knowledge to include people. 200 years ago, the person who needed emotional support may have been abused, thrown out or sent to an asylum. They would not have been able to go west, if they were able to survive at all. Now, with appropriate treatment and accommodations, they can participate in society.
Jan 20, 2017, 6:56 pm
#435
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
https://thedogtor.net/?gclid=Cj0KEQi...inUaAj-C8P8HAQ
http://www.workingservicedog.com/emo...portdog-2.aspx
From what I've seen, I'd be surprised if even 5% of the people claiming emotional support dogs are legitimate.