Effective March 1, 2018, Enhanced Requirements Service/Support Animals
Jan 22, 2018, 8:28 am
#181
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If what you are saying is true, then Delta should just give up and not require paperwork at all. It wastes employees' time. Because anyone who wants to bring their pet on board for free is going to lie about it and do so anyway, why not save yourself some labor and do your customer a favor by dropping the unnecessary cost of documentation, since the results will be exactly the same?
Who wants to bet that the number of animals on board with a new "no docs" policy will actually result in no change to the number today? Anyone? LOL
Jan 22, 2018, 9:43 am
#182
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I don't necessarily think that's "exactly the same" is correct. They probably think this will quiet down the haters who keep demanding that Delta "do something". So they came up with this bunch of busywork.
I would take that bet if there were actually a way to get hard numbers. If anything, I suspect the numbers will continue to increase, though maybe at a slightly reduced rate since we're probably getting closer to the point that everyone who wants to has already found out about how to get approved for an ESA.
I would take that bet if there were actually a way to get hard numbers. If anything, I suspect the numbers will continue to increase, though maybe at a slightly reduced rate since we're probably getting closer to the point that everyone who wants to has already found out about how to get approved for an ESA.
that will cost a $200 change fee and probably the difference in fare. You'll be rebooked in a minimum of 48 hrs.
Here is the number for the Service Animal Support Desk."
Jan 22, 2018, 10:05 am
#183
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In reality it's not that divisive. It's a very small group of people who are really, really vocal. You can see in this thread that many are not very well informed on the issue but still have extremely strong opinions and basically just make stuff up to fill in their knowledge gaps.
Airlines and passengers say more animals are coming onboard. And more are easily evading expensive airline fees by declaring their pets as service dogs or emotional-support animals. Cute poodles and terriers toddle through airports with ill-fitting vests. There’s no specific data telling us how many animals are in the cabin, much less which belong to owners who really need them versus those trying to game the system.
The Transportation Department is trying to crack down and says it hopes to propose new rules later this year. A 2016 effort to get airlines and disability groups to recommend new standards failed. But the DOT says this issue remains an area of concern and it plans to come up with something on its own.
. . .
DOT formed a study group under its accessibility advisory committee to make recommendations on the appropriate definition of service animals and ways to reduce false claims. Participants say the airline industry pushed for adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act definition, limiting service animals mostly to dogs. Disability advocates pushed for removing medical-certification requirements, which they see as a hassle and promoting classification as patients.
Several groups got together recently and submitted a compromise recommendation to DOT, supported by service-dog, disability and veterans groups, plus some airline and flight-attendant union representatives. It would require passengers to fill out a questionnaire that warns of penalties. The form could be stored in a passenger’s airline frequent-flier profile.
Mr. Morris thinks it will cut down on fraud and ignorance and still allow for necessary support animals.
The Transportation Department is trying to crack down and says it hopes to propose new rules later this year. A 2016 effort to get airlines and disability groups to recommend new standards failed. But the DOT says this issue remains an area of concern and it plans to come up with something on its own.
. . .
DOT formed a study group under its accessibility advisory committee to make recommendations on the appropriate definition of service animals and ways to reduce false claims. Participants say the airline industry pushed for adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act definition, limiting service animals mostly to dogs. Disability advocates pushed for removing medical-certification requirements, which they see as a hassle and promoting classification as patients.
Several groups got together recently and submitted a compromise recommendation to DOT, supported by service-dog, disability and veterans groups, plus some airline and flight-attendant union representatives. It would require passengers to fill out a questionnaire that warns of penalties. The form could be stored in a passenger’s airline frequent-flier profile.
Mr. Morris thinks it will cut down on fraud and ignorance and still allow for necessary support animals.
You can insist no one actually cares about this issue, but that's simply not the case.
Last edited by trouble747; Jan 22, 2018 at 10:16 am
Jan 22, 2018, 10:23 am
#184
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This article is from the Fall of 2016; still the point remains:
Link.
Major U.S. carriers are in favor of no longer recognizing emotional support animals at all, or at least limiting the species allowed on board, according to a letter written this summer by a working group that's co-chaired by an American Airlines attorney and includes United, JetBlue, Delta and Frontier.
The letter called therapy pets “by far the source of most of the fraud and other problems” created by the current rules.
The letter called therapy pets “by far the source of most of the fraud and other problems” created by the current rules.
Jan 22, 2018, 10:24 am
#185
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I didn't say "no one actually cares".
Jan 22, 2018, 10:25 am
#186
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Yes, I'm sure everyone would prefer not to get bitten. That's not really the point. I also would rather live in a society where people who need help aren't denied that help because a vocal group of selfish people put their own desires ahead of others needs.
Jan 22, 2018, 10:37 am
#187
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Jan 22, 2018, 10:47 am
#188
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And being told, “if your daughter’s allergic to pet dander then she can’t be on this flight” isn't selfish.
Jan 22, 2018, 10:51 am
#189
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I've seen dogs (presumably ESAs as they were out of the carrier) cause problems on flights to/from Japan and Argentina. Some countries make it very difficult for animals to enter, in some cases even including service dogs.
Jan 22, 2018, 10:52 am
#190
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- Bitten,
- Peed on,
- Forced to yield foot room to an oversized animal,
- Relegated to listening to a yapping lapdog... and for those who truly need the help,
- Deprived of that help when even more draconian measures are implemented to stem the abuse of the program.
Neither I, nor most anyone else here, want to deprive someone of a needed emotional support option.
But, recognizing DL's penchant for punishing the innocent to stop the abuses by the few, I welcome this reasoned approach to ferreting out the abusers while meeting the needs of those actually requiring support.
Jan 22, 2018, 12:07 pm
#191
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Thus, Delta starting to take some action.
I actually think the cost / burden of finding someone to care for a pet while you're away is the bigger incentive than the 'official' pet fees the airlines impose.
Last edited by cerealmarketer; Jan 22, 2018 at 12:12 pm
Jan 22, 2018, 12:13 pm
#192
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But, what am I saying? Those abuses clearly do not exist. Those of here, the airlines, and DOT are only responding to anecdotal stories.
Jan 22, 2018, 12:22 pm
#193
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Jan 22, 2018, 1:15 pm
#194
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I also believe that most people are honest and good, but the level of abuse is getting out of control. My dog is a service dog and she is trained to read my cues and react. Now I will have to complete the new Delta documents and trouble my vet for more paperwork. It looks like the ESA sites are already trying to combat the new Delta policies. Why does Delta make it difficult for service dog owners too?
It's pretty obvious that the people with fake service animals don't care about anybody else, other passengers, aircraft crew and those who have a real need for a real service animal. Shame on them!