HWGeeks

Since Technically humans are Animals, can't my support animal be a friend or family member?

MSPeconomist

Maybe Trump could pardon it.

pvn

everyone knows there's a problem because everyone says there's a problem.

If your friends are getting letters then this change isn't going to affect them.

jdrtravel

I don't think you or anyone else can know that. Right now the letters are not verified at all, you just have to show it to the check in agent. DL does not do anything with that information, so it is entirely easy and possible to just create a letter yourself. Also, there are online services that generate letters for people, and who knows how legitimate those mental health providers are.

The new policy requires that pax submit a Delta created form, not some pre-generated letter, filled out by the provider. Delta has also indicated they are creating a new support desk for this. What we don't know is if this means that DL will now take the time to verify all or at least audit some of the letters to ensure that the mental/medical providers listed are actually licensed providers and that they (not the pax) actually filled out the form. The fact that Delta requires 48 hours notice suggests this is at least a possibility.

J.Z.

Finally. Thank you Delta.

javabytes

So the new requirements are a health certificate submitted 48 hours in advance, as well as a self-certified confirmation of training? Yeah, that's going to stop people from abusing the emotional support animal system...

thesaints

Is this a new thing ? I remember seeing recently a (I assume) distressed passenger parading her support dog back and fort the cabin aisle. Many "air support" dogs I have seen are way too large to fit in a carrier.

jdrtravel

At minimum, it creates better conditions for DL (and other pax) to take legal action against pax whose animals cause problems.

pvn

Well, yeah, that's sort of my point. There's no evidence that there is widespread forgery of these documents. It's so simple to get a legit one that forging one would be extremely dumb.

This policy will not change anything with respect to ability to sue someone who brings a dangerous animal on a plane.

For the purposes of this conversation, "pets" and "ESAs" are distinct. Pets have to be in carriers, ESAs do not.

jrl767

I suggest that the issue is the (seemingly exponential) growth in the number of passengers attempting to designate their pet as an ESA

apodo77

I'm sure it's all legitimate and no one is fudging they need an ESA.

https://www.google.com/search?q=emotional+support+animal+letter&oq=emotio nal+suppo&aqs=chrome.4.0l5j69i57.5030j0j7&sourceid =chrome&ie=UTF-8

pvn

The people selling those are almost always credentialed professionals

apodo77

Well duh. Never claimed they weren't.
They are also paper mills handing out ESA's to anyone willing to pay them. All you have to di is fill out their questionaire and whether they actually have a valid reason for needing an ESA one will be issued. Anyne can get one.

thesaints

Just like all those handing out marijuana prescriptions are.

bdh

You'd be shocked at how compact llamas can be. One time I was in the parking lot for a trail head after getting back from a hike when a van pulls up. The sliding door opens and out come 3 full grown llamas. It was like a clown-car trick, but llamas. I would have thought for 3 llamas you'd need a horse trailer at least, but nope, just 1 van. They fold up their legs to crouch down and duck their heads low. You get 3 seats together in one row, I bet you could fit a llama on a plane...