wr2

I'm looking to transport my golden retriever to Thailand. I hate the thought of putting him in cargo, mostly because of the time spent on the ground at whichever hub I'm transiting through.

I noticed that EVA airlines seems to allow emotional support animals in the cabin:
"EVA Air does not accept pets as unchecked baggage in the cabin, except for service animals such as escort dogs, emotional support animals to which medical certificates are required"

Has anyone had any experience with this? Have you successfully flown in the cabin with an emotional support animal? If so, how was the process? Any limitations? How was experience in Taipei airport? Or have you ever seen a dog in the cabin on an EVA flight? I would be flying in royal laurel class, so he would be of minimal inconvenience to others.

BlackHappy

Is the dog really an ESA or are you trying to game the system?

Often1

It took 30 seconds to find the requirements on the website. They comply fully with DOT requirements and do not dance around the issue. Includes the requirement of a DSM-IV mental illness. Not many people create paper records of faking that these days.

Emotional Support Dogs are dogs that provide emotional support and comfort to passengers with mental or emotional disabilities. If you plan to travel with an emotional support dog, We will need the following documentation:

• A letter from a licensed mental health professional on their letterhead stationery that is no older than 1 year.
• The letter must state that the passenger is under the care of the person writing the letter.
• The passenger has a mental or emotional disability recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) IV.
• The passenger needs the dog as and accommodation during the flight and/or at the destination.
• The date, type and jurisdiction of the mental health professional’s license.

wr2

Yes I absolutely am. All pets are emotional support animals. That's what a pet is. So the entire system is stupid. I have never done it before because I don't wish to inconvenience others for my own convenience. However, this is a one time move, and I don't want my dog to die, simple as that. I will be in biz class so my dog will be at my feet the entire time, minimal inconvenience to others.

wr2

Yeah I saw that too. I've done plenty of web searches. I am looking for DPs about people's experiences.

Virginia Emery

Please post back when you've finalized your booking so we can avoid BUS on the same flight when your untrained ("pet") dog decides that it needs to urinate or defecate during that trans-continental flight

BlackHappy

I’ve had multiple TPAC flights with my dog in cargo—he didn’t die. The main deterrent for me was the quarantine requirement for Taiwan.

Often1

In that case, you know that all dogs are not ESA's, at least under US law and this carrier's rules.

This all seems to be going nowhere as we all know what this is and it comes down to whether you can find a licensed professional to diagnose you with a DSM-recognized mental illness. Sure you can, but whether that is good for you in the est of your life, is a different question.

OUTraveling

I wish airlines would charge cleaning security deposits for those booking with non ADA emotional support animals. I think $2500 on a transcon flight should do it.

gengar

OP is case in point as to why airlines (and society in general) need to crack down on ESA abuse.

strife

If you do not want your dog to die then do not force him to take a transpacific flight, simple as that. I shipped my dog once on just a transcon and she was obviously so miserable on arrival that I did not ever do it again.

If you must ship your dog consider a professional pet shipping company to make arrangements. Many of these companies started as pet relocation services for military personnel deployed overseas. Choose one that has arrangements with ground staff at connecting airports so that professional ground handlers can water, feed, and even walk the dog at the airport during connections. They can also plan connections better (to avoid one very long leg such as by stopping in Japan rather than Taiwan or anywhere further) for the better health of the dog.

Often1

Eva has done a good job of it. Not a lot of people who do not suffer from a DSM-listed diagnosis who want a document on file anywhere saying that they do.

But, yeah. The easiest would simply be for carriers to impose lengthy bans on abusers and then share the list.

cdagirl

Shame on you for faking a mental illness to take your dog in cabin. You make it harder for the disabled with highly trained service dogs to be accepted when they travel because of the number of people like you that want to take their pet in cabin for their own convenience. If your dog has not been highly trained and exposed to different noises, vibrations, and environments, it may react poorly on board and bite someone out of fear or attack a genuine service dog. Recently an ESA dog went after my husband’s guide dog in a TSA line because the owner did not have a clue how to handle the scared dog.

username

At least OP is honest about this. I can totally understand not want the dog to fly cargo and coming up with scheme to take the dog into the cabin.

Did you know? BR Transports Rescued Dogs from Mainland China to USA via TPE! tells me that BR is pretty good with transporting cargo pets. Just avoid the Hello Kitty jet

wr2

LMAO, all ESAs are fake. If you are so mentally unstable that you absolutely need your pet to fly, then you are a danger to others and shouldn't be allowed to fly in the first place. The entire program is a sham. I've never abused it before because I'm not a sociopath, but I'm moving to Asia and I don't know if my dog can take 22hrs in a cargo hold. My dog is well trained, friendly and never bit anyone, He would lay on foot of bed in biz class all flight, so take your wagging finger elsewhere.