Emotional Support Animal Policy
#16
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: Any program with a credit card, or good prices.
Posts: 437
As they provide unwavering companionship, they provide emotional comfort to the owner. They have been found to be very effective as companions to children with specific needs and to the elderly that have mental problems such as dementia. There are other cases involving all ages, but the determination should be made by a mental health professional.
Their widespread use is becoming controversial as it is felt that many people with typical devotion to their pets assign emotional support status to them garnering the privileges of the designation without a valid corresponding professional determination.
Their widespread use is becoming controversial as it is felt that many people with typical devotion to their pets assign emotional support status to them garnering the privileges of the designation without a valid corresponding professional determination.
#17
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 289
#18
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,691
Gotta tell this story of abuse I saw just last week out west while headed for business plus a few concerts.
Changing planes in DEN for SEA, a 40-ish, very identifiable slim man zips past me as a preboard as I'm in the BS line. Obviously a fan of Furthur (think Grateful Dead) who just played 4 nights at Red Rocks.
Two nights later, I see him hugging the rail (stage) at on the very crowded floor of a general admission park amphitheater in Redmond, WA. Takes me hours to slowly move up during the show.
Three nights later, I see him same position in Berkeley, CA and again the next night. Talked to the guy at half time and he simply jumps in the ADA line and pushes his way up.
Back to the park at Redmond, WA. Saw two large 50+ pound dogs, Husky's, being walked around by a young girl. They are walking freely around the impromptu "arts and crafts" areas that pop up at every show, just BS'ing with old friends. I own one and am a fan so briefly stop to pet.
An hour later as I'm entering the amphitheater by the security check, I see her being told (amongst signs and other warnings) that she can't bring the dogs into the theater. "Service animals, service animals" she screams and in they go!!!
Its only going to get worse, folks...
Changing planes in DEN for SEA, a 40-ish, very identifiable slim man zips past me as a preboard as I'm in the BS line. Obviously a fan of Furthur (think Grateful Dead) who just played 4 nights at Red Rocks.
Two nights later, I see him hugging the rail (stage) at on the very crowded floor of a general admission park amphitheater in Redmond, WA. Takes me hours to slowly move up during the show.
Three nights later, I see him same position in Berkeley, CA and again the next night. Talked to the guy at half time and he simply jumps in the ADA line and pushes his way up.
Back to the park at Redmond, WA. Saw two large 50+ pound dogs, Husky's, being walked around by a young girl. They are walking freely around the impromptu "arts and crafts" areas that pop up at every show, just BS'ing with old friends. I own one and am a fan so briefly stop to pet.
An hour later as I'm entering the amphitheater by the security check, I see her being told (amongst signs and other warnings) that she can't bring the dogs into the theater. "Service animals, service animals" she screams and in they go!!!
Its only going to get worse, folks...
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,663
Emotional Support Animal Policy
Ironically there was an uncaged "service" animal on my WN flight tonight. I was tempted to inquire further but I had my kids with me and the guy looked a little unhinged so I left it alone.
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,039
I was on a US flt. to PHX last winter and a couple in their early sixties brought a support dog onboard on a leash. This was FC & it sat quietly on the floor. Cheaper than kenneling it. I hate to see this trend because, I believe, it will lead to a proliferation of animals onboard.
#22
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Western US
Programs: WN CP, WN A-List Preferred, AS MVPG 75k, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 554
I have all of you beat on the ESA horror stories.
On a WN flight about six months ago a dog brought on board as an ESA lifted it's leg and urinated all over my backpack, which destroyed the iPad I had inside. It ticked me off even worse since I specifically told the GA and FA prior to leaving that I had seen the lady let her dog urinate on the side of a trashcan in the terminal prior to leaving LAS. The FA and GA made it out like I was the bad guy for reporting it until, of course the on board urination incident.
The worse though was about four months ago myself and my girlfriend were flying on a WN flight, with her sitting next to someone who had an ESA. Halfway through the flight the ESA which was sitting on the floor proceeds to bite and thoroughly dig its teeth into my girlfriend's leg while she's sleeping. I and another passenger had to pry the dog's mouth apart with both hands to get it off of her leg. While I'm trying to to patch up and stem her bleeding in the bathroom for the last 45mins of the flight, the FAs are busy arguing with the lady about how they should have never let the dog on in the first place. Apparently the dog snapped towards someone at the gate, and the GA made a decision to still let the dog on because the owner said "Someone was being hostile towards the dog, it isn't normally like that. I absolutely need the dog to fly" After I heard that, I told the FAs that I wanted both EMTs AND LEOs at the gate when we landed. I and my girlfriend left for the hospital immediately with the EMTs, but the lady went ballistic when she was met by law enforcement and animal control at the gate. The lady admitted the dog hadn't had vaccinations in over five years, so off to the hospital they went as well so everything, including rabies could be ruled out faster than doing the blood work at the animal shelter.
We both now absolutely refuse to sit anywhere near an animal on board a plane, too many people are bringing on animals that aren't trained to be in crowded, confined spaces for an extended period of time.
On a WN flight about six months ago a dog brought on board as an ESA lifted it's leg and urinated all over my backpack, which destroyed the iPad I had inside. It ticked me off even worse since I specifically told the GA and FA prior to leaving that I had seen the lady let her dog urinate on the side of a trashcan in the terminal prior to leaving LAS. The FA and GA made it out like I was the bad guy for reporting it until, of course the on board urination incident.
The worse though was about four months ago myself and my girlfriend were flying on a WN flight, with her sitting next to someone who had an ESA. Halfway through the flight the ESA which was sitting on the floor proceeds to bite and thoroughly dig its teeth into my girlfriend's leg while she's sleeping. I and another passenger had to pry the dog's mouth apart with both hands to get it off of her leg. While I'm trying to to patch up and stem her bleeding in the bathroom for the last 45mins of the flight, the FAs are busy arguing with the lady about how they should have never let the dog on in the first place. Apparently the dog snapped towards someone at the gate, and the GA made a decision to still let the dog on because the owner said "Someone was being hostile towards the dog, it isn't normally like that. I absolutely need the dog to fly" After I heard that, I told the FAs that I wanted both EMTs AND LEOs at the gate when we landed. I and my girlfriend left for the hospital immediately with the EMTs, but the lady went ballistic when she was met by law enforcement and animal control at the gate. The lady admitted the dog hadn't had vaccinations in over five years, so off to the hospital they went as well so everything, including rabies could be ruled out faster than doing the blood work at the animal shelter.
We both now absolutely refuse to sit anywhere near an animal on board a plane, too many people are bringing on animals that aren't trained to be in crowded, confined spaces for an extended period of time.
#24
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott (Silver/Gold), IHG, Carlson, Best Western, Choice( Gold), AS (MVP), WN, UA
Posts: 8,630
I have all of you beat on the ESA horror stories.
On a WN flight about six months ago a dog brought on board as an ESA lifted it's leg and urinated all over my backpack, which destroyed the iPad I had inside. It ticked me off even worse since I specifically told the GA and FA prior to leaving that I had seen the lady let her dog urinate on the side of a trashcan in the terminal prior to leaving LAS. The FA and GA made it out like I was the bad guy for reporting it until, of course the on board urination incident.
The worse though was about four months ago myself and my girlfriend were flying on a WN flight, with her sitting next to someone who had an ESA. Halfway through the flight the ESA which was sitting on the floor proceeds to bite and thoroughly dig its teeth into my girlfriend's leg while she's sleeping. I and another passenger had to pry the dog's mouth apart with both hands to get it off of her leg. While I'm trying to to patch up and stem her bleeding in the bathroom for the last 45mins of the flight, the FAs are busy arguing with the lady about how they should have never let the dog on in the first place. Apparently the dog snapped towards someone at the gate, and the GA made a decision to still let the dog on because the owner said "Someone was being hostile towards the dog, it isn't normally like that. I absolutely need the dog to fly" After I heard that, I told the FAs that I wanted both EMTs AND LEOs at the gate when we landed. I and my girlfriend left for the hospital immediately with the EMTs, but the lady went ballistic when she was met by law enforcement and animal control at the gate. The lady admitted the dog hadn't had vaccinations in over five years, so off to the hospital they went as well so everything, including rabies could be ruled out faster than doing the blood work at the animal shelter.
We both now absolutely refuse to sit anywhere near an animal on board a plane, too many people are bringing on animals that aren't trained to be in crowded, confined spaces for an extended period of time.
On a WN flight about six months ago a dog brought on board as an ESA lifted it's leg and urinated all over my backpack, which destroyed the iPad I had inside. It ticked me off even worse since I specifically told the GA and FA prior to leaving that I had seen the lady let her dog urinate on the side of a trashcan in the terminal prior to leaving LAS. The FA and GA made it out like I was the bad guy for reporting it until, of course the on board urination incident.
The worse though was about four months ago myself and my girlfriend were flying on a WN flight, with her sitting next to someone who had an ESA. Halfway through the flight the ESA which was sitting on the floor proceeds to bite and thoroughly dig its teeth into my girlfriend's leg while she's sleeping. I and another passenger had to pry the dog's mouth apart with both hands to get it off of her leg. While I'm trying to to patch up and stem her bleeding in the bathroom for the last 45mins of the flight, the FAs are busy arguing with the lady about how they should have never let the dog on in the first place. Apparently the dog snapped towards someone at the gate, and the GA made a decision to still let the dog on because the owner said "Someone was being hostile towards the dog, it isn't normally like that. I absolutely need the dog to fly" After I heard that, I told the FAs that I wanted both EMTs AND LEOs at the gate when we landed. I and my girlfriend left for the hospital immediately with the EMTs, but the lady went ballistic when she was met by law enforcement and animal control at the gate. The lady admitted the dog hadn't had vaccinations in over five years, so off to the hospital they went as well so everything, including rabies could be ruled out faster than doing the blood work at the animal shelter.
We both now absolutely refuse to sit anywhere near an animal on board a plane, too many people are bringing on animals that aren't trained to be in crowded, confined spaces for an extended period of time.
#28
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: SEA
Programs: No status anywhere :(
Posts: 867
#29
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
#30
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,691
Sorry, don't get to those airports often. And I'm a TM follower / practitioner myself but wouldn't expect taxpayers to fund my quirks or airlines to schlep my pets... Guess I'm just not PC.