DL's had enough of fake ESAs- let's hope WN is next!
Apr 21, 2018, 6:29 am
#151
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,881
That is not correct. Under the ACAA, service animals can include dogs, cats, miniature horses, pigs, monkeys, etc. Airlines need not accept certain unusual service animals such as snakes, other reptiles, ferrets, rodents, and spiders. Foreign airlines need not accept any service animals that are not dogs, but domestic airlines may not refuse all non-dog service animals.
https://www.transportation.gov/sites...ls-TriFold.pdf
https://www.transportation.gov/sites...20030509_2.pdf
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-id...e14.4.382_1117
Service animals can include specifically trained dogs, cats, horses, pigs, monkeys and the like. The same list of animals could be emotional support animals if the passenger presents the required documentation from their mental health professional.
https://www.transportation.gov/sites...ls-TriFold.pdf
https://www.transportation.gov/sites...20030509_2.pdf
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-id...e14.4.382_1117
Service animals can include specifically trained dogs, cats, horses, pigs, monkeys and the like. The same list of animals could be emotional support animals if the passenger presents the required documentation from their mental health professional.
Apr 21, 2018, 8:12 am
#152
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: MCI
Programs: CBP Global Entry, WN A-List Preferred, WN Companion Pass
Posts: 2,007
Alaska Airlines adopts a tougher policy for emotional support animals
Starting May 1, the Seattle-based carrier will require passengers who want to travel with emotional support animals to provide proof that the animal is healthy, well-behaved and is needed to support the flier during the flight.
Starting May 1, the Seattle-based carrier will require passengers who want to travel with emotional support animals to provide proof that the animal is healthy, well-behaved and is needed to support the flier during the flight.
Apr 21, 2018, 7:13 pm
#153
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
Alaska Airlines adopts a tougher policy for emotional support animals
Starting May 1, the Seattle-based carrier will require passengers who want to travel with emotional support animals to provide proof that the animal is healthy, well-behaved and is needed to support the flier during the flight.
Starting May 1, the Seattle-based carrier will require passengers who want to travel with emotional support animals to provide proof that the animal is healthy, well-behaved and is needed to support the flier during the flight.
Apr 21, 2018, 9:31 pm
#154
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: RNO
Programs: AA/DL/UA
Posts: 10,780
No, that's not an error. One of the three documents must be a letter from your psychiatrist that says you need an ESA (which implies said ESA will be with you the entire time, in the cabin; otherwise it's not an ESA, it's a pet).
Apr 22, 2018, 7:34 am
#155
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
There is no requirement the the animal be needed on the flight. That is I think an error. Would a person with say agoraphobia need an ESA inside an airplane cabin? They may well need one to get to and from the airport.
Last edited by rsteinmetz70112; Jun 6, 2018 at 10:37 am
Apr 22, 2018, 12:06 pm
#156
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Gold, WN A+ & CP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,246
Where are you seeing that? I only see a form that's required, nothing about a letter and the form doesn't say that it must be required in flight.
Apr 22, 2018, 5:09 pm
#157
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
There is no requirement that the animal be needed on the flight.
The only difference with Alaska's new Medical Health Professional form and what other carriers are using is that it includes a a section for Guest Information that requests info specific to an individual flight. This makes it slightly harder than before since a new form is needed for each flight vs a blanket form that would apply to multiple flights.
However, that section can be completed by the customer (not the health professional) meaning that one could simply get a supply of forms completed by their doctor and fill in their flight info as needed. The doctor's info just needs to be completed/dated within one year of the flight.
The other two new forms are completed by the guest as well, and relate primarily to liability and an understanding that, if the animal is denied as a support animal (for issues such as behavior), they would need to travel as a pet and be subject to the terms/fees/requirements of their pet policy. (Not required is any statement that the "animal is healthy," as incorrectly reported in the article.)
I do suspect/hope that the liability form may give pause to some travelers (those who are passing off their non-trained pet as an ESA).
Time will tell if it has any real deterrent effect.
From the article (contains pdf download link to new forms):
The only difference with Alaska's new Medical Health Professional form and what other carriers are using is that it includes a a section for Guest Information that requests info specific to an individual flight. This makes it slightly harder than before since a new form is needed for each flight vs a blanket form that would apply to multiple flights.
However, that section can be completed by the customer (not the health professional) meaning that one could simply get a supply of forms completed by their doctor and fill in their flight info as needed. The doctor's info just needs to be completed/dated within one year of the flight.
The other two new forms are completed by the guest as well, and relate primarily to liability and an understanding that, if the animal is denied as a support animal (for issues such as behavior), they would need to travel as a pet and be subject to the terms/fees/requirements of their pet policy. (Not required is any statement that the "animal is healthy," as incorrectly reported in the article.)
I do suspect/hope that the liability form may give pause to some travelers (those who are passing off their non-trained pet as an ESA).
Time will tell if it has any real deterrent effect.
From the article (contains pdf download link to new forms):
Starting May 1, passengers must also print and fill out two additional forms from alaskair.com. In one form, the passenger affirms that the animal is well-trained and that the passenger accepts liability for any injury or damage caused by the animal. Another form certifies that the animal is healthy. All three documents must be submitted 48 hours before flying.
Apr 23, 2018, 7:52 pm
#158
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: RNO
Programs: AA/DL/UA
Posts: 10,780
... The airline now requires that passengers flying with emotional support animals provide a letter from a mental health professional or medical doctor, affirming that the flier needs the animal for support. ...
Apr 23, 2018, 11:25 pm
#159
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Gold, WN A+ & CP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,246
No. You are quoting a news article. Alaska just requires their forms be filled out. They don't say anything about an actual letter. Also, the law specifically states that the ESA may only be needed at the destination. It doesn't have to be needed on the flight for it to qualify as an ESA.
Apr 23, 2018, 11:28 pm
#160
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
To be clear: There is no new specific requirement that the animal be needed on the flight.
The statement by the medical professional remains, as dictated by regulation, that the passenger is under their care, and that they have a specific disorder as specified in the DSM.
The statement by the medical professional remains, as dictated by regulation, that the passenger is under their care, and that they have a specific disorder as specified in the DSM.
Last edited by ursine1; Apr 23, 2018 at 11:35 pm
Apr 25, 2018, 9:17 am
#161
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Long Island
Programs: Southwest Airlines, Marriot
Posts: 235
Fake Support Animals
Alaska Airlines spokesman Tim Thompson said there will be an exception for trained miniature horses
Alaska Airlines tightens emotional support animal policy
By The Associated PressUpdated April 24, 2018 3:23 PMPRINT SHARE ANCHORAGE, Alaska - (AP) -- Alaska Airlines has updated its policy on emotional support animals following an increase in incidents involving them on planes and in airports, including some customers and employees suffering bites.
Starting May 1, customers flying with psychiatric service animals must provide animal health and behavioral documents and a signed document from a medical professional at least 48 hours prior to departure.
The airline also will stop allowing amphibians, goats and animals with hooves, tusks or horns.
Alaska Airlines spokesman Tim Thompson said there will be an exception for trained miniature horses. Miniature horses are recognized as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act and are used by a small number of people with disabilities, said airline spokeswoman Bobbie Egan in an email.
The changes are in response to increasing problems with emotional support animals on planes, Thompson said. There have been incidents where animals have bitten customers and employees, Thompson said.
"Most animals cause no problems," said Ray Prentice, Alaska Airlines director of customer advocacy. "However, over the last few years, we have observed a steady increase in incidents from animals who haven't been adequately trained to behave in a busy airport setting or on a plane, which has prompted us to strengthen our policy."
Alaska Airlines in recent years has handled about 150 support animals every day.
The new policy does not affect certified service animals, which are typically dogs helping owners with physical disabilities. The new restrictions only apply to animals assisting emotional, psychiatric, cognitive or psychological disabilities.
May 11, 2018, 9:17 pm
#162
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: LAX/SMF/PDX/HNL
Programs: Hilton-lifetime diamond, Southwest A+, companion pass
Posts: 1,749
Alaska Air 555 from Palm Springs to SEA today (from an eyewitness)---->
"No-win situation for Alaska Air. Woman with her 90 pound service dog insists she has the right to the entire bulkhead without paying for the 2 additional seats. She is in the wrong (ADA requires only reasonable accommodation, not loss of revenue), and we have all deplaned as they pry her off the plane. I'm sympathetic to her plight, but it leaves me wondering what the heck she was thinking.
Service animal intended to respond if her blood pressure gets out of control. We were seated right behind her. I need a dog like that just about now….
Just reboarded. She's still on board with her dog, seats are vacant, and that's all we know.
It's a big dog but that doesn't give her the right to steal two seats from passengers who'd already paid for them. She'd boarded with the dog, settled it into the floor space for the two seats next to her, put all three of her carry-on bags(!) into the overhead bin and took control of the row. Looks like she did finally agree to pay for the extra seats herself, but I suspect she'll take this up with Alaska again after the flight, as she claims she checked with Alaska the night before and was assured she could have the space, and that "other airlines have always given me this space."
The flight was delayed 2 hours.
"No-win situation for Alaska Air. Woman with her 90 pound service dog insists she has the right to the entire bulkhead without paying for the 2 additional seats. She is in the wrong (ADA requires only reasonable accommodation, not loss of revenue), and we have all deplaned as they pry her off the plane. I'm sympathetic to her plight, but it leaves me wondering what the heck she was thinking.
Service animal intended to respond if her blood pressure gets out of control. We were seated right behind her. I need a dog like that just about now….
Just reboarded. She's still on board with her dog, seats are vacant, and that's all we know.
It's a big dog but that doesn't give her the right to steal two seats from passengers who'd already paid for them. She'd boarded with the dog, settled it into the floor space for the two seats next to her, put all three of her carry-on bags(!) into the overhead bin and took control of the row. Looks like she did finally agree to pay for the extra seats herself, but I suspect she'll take this up with Alaska again after the flight, as she claims she checked with Alaska the night before and was assured she could have the space, and that "other airlines have always given me this space."
The flight was delayed 2 hours.
May 12, 2018, 1:35 pm
#163
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,967
May 31, 2018, 9:30 am
#164
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: LAX/SMF/PDX/HNL
Programs: Hilton-lifetime diamond, Southwest A+, companion pass
Posts: 1,749
Wednesday night in front of Gate 11A at LAX a bulldog left a 25 foot long trail of walking poop. The gate agent called for a special clean-up. It was ~10 minutes before there was a crew responding. In the meantime, the foul smelling substance had been tracked and roller-bagged into the adjacent food vendor, Einstein Bros. Bagels. I gag when I think of the poor souls whose luggage was dragged into the mess.
Animals do not belong in this area. Nor in food markets, in my opinion.
Animals do not belong in this area. Nor in food markets, in my opinion.
Jun 2, 2018, 2:06 am
#165
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: RNO
Programs: AA/DL/UA
Posts: 10,780
Alaska Airlines spokesman Tim Thompson said there will be an exception for trained miniature horses
Alaska Airlines tightens emotional support animal policy
By The Associated PressUpdated April 24, 2018 3:23 PM
PRINT SHARE ANCHORAGE, Alaska - (AP) -- Alaska Airlines has updated its policy on emotional support animals following an increase in incidents involving them on planes and in airports, including some customers and employees suffering bites.
Starting May 1, customers flying with psychiatric service animals must provide animal health and behavioral documents and a signed document from a medical professional at least 48 hours prior to departure.
The airline also will stop allowing amphibians, goats and animals with hooves, tusks or horns.
Alaska Airlines spokesman Tim Thompson said there will be an exception for trained miniature horses. Miniature horses are recognized as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act and are used by a small number of people with disabilities, said airline spokeswoman Bobbie Egan in an email.
The changes are in response to increasing problems with emotional support animals on planes, Thompson said. There have been incidents where animals have bitten customers and employees, Thompson said.
"Most animals cause no problems," said Ray Prentice, Alaska Airlines director of customer advocacy. "However, over the last few years, we have observed a steady increase in incidents from animals who haven't been adequately trained to behave in a busy airport setting or on a plane, which has prompted us to strengthen our policy."
Alaska Airlines in recent years has handled about 150 support animals every day.
The new policy does not affect certified service animals, which are typically dogs helping owners with physical disabilities. The new restrictions only apply to animals assisting emotional, psychiatric, cognitive or psychological disabilities.
Alaska Airlines tightens emotional support animal policy
By The Associated PressUpdated April 24, 2018 3:23 PM
PRINT SHARE ANCHORAGE, Alaska - (AP) -- Alaska Airlines has updated its policy on emotional support animals following an increase in incidents involving them on planes and in airports, including some customers and employees suffering bites.
Starting May 1, customers flying with psychiatric service animals must provide animal health and behavioral documents and a signed document from a medical professional at least 48 hours prior to departure.
The airline also will stop allowing amphibians, goats and animals with hooves, tusks or horns.
Alaska Airlines spokesman Tim Thompson said there will be an exception for trained miniature horses. Miniature horses are recognized as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act and are used by a small number of people with disabilities, said airline spokeswoman Bobbie Egan in an email.
The changes are in response to increasing problems with emotional support animals on planes, Thompson said. There have been incidents where animals have bitten customers and employees, Thompson said.
"Most animals cause no problems," said Ray Prentice, Alaska Airlines director of customer advocacy. "However, over the last few years, we have observed a steady increase in incidents from animals who haven't been adequately trained to behave in a busy airport setting or on a plane, which has prompted us to strengthen our policy."
Alaska Airlines in recent years has handled about 150 support animals every day.
The new policy does not affect certified service animals, which are typically dogs helping owners with physical disabilities. The new restrictions only apply to animals assisting emotional, psychiatric, cognitive or psychological disabilities.