Dec 21, 2015, 9:01 pm
Last edit by: StartinSanDiego
THIS THREAD IS NOW ARCHIVED. PLEASE CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION HERE: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travelbuzz/2032204-support-animals-cabin-2021-onwards.html
Service and Support Animals (Updated)
Wednesday, December 2, 2020WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that it is revising its Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulation on the transportation of service animals by air to ensure a safe and accessible air transportation system. The final rule on Traveling by Air with Service Animals can be found HERE.
The Department received more than 15,000 comments on the notice of proposed rulemaking. The final rule announced today addresses concerns raised by individuals with disabilities, airlines, flight attendants, airports, other aviation transportation stakeholders, and other members of the public, regarding service animals on aircraft.
The final rule:
Previous rule:
The main requirements of Part 382 regarding service animals are:
• Carriers shall permit dogs and other service animals used by persons with disabilities to accompany the persons on a flight. See section 382.55(a)(1–2).—Carriers shall accept as evidence that an animal is a service animal identifiers such as identification cards, other written documentation, presence of harnesses, tags or the credible verbal assurances of a qualified individual with a disability using the animal.
—Carriers shall permit a service animal to accompany a qualified individual with a disability in any seat in which the person sits, unless the animal obstructs an aisle or other area that must remain unobstructed in order to facilitate an emergency evacuation or to comply with FAA regulations.
• If a service animal cannot be accommodated at the seat location of the qualified individual with a disability whom the animal is accompanying, the carrier shall offer the passenger the opportunity to move with the animal to a seat location in the same class of service, if present on the aircraft, where the animal can be accommodated, as an alternative to requiring that the animal travel in the cargo hold (see section 382.37(c)).
• Carriers shall not impose charges for providing facilities, equipment, or services that are required by this part to be provided to qualified individuals with a disability (see section 382.57).
To determine whether an animal is a service animal and should be allowed to accompany its user in the cabin, airline personnel should:
1. Establish whether the animal is a pet or a service animal, and whether the passenger is a qualified individual with a disability; and then
2. Determine if the service animal presents either
• a ‘‘direct threat to the health or safety of others,’’ or
• a significant threat of disruption to the airline service in the cabin (i.e. a ‘‘fundamental alteration’’ to passenger service). See 382.7(c).
full text can be found: here.
United policy on Emotional Support Animals: https://hub.united.com/united-emotio...530539164.html
Delta policy on Emotional Support Animals: https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...e-animals.html
American Airlines policy on Emotional Support Animals: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ce-animals.jsp
Service and Support Animals (Updated)
Wednesday, December 2, 2020WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that it is revising its Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulation on the transportation of service animals by air to ensure a safe and accessible air transportation system. The final rule on Traveling by Air with Service Animals can be found HERE.
The Department received more than 15,000 comments on the notice of proposed rulemaking. The final rule announced today addresses concerns raised by individuals with disabilities, airlines, flight attendants, airports, other aviation transportation stakeholders, and other members of the public, regarding service animals on aircraft.
The final rule:
- Defines a service animal as a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability;
- No longer considers an emotional support animal to be a service animal;
- Requires airlines to treat psychiatric service animals the same as other service animals;
- Allows airlines to require forms developed by DOT attesting to a service animal’s health, behavior and training, and if taking a long flight attesting that the service animal can either not relieve itself, or can relieve itself in a sanitary manner;
- Allows airlines to require individuals traveling with a service animal to provide the DOT service animal form(s) up to 48 hours in advance of the date of travel if the passenger’s reservation was made prior to that time;
- Prohibits airlines from requiring passengers with a disability who are traveling with a service animal to physically check-in at the airport instead of using the online check-in process;
- Allows airlines to require a person with a disability seeking to travel with a service animal to provide the DOT service animal form(s) at the passenger’s departure gate on the date of travel;
- Allows airlines to limit the number of service animals traveling with a single passenger with a disability to two service animals;
- Allows airlines to require a service animal to fit within its handler’s foot space on the aircraft;
- Allows airlines to require that service animals be harnessed, leashed, or tethered at all times in the airport and on the aircraft;
- Continues to allow airlines to refuse transportation to service animals that exhibit aggressive behavior and that pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others; and
- Continues to prohibit airlines from refusing to transport a service animal solely based on breed.
Previous rule:
—Carriers shall permit a service animal to accompany a qualified individual with a disability in any seat in which the person sits, unless the animal obstructs an aisle or other area that must remain unobstructed in order to facilitate an emergency evacuation or to comply with FAA regulations.
• Carriers shall not impose charges for providing facilities, equipment, or services that are required by this part to be provided to qualified individuals with a disability (see section 382.57).
To determine whether an animal is a service animal and should be allowed to accompany its user in the cabin, airline personnel should:
1. Establish whether the animal is a pet or a service animal, and whether the passenger is a qualified individual with a disability; and then
2. Determine if the service animal presents either
• a ‘‘direct threat to the health or safety of others,’’ or
• a significant threat of disruption to the airline service in the cabin (i.e. a ‘‘fundamental alteration’’ to passenger service). See 382.7(c).
full text can be found: here.
United policy on Emotional Support Animals: https://hub.united.com/united-emotio...530539164.html
Delta policy on Emotional Support Animals: https://www.delta.com/content/www/en...e-animals.html
American Airlines policy on Emotional Support Animals: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ce-animals.jsp
The Definitive Discussion of Emotional Support Animals on Airlines
Mar 3, 2019, 1:05 pm
#466
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,231
Help me out here. A very small dog, on a leash, no service markings, in the UA Club - EWR (and rubs its butt on the carpet). Passengers (a couple) were in there for at least two hours taking turns walking the dog throughout the lounge, sniffing at every stop. I ask about it at the counter and I am told, curtly, 'dogs are allowed in' and he moved on to the next customer. After checking UA Club rules, it seems that pets, other than SERVICE animals, must remain in a carrier. A ESA is not a SERVICE dog, correct?
(As I have pointed out previously, I am not at all anti-service animal, but I am anti ESA, especially after learning how easy it is to obtain a 'certificate' to avoid paying the pet fee on an airline.)
(As I have pointed out previously, I am not at all anti-service animal, but I am anti ESA, especially after learning how easy it is to obtain a 'certificate' to avoid paying the pet fee on an airline.)
I spend endless hours in UA, AC, NH, and Amex lounges and a small dog rubbing its butt on the carpet is probably the least important hygiene issue I've seen.
As long as he/she is not bothering anyone, why is it bothering you?
Mar 3, 2019, 4:04 pm
#467
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,203
I don't see anything wrong with a service or ESA being out of their carrier to walk around the Club or the terminal. In fact, many airports now have a restroom designated just for service and ESA, and I think that's really wonderful!
I spend endless hours in UA, AC, NH, and Amex lounges and a small dog rubbing its butt on the carpet is probably the least important hygiene issue I've seen.
As long as he/she is not bothering anyone, why is it bothering you?
I spend endless hours in UA, AC, NH, and Amex lounges and a small dog rubbing its butt on the carpet is probably the least important hygiene issue I've seen.
As long as he/she is not bothering anyone, why is it bothering you?
It absolutely does 'bother' me. In this era of fees - seats, baggage, etc., and then folks seemingly breaking the rules to bring Fluffy on board. Again, no issue here with service animals. When seeing a couple taking turns walking their dog, with no service markings, around the lounge, I find it hard to believe that this was not simply an avoidance of fees. Scraping its butt on the carpet does not help the owner's case - it goes to behavior/training.
Other reasons why I may or may not like animals in the lounge and/or the plane, are well argued in the many posts above!
Mar 6, 2019, 9:27 pm
#470
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Houston
Programs: UA 1K and Million Miler, *A Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hertz Five Star,
Posts: 1,301
I don't see anything wrong with a service or ESA being out of their carrier to walk around the Club or the terminal. In fact, many airports now have a restroom designated just for service and ESA, and I think that's really wonderful!
I spend endless hours in UA, AC, NH, and Amex lounges and a small dog rubbing its butt on the carpet is probably the least important hygiene issue I've seen.
As long as he/she is not bothering anyone, why is it bothering you?
I spend endless hours in UA, AC, NH, and Amex lounges and a small dog rubbing its butt on the carpet is probably the least important hygiene issue I've seen.
As long as he/she is not bothering anyone, why is it bothering you?
I can can assure you when I see the dog outside it’s carrier in the UC I will be doing something to stop that.
Mar 7, 2019, 11:06 am
#471
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,231
are you freakingkidding me? There are so many things wrong with a dog walking through the UC even before it wipes its butt on the carpet. I am civilized and hence do not lay down on the UC carpet. Someone’s child maybe not so much.
I can can assure you when I see the dog outside it’s carrier in the UC I will be doing something to stop that.
If small animals should be in carriers, then small children should also be in carriers - as far as I'm concerned, they are far more disruptive, annoying and dirty.
Mar 7, 2019, 12:41 pm
#472
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,920
No worries - we can agree to disagree. Not only do I welcome small animals in the club or the terminal, or on board, I make time to give them a pat and interact with them. I think it's wonderful they are welcomed to public places outside the home.
If small animals should be in carriers, then small children should also be in carriers - as far as I'm concerned, they are far more disruptive, annoying and dirty.
If small animals should be in carriers, then small children should also be in carriers - as far as I'm concerned, they are far more disruptive, annoying and dirty.
As for who/what should be in carriers, after my last encounters, the people who don't seem to have consideration of others (like the people who don't understand the concept of headphones... or who jump the queues or who insist on rudely pushing through)...
Mar 8, 2019, 2:08 pm
#473
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Buffalo, but live from suitcase
Programs: Delta, AA, Marriott
Posts: 240
Help me out here. A very small dog, on a leash, no service markings, in the UA Club - EWR (and rubs its butt on the carpet). Passengers (a couple) were in there for at least two hours taking turns walking the dog throughout the lounge, sniffing at every stop. I ask about it at the counter and I am told, curtly, 'dogs are allowed in' and he moved on to the next customer. After checking UA Club rules, it seems that pets, other than SERVICE animals, must remain in a carrier. A ESA is not a SERVICE dog, correct?
(As I have pointed out previously, I am not at all anti-service animal, but I am anti ESA, especially after learning how easy it is to obtain a 'certificate' to avoid paying the pet fee on an airline.)
(As I have pointed out previously, I am not at all anti-service animal, but I am anti ESA, especially after learning how easy it is to obtain a 'certificate' to avoid paying the pet fee on an airline.)
An ESA is protected by the disability laws. A true ESA eliminates lots of medications and helps those with PTSD and depression. But it has become too easy. But is not easier than getting a handicapped parking space because you are fat, etc.
Mar 8, 2019, 2:09 pm
#474
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Buffalo, but live from suitcase
Programs: Delta, AA, Marriott
Posts: 240
are you freakingkidding me? There are so many things wrong with a dog walking through the UC even before it wipes its butt on the carpet. I am civilized and hence do not lay down on the UC carpet. Someone’s child maybe not so much.
I can can assure you when I see the dog outside it’s carrier in the UC I will be doing something to stop that.
Mar 8, 2019, 2:30 pm
#475
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
A service animal is one trained to do something
An ESA is protected by the disability laws. A true ESA eliminates lots of medications and helps those with PTSD and depression. But it has become too easy. But is not easier than getting a handicapped parking space because you are fat, etc.
An ESA is protected by the disability laws. A true ESA eliminates lots of medications and helps those with PTSD and depression. But it has become too easy. But is not easier than getting a handicapped parking space because you are fat, etc.
All pets are, by definition, ESA's. Why else would you have a pet unless it boosted the owner's emotional well being... aka provides emotional support.
ESA's should be eliminated from the disability laws and the true ESA animals - such as those that eliminate medications and PTSD, etc - should be placed within the real support animals where there are rules and regulations in place.
Mar 8, 2019, 6:24 pm
#476
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,920
And there in lies the problem...
All pets are, by definition, ESA's. Why else would you have a pet unless it boosted the owner's emotional well being... aka provides emotional support.
ESA's should be eliminated from the disability laws and the true ESA animals - such as those that eliminate medications and PTSD, etc - should be placed within the real support animals where there are rules and regulations in place.
All pets are, by definition, ESA's. Why else would you have a pet unless it boosted the owner's emotional well being... aka provides emotional support.
ESA's should be eliminated from the disability laws and the true ESA animals - such as those that eliminate medications and PTSD, etc - should be placed within the real support animals where there are rules and regulations in place.
Mar 8, 2019, 7:21 pm
#477
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,203
You do realize that just saying it is a service dog doesn't make it one. Real service animals are trained for specific tasks and IME are also very disciplined. Running amok in a lounge does not sound very disciplined. A word to the lounge attendants should be enough. They do not want to see or deal with local health inspectors.... That would make things worse for them.
True, however ESAs in general do not go through the same rigorous training that seeing eye dogs (for example) go through. That said, the new rules should apply to the lounges as well.
True, however ESAs in general do not go through the same rigorous training that seeing eye dogs (for example) go through. That said, the new rules should apply to the lounges as well.
Mar 8, 2019, 7:38 pm
#478
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
THAT is the point. The animals need to go through a quality training program. And ongoing therapy!
Mar 8, 2019, 11:44 pm
#479
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,920
I could be factually wrong, but IME, all true service dogs that I have seen over the years are clearly marked with a vest, a differentiating leash, and/or a harness, are truly well-behaved, always at their owner's side, as well as being larger breeds. Is this not the case? Whereas the UC dog that I was referring to was clearly restless and needed to be walked. And by the way, if the dog in question had approached where I was sitting, I too would have reached out to pet it.
Mar 9, 2019, 2:06 am
#480
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,381
ESA = pet, as someone said.
90% of pro-ESA people are probably dog/cat lovers. But there're people who don't like them. Up to 15% of people in US are allergic to them, myself included. My daughter's scared of dogs. You bring your pet on board or into United Club and, while majority of folks may welcome it or don't care, some will hate it and a few may even have to leave because of you.
I recognize the utility of pet as emotional support. But if having an animal is so critical to your emotional health, then get a service dog, settle for having your pet in the carrier, or don't fly. Otherwise know that you are inconveniencing others by bringing your so-called ESA.
90% of pro-ESA people are probably dog/cat lovers. But there're people who don't like them. Up to 15% of people in US are allergic to them, myself included. My daughter's scared of dogs. You bring your pet on board or into United Club and, while majority of folks may welcome it or don't care, some will hate it and a few may even have to leave because of you.
I recognize the utility of pet as emotional support. But if having an animal is so critical to your emotional health, then get a service dog, settle for having your pet in the carrier, or don't fly. Otherwise know that you are inconveniencing others by bringing your so-called ESA.