Crossing the line? Rights of UA passenger when animals are on the flight.
Oct 28, 2017, 12:57 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 1,336
Oct 28, 2017, 1:44 pm
#17
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 76
If United screened just some of these letters by calling up the "doctor" and asking them about (3) below, they would find that most doctors have never even met the patient let alone treated them. Many of these "doctors" are not treating the patient at all, they just write them a letter for which the going rate is $125 as I recall.
"(e) If a passenger seeks to travel with an animal that is used as an emotional support or psychiatric service animal, you are not required to accept the animal for transportation in the cabin unless the passenger provides you current documentation (i.e., no older than one year from the date of the passenger's scheduled initial flight) on the letterhead of a licensed mental health professional (e.g., psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, including a medical doctor specifically treating the passenger's mental or emotional disability) stating the following:
(1) The passenger has a mental or emotional disability recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—Fourth Edition (DSM IV);
(2) The passenger needs the emotional support or psychiatric service animal as an accommodation for air travel and/or for activity at the passenger's destination;
******(3) The individual providing the assessment is a licensed mental health professional, and the passenger is under his or her professional care; and
(4) The date and type of the mental health professional's license and the state or other jurisdiction in which it was issued."
Oct 28, 2017, 2:36 pm
#18
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1
As someone who is very allergic to dogs and cats, having one in the cabin, let alone next to me, would just about kill me with sneezing and teary eyes. I understand the need for real service dogs, but this has all gone too far.
Oct 28, 2017, 3:07 pm
#20
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: BNA
Programs: HH Gold. (Former) UA PP, DL PM, PC Plat
Posts: 8,185
The airline is required to allow the animals as provided for under the ACAA.
Below are the requirements for an emotional support animal from the United web site. They do have to submit the documentation in advance and United contacts the mental health care professional to verify. It isn't left to the gate agent to validate.
Below are the requirements for an emotional support animal from the United web site. They do have to submit the documentation in advance and United contacts the mental health care professional to verify. It isn't left to the gate agent to validate.
Emotional support and psychiatric assist animals
Emotional support and psychiatric assist animals are also accepted in cabin for qualified individuals with a disability if certain documentation requirements are met. Additional documentation may also be required for an animal traveling to an international destination. Please note that not all international destinations allow the entry of animals, and restrictions vary by country. Customers should contact the appropriate consulate or embassy to make sure that all necessary procedures are followed.
An animal should sit at the customer's feet without protruding into the aisles to comply with safety regulations. Customers may elect to use an approved in-cabin kennel for smaller animals. Exit row seating is prohibited. Refer to the U.S. Department of Transportation 14 CFR Part 382 or contact United for additional information.
Customers traveling with an emotional support or psychiatric assist animal must provide a minimum 48-hour advance notification to the United Accessibility Desk by 1) calling 1-800-228-2744 from within the United States or Canada, or from elsewhere calling the United Customer Contact Center and asking to be connected to the Accessibility Desk and 2) submitting the required documentation by fax (1-872-825-0208) or email ([email protected]). The Accessibility Desk must receive and validate the required documentation prior to the time of travel. Verification of documentation will include United contacting your mental health care professional. If we are unable to validate the documentation or if the advance notification is not given, customers will be required to transport the animal as a pet, and pet fees will apply.
Emotional support and psychiatric assist animals are also accepted in cabin for qualified individuals with a disability if certain documentation requirements are met. Additional documentation may also be required for an animal traveling to an international destination. Please note that not all international destinations allow the entry of animals, and restrictions vary by country. Customers should contact the appropriate consulate or embassy to make sure that all necessary procedures are followed.
An animal should sit at the customer's feet without protruding into the aisles to comply with safety regulations. Customers may elect to use an approved in-cabin kennel for smaller animals. Exit row seating is prohibited. Refer to the U.S. Department of Transportation 14 CFR Part 382 or contact United for additional information.
Customers traveling with an emotional support or psychiatric assist animal must provide a minimum 48-hour advance notification to the United Accessibility Desk by 1) calling 1-800-228-2744 from within the United States or Canada, or from elsewhere calling the United Customer Contact Center and asking to be connected to the Accessibility Desk and 2) submitting the required documentation by fax (1-872-825-0208) or email ([email protected]). The Accessibility Desk must receive and validate the required documentation prior to the time of travel. Verification of documentation will include United contacting your mental health care professional. If we are unable to validate the documentation or if the advance notification is not given, customers will be required to transport the animal as a pet, and pet fees will apply.
Oct 28, 2017, 3:09 pm
#21
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Venice, Florida
Programs: Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,607
Last I checked was it was due to ADA...but the airlines still have the right to verify if it was a genuine need and ask for supporting documentation. And can decide if it meets the standards of disability. Heck, the gate agents have rights to call security to arrest you, even if you mildly disagree with them.
What rights do I have as a passenger if I don't want to fly next to an animal? What if I am allergic to dogs or cats? Will United downgrade me to Economy if there was a seat available? or do I have to give up my seat and be stuck in the airport?
What rights do I have as a passenger if I don't want to fly next to an animal? What if I am allergic to dogs or cats? Will United downgrade me to Economy if there was a seat available? or do I have to give up my seat and be stuck in the airport?
I always wonder about this as I am seriously allergic to cats and the effects can last for days. I will skip a social event if there is a cat present.
Oct 28, 2017, 3:11 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Venice, Florida
Programs: Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,607
The airline is required to allow the animals as provided for under the ACAA.
Below are the requirements for an emotional support animal from the United web site. They do have to submit the documentation in advance and United contacts the mental health care professional to verify. It isn't left to the gate agent to validate.
Below are the requirements for an emotional support animal from the United web site. They do have to submit the documentation in advance and United contacts the mental health care professional to verify. It isn't left to the gate agent to validate.
Emotional support and psychiatric assist animals
Emotional support and psychiatric assist animals are also accepted in cabin for qualified individuals with a disability if certain documentation requirements are met. Additional documentation may also be required for an animal traveling to an international destination. Please note that not all international destinations allow the entry of animals, and restrictions vary by country. Customers should contact the appropriate consulate or embassy to make sure that all necessary procedures are followed.
An animal should sit at the customer's feet without protruding into the aisles to comply with safety regulations. Customers may elect to use an approved in-cabin kennel for smaller animals. Exit row seating is prohibited. Refer to the U.S. Department of Transportation 14 CFR Part 382 or contact United for additional information.
Customers traveling with an emotional support or psychiatric assist animal must provide a minimum 48-hour advance notification to the United Accessibility Desk by 1) calling 1-800-228-2744 from within the United States or Canada, or from elsewhere calling the United Customer Contact Center and asking to be connected to the Accessibility Desk and 2) submitting the required documentation by fax (1-872-825-0208) or email ([email protected]). The Accessibility Desk must receive and validate the required documentation prior to the time of travel. Verification of documentation will include United contacting your mental health care professional. If we are unable to validate the documentation or if the advance notification is not given, customers will be required to transport the animal as a pet, and pet fees will apply.
Emotional support and psychiatric assist animals are also accepted in cabin for qualified individuals with a disability if certain documentation requirements are met. Additional documentation may also be required for an animal traveling to an international destination. Please note that not all international destinations allow the entry of animals, and restrictions vary by country. Customers should contact the appropriate consulate or embassy to make sure that all necessary procedures are followed.
An animal should sit at the customer's feet without protruding into the aisles to comply with safety regulations. Customers may elect to use an approved in-cabin kennel for smaller animals. Exit row seating is prohibited. Refer to the U.S. Department of Transportation 14 CFR Part 382 or contact United for additional information.
Customers traveling with an emotional support or psychiatric assist animal must provide a minimum 48-hour advance notification to the United Accessibility Desk by 1) calling 1-800-228-2744 from within the United States or Canada, or from elsewhere calling the United Customer Contact Center and asking to be connected to the Accessibility Desk and 2) submitting the required documentation by fax (1-872-825-0208) or email ([email protected]). The Accessibility Desk must receive and validate the required documentation prior to the time of travel. Verification of documentation will include United contacting your mental health care professional. If we are unable to validate the documentation or if the advance notification is not given, customers will be required to transport the animal as a pet, and pet fees will apply.
Oct 28, 2017, 3:45 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,088
b.s. the space in front of my seat is my space. If I had a dog intruding it I would ask the the FA to move the other pax. Else I would ask for a full refund from United.
If it necessary to bring these on board, they have to stay in their carriers.
I have seen the FA enforce this before ... not sure how they could let a dog run around a cabin ... IMO it is also a safety concern.
I would send the pics to UA and ask for a full refund.
If it necessary to bring these on board, they have to stay in their carriers.
I have seen the FA enforce this before ... not sure how they could let a dog run around a cabin ... IMO it is also a safety concern.
I would send the pics to UA and ask for a full refund.
Oct 28, 2017, 3:54 pm
#24
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: BNE
Programs: NZ*G, QF Bronze, VA Red
Posts: 563
Yes and No. if it doesn't fit under the seat, UA can carry the pet in the hold, which costs a heck of a lot more.
You also cannot carry a pet in cabin if the flight enters or travels through Australia, Hawaii, or Guam, or if it's a 747, 757, 767, 777, or 787. Basically you can't carry pets on Boeings.
Oct 28, 2017, 4:02 pm
#25
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Haze gray and underway
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, HH Diamond, Marriott 'clink clink' Titanium
Posts: 1,784
b.s. the space in front of my seat is my space. If I had a dog intruding it I would ask the the FA to move the other pax. Else I would ask for a full refund from United.
If it necessary to bring these on board, they have to stay in their carriers.
I have seen the FA enforce this before ... not sure how they could let a dog run around a cabin ... IMO it is also a safety concern.
I would send the pics to UA and ask for a full refund.
If it necessary to bring these on board, they have to stay in their carriers.
I have seen the FA enforce this before ... not sure how they could let a dog run around a cabin ... IMO it is also a safety concern.
I would send the pics to UA and ask for a full refund.
Oct 28, 2017, 4:23 pm
#26
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Restrictions based on aircraft, cabin and seat
- In-cabin travel for pets is booked on a space-available basis.
- A customer traveling with an in-cabin pet cannot be seated in the bulkhead or an emergency exit row.
- Two pets per flight are allowed in our premium cabins on select aircraft. Pets are not permitted in our premium cabins on Boeing 747, 757, 767, 777 or 787 aircraft due to limited storage space under the seat.
- Four pets per flight are allowed in United Economy® on all United flights.A customer traveling with an in-cabin pet in United Economy on Boeing 757-200 aircraft will need to be seated in a window seat due to limited storage space under aisle and middle seats.
- The number of in-cabin pets allowed varies by United Express® partner airline. For additional information about the operating carrier’s in-cabin pet policy, contact the United Customer Contact Center.
Oct 28, 2017, 4:51 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NYC/Northern NJ
Programs: 1K - UAL, Platinum DL, Marriott, Hilton, SPG
Posts: 1,815
PASSenger with allergy will be asked to move. I’ve seen it on United numerous times including deboarded if too many dogs are onboard.
Sadly, dog owner should declare prior to boarding and GA should be aware so you can tell a fake comfort dog is FA/GA have no report of animal onboard.
Sadly, dog owner should declare prior to boarding and GA should be aware so you can tell a fake comfort dog is FA/GA have no report of animal onboard.
Oct 28, 2017, 5:05 pm
#29
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 622
A relative of mine has a trained service dog with her at all times. United misunderstood when she booked a flight recently and thought it was an ESA. The degree of documentation required for ESAs is extensive and United stonewalled her for quite a while when she was trying to tell them the animal was a service animal and not an ESA.
That doesn't excuse the behavior of this dog, and unfortunately there are no public access training requirements for ESAs. But, it's important to know that United is aware of the issue with out-of-control ESAs and has used the extent of its legal capacity to, as best it can, prevent "fake" ESAs from making it on board.
Also, by the way, representing an animal as a service animal when it isn't is a serious crime in the USA.
That doesn't excuse the behavior of this dog, and unfortunately there are no public access training requirements for ESAs. But, it's important to know that United is aware of the issue with out-of-control ESAs and has used the extent of its legal capacity to, as best it can, prevent "fake" ESAs from making it on board.
Also, by the way, representing an animal as a service animal when it isn't is a serious crime in the USA.
Oct 28, 2017, 5:35 pm
#30
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cape Cod MA
Programs: GS, 3 MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 752
UA does not follow their own rules
I previously reported on FT (and wrote to GS) that on a PS flight there were two dogs in bulkhead seats in first class. Neither was in their carrier and one paid attention throughout the flight to any food that was on my tray. The dog's owner slept through most of the flight. GS responded to me claiming that they have to allow emotional support animals and they totally ignored their published policy which I cited in my email. So the bottom line is what they publish in terms of policy about pets has little to do with what actually happens on a UA flight.