Crossing the line? Rights of UA passenger when animals are on the flight.
Oct 29, 2017, 12:23 pm
#61
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,238
I didn't confront the passenger to avoid appearing as insensitive or create any problem. I am of Asian descent and after what happened to Dr. David Dao on United, I am playing it safe in-flight. But I wanted to share a piece of my mind in this forum, after my flight, as I thought it was egregious.
Oct 29, 2017, 2:21 pm
#62
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NYC/Northern NJ
Programs: 1K - UAL, Platinum DL, Marriott, Hilton, SPG
Posts: 1,815
So if I book a premium fare, have an important engagement to be at (where I can't take a later flight) and I'm seriously allergic to animals, what would happen if a dog was seated next to me? What would the FA or GA do about it?
Reading some of these stories in this thread it's just so messed up that I would get deplaned or moved elsewhere when someone else having an emotional support dog whose purpose is to skirt some fees is allowed to get away with it. Mind boggling.
Reading some of these stories in this thread it's just so messed up that I would get deplaned or moved elsewhere when someone else having an emotional support dog whose purpose is to skirt some fees is allowed to get away with it. Mind boggling.
A. Checking with GA ask if any pets seated around you in 1st class? They will say no!
B. Board aircraft and realize a pet in your row. As you know 1st class is only so big, and you need 2 rows of separation. You either take bulk or last row in 1st.
C. Ohh NO!!! Another pet in bulk head of coach (not reported) so FA now have to move you to empty seat in back of coach. The other option is rebook to next flight.
D. You went from 1st to back of coach near bathroom because of two unreported dogs.
Recognize if either of these animals were legit they would’ve been reported to GA but FA can’t do much as simply want to take off ontime (they aren’t paid until door close) and can’t ask for ESA credentials while on board.
If you write into UA customer Care about your inconvenience you will get a response from the following title:
complaint Resolution Official (CRO)
Disability Specialist – Corporate Customer Care
Basically, saying you are SOL.
Oct 29, 2017, 2:48 pm
#63
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Radisson Premium
Posts: 6,638
Sat next to a pax with a "Service dog" in the bulkhead on a flight I took last Summer. Was in the window seat and aisle pax had the dog.
It felt a little intrusive and you could tell the dog wasn't a genuine service dog, but I didn't complain, short-haul flight.
It felt a little intrusive and you could tell the dog wasn't a genuine service dog, but I didn't complain, short-haul flight.
Oct 29, 2017, 3:03 pm
#64
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,009
Indeed. I'll never understand why people rant here but don't take even the most basic action themselves when they're in the middle of the situation.
Oct 29, 2017, 3:11 pm
#65
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Haze gray and underway
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, HH Diamond, Marriott 'clink clink' Titanium
Posts: 1,784
I find pet allergies much more common than peanut allergies and look at what the entire (U.S.) airline industry does.
Oct 29, 2017, 6:37 pm
#67
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
I could also see a problem if the need is based on what they're doing at the destination. Say, someone who is generally ok but needs their ESA for chemo.
Oct 29, 2017, 6:57 pm
#68
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
How can you be sure it isn't a seizure or blood sugar dog?
Oct 29, 2017, 8:16 pm
#69
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seoul
Programs: None anymore
Posts: 983
I can give you 1st hand knowledge what will happen.
A. Checking with GA ask if any pets seated around you in 1st class? They will say no!
B. Board aircraft and realize a pet in your row. As you know 1st class is only so big, and you need 2 rows of separation. You either take bulk or last row in 1st.
C. Ohh NO!!! Another pet in bulk head of coach (not reported) so FA now have to move you to empty seat in back of coach. The other option is rebook to next flight.
D. You went from 1st to back of coach near bathroom because of two unreported dogs.
Recognize if either of these animals were legit they would’ve been reported to GA but FA can’t do much as simply want to take off ontime (they aren’t paid until door close) and can’t ask for ESA credentials while on board.
If you write into UA customer Care about your inconvenience you will get a response from the following title:
complaint Resolution Official (CRO)
Disability Specialist – Corporate Customer Care
Basically, saying you are SOL.
A. Checking with GA ask if any pets seated around you in 1st class? They will say no!
B. Board aircraft and realize a pet in your row. As you know 1st class is only so big, and you need 2 rows of separation. You either take bulk or last row in 1st.
C. Ohh NO!!! Another pet in bulk head of coach (not reported) so FA now have to move you to empty seat in back of coach. The other option is rebook to next flight.
D. You went from 1st to back of coach near bathroom because of two unreported dogs.
Recognize if either of these animals were legit they would’ve been reported to GA but FA can’t do much as simply want to take off ontime (they aren’t paid until door close) and can’t ask for ESA credentials while on board.
If you write into UA customer Care about your inconvenience you will get a response from the following title:
complaint Resolution Official (CRO)
Disability Specialist – Corporate Customer Care
Basically, saying you are SOL.
Oct 30, 2017, 1:50 pm
#70
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,592
United allows in-cabin pets. They offer it as a service, set limits on them, and charge a fee. If you can point me to where in the contract I have signed with United that there is a risk of me being forced to instead switch to a service I did not purchase, PetSafe, I will accept there is a chance of the situation you describe arising.
As it is, as a GS on a paid first class ticket on a 1.5 hour flight, I expect I won’t have any issues.
As it is, as a GS on a paid first class ticket on a 1.5 hour flight, I expect I won’t have any issues.
I know what the rules say as well as you do, but this entire thread is about selfishness. Anyone bringing an animal into a cabin that could just as easily travel in the hold is being selfish to their fellow pax. I don't care if they're GS or Oscar himself. Pax should have the right to fly uninconvenienced by others less considerate than themselves, and the rules should be changed.
Oct 30, 2017, 2:33 pm
#71
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,554
I could say the same. You are forcing me to switch to a service I did not pay for.
I know what the rules say as well as you do, but this entire thread is about selfishness. Anyone bringing an animal into a cabin that could just as easily travel in the hold is being selfish to their fellow pax. I don't care if they're GS or Oscar himself. Pax should have the right to fly uninconvenienced by others less considerate than themselves, and the rules should be changed.
I know what the rules say as well as you do, but this entire thread is about selfishness. Anyone bringing an animal into a cabin that could just as easily travel in the hold is being selfish to their fellow pax. I don't care if they're GS or Oscar himself. Pax should have the right to fly uninconvenienced by others less considerate than themselves, and the rules should be changed.
Oct 30, 2017, 3:31 pm
#72
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,238
I could say the same. You are forcing me to switch to a service I did not pay for.
I know what the rules say as well as you do, but this entire thread is about selfishness. Anyone bringing an animal into a cabin that could just as easily travel in the hold is being selfish to their fellow pax. I don't care if they're GS or Oscar himself. Pax should have the right to fly uninconvenienced by others less considerate than themselves, and the rules should be changed.
I know what the rules say as well as you do, but this entire thread is about selfishness. Anyone bringing an animal into a cabin that could just as easily travel in the hold is being selfish to their fellow pax. I don't care if they're GS or Oscar himself. Pax should have the right to fly uninconvenienced by others less considerate than themselves, and the rules should be changed.
Oct 30, 2017, 3:41 pm
#73
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,592
It's only an animal, right? Get real, folks!
And while I might not actually die (but some with more severe allergies than me might come close to that), I defend my right to travel in comfort over that of an animal. Thousands of animals are transported in aircraft holds every day, and the number of deaths is miniscule in proportion to the whole.
And while I might not actually die (but some with more severe allergies than me might come close to that), I defend my right to travel in comfort over that of an animal. Thousands of animals are transported in aircraft holds every day, and the number of deaths is miniscule in proportion to the whole.
Oct 30, 2017, 4:02 pm
#74
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
I could say the same. You are forcing me to switch to a service I did not pay for.
I know what the rules say as well as you do, but this entire thread is about selfishness. Anyone bringing an animal into a cabin that could just as easily travel in the hold is being selfish to their fellow pax. I don't care if they're GS or Oscar himself. Pax should have the right to fly uninconvenienced by others less considerate than themselves, and the rules should be changed.
I know what the rules say as well as you do, but this entire thread is about selfishness. Anyone bringing an animal into a cabin that could just as easily travel in the hold is being selfish to their fellow pax. I don't care if they're GS or Oscar himself. Pax should have the right to fly uninconvenienced by others less considerate than themselves, and the rules should be changed.
Yes, the reason I do not want my pet in the cargo hold is the chance of death is higher. If United did not offer this service I would probably drive instead.
As it is, I 100% guarantee you that United will not be requiring me to move either me or my pet to alternate accommodations if you happen to be in my flight. You can choose not to patronize them, I’m just stating it as a matter of fact what will happen. I’m not stating any judgement of right or wrong or selfishness or not or humans vs animals.
Oct 30, 2017, 11:58 pm
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,717
I find it very sad that Asians no longer feel safe in raising legitimate service issues on United.
In this case the correct procedure would be to ask the passenger if the animal is a service animal and then to inquire as to the service that is provided. If the answer is "emotional support" then you are well within your rights to request a copy of the verification letter" and to ask the FA to request the letter in the event of refusal. If the answer is "the animal detects seizures" then you are probably SOL.
If passengers do not start calling the fakers out then people will not stop abusing the rules and airlines will continue to permit such abuse.
I have made it a policy to question every person who brings a non-service animal into an establishment that serves food (which is not permissible in California). I have been called all kinds of names but I have yet to see an actual disabled person provide a lawful explanation.
In this case the correct procedure would be to ask the passenger if the animal is a service animal and then to inquire as to the service that is provided. If the answer is "emotional support" then you are well within your rights to request a copy of the verification letter" and to ask the FA to request the letter in the event of refusal. If the answer is "the animal detects seizures" then you are probably SOL.
If passengers do not start calling the fakers out then people will not stop abusing the rules and airlines will continue to permit such abuse.
I have made it a policy to question every person who brings a non-service animal into an establishment that serves food (which is not permissible in California). I have been called all kinds of names but I have yet to see an actual disabled person provide a lawful explanation.