Crossing the line? Rights of UA passenger when animals are on the flight.
 

Hello all,
I want to share my experience on flight UA1137 from LGA-DEN on 25-OCT-2017. Please see attached two pictures. No identifiable (facial) information there for privacy.

Considering the length of the segment (approx 4.5 hours) I upgraded my flight with an RPU to First Class. However, the passenger next to me, I believe, really crossed the line by bringing in a large, furry pet dog masquerading as a service dog, which was intruding my space, sniffing, sneezing, shivering, making some weird noises, and trying to lick me. You can tell it is an untrained dog and not really a service animal. In the past, I have had experience with genuine passengers bring in genuine service animals notably in the bulkhead seats and have had no problems whatsoever travelling along them. They were well trained, docile, and does not try to interfere other people's space. However, it was not the case here. It was a REALLY BAD experience.

The passenger boarded a bit late just before boarding was complete. All other first class seats were taken as many were offered CPU. She did not have any apparent disability - she was browsing on her smart phone all throughout (not blind), listening to music (no hearing impairment), carried a huge carry on (no physical challenges).

I have a special needs disabled son, so I know a thing or two about physical and psychological disability. I am a lifelong vegetarian and an animal lover too...but when United turns a blind eye to people abusing the service dog policy by bringing in large, untrained pets as service dogs to avoid cargo hold, it is really crossing a line and when it puts my 4.5 hour journey into a terrible misery.

I hope United makes changes to its policy to stop such abuse.

thanks for your time!

It's not United, it's the federal government.

Both of the people are pretty recognizable.

This s a common problem with animals. Until a real verification system is put in place, nothing is going to change.

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?

It does not appear to be a service animal. Rather, an emotional support animal.

As such, such discussions are generally moved to TravelBuzz and threads such as
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trav...-airlines.html

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trav...vice-dogs.html

So for those wanting to discuss the general topic of ESA ("Emotional Support Animals"), please head off to one of the above threads. Such posts here will be removed.

Passenger rights / what UA will do if you don't want to sit near the animal, are valid for the UA forum.

WineCountryUA
UA coModerator

I don't think the ADA applies to airlines. I believe it's actually the ACAA.

The second picture alone would have had me in that girls face telling her to get her dog under control. That is unacceptable on it's own without your descriptions of what was going on. No need for you to be docile and appearing to accept it. Did you confront the girl? Did you say anything to anybody? Did you talk to the FA? Write into the DOT about the abuse of the ESA guidelines. Don't know what it would do but it would get it on record.

You can take the next available flight.

The ACAA was written to make sure that access is granted disabled passengers. Your minor inconvenience doesn't trump their access. The FAA has interpreted the ACAA to apply to comfort animals, not just service animals.

I agree the dog is annoying,

United's Problem not Yours!
 

So write to United and make it known that their agent probably failed to screen this customer.

I fly a lot out of SFO and the check in agents there do a great job of making sure the documentation is up to date and correct. I've seen them turn away passengers. But in LAX I've seen check in agents not even ask for proof. So its definitely united problems.

I think it's very easy to get that "documentation".

I would love to sit next to that dog, some people have all the luck ^

I am confused on the pictures.

Is OP the pax in row 2 aisle? If so, who took the picture.

If not, what is he talking about?

I have a real issue with faux emotional support animals. But I would simply kick them out of my feet area if they encroached, The jeans guy seamed happy with the dog.

P.S.: I actually like dogs and would not be literally kicking it out of the way.

True. But one time the SFO agent called up the "doctor" who wrote the letter for the customer at an adjacent counter. Not sure, what happened but she was denied boarding.