Emotional Support Animals - Will United do the same as Delta ?
#76
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DEN/OGG
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 1,482
What was the crew's specific response to your request that it do something about the animal?
The way to make certain that policies are enforced is --- when it affects you --- to complain. On the spot.
With the new DL policy, if it is prior to the flight being closed, a clear complaint to crew is a good starting point. If you see a dog in the gate area which appears to be out of control, ask the GA whether it will be seated near you because you are concerned for your safety.
The way to make certain that policies are enforced is --- when it affects you --- to complain. On the spot.
With the new DL policy, if it is prior to the flight being closed, a clear complaint to crew is a good starting point. If you see a dog in the gate area which appears to be out of control, ask the GA whether it will be seated near you because you are concerned for your safety.
#77
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,899
ESA's are supposed to be documented and have the proper paperwork. Airlines most definitely can ask to see the paperwork and deny the animal if the passenger does not have the proper paperwork. The restriction on the airlines is they cannot ask what the medical condition is. Glad to see Delta is going to start enforcing. Wish all the airlines would start enforcing. It can only help the airlines bottom line, more revenue for the pets, and the other passengers, no more fake ESA animals that can cause problems. I hav nothing against people flying with their pets, but they need to follow the rules like everyone else. No more free rides.
#78
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,165
ESA's are supposed to be documented and have the proper paperwork. Airlines most definitely can ask to see the paperwork and deny the animal if the passenger does not have the proper paperwork. The restriction on the airlines is they cannot ask what the medical condition is. Glad to see Delta is going to start enforcing. Wish all the airlines would start enforcing. It can only help the airlines bottom line, more revenue for the pets, and the other passengers, no more fake ESA animals that can cause problems. I hav nothing against people flying with their pets, but they need to follow the rules like everyone else. No more free rides.
#79
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,899
That's part of the problem. SERVICE animals have documentation and paperwork. Emotional Support Animals are a new made-up category that is being abused by people bringing pets onboard. Good on the airlines for finally demanding some sort of documentation to accompany the animals and cut down on much of the out-and-out fraud.
Go to this link for all thin info you need about what is and isn't a service animal, what is and isn't an emotional support animal, what can and can't be asked about service animals and what can and can't be asked about ESA's. One big thing that you will notice is not allowed to ask for any documentation for true service animals, currently only dogs and miniature horses, and that can ask for documentation about ESA's.
https://adata.org/publication/service-animals-booklet
So your statement about new made up category with no documentation is not correct. You are required to have documentation for your ESA to call it an ESA.
#80
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,131
#81
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Go to this link for all thin info you need about what is and isn't a service animal, what is and isn't an emotional support animal, what can and can't be asked about service animals and what can and can't be asked about ESA's. One big thing that you will notice is not allowed to ask for any documentation for true service animals, currently only dogs and miniature horses, and that can ask for documentation about ESA's.
https://adata.org/publication/service-animals-booklet
So your statement about new made up category with no documentation is not correct. You are required to have documentation for your ESA to call it an ESA.
https://adata.org/publication/service-animals-booklet
So your statement about new made up category with no documentation is not correct. You are required to have documentation for your ESA to call it an ESA.
Why does that matter? Because not a whole lot of sane people really want a mental illness diagnosis which can affect them adversely in many other aspects of their lives (not everyone is Corporal Klinger).
If the carriers required what they are permitted to require, if the ESA thing is for real, at least it will be cut way back and the fraudsters will need to think up another scam.
#82
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Pacific
Programs: UA GS, Lifetime 4 MM, BA Gold, , Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 476
On one flight, one person brought two medium sized dogs who did not behave (no additional seats for them) and there were three others with dogs and a cat. Blind and mobility impaired people should be allowed to travel with their certified support animals. As for all others, they should pay for a full seat if they are going to inconvenience the rest of us.
#83
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,605
On one flight, one person brought two medium sized dogs who did not behave (no additional seats for them) and there were three others with dogs and a cat. Blind and mobility impaired people should be allowed to travel with their certified support animals. As for all others, they should pay for a full seat if they are going to inconvenience the rest of us.
#84
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: LAS
Programs: 3 MMer
Posts: 458
"... and if you order w/i the next 10 mins, you'll receive not one, but two documents.
But you must hurry, as there is a limited supply.
CALL NOW!!!"
"Operators are standing by!!!"
We'll see how many are discouraged from getting the proper papers, and how many g/a's & f/a's wink these people onto the plane, because the lil' feller is, "Soooo Cute!".
Several weeks ago a f/a took the side of the emotionally disturbed gentleman, who just couldn't make it, any further, w/o his dog, and allowed his lil' helper to roam freely, after putting his smelly collapsible kennel on top of my backpack, in the overhead. I spoke to the f/a and was shined-on. After she went to the back, the other younger f/a waved me to the front galley and told me that she was 100% on my side, and put my stuff in the front closet.
Rules aren't going to be enforced, as this is being left up to g/a's and f/a's discretion, and who's decision to enforce is usually concocted on the spot, most likely depending upon their affection to someone's pet.
#85
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Pacific
Programs: UA GS, Lifetime 4 MM, BA Gold, , Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 476
Talking about animals, we have all sat next to humans who smelled and behaved worse than dogs.
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
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I have to say, what Delta is requesting seems reasonable to me. Ive never had an issue with dogs on a flight, but the stories Ive read over the past few days are alarming. I hope United follows suit. (I also wish theyd relax the weight restrictions, so I could bring my Wolfhounds on a flight, but one step at a time.)
#87
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
UA's site references both "Service Animals" and "Pets". IME, the "Service Animals" do not count towards the quota for each cabin. A few weeks back, from ORD to BOS in F, there were two "pets" in carriers (mine was one) and a "Service Animal". Strangely enough, the two "pets" were silent while the "Service Animal" yapped
#88
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
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Next time I'm at a UA Club, I'm going to try this...
#89
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,960
Not sure if the peacock story has made it here: https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ai...rlines-n842971
#90
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Join Date: Dec 2002
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Not sure if the peacock story has made it here: https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ai...rlines-n842971
I know Congress and DOT have bigger fish to fry, but I hope that the ESA nonsense will be slapped down soon. It seems like a line has been crossed, but then I felt that was the case with pigs, and mini-horses...