Baze

That many people are scamming the system because they don't want to pay the pet fee. it is too easy to get a stupid vest or even just say they are my comfort animal. And the airline cowtow to them because they don't want to get sued. There are specific rules before an animal, and what kind of animal, can be a "service" animal. but the rules for emotional support animals are about as gray as they get.

zombietooth

As someone who always pays ($250-) for our deadly silent (so much so that none ever knows that we have a pet with us in our camouflaged carrier), 5 kg dog, it offends me greatly to see people getting away with scamming the system.

Am I ever going to try to do anything like ratting-out an abuser or complaining to a GA/FA?
-Not on your life.

In this day and age of perceived micro-aggressions and petulant entitled narcissists, I think that I'll try to enjoy my flight and avoid conflicts where I can.

goalie

Moderator Note

Please remember that this is a discussion about traveling with pets on United flights and not a discussion about the validity or non-validity of what is/is not a service animal, gaming the system w/r/t traveling with pets and other assorted off topic subjects

goalie
UA Forum Co-Moderator

seenitall

Just because you didn't notice doesn't mean your kitty was unoffending.

Serious pet allergies (unlike those you see represented in TV comedies) result in anaphylactic shock -- not sneezing or other loud reactions. Indeed, the problem is the airways closing up and not being able to inhale/exhale. And when this happens, the problem is only evidenced by faint wheezing, or even worse, silence.
http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/anaphylaxis

narvik

Absolutely, I agree. All I am saying is that I didn't notice.


Fair enough. I was referencing Aussienarelle's post #173 where sneezing is specifically mentioned.

Not trying to downplay pet allergies. My main point was (and still is) that IMO it's not practical to choose seats based on pets' location on any plane, because FA not necessarily being aware of their location and/or the 'offending' pet not being easily pinpointed.

It would be good to hear from persons who were successfully able to be re-seated and from persons who have experience where that was not made available or failed.

LXFlyer

UA does not let you take pets into a p.s. business class cabin, so the dogs in question must be "service animals". That would also explain why they didn't have to be inside of a kennel. https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...e_animals.aspx does not mention a limit on the number of service animals.

Plane-is-home

Recently on DEN-SFO there was a guy with two "emotional support dogs"
Not only were rather yapping at people, he took one each to the FC bathroom for a pee while the other was unsupervised. Several of us complained to the FC FA but she did nothing.

justsawaufo

I am traveling with my family to Europe in business class @ 767-400ER, when I called in to make the reservation I was told I can have a pet-in-cabin. Today I called in again, requesting to add a pet to my reservation but I was told that pets aren't allowed in international business/first, only in economy.

I find it odd that United prevent you from taking your pet on the premium cabins and restricting their customers to flying economy or take their business elsewhere. My pet is tiny, talking about 7lbs Chihuahua and I don't wish to leave her home for 30 days. UA basically say - if the seats lays flat, you can't have a pet. I flew with other carries in the past in lay flat seats and had no issues.

I was looking into the "Service animals" and during my investigation understood that Emotional Support Animal may be the only solution.

UA refuse to refund the fares so I can't even search for other carriers.

Thoughts?
Are there any alternatives here?

jhayes_1780

It is my understanding, its not about lie flat, its more about there is no where to store the pet in the container/cage/kennel. (remember, UA does not allow for your pet to be out of the container while onboard).

I wouldn't be a fan of this path.... its abused enough already.

Aside from a dog sitter or kennel. Downgrade one of the family members.

DetroitFlyer

Delta has the same restriction. Where are you going to put your kennel? Lie-flat seats often don't have room to put something tucked in. It's a safety hazard.

First Class /Delta One® / Business Class Restriction
Pets in Cabin are not allowed in the First Class/ Delta One / Business Class cabin on any international segment, regardless of aircraft type due to insufficient space.

AA has similar restrictions.

You cannot travel with a carry-on pet when traveling transpacific.

You cannot travel with a carry-on pet when traveling to/from:

Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Uruguay
Venezuela

You cannot travel with a carry-on pet when traveling transatlantic.

cyclogenesis

Wouldn't you also run afoul of quarantine etc? If not on entry to Europe then on return to the USA?

runner450

you really only have 3 options:

1. you'd be ok if it was a 757-300, but only fly the -200 to AMS
2. offer the customer UA PetSafe if time permits and customer has proper documents - UA will not waive the fee
3. offer the customer the opportunity to purchase an additional seat at current fare levels. the kenneled animal would then be secured in the seat purchased

justsawaufo

Thanks guys. I really don't have many choices at this point. I tend to go with the ESA. I would rather pay to have my pet in cabin and be done with it. but it's not an option.

avi8tir

There was a couple with 2 Dachshunds IAH-AMS in their seat with them last year. They were covered up with blankets the whole time and never made a peep.

Assume they were registered as service dogs.... which is likely your only option.

Marin 1K

You may find that UA pushes back on this, and rightly so.

So-called "emotional support animals" are an extraordinary abuse and affront to properly registered service animals that require prescription and certification from medical professionals. You might want to check on documentation required by UA (you can find this on line), before you show up at the airport and potentially are denied boarding.