GucciBoy

If this theory is accurate it’s a great idea. I sat next to a passenger with a “therapy dog” that was an 8-week-old puppy. The Doogie Howser of therapy dogs!


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gloopy

Motion seconded.

This whole fake ESA stuff clearly bloomed like Florida algae all the sudden because ppl wanted to avoid fees while taking the family pet with them. A small portion of that is the airlines faults because of a few awful and 100% preventable instances of pets being mishandled. That should never happen and if we put the same redline paranoia into that as we do D-0 then it wouldn't.

With all the call to actions out there we need one that completely eliminates ESA's and provides those exemptions for bona fide service animals only, which could include the equivalent of ESA's but they'd have to be trained and actually documented to the same standard. Otherwise they go in a crate and if too large to fit under the seat then they go in the bin. At that point its on us to step it up and guarantee their care and there's no reason there can't be accurate temperature monitoring and even picture tracking sent to people's phones especially when sometimes it costs more than a transcon loss leader ticket anyway.

ESA's have become the universal life church equivalent of "ordained ministers" and it needs to be walked back.

JamesNoBrakes

Even service animals cannot be placed in the passenger compartment unless they can be secured as cargo. The airline is required to make a reasonable accommodation, which could include putting said person and animal up against a fuselage-seat bulkhead non-emergency row, if it exists, but unless that is possible, or it fits under the seat in front or is lap-child size and can be held a such, it's against 14 CFR to put it in the cabin. There is a cutout in the ADA for safety:

https://www.transportation.gov/airco...s-disabilities

https://www.transportation.gov/indiv...upport-animals

They are also not required to comply with exotic/ridiculous requests like peacocks and pigs.

Placing an animal that can't be secured as cargo in the cabin would be contrary to safety. It's more egregious if you put this person on an asile or middle seat, blocking the fuselage-side seat(s) from being able to egress in an emergency.

The ESA thing is ridiculous, but it seems that this is "passed off" by the controls that should be in place to prevent it, such as ticket agents, gate agents, and the last line of defense, the flight attendants, which it should never get to, except in rare circumstances. Until airlines take those controls seriously and provide training and enforcement, this is going to continue.

gloopy

Yeah just like the radically oversized "carryon" bag nonsense. I'm not talking about something that doesn't fit in the size wize test bin at the gate because one dimention is slightly too much. I mean "carryon" bags that are 3-5 times (I've seen it) too big to ever even theoretically be brought onboard. And no I'm not referring to people who pay for a seat for a musical instrument or whatever. Saw one guy arrogantly swagger up to the gate and proclaim he was there for his entitled free bag check with the largest bag I've ever seen anyone even bring to an airport including to check. The agent, who clearly noticed and even commented on it, then proceded to simply enable this scammer's behavior by giving him his free checked sticker. Absolute nonsense.

IMO we need to put these checks at screening. Differencs between airlines are minuscule and at the very least make it the largest of any allowed carry ons. If it doesn't fit, you can't bring it. It would be self correcting instantly and even end up being less work for TSA as they wouldn't have to deal with it in the first place.

badflaps

My new word for the day is "Inimical." As in whom ever uses this is inimical to the spoken word. And the small safety animals too.

NuGuy

I love animals of all types, but as you point out, even the "best behaved animals" bite.

Around here, the Police (or Sheriff's department, if you live "out in the county") are adamant about taking the reports to put the owner "on notice". They have a "two bite" rule around here, and after the first incident, it seems owners are much more careful because of the consequences.

I was out eating one night, and this lady comes in with a HUGE dog. It just jumps up on the serving counter, and she not only let it do that, but did nothing to remove it. Probably violated a dozen health codes. The employees just shrugged it off, gave her the food, and when she left, proceeded to bleach down the entire counter (that's a lovely aroma when you're trying to eat).

It's not just the airlines, it's everywhere. It happens because people let it happen.

ShyGuy

ESQ702

LOL - nice. I just made that one up. I never guessed that would actually be a thing. Never underestimate the insanity of some people.

Someone please try and share how a goose supports a human emotionally. LOL...

badflaps

One upside down on a platter at Christmas does wonders.

tomgoodman

But one in a crowded elevator invites a slap.