Emotional Support Animals
 

Bravo SWA!

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-s...-idUSKBN1KZ1Y6

(Reuters) - Southwest Airlines Co would limit emotional support animals to only dogs and cats on its flights and will allow one per passenger, the U.S. airline said on Tuesday as it updated its service animal policies.
A Southwest Arlines logo is seen as employees check in travelers at the Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania U.S. April 17, 2018. REUTERS/Mark Makela

The emotional support animal must remain in a carrier or be on a leash at all times, Southwest said, adding that customers traveling with pets will need to present a complete letter from a medical doctor or licensed mental health professional on the day of the departure.

Airlines have started to tighten policies to fly animals on growing concerns about passengers bringing aboard exotic pets that could pose a safety risk.

There are also growing complaints of some passengers falsely claiming pets as emotional support or psychiatric service animals to avoid paying.

The U.S. Transportation Department told U.S. airlines in may that they must continue to allow the transport of the most common service animals, but said it was asking for public comment about amending its existing regulations.

Southwest said it would formally accept fully-trained psychiatric support animals as trained service animals. The changes would be come into effect on Sept. 17, it added.

Rival Delta Air Lines Inc tightened its requirements for passengers traveling with onboard service and emotional support animals earlier this year, while Alaska Air Group Inc has also introduced new rules.

Reporting by Arunima Banerjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva
Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Animals should be limited to a small pet in a carrier that stays under the seat and with a paid fee, or a free WORKING service animal. Emotional support animals are a joke. If you can’t afford to board your animal at the vet or pay the under the seat fee you need to drive. If you really need the animal to keep from having a nervous breakdown then you need to drive.

Absolutely the right answer!

Couldn't agree more.

DOT needs to COMPLETELY ELIMINATE the requirement to transport emotional support animals. It's become a joke. They also need to tighten up restrictions on service animals.

Let's start a write in campaign to eliminate this joke of a loophole.
https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot3618

Comment here:
https://www.regulations.gov/document...2018-0068-1157

Please pass this on. I'm sick and tired of watching passengers who abuse this once legitimate service.

Well, there goes my emotional support porcupine, not to mention my seeing eye lion. FOs really do a double take about the lion. I really cannot imagine why. He is so friendly and likes to lick their hand.

What about turkeys?
http://i67.tinypic.com/6okhg4.jpg

You been flying with me again? Who you calling a turkey?

Where's the pic of the ESA Duck looking out the window at the clouds. Little dude looked like he was enjoying the view more than most pilots and all the pax.

I have come to believe that animal owners are some of the dumbest folk out there.