Airlines to Emotional Support Pets: Fuck Off

Delta says it saw an 85% increase in incidents—bites, urination, defecation and disruptive behavior—involving ESAs on flights from 2016 to 2019. “We had flight attendants who were bit, customers who were bit,’’ says Delta spokesman Morgan Durrant. “That’s something we can’t tolerate.”

Problems started in 2008 when the DOT broadened rules to allow emotional-support animals as well as service animals to help passengers. For many, an ESA can be a calming influence that helps people overcome anxiety when flying.

But when airlines pushed pet-transport fees higher in 2009, lots of travelers realized they could declare their pet an ESA that could fly free, without having to put them in a carrier or crate. ESA vests for animals and certificates asserting the traveler’s emotional need for the animal could easily be bought online.

In 2016, U.S. airlines carried 540,000 passengers with ESAs, according to the industry’s trade association, Airlines for America. By 2019, that number more than doubled to 1.1 million.

Over the same period, the number of passengers who paid to fly with their pets increased 39% to 1.4 million—the number of passengers with ESAs almost equaled the number of passengers with regular pets.

The pandemic saw high numbers of ESAs, too, and that could pose a particular problem for people who relocated when the rules allowed ESAs and will find them prohibited when they return. Southwest Airlines says it carried about 224,000 ESAs in 2019 and 174,000 in 2020, a decline of 22%. Southwest’s overall passenger count last year fell 58%.

In 2018, Congress ordered the DOT to take action on the pet explosion in airplane cabins. Transportation officials found that ESAs were responsible for a significant percentage of incidents of animal misbehavior on planes, adding that many of the ESAs were “fraudulent.” The DOT also cited increasing complaints from passengers with disabilities whose highly trained dogs—it can cost $200,000 or more and take two years to train a service dog—responded to aggressive untrained dogs and sometimes had to be retired from service.

Last month, the department enacted a new rule that puts air travel closer to definitions spelled out in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Almost immediately, airlines changed their rules. American, Delta and United already have bans in place; Southwest said it would no longer transport emotional-support animals starting March 1.

The DOT’s new rule has itself been controversial. About half of disability-rights groups opposed it, with many saying that ESAs are necessary for people with autism, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. The Humane Society of the United States argued for a separate category of “assistance animal” in addition to service dogs, but the DOT said that would be too confusing.

“No perfect solution is likely to satisfy all stakeholders,” the agency said in its order.

Brad Morris, director of government relations for Psychiatric Service Dog Partners and a member of the DOT’s advisory committee on accessibility, says the new rule is a mixed bag. His group is pleased that psychiatric service dogs, which typically get specialized service training as well as training for behavior in stressful public settings, were included in the definition of service dogs. But the group is upset there’s no access for legitimate emotional-support animals.

“That’s not something that we celebrate, but we do hope that will lead to a safer environment,” he says.

Some in the disability community are upset they have to fill out paperwork not required previously; others say the paperwork is less onerous than getting approval from a doctor or veterinarian before flying.

Mr. Morris’s group and others wanted miniature horses included as service animals, but the DOT decided on dogs-only for simplicity. Miniature horses, used by only a small number of disabled people, typically live longer than dogs and may be the only option for people with dog allergies. The ADA gives miniature horses special access, but DOT said that wasn’t practical on airplanes.

I'd pay extra for child- and lunatic-free flights.

This only goes half-way. Their owners need to be banned, too.

Good. People were totally abusing it. Any schmuck can get a letter from a 'therapist' saying their dog or lizard or snake or cockroach is an 'emotional support animal'. If you're that fucking delicate you have no business flying these days.

What about Emotional Support Weed? When will that become allowed?

A blind person should be able to fly with their support dog yes.

Anything else and they aren't fit to fly and shouldn't be flying.

Indeed. Fuck off.

What about trained service cats? Discrimination.

Service for what R9?

R10 Navigating blind people

This is great news. If you are so unstable that you can't be away from your pet for a few hours then you should be institutionalized.

Nice to know there’s SOME sanity left in our world. What a dumb experiment, with predictable results.

Pre COVID-19, I flew for work weekly. I think I remember seeing one or two real service dogs on flights. The rest were with moronic owners, desperate for attention, with no consideration for others.

Poor Pebbles got flushed

I’m a dog owner, gladly paid the $150 or $200 to carry my doggy under the seat, but t’s all fun and games until the animal has diarrhea.

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Oh that's terrible that she flushed Pebbles R16! What a bitch.

R16 Don't know who's dumber. The student or the airline personal who told her that. What cruel fuckers. Hope they die a horrible, painful death.

I am a physician and will no longer sign these forms for emotional support animals, as none of my patients' pets have received any type of training as emotional support animals. I don't want to violate a federal law.

Good. Although I’d like to see better conditions for transporting companion animals. Cargo holds are cold and noisy and probably traumatic.

R22 sorry toots, aint gonna happen

If you're afraid to fly without your ESA, take a pill to keep you asleep until your arrive.

It’s also people who don’t want to pay to board their pets. Same as people who don’t “believe” in babysitters and show up with toddlers to cocktail parties.

If you can’t sit in a Magical tube in the sky to travel, take a car or Uber. I’m sure your driver will love the fact the dog is there.

Cain't Delta git a spokesperson who know the the right word is "bitten."

R16 poor Pebbles!!

Get a teddy bear.

This makes Mama's mussy moist!

I fucking hate ESAs and their owners. Excuse me - their HOOMANS. If I couldn't bring an Emotional Support Escort...

My Little Pony...My Little Pony.. 🎶

I had a PNP fuck buddy named “Freckle Butt Fred”!

But then he died.

R32 You know the Senatrice?

And people doubted that Pete was a top!

Yes, I think the lede is getting buried here. Secretary Pete’s DOT instituted this rule. He has had it with your emotional support peacocks!

Now what the fuck am I gonna do with my emotional support elephant!?

Oh GOD, I'm gonna have another panic attack!

PeANnT, wHeRE are YoU?!?! MoMmY'S UPSET!

The only people I've known with "emotional support animals" were too mentally unfit to live.

They were primarily attention seeking individuals anyway. Finally, some common sense.

They can do as we did: take a Valium.

Ugh I’m so disappointed in UA. Discrimination! 🦚

[Quote]Given a green light from the Transportation Department

So this from Mayor Pete?

He is off to a good start.

No, YOU fuck off OP!

They better not deny my Toonces! I don't go anywhere without her! He can also assist in flying the plane!

I love Toonces, my hermaphrodite cat!

I love Toonces, my hermaphrodite cat!

I am a nervous flier and the best flight I ever had was seated next to a lady with a mini poodle on her lap. There is something to be said about the comfort an emotional support pet can provide.

You would think a niche airline would spring up offering better pet accommodations. But the business is just so rough these days.

[quote]Oh that's terrible that she flushed Pebbles...

We've be tryin' for years to get rid of that bitch.

I was going through security at an airport—I think it was in Denver—and there was a lady with a springer spaniel type dog, that completely freaked out, poor thing. I guess she thought if she put a vest on it, it would become a service dog.

Felt very sorry for the animal, and those stuck in line behind her.

Can I bring my boyfriend on a leash?

still*

[QUOTE] R47 You would think a niche airline would spring up offering better pet accommodations. But the business is just so rough these days.

A Niche airline that allowed Smoking ( maybe even weed ) would do better than one that allowed a menagerie onboard.

Good on you Pete!

Good! A friend works the airline gate, and she has a regular traveler who flies with a “comfort monkey”. She said this lady is some sort of businesswoman, always jetting somewhere...with a monkey.

Support the end of abusing ESA rules but the prices to transport pets in the cabin are gouging. $125 per one way trip for the space that you've already paid for? It's not like the pet carrier is taking another seat or space in the cabin. It's in the area where my feet are. Sure there should be a fee, but it should be closer to prices for extra carry on. If the airlines didn't try to rip us off on everything, maybe fewer people would go to ridiculous lengths to avoid the fees.

"I'm a nervous flier" - Waaah, bummer. Grow up.

People are too entitled—and it makes a mockery of real service animals and people who really need them.

Air travel is unsafe and stressful for animals. Why not get a pet sitter for that vacation. You can hire ground transport for your pets if moving long distance. I had to move cross country and did not trust the killer airlines so I paid for a driver to take my dog to our new home. It is expensive but I consider it a necessary expense. No, I am not rich, poor as a church mouse.

Like being nervous is the worst thing in the world. Just be an adult and work your way through it.

People who need an emotional support animal should not be flying.

Um, no, Pete doesn't get credit for this. This has been in the works and was announced before Pete.

Sorry.

It's about damn time!

[quote] I am a physician and will no longer sign these forms for emotional support animals, as none of my patients' pets have received any type of training as emotional support animals. I don't want to violate a federal law.

Why were you contributing to this mess in the first place? What criteria were you using? Were your patients long term patients already diagnosed with whatever disorder was required to fit the previous rules - even those rules had requirements. One of the problems was people just proclaiming they were depressed or anxious or whatever and that seemingly self diagnosis pretty much getting rubber stamped by accommodating health care professionals.

Most of the cunts who fly with their ESA are white women, aren't they?

I have emotional support pets and they're called Xanax.

R64 - based on my experience, and I flew (pre-pandemic) a lot, that does seem to be the majority. Two groups - selfie Insta girls in their late teens and 20's, and the other was 50-60 year old women.

The latter were usually pretty good about it. The social media types and their purse dogs were not.

I had a student (college) a few years ago who was blind (as a result of cancer when he was 14–it was either remove the optic nerves or die—imagine facing that as an adolescent) and had him in a few classes and took him on a school-sponsored trip that involved flying (multiple legs each way). His service dog was amazing—perfectly behaved, attentive to commands and to the student, and able to be a living companion once the halter was removed—the training was so good that he knew when it was work and when he could play like any dog. I just don’t believe ESA animals get the same rigorous training that service dogs get. I’d take this dog over most humans on that flight. And we were treated very well by the airlines.

Agreed, R67. I taught a blind student once who came to class with her service dog, and the dog was so quiet and well-trained that after the first class, everyone forgot that he was there. The dog wore a vest and knew when he was working. In fact, if folks tried to pet the dog while he had a vest on, the student quietly and politely asked them to desist, saying "he's working." Great student and a great dog.

[quote]In fact, if folks tried to pet the dog while he had a vest on, the student quietly and politely asked them to desist, saying "he's working."

Wait. But how did the student know someone was trying to pet her service dog if she was blind?

Many of the people I've seen with service animals have been older women who were "cat lady" types, i.e. barely able to function in society and just leaving their houses gave them anxiety and stress.

Oh Happy Day! If you're that fucked up- drive there. If you can't- stay at home and get therapy.

But muh emotional support peacock, Crackers!

Guess that halves all air flights going forward, since the great majority of today's unwashed flyers will be banned from boarding with their skin covered in emotional support germs. :(

On a flight from JFK to LAX, this homeless, burned-out looking guy had a large Labrador mix dog with him, replete with an Emotional Support Animal collar and saddle. The dog was sweet, to be sure. But the dude had a window, bulkhead seat and that poor dog was strangled between his legs. And the other people in that row.

For most of the flight, he laid down in the aisle and cuddled his dog.

At baggage claim, he again laid down and big-spooned his dog. On the tile floor. Right in the middle of the walkway.

The worst part, nobody confronted him. Not on the plane itself or in the very busy baggage claim area.

Harrrumph! Well, if this isn't a pisser! I'm so mad I'm gonna have my emotional support cat Bootsie Gumdrops vomit a big ol' hairball all over the drink cart! Bottoms up, bitches!

I remember reading here a few years ago that Marie Osmond travels with an emotional support tarantula in a wicker cage.

I thought if that was a troll, it was one of the best trolls I had ever read. She is the ONLY celebrity I could believe would be that crazy.

Somehow, I almost believe that about Marie Osmond too, R76.

But I must say that, except for spiders, there's no Emotional Support Critter that I wouldn't choose to share an airplane with rather than some human children.

R69, she was legally blind, not totally blind. She had some vision but not enough to get around without the dog. There are different levels of blindness.

Of all the bat-shit crazy things I have learned about the US from DataLounge, the fact that you have been taking rabbits, peacocks, lizards and pigs onto planes for emotional support is definitely the funniest!

Didn't Carrie Fisher travel with some emotional support dog? Ugly dog too, if I recall correctly.

So, smart ass, ever so clever Carrie, needed her ugly pooch with her to fly?

Or was she one of the ones with the "phony" service dog?

[quote] She said this lady is some sort of businesswoman, always jetting somewhere...with a monkey.

She checks the organ, his little hat, vest and tin cup.

[quote]So, smart ass, ever so clever Carrie, needed her ugly pooch with her to fly?

He was her drug mule.

R80

She was mentally ill, so I'm sure she thought she needed it. Whether the dog actually helped is a different question.

If people have anxiety when they fly, why don't they take an Ativan? Why would holding a dog work better than a benzo? I genuinely don't understand.

Remember the college girl who wasn’t allowed to take her support mouse on a plane, so she flushed it down the toilet?

Dear lord. That was confusing.

[quote]R58 Air travel is unsafe and stressful for animals.

Not when they’re drugged.

My dog was a total nervous nellie but came trotting out of his cage from the hold at our destination just fine. Didn’t seem phased at all.

R85 needs to read the comments in the thread before posting...

See related Datalounge Comments in the SAME thread. See R16, R19, & R20

^^ I have r16 blocked, so can’t see what they posted.

A good move. If someone has a mobility or physical assistance need, of course service dogs should be accommodated, and it's reasonable to expect that fellow passengers will be understanding.

But a fat NO to the fat goth chicks with her floppy-eared ESA rabbit. To my rich psychiatrist friend and his wife who boast of the ease and savings of flying with their two yappy and quite emotionally useless dogs. And to anyone with less than some severe condition that might warrant a special exemption on a one-time basis.

There's no excuse for bending the rules and putting others at discomfort and risk to tote around thier "precious furbaby" like a designer bag, just because they found a loophole and a shrink to write a note.

Emotional support dogs or whatever pets are the biggest con going. People use that angle to get Fido or whatever animal around various restrictions.

Know personally several people no more ill than a molting canary who somehow got emotional support papers for their dogs. They use those tags and paper work not just to bring their pooch on planes, into supermarkets, shops, etc... but to get around no pet policies in housing.

[quote] But a fat NO to the fat goth chicks with her floppy-eared ESA rabbit. ... There's no excuse for bending the rules and putting others at discomfort and risk to tote around thier "precious furbaby" like a designer bag, just because they found a loophole and a shrink to write a note.

R89, I don't disagree with you but am curious as to what "discomfort and risk" to others is posed by a rabbit. Is anyone other than Jimmy Carter actually upset by bunnies?

"I don't disagree with you but am curious as to what "discomfort and risk" to others is posed by a rabbit"

How soon we forget..............

Aubrey O’Day will be devastated by this news.

And yet they let straight men on board.