OOfff

Read: “look how much better of a person I am than *those* people”

Larry in TN

The Air Carrier Access Act (14 CFR 382) would have to be changed. Contact the DOT and your representatives.

SWA Bubba

Well, qualitatively, he IS better “than *those* people.” As in he can actually function on an airplane without requiring the assistance of an animal in his lap or by his side. As in if something were to happen to said cat/dog/hamster/whatever, he wouldn’t be reduced to a useless, quivering, cowering lump of sweaty cargo, unable to fend for himself or complete basic required functions, such as interact successfully in a society or land an airplane.

Jes sayin’

Bubba

Hossharris

Flying isn’t for everyone ....

OOfff

I know, that’s what I said. I, too, was born in Lake Wobegon.

JamesNoBrakes

A lady worked at our office that was diagnosed with PTSD from being repeatedly beaten in domestic violence. She had a service animal (read: not an ESA). There is absolutely a huge difference. There are service animals that help people with psychological problems, but the whole ESA thing is a farce. The airlines do not have to accommodate them, but they likely take the blind-eye approach because they don't want to get all the bad press and pay lawyer fees.

But, some people do need this kind of assistance and maybe they are "pathetically weak" to you, but then again, you probably weren't beaten repeatedly for a significant portion of your adult life and constantly living in fear. It may not matter how your mom and dad raised you.

SeamusTheHound

You’re right - the autistic kid and that epileptic woman are so WEAK! Damn, you are just SOOOOO much better than they are. I guess Jesus just loves you a lot more than them, and that’s awesome.

at6d

I fully support service animals per the ADA standards. We raised guide dogs for the blind when I was in high school. It’s really amazing what improvements in a disabled person’s life are made when a service animal is in use.

I love pets.

That being said, we all know there are people that fake it. They have a disservice dog. Service animal role appropriation! It’s not only the airlines that are affected, either. Restaurants, rental properties, and other places have to deal with the phonies, too.

I had a Rottweiler casually stroll up into the flight deck about a month ago, check things out and then took up the entire floor space in the first row. The look on the middle pax’s face would have made a great picture.

While I empathize with minority (not race related) pet people passengers with emotional needs, I also am also concerned about the other passengers in the majority. Many are inconvenienced when a huge Lab cramps the legroom. Some have pet allergies. And god forbid a sketchy ESA bites somebody (it has happened).

The airlines need the ability to draw the line somewhere.

badflaps

The airlines have themselves to blame, they have been bending over backwards for fifty years spoiling the travelling public rotten. The result is a customer base that feels entitled. I'm just waiting for them to show up in their "Jammies" (Small children excepted.) I watch AmTrak on You Tube, they have no problem tossing somebody off the train..... You never hear a squeek.

sailingfun

They would have a trained service animal not a ESA.