New Rules for Service Animals On Planes
-
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/02/us-tightens-definition-of-service-animals-allowed-on-planes-.html
Finally, some common sense on what should be allowed. Rules for people who genuinely need a service animal shouldn't be abused just because you want to take your pet on vacation. Hopefully some of this creates some major reform in ADA guidelines for service animals.
-
Do I still have to hear ignorant people complain about service miniature horses
(they're quite good at being service animals you dinguses) -
Damn when things opened up I was going to take my emotional support peacock or my service ostrich to the east coast
-
@krustywantout This is politics?
-
@davesaddiction I wasn't sure so I put it here to be safe. In the past there were members who had different feelings on breaking these rules and I didn't want the main page to be negatively affected if things went south.
-
@krustywantout said in New Rules for Service Animals On Planes:
@davesaddiction I wasn't sure so I put it here to be safe. In the past there were members who had different feelings on breaking these rules and I didn't want the main page to be negatively affected if things went south.
Oh yeah. I forgot we had someone who lied about having a service animal in order to bring his dog to hotels... Yeeesh
-
@krustywantout For the record, when I've flown with my pets, I've always paid for them to take up my foot space. Often that meant paying more round-trip for the dog than for me. A bit of a rip off, but still cheaper and better than putting them in a kennel. I wouldn't want to fly with a pet in the hold though, stressful and not really safe for the dog (the biggest danger is incompetent baggage handlers not caring that pets can die if left out on the tarmac when it is extremely hot or cold).
-
@facw You did it the right way but most people will abuse the ADA rules so they do not have to pay for their pets.
-
@krustywantout Relying on the airline industry to determine what constitutes an emotional support animal seems like BS to me. This is an industry that manages to screw up quite a few simple things (like not kicking the shit out of customers). Also, legit support animals are now forced to travel in the cargo hold. How is an animal supposed to provide emotional support from the bottom of the plane? I don't see a lot of common sense being used here.
The real issue has to do with docs writing false scripts, which has much bigger implications outside of air travel ::cough:: opioid epidemic ::cough::
-
@dipodomysdeserti First, emotional support animals are not ADA approved. I can go get a rattle snake and call it an emotional support animal and there is no guideline to support my need. ADA animals are specifically trained to deal with a disability and need to be with a person at all times. Just because someone has a pet rat that they love doesn't meet the ADA guideline. I agree that the airlines shouldn't determine the rules, so using the ADA guidelines is the right move.
I agree with the false scripts issue. There is too much money and abuse in the medical industry and something has to change.
-
@krustywantout Per the ADA guidelines on service animals:
"Under the ADA, State and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is allowed to go. For example, in a hospital it usually would be inappropriate to exclude a service animal from areas such as patient rooms, clinics, cafeterias, or examination rooms. However, it may be appropriate to exclude a service animal from operating rooms or burn units where the animal’s presence may compromise a sterile environment." https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htmPutting a service animal in the cargo hold, a place where the public is not allowed to go, seems to be contrary to ADA recommendations. Also, keep in mind that states all have different definitions of service animals (the ADA only recognizes dogs). In Arizona, miniature horses can be considered for service animal duty. I expect to see a lot of poorly thought out regulations going into effect near the end of this administration, since they won't be the ones handling all the lawsuits.
-
@dipodomysdeserti I don't think airlines are putting service animals in the cargo hold, just animals that do not qualify as service animals (emotional support does not equal a service animal). And I think the federal ADA guidelines are what should be followed for the airline industry.
-
The ADA does not distinguish between psychological disabilities and physical disabilities (because there really isn’t one). Someone with extreme anxiety from something like PTSD (a type of emotional disorder) is granted use of a service animal to handle their disorder just like someone with a physical disability. A service animal is a service animals. It’s also generally not seen as a good idea for businesses to ask someone what their disability is.
The ADA only recognizes dogs, which aren’t always the best service animals for emotional disabilities (allergies, aggressiveness, fear...). I have a classroom snake which kids with anxiety issues use as a support animal. It’d be much easier to use on a plane than a dog (and would probably die in a cargo hold).
It’ll be interesting to see if any airlines actually follow this. Sounds like a good way to get sued in federal or state court
