Service Animals on Flights May Face Tougher Restrictions

[dalton99a]

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/22/travel/service-animal-airplane.html

Service Animals on Flights May Face Tougher Restrictions
The Department of Transportation is proposing new rules that would limit service animals allowed to just dogs, and make it harder to fly with an emotional support animal.
By Christine Hauser
Jan. 22, 2020



The Department of Transportation is proposing an overhaul to the regulations around service animals on flights in the United States, banning all animals except dogs, and no longer forcing airlines to let animals accompany passengers who say they need them just for emotional support, officials said on Wednesday.

Under the proposal, passengers with physical or psychological disabilities who want to bring a dog into the cabin as a service animal must fill out a federal form attesting that it has been trained to perform tasks that address the disability, the officials said.

An animal cannot just be brought aboard to make a passenger “feel better,” an official said.

If approved, the new rules would narrow the department’s formal guidance from 2019 that made clear that three types of service animals should be prioritized for travel: cats, dogs and miniature horses (read more about why miniature horses made the cut here). At the time, questions were raised about how the animals could relieve themselves, and their ability to fit in confined spaces.

In further limiting the options to dogs, the department said its proposed definition aligned with one used by the Department of Justice and the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Passengers who want to travel with animals can still do so under a carrier’s existing rules for bringing pets onboard. Under the proposal, it would be up to an airline to decide whether to allow an animal to fly for a passenger’s emotional support, the department said.

[Piasladic]

1. Thank God -nt

[comradebillyboy]

2. I want my emotional support tarantula with me on my next flight.

[USALiberal]

5. I have a rabid raccoon! nt

[dem4decades]

3. Fine with me

[msongs]

4. they are a massive scam for the most part nt

[Arthur_Frain]

6. I've never had a problem with service animals.

Nor do I know anyone who does. I take issue with “emotional support” animals, though. Look, I love my dog as much as its humanly possible to do so. But there are places where the dog simply doesn’t belong. Also, if you can’t leave the home without an “emotional support” animal, then I’m very sorry, but there are going to be places that you simply cannot go, and things that you simply do not get to do, if you can’t do them without that animal.

No exceptions, no excuses. Life is not fair. Deal with it.

[Midnightwalk]

7. Uh oh. No pink elephant exception?

I like to travel with mine. Even though drunks might be a worse problem.