Early in December, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced that it is revising the Air Carrier Access Act regulation on the transportation of service animals. The definition of a service animal has now been determined as a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability.
The debate is strong, there is no doubt about that. Animal lovers who want their pets on board with them will fight to the end. Those that are not so fond of animals or perhaps even have severe allergies will fight just as vehemently for their rights.
Many years ago when I worked with the airlines, service animal rules were quite specific and clear-cut. Documentation was required for the service dog, harnesses were not available on Amazon and it didn’t seem like doctors were willing to write prescriptions for snakes as an emotional support animal. Definitions have swiftly transformed and as I’ve moved from the airlines to where I am now with VAX, it is altogether different and until last week’s revision, I wouldn’t have staked a claim on knowing what it took to fly with an emotional support animal. As a passenger that has been on a flight with an emotional support pony, I do have to say that I concur that the dog is a worthy definition for the record.
I have to admit that I am an animal lover, and I will say that have been on many a flight where I wondered how people were getting away with traveling as they were with their emotional support animals, or dare I say, pets. I will also admit that I am a rule follower; it’s a weakness of mine. I did enjoy a business trip next to a passenger with a pet puppy. This puppy was adorable. He did not like being in his kennel so he ended up in the passenger’s lap next to me. Eventually half on her lap and half on mine, and I stepped out of my rule-following head and spent time snuggling and showing the puppy some love, all the while in my mind knowing that this was against the rules and shouldn’t have been allowed. When the flight attendant came over to snuggle him too, I went back and forth in my mind about the rules and his adorableness and well in the end, yes, I agree it is hard to draw the line.
However, I do empathize with travelers who have severe allergies that simply could not handle being on a flight with certain animals without stark repercussions following the flight. As I recall, it is the traveler that has the allergy that is displaced on that flight and moved to another flight. This can really be an unfortunate hardship to endure as well, if my memory is correct. So there really isn’t a win-win scenario no matter how you cut it. USA Today published opposing articles recently that shared new information and their view on the airlines drawing the line for animals aboard their flights.
- Emotional support animals rule for airlines offer a reasonable, horse-sense compromise – USA Today’s view: Pet owners who scammed the air travel system spoiled it for honest people with real needs. The flying zoos had to go.
- New emotional support animal rule is unfair to Americans with disabilities – Opposing view: Department of Transportation prioritizes airline interests over the rights of travelers.
In the end, once the final rule is in effect in early 2021, it will be important for travelers and travel advisors to be up-to-date on it. I’m sure there will be plenty of media to follow on both sides of the story. What is your opinion?
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