Question: Flying with a service dog

[michiko]

I personally (I can respect others' difference in opinions...) don't like to sneak my dogs in because I have the reason for bringing Haruka to travel. I always paid for pet fee before I spoke to my doctor. I went through the right process to be able to travel with Haruka. So I don't understand it.

For me when they ask if Haruka is the emotional support dog.. I say "yes she gives me support my physical and emotional well being due to my chronic illness." But then they say " you have to be treated by a mental health clinician..." The way they speak is like "ya.. you must have a mental illness..." I mean there is nothing wrong with seeing therapist or psychiatrist. I have been actually seeing someone to overcome my diagnose... at specialized hospital for my illness... but I just didn't like the tone that this rep had... I hate this labeling thing.... it is not respectful. If I say that I have the vest, doctor's letter, and the dog is trained, what is the problem? He definitely had problems that I have trained her.... Who can train her best than a person with the disability. I don't get it.. but this would be my long mumbling thread... so I had better stop here.

[scrapindee]

Dpn't let the airline personnel bring you down. You handled it very well. I would only say that the dog is a service dog and the service is medical alert. You aren't obligated to give any further details. If your dog is wearing their vest, you should have minimal problems at the airport.

[mscat]

Originally Posted by michiko

I personally (I can respect others' difference in opinions...) don't like to sneak my dogs in because I have the reason for bringing Haruka to travel. I always paid for pet fee before I spoke to my doctor. I went through the right process to be able to travel with Haruka. So I don't understand it.

For me when they ask if Haruka is the emotional support dog.. I say "yes she gives me support my physical and emotional well being due to my chronic illness." But then they say " you have to be treated by a mental health clinician..." The way they speak is like "ya.. you must have a mental illness..." I mean there is nothing wrong with seeing therapist or psychiatrist. I have been actually seeing someone to overcome my diagnose... at specialized hospital for my illness... but I just didn't like the tone that this rep had... I hate this labeling thing.... it is not respectful. If I say that I have the vest, doctor's letter, and the dog is trained, what is the problem? He definitely had problems that I have trained her.... Who can train her best than a person with the disability. I don't get it.. but this would be my long mumbling thread... so I had better stop here.

I totally agree, it is direspectful. You have enough proof that your animal is a service dog. I hate labels too
My Suzi is a service animal because I do have mental health issues. On Full Disability as well.
I need to get her certified though. She has been with me 8 months now. ANd I have her for emotional support. i have not had to travel on a plane with Suzi, but, we are going on a mini vacation in March. I'd love to take Suzi with me.

[yorkiepuppie]

i agree its really rude for them to ask such detailed questions? i don't understand why it's any of their business?

are they trying to make sure you are not lying to them? i really don't understand why they need to ask?

are they told by the airlines to ask ask ask!? i am guessing they are probably told to ask, but i have no idea why they would need to ask? it's not like a lot of people bring their dogs with them on a airplane!!!

[GAOMariposa]

I was tempted to sneak my baby on the plane the first time I traveled with her...well, for the flight back. Mexicana gave me such a hard time with allowing her in the cabin. They told me several different things before I boarded the plane and in the end, she was going to have to go in cargo. But the stewardesses saw my puppy and didn't let the pilot put her in cargo. In Mexicana, the pilot decides if he's going to allow the dog in cargo or cabin. I am tempted though to talk to my doctor and have a prescription or letter written though, because not knowing if my puppy is going to be able to be in cabin causes so much stress. I was almost crying at the airport when they told me she had to be in the cargo area. I think I will talk to my doctor before the next time I travel.
But don't let the airlines push you around. Hopefully they won't give you a hard time the next time you travel. It's already stressful enough to travel and then add the drama from the airlines! You think they would be more accommodating.

[Yorkieville200]

Originally Posted by michiko

I personally (I can respect others' difference in opinions...) don't like to sneak my dogs in because I have the reason for bringing Haruka to travel. I always paid for pet fee before I spoke to my doctor. I went through the right process to be able to travel with Haruka. So I don't understand it.

For me when they ask if Haruka is the emotional support dog.. I say "yes she gives me support my physical and emotional well being due to my chronic illness." But then they say " you have to be treated by a mental health clinician..." The way they speak is like "ya.. you must have a mental illness..." I mean there is nothing wrong with seeing therapist or psychiatrist. I have been actually seeing someone to overcome my diagnose... at specialized hospital for my illness... but I just didn't like the tone that this rep had... I hate this labeling thing.... it is not respectful. If I say that I have the vest, doctor's letter, and the dog is trained, what is the problem? He definitely had problems that I have trained her.... Who can train her best than a person with the disability. I don't get it.. but this would be my long mumbling thread... so I had better stop here.

Michiko,

I am the same way, I would never sneak my baby in anyplace. Prior to my diagnosis, I paid for her to fly. She is a trained Service Dog. That person should not have disrespected you in that manner. You provided him more information than required, and he was not allowed to go into the details in that manner. Next time, don't even bother to tell them that you trained her. It's nobodies business.

I would file a complaint with the airline.

I advise anyone against sneaking their baby onto an airplane. There are reasons that they only allow a certain number of dogs on a flight. And, you can be ordered off the plane at the next stopover.

There are rules in life, for a reason. What would this world be like, if we all broke them because they did not suit us?

[Nikitta34]

So what paperwork can be legally required at the check in counter? Do I have to have a letter from my doctor, and if so, what does it need to say? Will a badge and vest suffice?

I'm glad there are people on YT who have experience with this. Thanks, all!

[michiko]

Originally Posted by Nikitta34

So what paperwork can be legally required at the check in counter? Do I have to have a letter from my doctor, and if so, what does it need to say? Will a badge and vest suffice?

I'm glad there are people on YT who have experience with this. Thanks, all!

I see that your location is south korea. I bet that the policy is different depends on your country.

[Nikitta34]

Yes, but I am American and normally fly on American-based carriers, or Korean Air. Even for a normal US-flight, what can the ticket agent legally ask and what forms can they request?

[blueeyes_jd]

ok I use to work at an air line... I know YUCK!!! lol but with the air line I worked for you are not suppose to ask any questions really... if someone said they had a service animal I booked the flight as that... no questions asked except for what kind of service just so they can plan accordingly... I also have my baby for a service animal... I just flew with her for the first time as a service animal... the only other time I paid for her to fly with me... anywho... I had noooooooooooooo problems what so ever... but what I did was just show up at the ticket counter to check in and handed them the letter from my doctor saying I needed her to travel with me because of my disorder... and they just let the flight attendants know to expect me and Gracie, and that was it... I actually got treated much better then usual... and I dont have a vest for her but I got to keep her on my lap the entire flight!!! so I would suggest next time to just show up at the ticket counter because they seem to know what they are doing a whole hell of a lot better then the people on the phone... lol IMO HUGS and puppy kisses!!!

[Nikitta34]

Thank you!! I'm glad you didn't have any problems flying with Gracie. And what a cute doggie name!!!

[blueeyes_jd]

awww thank you! I have to add... I did call the specific air line I traveled on and asked what I needed to fly with her... I didnt give my itinerary number or anything I just asked what I needed... good luck

[scentlady]

I'd like to get my dogs 'listed' as service dogs also. What is the correct procedure as far as the airlines go? I've done a google search and all that gets me is places that want you to pay hundreds of dollars for a service tag, badge or vest

[Yorkieville200]

Originally Posted by scentlady

I'd like to get my dogs 'listed' as service dogs also. What is the correct procedure as far as the airlines go? I've done a google search and all that gets me is places that want you to pay hundreds of dollars for a service tag, badge or vest

You start with the doctor that has diagnosed you, and then, you take his diagnosis & your dog to a Service Animal Trainer to have your dog evaluated to determine if he/she can be trained to assist you. If so, both you and your dog will be trained. He/she will receive Certification papers, etc. and a Service Animal Vest, which I highly recommend he/she be wearing whenever your are out in public. (It spares you a lot of unnecessary questions.)

Avoid those on-line places that want to charge you $$$$$. They are not going to train your dog to assist you.

[Service Dogs]

The airlines will no longer accept verbal assurance that your dog is in fact a service dog. To minimize conflicts you should have service dog ID or something else with you that shows proof.