Delta's New Support Animal Restrictions

Real World Aviation
#1

Delta is tightening restrictions on service/emotional support animals in flight. Delta is now requiring passengers to provide proof that their companions are necessary, vaccinated, and trained, including a signature from a veterinarian. Delta is also banning non-traditional animals in the cabin, such as turkeys, ducks and snakes.

What are your thoughts on this? I personally am on board with the new changes, as it eliminates the possibility of someone abusing the program by bringing their pet onboard. It also lessens the chance of the animal being a disturbance to other passengers.

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#2

this is why you fly southwestā€¦

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#3

Of course. We all saw Snakes on a Plane! šŸ˜‚

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#4

I didnā€™t know you could bring turkeys in the cabin.

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#5

Well, Not anymore :P

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#6

I understand all the restrictions with snakes etc. But with emotional support animals/service dogs, there is enough stress as it is to board them on a flight and now with more restrictions in place I imagine it will be even tougher and more stressful for people suffering with various conditions such as PTSD & folk on the ASD spectrum to have to go through these new restrictions. This can lead to behaviourā€™s flaring. Delta need to ask themselves; is this really necessary? Is this whatā€™s best for people with existing conditions to travel effortlessly with us?

I can imagine members of staff abusing the ā€˜is it necessary?ā€™ restriction, and again, adding stress to people who need these animals.

Not a cool move Delta.

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#7

Now hereā€™s a topic I can sink my teeth intoā€¦ Sorry no pun intended.

There are few interesting connections here and itā€™s a very sensitive subject with me.

First: Please understand that there are different ā€œtypesā€ of service animals however, if they do not meet the ADA guidelines they are not considered to be working service animals.

Please read here: https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

That being said, I live in Broward County, Florida and in Miami Dade County any pit bull ā€œtypeā€ of dog (Amstaff, Staff Terrier, Bull Terrier) or mix breeds are illegal and the reason I say that is because some individuals are creating these fake service animal web sites and charging people $75.00-$150.00 for a ā€œcertificate, ID card, a vestā€ anointing the dog as a ā€œservice animalā€ and that owner (who coincidentally got his Masters Degree online) are taking these animals into public places and there have been instances where the dog bit someone, urinated, and or defecated somewhere and the owners believe they are not liable.

I apologize for the diatribe, but to my point. Certified service animals are not only assessed for temperament, behavior, but undergo rigorous, thorough training. Its almost like what police departments do with their K-9ā€™s. These certified service animals donā€™t lunge at people or dogs, if they did they would not have passed the training. They are trained to remain calm, they are trained that their job is to concentrate on their owner, and know the visual and even sometimes energy cues that are stressing their handler and to react accordingly.

These people who are trying to ā€œpass offā€ their dogs as service animals is an absolute atrocity and is a slap in the face for those who are truly in need and have a certified service animal.

Itā€™s a shame that itā€™s happening, I can understand Deltaā€™s position, but I believe what they should do is if you buy a ticket and have a legit service animal you should have to provide the paperwork prior to purchasing the ticket and perhaps they may want to go as far as if they do have service animal on board, a strategically placed designated seat for the passenger and his companion.

Again, sorry for being loquacious. I am a huge animal lover and dog rescuer.

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#8

Butā€¦ butā€¦ butā€¦ I canā€™t bring my DUCK onboard?!

THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED

#Savetheducks

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#9

WHAT!? NO TURKEYS!? Iā€™m never flying Delta again. šŸ¦ƒ

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#10

Now now donā€™t get too unhappy. I donā€™t think they talked about stuffed turkey not being allowed

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#11

Me and my turkey are flying American from now on.

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#12

Me and my turkey are flying American from now on.

American Cares About Animal Rights.

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#13

I see both sides of it. Yes there are legitimate people who need the service animals. However the whole service animal has been taken advantage of because people want to bring their untrained animal on board with a fake vest they found online. Most airport workers can tell the real ones from fake based on behavior.

You canā€™t question it because you look mean. But anyone who has traveled regularly in the states can tell you that the numbers are increasing. Something tells me that if your service dog is acting up, it might not be legit. Its not just on planes, its most places now days.

A coworker of mine relies on one for seizures and said filling out a form is not a big deal. They had to do it long before Delta started to.

I think its another case where abuse by the wrong crowd hurts those who need it.

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#15

Who are your friends?

#16

I see where your coming from Laura, but Iā€™ve seen many instances where people bring there pit bull on and say it is a service animal (I have seen it quite a few times) and I have met blind, deaf, people with hypoglycemia, who all have service dogs that are legit. I have talked with quite a few people who say that they would prefer having the extra process to ensure that there actual service dog isnā€™t disturbed by a non service dog. Making the service dogs job more difficult then it already is.

-Daniel S.

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#17

Again, I completely understand your point of view. From my side, I have never seen it done. But as a few users had mentioned above itā€™s popular in the United States.
Iā€™m purely looking at owners who have difficulty communicating their needs to staff, thatā€™s what I was more worried about. As an example, someone with ASD could have difficulty communicating and conveying their needs. That fustration can lead to overstimulation which can cause distress to sufferers, leading to avoidance of such things.

I find Deltaā€™s strategy overwhelming, and stressful the least. I would assume a vets note is enough.

But again, Iā€™m only talking about my perspective as someone who was worked with ASD, and my experiences with people with different conditions.

Itā€™s nice to see different peoples viewpoints on this topic. Itā€™s incredibly eye opening and thanks for sharing! ā˜ŗļø

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#18

One or two bad apples always spoil the bunch. Itā€™s really sad and I sympathize with those that have legit service animals.

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#19

I know. And I agree with you. I live here in the states and less and less airlines are allowing pet travel.

My point was that southwest doesnā€™t require much paperwork to do so. And I know it isnā€™t a very big hassle, but for some, it is.

Sorry if my post wasnā€™t very relevant to the conversation.

Good Day, SouthernDude

#20

So I am guessing rabbits or gerbals are ok?

#21

At least they didnā€™t say anything about parrots.

1 Like