[ColdNoMore]

BUTTTT, it is one of those subjects that seem to constantly show up on TOTV...particularly regarding restaurants & the squares.


Alaska Airlines announces new policy for emotional support animals - Business Insider

Alaska Airlines has announced a new policy for passengers traveling with emotional support and psychiatric service animals.

On Thursday, the airline said all passengers with emotional support and psychiatric service animals must provide documents that state the animal is able to behave in public and can fit within the passenger's seat space, as well as a signed document from a licensed medical or mental health professional that confirms the professional is treating the passenger for a certified mental-health related disability at least 48 hours in advance of a flight.

Kudos to Alaska Airlines...IMHO.


Discuss.


This cartoon...cracks me the heck up!

[Mrs. Robinson]

I agree with your "Kudos to Alaska Airlines!"
It's about time that someone with a brain (obviously), has come to their senses and is making a statement regarding a law that is severely abused.
It will be interesting to see who follows suit.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

BUTTTT, it is one of those subjects that seem to constantly show up on TOTV...particularly regarding restaurants & the squares.


Alaska Airlines announces new policy for emotional support animals - Business Insider




Kudos to Alaska Airlines...IMHO.


Discuss.


This cartoon...cracks me the heck up!

I couldn't agree more. This "comfort animal" craze is basically the biggest crock going. I couldn't count the number of perfectly normal patients who would come in and request a letter to allow their rodent, er, I mean lap dog, on a plane or wherever. I never wrote such a letter, and told them that if their issue rose to the level that they couldn't go anywhere without their pet, I would refer them to a psychiatrist and maybe he/she would give them a letter. Guess how many took me up on that offer---yep---exactly ZERO.

Imagine a cabin of 300 passengers on a 5 1/2 hr flight all with a dog. No thank you.
Meanwhile, imagine a very heavy smoker, who in 5 1/2 hrs is likely to have both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. He/she is told too bad and just suck it up. Perhaps they should get a "letter" allowing them to smoke on the plane, even better if they smoke cigars. Imagine sitting there for 5+ hours with 30-40 smokers. And the argument that second hand smoke could affect other's health is bogus, since the recirculated air will spread dog allergens to everyone in the cabin who is sensitive.

I wonder how many of these comfort animals you'd see if the airline charged full fare for them. Not many, I'm sure. Perhaps they could just put them in the cargo section with a webcam, so the owner could watch their rodent, er, I mean lap dog, for the whole flight.

[billethkid]

Second only to the "handicapped" sign hanging in so many vehicles here in TV.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

BUTTTT, it is one of those subjects that seem to constantly show up on TOTV...particularly regarding restaurants & the squares.


Alaska Airlines announces new policy for emotional support animals - Business Insider




Kudos to Alaska Airlines...IMHO.


Discuss.


This cartoon...cracks me the heck up!

I do so agree with you on this.

I enjoy pets very much as do many older people, in fact most people no matter their age love sharing their homes with domestic animals. I find them comforting and amusing and a large responsibility, very much like children.

I am so comforted to know that blind people can have dogs to guide them. It means so much to many Villagers who have been widowed to have a kitty or a dog to share their home. It brings joy to most of us who live here to share our town with nice animals who are loved by their owners.

It is sad when people take advantage of the system and bring service animals who are not really service animals onto airplanes.

I have never personally encountered this myself while traveling and I genuinely don't mind when I see a small pup in a basket at Lowes or Home Depot. I realize that some people are not comfortable with dogs or cats and I feel sorry for them, since I enjoy them so much myself.

[bilcon]

I have been forced to have a women with a dog on her lap, sit next to me on Southwest flight. When I complained, the flight attendant said I could take another plane. Both the woman and her mutt smelled the same. GREAT FLIGHT! It's time to stop the madness. Several months ago while at Bed, Bath and whatever store, a couple came in with a large lab. The dog proceeded to take a .... right on the floor. Boy, I'm glad it wasn't a restaurant. Keep your dogs and cats home. They might enjoy the quiet.

[redwitch]

I love critters, especially the fuzzy kind. If I could convince my cat halters are a good thing I would happily take her out for walks. However, I truly resent people who game the system by insisting their animal is needed everywhere when it isn’t. I want those that truly need the animal to be allowed to shop, eat, travel with that animal but it should be trained for the job. A comfort dog is not an emotional support dog. A true emotional support dog is trained to help a human when needed. They can and do help control PTSD flashbacks, calm an autistic child, help with severe depression.

Quite simply, the laws need to be changed. ESA should be certified. The government should issue a card saying there is a need for the ESA to accompany the human. The issuance of the card should require a written note from a qualified physician (with fines if there is a falsification) and be for a limited amount of time. The card should have a picture of the animal. Stores, restaurants, airlines, etc. should request to see the card. No card, no critter. Simple. None of this would invade the privacy of the person needing an ESA, but would help stop some of the abuses.

Alaska Airlines has the right idea. Here’s hoping other airlines follow this trend.

[Taltarzac725]

People do tend to game the system if they can. My dog Beau wants to go in any door with a good smell coming out of it, but, unfortunately, he cannot go into most places. He does open a lot of automatic doors though. Wonder how big a pooch has to be to open one of these doors?

Good move by Alaska Airlines.

[NotGolfer]

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

BUTTTT, it is one of those subjects that seem to constantly show up on TOTV...particularly regarding restaurants & the squares.


Alaska Airlines announces new policy for emotional support animals - Business Insider




Kudos to Alaska Airlines...IMHO.


Discuss.


This cartoon...cracks me the heck up!

I LOVE pets but when did it become "a thing" for folks to 'humanize' them and feel they NEED to be everywhere with them?? Thanks for posting this! Maybe, gradually, the laws WILL change and only those that are specially trained will be (in fact) allowed.

[karostay]

Went to the new Lowe's yesterday.Thought I was in Pet Smart

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by karostay

Went to the new Lowe's yesterday.Thought I was in Pet Smart

Yep---Smart pets, dumb owners

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Yep---Smart pets, dumb owners

Yep!


It should be mandatory, that the pet is in charge of the owner...while in stores.


That way, yappy & unruly consumers...would be the leasht of other shopper's worries.