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Airlines say new 'emotional support pet' rules make flying safer, healthier
UPI ^ | January 30, 2020 | By Don Jacobson

Posted on 01/30/2020 8:33:21 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer

The airline industry pushed for new rules to restrict emotional support animals, but advocates say such a major change is "discriminatory," "burdensome" and "unconscionable."

Jan. 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. airline industry is praising a move by federal regulators that would allow carriers to disqualify untrained "emotional support animals" as service animals -- a change that could lead to airlines charging travelers who bring along their pets.

Airlines are among the chief supporters of the proposed rule changes this month by the Department of Transportation. Federal officials began mulling the change over concerns from carriers, flight attendants, airports and some of the flying public about a rising number of passengers with emotional support animals, or ESAs -- that are taken aboard flights by way of a law intended for trained service animals, like guide dogs.

Under the Air Carrier Access Act, airlines are required to allow emotionally impaired travelers to bring a support animal at no added cost. In most cases, the only requirement is that a passenger produce documentation from health and veterinary professionals citing a need for the animal. Passengers without such records must pay to travel with their pets.

Those favoring the rule change argue that more passengers are taking advantage of what could be viewed as a loophole in the system -- and more types of animals are being claimed as an ESA. In recent years, ESA-documented passengers have boarded flights with dogs, cats, rabbits, miniature horses, Capuchin monkeys, snakes and peacocks, among others.

(Excerpt) Read more at upi.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: airtravel; animals; supportanimals
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To: Tax-chick

People who have emotional support animals need extensive therapy before leaving their homes.


41 posted on 01/30/2020 9:18:44 AM PST by hal ogen (First Amendment or Reeducation Camp???)
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To: SkyDancer
That’s four seats right there!

Just leave it in the aisle way, the plane will be empty anyways......

42 posted on 01/30/2020 9:20:15 AM PST by Hot Tabasco (I want an impeachment pen)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Under the Air Carrier Access Act, airlines are required to allow emotionally impaired travelers to bring a support animal at no added cost.


The ACAA became law in 1986 but this support animals thing seems to be a fairly recent abuse of it.

I wonder if Europe and Asia are this permissive with support animals?


43 posted on 01/30/2020 9:22:40 AM PST by Yardstick
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To: Scrambler Bob

Ha ha, I misread and thought you wrote Brat, LOL! That would be funny too!


44 posted on 01/30/2020 9:23:42 AM PST by 3boysdad (The very elect.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

I’m totally for this. I don’t really want to board a plane with potentially disruptive animals on board.

I saw an article recently about a person who has a legitimate service animal, who is upset at people using all kinds of excuses to take pets on board planes. Her genuine need for a service animal tends to not be taken seriously because of all the fakers.


45 posted on 01/30/2020 9:23:46 AM PST by exDemMom (Current visual of the hole the US continues to dig itself into: http://www.usdebtclock.org)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
i think everbody should be allowed an emotional support pet ...

emotional support pet
46 posted on 01/30/2020 9:24:33 AM PST by Mr Radical (In times of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act)
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To: VanDeKoik

That was definitely one of the best movies ever. So politically incorrect in so many ways.


47 posted on 01/30/2020 9:26:01 AM PST by exDemMom (Current visual of the hole the US continues to dig itself into: http://www.usdebtclock.org)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

One flight attendant said it was starting to look like Noah’s ark.


48 posted on 01/30/2020 9:36:52 AM PST by Old Yeller (Auto-correct has become my worst enema.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Who let that filthy thing on the plane?

And why did she bring her pig?


49 posted on 01/30/2020 9:37:17 AM PST by Mr. K (No consequence of repealing obamacare is worse than obamacare itself.)
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To: Scrambler Bob

I want to take my emotional support honey badger.


50 posted on 01/30/2020 9:37:35 AM PST by Old Yeller (Auto-correct has become my worst enema.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Some woman at my gym brings her support labradoodle with her. You look at the poor dog and he looks back as if he’s saying, “Yeah, I know, but what can I do?”


51 posted on 01/30/2020 9:39:44 AM PST by bk1000 (Banned from Breitbart)
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To: Magnum44

Not at the airport, that’s for sure.


52 posted on 01/30/2020 9:42:31 AM PST by fieldmarshaldj (Dear Mr. Kotter, #Epsteindidntkillhimself - Signed, Epstein's Mother)
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To: Dilbert San Diego

I wouldn’t get on an airplane because I don’t want to be sexually molested by unionized gubmint workers who refuse to profile passengers that are the real danger to air safety.


53 posted on 01/30/2020 9:44:28 AM PST by fieldmarshaldj (Dear Mr. Kotter, #Epsteindidntkillhimself - Signed, Epstein's Mother)
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To: cuban leaf
I discriminated when I chose my wife.<P>

I didn't discriminate nearly enough any of the three times.

NO MORE.

54 posted on 01/30/2020 9:53:10 AM PST by ASA Vet (MGTOW)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

what about people that are forced to sit next to these animals who are allergic to animals? Guess their needs don’t matter?


55 posted on 01/30/2020 10:03:49 AM PST by Bob434
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To: Abby4116

So I’ve been checking them out and apparently, it is possible.

Thank God.

:D


56 posted on 01/30/2020 10:06:21 AM PST by Salamander (Living On The Ledge....)
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To: SkyDancer

Even veterans?


57 posted on 01/30/2020 10:08:12 AM PST by Salamander (Living On The Ledge....)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Heaven help the passengers who have to put up with an emotional support macaw.


58 posted on 01/30/2020 10:10:24 AM PST by Fresh Wind (The Electoral College is the firewall protecting us from massive blue state vote fraud.)
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To: Mr. K

On the upside, how many ROP nuts would want to intermingle their bits with pig bits?


59 posted on 01/30/2020 10:12:06 AM PST by Salamander (Living On The Ledge....)
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To: Salamander

For what reason do you bring that up? We’re talking about animals that are so large they’d be a hazard to a safe evacuation of an aircraft; how’d you like to be tripping over a pig or small horse? You bring that up just be provocative.


60 posted on 01/30/2020 10:12:31 AM PST by SkyDancer ( ~ Just Consider Me A Random Fact Generator ~ Eat Sleep Fly Repeat ~)
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