Severe cat allergy- cats allowed on plane!!

[seashoreCM]

Does anyone think that the airline's appraisal of how big a chance there is of an emergency landing for medical reasons, and its attendant costs (landing, fuel, etc.), enter into an airline's decision whether to make a flight animal-free?

 

[jsilvers]

Believe me...expirateshopgirl knows whereof she speaks. If she states something you can pretty much take it to the bank.

FYI, I am an attorney, and regularly work with air travel/disabilities issues. I don't know her credentials, but I respectfully disagree with some of what she says.

In particular, expirateshopgirl's summary of the ACAA requirements in post #35 is not quite accurate. The legal standard for identifying service animals for air travel is:

identification cards, other written documentation, presence of harnesses, tags, or the credible verbal assurances of a qualified individual with a disability using the animal.​

14 C.F.R. 382.117(d) (emphasis added).

Note the word "credible." A passenger could not "tell airline personnel the animal alerts them to impending earthquake" (see post #31) and expect to make it on board the aircraft.

The Department of Transportation has specifically noted that if a passenger's assertions about a service animal are not credible and no documentation is provided, the airline is entitled to tell the passenger that "the animal cannot be carried in the cabin, because it does not meet the criteria for service animals." 73 Fed. Reg. 27660 (May 13, 2008).

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Luckily, there aren't many service cats.

laughing so hard at this-I can just see my cat thinking "I'm going to walk my stupid human off a cliff for forgetting to feed me!"

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I knew that service animals were allowed, of course, but thought all other pets had to ride in a special area under the plane, near the baggage compartment.

That's how it was waaaaaaay back in the day. But most of these areas are not pressurized and the animal can be severely injured or die.

A lot has been said about why they don't warn you. I have never been warned that several free to be me families with their poorly raised and overindulged children would be on board allowing their kids to kick the back of my seat and make noise for several hours. It just happens.

I would say that on most flights I have been on I would enjoy the airline replacing most of the passengers on board with an animal, an emotionally supportive one or not.

The entire airplane is pressurized. Nothing would survive at 30 thousand feet, including all the stinky perfumes in their bottles.

 

[CarolMN]

The entire airplane is pressurized. Nothing would survive at 30 thousand feet, including all the stinky perfumes in their bottles.

Thanks for that. I really didn't want to argue, but I have seen animals (usually larger dogs) begin taken off the plane and they were NOT coming from the cabin areas. Plus I have read articles about the pet areas - at least on the planes NWA (now Delta) flies. In addition to being pressurized, they are temperature controlled.

 

[TDC Nala]

No, they won't. The pet owner is not going to be the one inconvenienced, especially considering that even somebody with severe pet allergies will still not have a reaction, 99.9% of the time, to a pet on a plane. Those with allergies will be the ones that have to take another flight.

Frontier is the only U.S. airline that does not allow pets.

Disabilities (if I am not mistaken a severe allergy qualifies as a disability for US disability-accommodation laws) trump pet ownership. If there is already an animal on the plane, the allergy sufferer will likely be asked to take another flight. If the allergy sufferer gets there first, I'd think the airline is required by law to accommodate their disability or at least warn them (if the airline has sufficient notice of the disability) that their disability cannot be accommodated.

 

[goofy4tink]

FYI, I am an attorney, and regularly work with air travel/disabilities issues. I don't know her credentials, but I respectfully disagree with some of what she says.

In particular, expirateshopgirl's summary of the ACAA requirements in post #35 is not quite accurate. The legal standard for identifying service animals for air travel is:

identification cards, other written documentation, presence of harnesses, tags, or the credible verbal assurances of a qualified individual with a disability using the animal.​

14 C.F.R. 382.117(d) (emphasis added).

Note the word "credible." A passenger could not "tell airline personnel the animal alerts them to impending earthquake" (see post #31) and expect to make it on board the aircraft.

The Department of Transportation has specifically noted that if a passenger's assertions about a service animal are not credible and no documentation is provided, the airline is entitled to tell the passenger that "the animal cannot be carried in the cabin, because it does not meet the criteria for service animals." 73 Fed. Reg. 27660 (May 13, 2008).

Trust me...she is qualified. That's all I'm going to say.

 

[jsilvers]

Trust me...she is qualified. That's all I'm going to say.

And I haven't questioned that. But even qualified people can make mistakes, and what she has said about the ACAA requirements for verbal assurances and service animals simply is not accurate. You can look it up the complete rules for yourself at http://airconsumer.dot.gov/rules/Part%20382-2008.pdf (warning: it's not very user-friendly -- ironic, given the subject matter...).

 

[jlewisinsyr]

And I haven't questioned that. But even qualified people can make mistakes, and what she has said about the ACAA requirements for verbal assurances and service animals simply is not accurate. You can look it up the complete rules for yourself at http://airconsumer.dot.gov/rules/Part%20382-2008.pdf (warning: it's not very user-friendly -- ironic, given the subject matter...).

Just remember rules have interpretations and precendence that often trump the actual word of the regulations/rulings.

As for not allowing pets, I'm not allergic, I've seen pets on the plane before and have even traveled with our dog in her carrier. Rarely would anyone even know someone has a pet on a plane. Most allergies around pets are in regards to dander which is unlikely to be an issue in a plane if the pet remains in their kennel.

People who bring their pets on a plane also pay to do so, so in the airlines eyes, they are revenue generating, which means they are unlikely to be forbidden any more then the next person.

 

[strmtroopr96]

Not necessarily a joke. The Department of Transportation rules for disabled passengers note that service animals come in many forms - i.e., there are seeing eye miniature horses and service monkeys, as well as a category of "emotional support animals" which potentially could include cats.

There is a local lady around here that has a miniature horse as a service animal. We are always seeing her drive around with the horse standing in the back seat of her 4 door car and about a month or so ago, saw her shopping in Walmart with the horse. I am used to seeing service dogs but to actually see a horse walking through Walmart is quite interesting. LOL

 

[dopeyrunner]

I have seen all types of service animals including a minature horse, I have transported my two cats a few times aboard an airplane. Twice while evacuating from hurricanes and once while moving. I do give them something from a vet to relax them and you know what I would rather have some quiet animals onboard that are contained.
Then a kid screaming or kicking my seat for the entire flight.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I really think that its common knowledge that pets are generally onboard planes in the cabin...I wouldnt expect to hear an announcement

That's kind of how I felt about it too, I see small dogs, puppies and cats very often when I fly.

 

[tlenzendorf]

Huh, I never realized small pets in carriers were allowed on board. It doesn't bother me one way or another, I've just never seen them before. I just am thinking of that show on A&E, was it Airlines? And they were always busting people for trying to sneak animals on board. One time it was 2 small turtles. It was pretty funny.

 

[sgtdisney]

Thanks for that. I really didn't want to argue, but I have seen animals (usually larger dogs) begin taken off the plane and they were NOT coming from the cabin areas. Plus I have read articles about the pet areas - at least on the planes NWA (now Delta) flies. In addition to being pressurized, they are temperature controlled.

You are very right, the baggage sections of modern day jet liners are pressurized just like the rest of the plane, and also have climate controlled air circulating through them. In fact it's the same air as the rest of the plane. Some of the air that has passed through the baggage sections could pass through the cabin as well. The air in the cabin could have passed through an animal carrier in the baggage section. What happens when an animal is stored in the baggage compartment?

 

[uva185]

I have flown with my cat a couple times on US Airways. They charge $100 each way and only allow 1 pet in First Class and 2 pets in Coach.

I have never really encountered a very disturbing pet on board. My cat would usually meow a lot on takeoff but if I pet her she was silent. One particular flight I was on the flight attendant must have been a cat lover. She heard my cat crying and told me I could take her out of the carrier and hold her if I thought it would help. I did so and the flight attendant got the cat a cup of water and then came back to pet the cat for several minutes. The cat was silent for the remainder of the flight.

 

[Tiffany]

Just a warning to those with allergies to animals.

I was not aware that animals are allowed to be brought on to the plane.
(We only travel once a year).

My 10year old has a severe allergy to cats (I carry an epipen for it- he had an anaphalatic reaction already-stange I know-it's usually only with food).

To my horror while we were waiting to board, I saw 2!!! cats in their carry on's ready to board.
They were seated at the back of the plane, we were in row 8, but I was just shocked that this was allowed.

Thank goodness I carry his epipen, and benedryll in my purse. He was OK, no reaction, but I just thought I would let other know who are not aware that animals are allowed.

I know peanut allergies are a big worry on airplanes.... I just never thought of animals!

As well as small dogs. If the pet can fit in a carryon bag that can fit under the seat in front of the person then the pet can be brought on. True Blue actually has a program where you can earn True Blue Points for your pet's travel as well.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

No

Does anyone think that the airline's appraisal of how big a chance there is of an emergency landing for medical reasons, and its attendant costs (landing, fuel, etc.), enter into an airline's decision whether to make a flight animal-free?

 

[goofy4tink]

Huh, I never realized small pets in carriers were allowed on board. It doesn't bother me one way or another, I've just never seen them before. I just am thinking of that show on A&E, was it Airlines? And they were always busting people for trying to sneak animals on board. One time it was 2 small turtles. It was pretty funny.

That show dealt with SW..and at the time, SW didn't allow animals on board.

Now, you may not even know if there is an animal on your flight. Those carriers look just like any other piece of carryon luggage. You may have had a cat on one of your flights but weren't aware of it.

As for those who feel it's okay to allow the animal out of the carrier...sorry but I have to disagree. I know I was a basketcase just having to take the cat out at security. I took the darn thing to the vet the day before to have it's claws trimmed way down, and to get some assistence in getting a harness on her. That way, I could put a leash on the harness, wrap the leash around my arm, so that when I took Domino out at security, she couldn't get spooked and jump out of my arms!!! Can you just see it all now???? Crazed woman chasing a frantic cat through Logan International!!! Oh yeah, I'm sure that would have made the news that night. But, the cat had no issues. But, on the plane, she stayed in that carrier. What happens if you let the cat out, and it jumps off your lap and starts running about the cabin??? Many people are afraid of cats (can't imagine why but they are), others are allergic if they touch the cat or breath in flying fur with dander on it...and believe me, a cat that is scared and running about a cabin is going to have it's fur flying and dander all over the place.
Nope, once at the airport, those animals need to be kept in their carriers. I can't tell you how many times I've been in restrooms at airports and have had to walk around the dog or cat that has been released from it's carrier...now it's made a puddle in the floor, it's running around scaring people, getting in the way. All because the owner feels badly that the poor thing is being kept cooped up.


As for having the animal fly in cargo...yes there is a section that is nicely pressurized and temp controlled. But, and this is the issue......the animal can be kept in it's crate, on the runway for quite a long time before it is stowed on the plane. So, most airlines will not allow you to put an animal in this area if the temp falls outside of certain temps. Can you imagine the discomfort of a cat sitting on the tarmac for 90 mins, in it's crate, when it's 90 degrees?? Or if it's below freezing???

 

[goofy4tink]

No

Couldn't you have found a less wordy way to get your point across.....

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I won't argue the statute with you, but if you wish to debate how it's applied on daily basis at airports around the country, we certainly can.

I discuss both the ACAA and the ADA because, unlike airlines, most aiports are run by government entities and follow ADA guidelines with regard to services animals inside public buildings. You are correct in that there are slight differences between the ADA and the ACAA, but recently those have been all but eliminated.

It's not airline SOP to spend more than 60 seconds determining the credibility of the 'disabled' individual. In fact, the 60 seconds is needed not for the determination of credibility but rather for the suspension of disbelief and the suppresion of laughter before allowing the individual to board.

It's not cost effective to follow the rule. Occasionally, I will get a rogue gate agent that, like you, knows his or her ACAA and attempts to apply it quite literally. While I silently commend those agents, the resulting claim that inevitably follows can be a real headache. No airline wants to be perceived as trampling on the rights of the disabled.

In the interest of keeping my PM inbox from overflowing, please note the following:

This post does not deny the existence of travelers with real disabilities whose reliance upon service animals and mobility aids are absolutely necessary to live independently. Thank you.

And I haven't questioned that. But even qualified people can make mistakes, and what she has said about the ACAA requirements for verbal assurances and service animals simply is not accurate. You can look it up the complete rules for yourself at http://airconsumer.dot.gov/rules/Part%20382-2008.pdf (warning: it's not very user-friendly -- ironic, given the subject matter...).