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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAmerican Airlines is banning emotional-support animals in a move that will force most owners to pay extra if they want their pets to travel with them.
The airline said Tuesday that it will allow animals in the cabin free of charge only if they are trained service dogs. The change takes effect Monday, although passengers who already bought tickets can fly with a companion animal until Feb. 1.
The move follows a similar decision by Alaska Airlines and is likely to be copied by other carriers. The U.S. Transportation Department cleared the way for the crackdown against companion animals last month.
American said passengers with a service dog will need to complete a government form vouching for the dog’s health, training and temperament.
Other animals, including dogs not trained as service dogs, will only be able to fly in the cargo hold or a kennel that fits under a seat in the cabin. Either way, American will collect a pet fee ranging from $125 to several hundred dollars.
Jessica Tyler, American’s president of cargo, said the rules will help passengers with service animals and protect employees on planes and in airports.
The number of passengers flying with companion animals grew rapidly in recent years, with some saying the animals helped them overcome anxiety and other issues. Passengers only needed a note from a health professional, and a cottage industry sprang up to provide those notes along with vests and other accoutrements for their animals.
Airlines and particularly flight attendants took a more critical view, saying passengers were exploiting a loophole in federal regulations to avoid pet fees. In a few cases, including some involving serious injuries, companion animals bit other passengers.
Last month, the Transportation Department settled the matter, siding mostly with the airlines. It said carriers were free to ban any animal other than dogs formally trained to help people with physical or psychological disabilities.
The department estimated that under the new rules airlines will scoop up $59.6 million a year in pet fees.
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As someone with dog and cat allergies, it’s about time.
If you’re not blind and can’t leave home without your pet or so-called emotional support animal you need to stay home.
Or drive like we do!
About time. People have been gaming the system for years. Leave Fido at home or drive him.
FINALLY, some common sense being applied in the airline industry. Self Entitled people gaming the “emotional support” system has gotten WAY out of control. Maybe the DMV will stop the thousands of self entitled “handicapped sticker ” gamers next. I doubt it.