Flying Pigs

[MEL_Traveller]

I absolutely agree with you, JohnK. It's totally crazy!

I suggest reading this article from the New Yorker which is a great eye opener on the matter. At the very bottom of it, the reason that this is not challenged by airlines or restaurants is the fear of being sued it seems:

How to Take Your Pet Everywhere

i don't think mental or psychiatric disability is something to be scoffed at.

for some people, an emotional support animal may make the difference to them being independent.

it seems airlines in the USA are required by law to carry emotional support animals provided all the documentation has been correctly prepared.

i can't see why someone with a snuffly nose trumps someone with a diagnosed metal disorder?

 

[jsoprano]

i don't think mental or psychiatric disability is something to be scoffed at.

for some people, an emotional support animal may make the difference to them being independent.

it seems airlines in the USA are required by law to carry emotional support animals provided all the documentation has been correctly prepared.

i can't see why someone with a snuffly nose trumps someone with a diagnosed metal disorder?

Apologies, I don't mean to scoff at anyone who has a mental illness or disability. I get that for those people, these animals can make a positive difference, and I am all for that. But the point I was making is: this whole system of 'certified' emotional support animals is not regulated and there is so much abuse going on, that it has become a travesty it seems.

If you need your pig with you all times, fine, I have no problems with this at all and actually support it. But then you might not be ready to use air travel, I am sorry. (Different thing if it would be a small animal in a transport cage, that's my opinion.)

 

[JohnK]

i can't see why someone with a snuffly nose trumps someone with a diagnosed metal disorder?

But it's open to abuse right? That's enough for me to be skeptical.

Also is the emotional support animal for the flight or the destination? If it's for the destination then surely putting the animal in the hold in a cage is better for everyone else? If emotional support is needed for flight then aren't drugs prescribed by a professional cheaper?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

But it's open to abuse right? That's enough for me to be skeptical.

Also is the emotional support animal for the flight or the destination? If it's for the destination then surely putting the animal in the hold in a cage is better for everyone else? If emotional support is needed for flight then aren't drugs prescribed by a professional cheaper?

Agree it appears it is open to abuse. But this isn't one of the situations where you restrict the service to everyone, just because a few take advantage.

Restricting it to everyone would affect those who genuinely need it.

it's the same with disabled car parking. That's open to abuse, but we can't deny those who really need it. So it remains as it is. Wheelchair use at airports is open to abuse - and it is, without doubt, actually abused on flights arriving into America. But it needs to remain for those who genuinely need it.

I can understand an emotional support animal might be needed throughout the day. not just at the destination. The same as a guide dog. It's clearly not needed on the actual plane, and in all likelihood the guide dog could be more of a hindrance than an aide in the event of an emergency. But it is allowed.

perhaps more than a guide dog, a service (emotional support) animal might be needed to help someone with a mental disability remain calm and be able to interact with others. It would provide security and certainty.

I think anyone with a mental disability is suffering enough. more medication when something like an assistance animal will do the trick? I know which I'd prefer.

 

[leadman]

Sounds like its a "Warhol moment" - 15 minutes of fame. But to be honest I cannot always decide what to take with my pig; B-B-Q sauce or on the split!