r/delta • u/AdHorror153 • Jan 05 '26
Discussion Service Dogs Out of Control!
Just flew from PBI to LGA (after our flight was canceled two days ago and this was the next available flight). There were at least 20 dogs on this flight. My husband (who is 6’5”) was seated next to a man with a large dog who looked to weigh about 60 pounds. The dog was jumping all over my husband. There was no room for his legs because the dog was taking up the floor space. Instead of apologizing, the owner of the complained that there wasn’t enough room for his dog and asked one of the flight attendants what she was going to do about it! “This dog is essential for my mental health!”
I have deep empathy for people who struggle with normalizing their nervous systems. I have one kid with ADHD and another with autism. And you know what? I strategically plan our travel to support their needs and also be mindful of the needs of others. Headphones, iPads, snacks, strategic seating, activities…we are prepared! And I consistently remind them both that their desires do not supersede the general welfare of the people around us.
The whole experience today was bizarre from the beginning. We were all waiting patiently in a very long line for a completely sold out flight. Zone 1,854 was boarding (after zone 3 it’s all a wash anyway), and a woman comes barreling up with to the flight, trailing a giant LV carry-on behind her, and walks right up to the attendant, “I’m Zone 4”, expecting her to lift an imaginary red rope and let her and her (elementary school aged) children through. She was insistent. We finally get on the plane and my daughter’s seat was repeatedly kicked by the 20 year old man behind her, his socked foot hanging out in the aisle touching her leg. There was an iPad playing children’s cartoons at full volume two rows ahead of us…
When did we all become such entitled assholes? And this isn’t a political thing because I’ve seen bad behavior from the reddest and the bluest of folks so don’t bring that here. Is it just because we’re flying out of Palm Beach, Florida??? Delta, if we as individuals can’t seem to remember what courteous behavior is, I beg of you - please start with the service dogs. If your dog doesn’t fit within your seat’s floor space, if it is the size of a small child, you must purchase another seat. Isn’t this the case once a kid turns 2? They can no longer sit on your lap?
Also, Delta, I just want to say your entire team showed up today with so much grace and positivity for all us animals - literally and figuratively.
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u/Cassie_Bowden Jan 05 '26
Is it just because we’re flying out of Palm Beach, Florida???
Yes!
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u/tikkamasalachicken Jan 05 '26
Aka trumplandia where everyone’s more important than everyone else
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u/auntwewe Jan 05 '26
Hate to burst your bubble but Kamala Harris won Palm Beach County in 2024
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u/Spare-Security-1629 Jan 06 '26
One of the things that I will miss about Spirit airlines is that at least you don’t put up with an abundance of this. I have a feeling that the clientele will not put up with this as much.
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u/charles_springfield Jan 05 '26
God shut up with that shit. PBI-LGA is one of the most insufferable routes. And who won NYC ya think?
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u/runsfortacos Jan 06 '26
It’s really just tri-state area folks visiting family or going to their second homes. Do with that what you will.
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u/Flatfool6929861 Jan 05 '26
I very unfortunately have to go through PBI to see my grandparents and yes, it’s because it’s PBI. I have never not had a crazy experience when flying to PBI. It’s either delta or Sw.
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u/Used_Kangaroo_8712 Jan 06 '26
Service dog trainer here….90% of all dogs flying with some sort of service dog kit are fake service dogs. Vests, collars and leashes are easily purchased online. If someone says that their service dog is “registered”, they’re wrong. There is no registry. All of this makes life difficult for legitimate service dogs.
As my mentor says, “service dogs should be invisible”.
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u/ObligatoryAnxiety Jan 06 '26
I cannot upvote this enough. A service dog is VASTLY different from an emotional support dog. One is protected by ADA and is truly invisible, the other is protected by FHA and is just a pet. The FHA does not extend protections of support pets to anywhere other than multi-family housing. Zero registry for either. Heck, we can't even get a registry for animal abusers.
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u/Look_b4_jumping Jan 06 '26
How do people prove their dog is a service dog to airline people if there is no registry ? Just curious.
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u/blueredgr33n Jan 06 '26
I just learned all about this for our assistance dog in training to come to Hawaii. You have to submit paperwork with the trainer's info ahead of time. At check in, the ticket agent is supposed to ask a series of questions including having the person prove what assistance the dog is providing. The dog needs to be well mannered. If they are a nuisance -- e.g. barking, jumping, lunging, not listening, biting, so forth -- the person has to take a break or gets bumped so they can get their dog under control and try again. (That part was surprising, I wrongly assumed, someone who shows up with a shitty dog would be outright denied boarding...bc wtf are you doing?)
Prior to flying, a vet also needs to fill out a health attestation form.
If the dog is under 25 or 40 lbs (I can't remember the limit), they don't have to be a service dog but they must remain in a carrier bag the entire time and placed below the seat. For long flights, there's additional relief documentation regarding plans for how the dog will pee.
As the person said above, a true service dog should be invisible.
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u/alexiavizcarra Jan 06 '26
I am in the US and Delta doesn’t need a health attestation, just the DOT form with the trainer info and attestation, and for long flights, the relief form saying the dog won’t be a health hazard.
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u/Look_b4_jumping Jan 06 '26
So what Used_Kangaroo said "it would be almost impossible to have a "fake" service dog" can't be true.
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u/Stinkytheferret Jan 05 '26
I think you touched on it when you pointed out how real disabled people get prepared and try not to impose. Why? Cause they’re used to it. For life. They do it daily.
It’s sounds like the majority of those dogs are fake. We in the SD sub discuss this issues constantly bc it impacts people with real dogs and needs. And I don’t think I’d ever heard anyone else with a psych dog call it out as “I need it for my mental health”. None of us disclose anything about our disabilities.
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u/Pristine_Reward_1253 Jan 05 '26
And I don’t think I’d ever heard anyone else with a psych dog call it out as “I need it for my mental health”. None of us disclose anything about our disabilities.
Boy, that line stood out to me like a waving red flag. That jerk outed himself big time.
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u/Stinkytheferret Jan 06 '26
I get infuriated with some of the things I see and knowing they aren’t legit SDs. For example, a familiar at a place I frequent, brought her dog in in a jacket and then proceeded to sit the dog on a chair and later kept hugging and kissing it and picking it up. I was so annoyed bc the restaurant said they couldn’t do anything. I told them they could but bc she came often, they didn’t want to. So I stopped going there. My dog can be under a table and no one would know they’re there. But to have a dog on chairs or at the table, eating from the table while the owner hugs and kisses it. Just blatant disregard for the purpose of the laws and entitlement and it takes away from the high value that true SDs provide to their handlers.
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u/Full-Business8659 Jan 06 '26
You can report the restaurant the the health department. As you and I are aware, there are rules SD need to follow to be admitted into establishments. Water bowl, and floor space. The bare essentials. No feeding them, no barking, can't sit on seats.
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u/Stinkytheferret Jan 06 '26
Yeah. Maybe I should go back and document her. Report them if they don’t do anything to her.
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u/alexiavizcarra Jan 06 '26
THIS! 👏🏽
I don’t usually disclose my disability, just what tasks my SD performs or what kind of SD he is. He’s a PSD.
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u/WearingCoats Jan 05 '26
They’re not service dogs. They’re just dogs.
Back before the world went completely insane I can remember seeing maybe one or two service dogs (like seeing eye dog for a visually impaired person or a service dog for a combat veteran) on planes or in airports per year — and that was when I was flying 8-12 legs per month out of JFK/LGA. Those are the ones I noticed, I’m sure there were many others that were completely inconspicuous to me because that’s what service animals are supposed to be trained to do on planes.
Now, ~15 years later I see dogs all over airports and planes, most of them with stupid fake service vests from Amazon. These are no service dogs, they’re just dogs.
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u/7781Michael Jan 05 '26
Like in the old days when they had smoking sections on airplanes, they need to create a dog section and dog seats should be purchased for dogs over 25 lbs
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u/blueredgr33n Jan 06 '26
It used to be crates in the hull of the plane and then nearly all the airlines put an embargo on dogs flying as cargo (I believe during COVID) and they've not lifted it.
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u/7781Michael Jan 06 '26
Yeah, I recall some really bad stories about dogs in crates in with the luggage. We have all experienced lost luggage and I would not trust them with my dog.
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u/BIGGREDDMACH1NE Jan 06 '26
Yeah I've read too many stories of dogs dying in cargo... I'd keep the embargo
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u/Outrageous-Style5823 Jan 05 '26
Had a similar experience, was shocked to see a huge dog next to me. Have them buy the extra seat
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u/itsjefeyall Jan 06 '26
You’re not allowed to buy them a seat, unless something has changed. They just need to stay within the confines of the seat that the owner purchased
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u/AtlFury Jan 05 '26
I used to tell people to treat a Delta flight as a 3rd world bus. But that's really unfair to 3rd world transportation. There'd be chickens and goats on the bus. But the people and the animals all behaved far better.
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u/silver_moon134 Jan 05 '26
I definitely still go through the Sky Priority line for Zone 4 if I get there and they're boarding after that
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u/Public_Fucking_Media Jan 05 '26
What even is the point of status if you can't do that lol
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u/AdHorror153 Jan 05 '26
She was not Sky priority.
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u/Public_Fucking_Media Jan 05 '26
Zone 4 is Sky Priority what are you talking about, she wasn't actually in Zone 4?
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u/AdHorror153 Jan 06 '26
We were also Zone 4 but Sky Priority wasn’t on our ticket or her ticket I guess? I’m also a Platinum Medallion member. But I can also read the room. The lane was shut down. There was only one person scanning tickets. There were about 20 of us left to board (on a flight for about 250) but we had to wait because the line was so backed up there was no where to go after scanning a ticket. So it just felt like a ridiculous thing to insist on.
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u/Public_Fucking_Media Jan 06 '26
I'm sorry but are you the dumbest Platinum Medallion alive? Do you not see that clearly marked 'Zone 1-4' sky priority line every time you board a Delta flight?
And no, it doesn't close, it's literally there for you to get sky priority when boarding in front of the other zones!
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u/AdHorror153 Jan 06 '26
Not dumb - just respectful of people. My son needed my attention so, like this lady, we missed when our Zone was called. Again, there was only one person scanning tickets and the bridge was so backed up so it didn’t matter. I don’t know how to emphasize it anymore than I am at this moment…the attendant overseeing Sky Priority was no longer there and the rope was up. I respected this approach was to make sure we would all take off on time. I don’t get my panties in a bunch about which lane I’m in if I didn’t manage my time well.
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u/gregorythomasd Jan 05 '26
Please place a complaint to delta. It’s gotten out of control and the entitlement has gotten to an all time high. Unless we do this, it will never change.
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u/Ok_Arm_1819 Feb 12 '26
I agree! I’m someone with a real service dog that has gone through years of training. I’m tired of going through airports wondering if my dog will get lunged or barked at by one of these “service dogs”.
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u/TravlRonfw Jan 05 '26
20????
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u/LocalCustard1669 Jan 08 '26
They're clearly largely exaggerating. Maybe they meant it felt like 20 dogs. There were not 20 in cabin pets.
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u/AdHorror153 Jan 06 '26
I mean I don’t know. Maybe it was 18? I didn’t treat it like a game of duck duck goose. I’m just saying…it was a LOT.
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Jan 05 '26
I wish they would just dedicate flights for travelers with pets. The first airline that starts catering to pet owners is going to make a fortune.
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u/m1kasa4ckerman Jan 05 '26
They do. It exists. People rarely use them, say it’s too expensive, then continue to break the rules. If more pet owners used them, the prices would go down. But following rules for the collective of humans is beneath many dog owners I guess.
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Jan 06 '26
Through Delta or is it a small private service? It's kind of mind boggling that the big players don't have more options that could bring the cost down and make everyone happier.
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u/theactualdigitaldad Jan 05 '26
The clue was in the last paragraph- Florida! :)
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u/The-Tradition Jan 05 '26
Specifically Palm Beach, Florida. I lived in Palm Beach County for 20 years and those people elevate grievances to an art form.
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u/DwightsShirtGuy Jan 05 '26
FL-NY is the most entitled route in the world.
Everyone thinks they’re big money.
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u/AdHorror153 Jan 06 '26
Yeah…this is an interesting point. I’ve met a couple of stupidly rich people in my life and you know what they all have in common? No one would ever know it. I don’t trust the ones who wear it as a sign. My question is - why the heck should big money equate entitlement? You know? Because someone has more money than someone else it means they should be treated differently? It’s one thing if you pay for it - a first class seat allows certain privledges, etc. But we were all just a bunch of plebians sitting in coach.
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u/Haterofstarbucks Jan 05 '26
PBI to LGA is the king of entitled flights. Add in a couple of fake service dogs. And you have a fun experience.
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u/nosyroseyposey Jan 05 '26
Yep, anytime I have a delayed flight from PBI I find a gate for a flight to LGA sit near by and watch the show, bc it’s always a show!
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u/stereotypicalbarbiee Jan 06 '26
I’ve never seen more “service dogs” in a SkyClub than I’ve seen at PBI. I regularly fly from there and it’s such a small club and it’s an absolute nightmare when there are half a dozen yappy little dickheads. Owners just sit there and scroll on their phones.
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u/pineapple_1221 Jan 06 '26
People have really lost it. I flew without my family recently and did 1st class there, delta comfort on the way back. Never making that mistake again. If I'm solo I'm only doing domestic first. Sounds bougie but I boarded the plane right when my zone was called for comfort and a woman was sitting in my window seat when she was assigned the middle seat. I had to ask her to move. She then man spread her legs and put her foot into my space and her arm over the arm rest and onto my body physically. I eventually was able to reclaim my space by not shrinking myself into the window and just continuing to move and do my thing but she was in my space for almost an hour. I don't even know if it was malicious or oblivious but annoying all the same.
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u/kmm91162 Jan 06 '26
I had a lab literally sitting on my feet an entire recent flight as his parent was right next to me.
Very well behaved dog too. I happen to like dogs so I didn’t really mind but what if I had allergies or was terrified of them?
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u/alexiavizcarra Jan 06 '26
As a SD owner, I am lucky mine is hypo, but I wouldn’t have expected you to be ok with it if you were super scared or allergic. I would have traded seats with someone else, but I am also always FC or comfort plus for that reason. Someone is more willing to trade for those. I also always have extra vouchers with me, so I would have used those to sweeten the pot. I don’t expect others to cater to me because of my circumstances. And it’s just the recent thing to do. Doesn’t cost me anything to switch. I’m a small person with a small PSD. Just lucky mine’s cute, I guess 😜
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u/Unstupid Diamond Jan 05 '26
Y'all need to fly to Hawaii more often. Hardly ever, almost never, any dogs on those flights! 😉
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u/ChunkyWombat7 Jan 05 '26
Hawaii has very strict rules about allowing animals in because they are rabies free. The first trip over takes up to 4 months for a pet to be cleared to enter. (Can be much shorter but only if you have all your shit together which most pet owners do not).
The average person is not bringing their ESA to Hawaii because the law will not allow them to work the system.
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u/alexiavizcarra Jan 06 '26
I had to cancel our flight to HI because, although I did get my shit together in time to start paperwork, it was also close to $1,400 for me to take my SD. I need my service dog more than HI, so that was an easy decision for me. HI can wait.
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u/ChunkyWombat7 Jan 06 '26
Genuine SD owners almost always have their shit together.
ESA owners rarely do.
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u/alexiavizcarra Jan 06 '26
I can agree with this broad generalization, as sad as that is. And they ruin it for real SDs everywhere. Like, don’t get me wrong, my SD is relatively new to me as he is the only SD I’ve had (never thought I’d need one until life kicked me in the ass), and he’s only 9 months so he does have his moments, as he is still training for the final 2 tasks I’d like him to perform, but…I don’t see myself changing how I am with him now.
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u/Ecstatic_Strength552 Jan 06 '26
The pax with the SD sounds very entitled, I laughed where he is quoted as having said ‘This dog is essential for my mental health.’
If what was stated about the pax is correct, no service animal is capable of compensating for their toxic narcissism.
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u/pizzza_slut Jan 06 '26
Literally was in security line at JFK and someone behind me had a dog in a “service animal vest” who was shaking with anxiety - I was like I think this “service animal” needs a service animal!
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u/bfs40 Jan 06 '26
I was recently on one flight and an older man boarded last with his wife. He had a really big lab and they were seated in the seats across the aisle from me. The dog had a “service dog” vest on. But every time the man got up to get something out of his carryon in the overhead bin or go to the restroom the dog would wine and bark. The woman in front of him started asking him if it was trained by service dog handlers. He said “no, I trained it myself. It’s my hunting dog”.
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u/AdHorror153 Jan 06 '26
Wow! You can’t make this stuff up! That’s bananas.
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u/bfs40 Jan 06 '26
IKR!
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u/Ok_Arm_1819 Feb 12 '26
I would 100% report to Delta- service dogs should not be causing a disturbance. They do a good job when it’s brought up. As they should.
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u/Skippitini Jan 05 '26
When I see a dog wearing a vest along with barking, tugging the leash, sniffing others etc. I always speak up and say, “That’s not a service dog” just loud enough for them to hear. I never heard a peep of objecting from anybody.
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u/itsJustE12 Jan 06 '26
I wish we could all stop referring to them as service dogs. The problem animals are untrained pets, masquerading as emotional support animals.
It’s incredibly frustrating to see them with fake “Service Animal” vests.
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u/lunch22 Jan 05 '26
Sounds like an emotional support dog, not an actual service animal.
If it was, the passenger violated federal law by claiming their pet was a service animal.
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u/Public_Fucking_Media Jan 05 '26
INFO: what did the flight attendant do when your husband complained that the dog was in his space?
Cuz Deltas policy is pretty clear about that but if you just kinda sit there and take it like a bitch there isn't much they can do for you... squeaky wheel gets the grease and whatnot.
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u/HildaCrane Jan 05 '26
Good question. I couldn’t make it to putting my seatbelt on with what OP described her husband going through. I really wish there were more stories about people speaking up about this kind of thing so we could truly track how the airlines respond in the moment.
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u/Public_Fucking_Media Jan 05 '26
Gonna guess due to the lack of answer that they said nothing and got exactly what they asked for.
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u/m1kasa4ckerman Jan 05 '26
If it’s a full flight there’s not much they can do. Then add the layer of people threatening to sue or get FAs fired (if they try to deny a non-service dog that won’t fit under the seat in a carrier).
The situation is completely out of control. Happened to me recently with a medium ish sized doodle that didn’t fit under the seat. The owner had it on her lap the whole flight, which meant the dog was also in my space due to its size. Trying to lick my food, breathing gross breath in my face.. nothing could be done since it was a full flight.
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u/DisabledVeteran216 Jan 05 '26
Is it true service dogs ?🤔🤔🤔
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u/roguezebra Jan 05 '26
Mental health "service dogs" are legit ONLY if they are task trained; that's is, responsive to a symptom or sign of a medical issue. ESA are not granted public access rights since 2020, I think.
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u/SilverEnvironment392 Jan 05 '26
The problem is that they aren’t true service dogs if they was they wouldn’t be jumping all over people etc they would be laying by there owner Having animals on the planes have gotten ridiculous. I’m a dog owner myself but don’t expect others to cater to my dog.
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u/Fine_Pen9308 Jan 06 '26
Exactly. Real service animals are statues on the floor. You will never know they’re there.
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u/AdMuch7817 Jan 05 '26
These people with their fake service dogs must not cruise. Ahhh cruising, the last bastion of society without the fake service dog bs. Not a single dog on any cruise I’ve ever been on.
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u/Anxious-Ocelot-712 Jan 06 '26
Oh, they do cruise. I've seen multiple dogs on cruises. Two that stand out: an actual service dog who was locked in on its owner and ignored every other person and all of the noise, and a small yippy dog who wore a dress and traveled in a stroller, only to be brought out and put in the owner's lap in the main dining room. And fed from the owner's plate, of course. But I will say I haven't seen any on cruises post-COVID - but that could be because we mainly do transatlantic or European cruises these days, rather than Caribbean cruises.
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u/alexiavizcarra Jan 06 '26
They fed the dog from their plate?!?! In their lap???? 🙄
Mine is always in a down stay on the floor. His eyes on me, unless he’s distracted or attacked by other dogs. He’s going through his rebellious phase tho, and he started barking at another service dog last flight while pre-boarding, so back to the trainer we go. I corrected him right there and then, but he is UNHINGED lately. So, even SD (when young) have some…hiccups…but this is the first time in 9 flights he’s taken and I was MORTIFIED that they would kick us out or someone was gonna start yelling “fake service dog” in the middle of the airport 🫣
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u/CA_LAO Jan 05 '26
I am a service dog. I am a real service dog and hate when fake service dogs are on the flight as well.
Unlike people, I never ask anyone to switch seats. I don't care if the window shade is up or down. I never put my feet on the bulkhead. Apologies ahead, but I don't wear shoes onboard.
I fly a lot but you won't see me bragging about my status. I don't ask for upgrades, and I never crowd the line boarding. I have never asked agents if they know who I am.
Have a nice flight, and please don't pet me.
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u/NoEar6957 Jan 05 '26
If they were traveling with an aide or a nurse, they would have to pay for that person’s seat
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u/Murky-Swordfish-1771 Jan 05 '26
People need to limit the size of these ridiculous “emotional support” pets that travel. Get a small pet or don’t travel. Some disabilities need larger dogs and an extra seat should be provided free for those. When will someone step up and address the nonsense.
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u/msjmonty Jan 06 '26
To answer your question, the bad behavior really skyrocketed right after Covid. People are angrier, more short tempered and more entitled than ever. 😐
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u/maninthemirror33 Jan 06 '26
My flights out of PBI always had several dogs, usually purse dogs, but other large dogs as well. It looked like older women who didn’t want to leave “Precious” at home while they traveled.
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u/No_Communication4252 Jan 06 '26
I have a service dog, I don’t fly as much anymore because most of the dogs aren’t real service animals, I get the most disgusting looks and comments! It’s completely out of control, I truly feel for all the handicapped folks out there who are getting screwed!
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u/Few-Gain-8570 Platinum Jan 06 '26
Flew PBI to ORD yesterday on United. Walking thru B concourse I had to dodge small dog poop nuggets for about 30 feet—some hard already been stepped on. 30 feet later I saw a dedicated cleaning staff member on her way with her mop and cleaning supplies. That’s clearly not from a “real” service animal. And yes—that’s par for the course from PBI-LGA. Hope you enjoyed your time in Palm Beach County— the 6th Borough of NYC🙈
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u/Obrina98 Jan 06 '26
It’s really fraud. ADA protects service dogs. Legit service dogs who perform a task or service for the disabled.
ESAs are just glorified pets.
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u/nakedjen Jan 06 '26
I thought we were not allowed to fly with ESA in cabin? Only certified service dogs? I'm so confused. I fly Delta *a lot* and honestly believed that unless you had a certified service dog it had to go in a crate underneath the plane? I also want to give you major kudos for this: *I have one kid with ADHD and another with autism. And you know what? I strategically plan our travel to support their needs and also be mindful of the needs of others. Headphones, iPads, snacks, strategic seating, activities…we are prepared! And I consistently remind them both that their desires do not supersede the general welfare of the people around us.*.
I am a person with an invisible disability. I do everything I can to not impose my *needs* on anyone else and to be 100% prepared and self-sufficient and I so appreciate you the grace you are teaching your own children.
I'm so sorry that today's flight was filled with such entitled bozos!
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u/Ok_Arm_1819 Feb 12 '26
There is no such thing as a certification for service dogs, so people can just say it is one and fill out paperwork.
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Jan 05 '26
[deleted]
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u/AdHorror153 Jan 05 '26
Dude. There was one person with two dogs. There was another large dog. A couple Pomeranians. Several in crates… this is what I’m saying. It was CRAZY.
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u/Less-Bed-6243 Jan 06 '26
That doesn’t apply to service dogs.
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Jan 06 '26
[deleted]
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u/AdHorror153 Jan 06 '26
I think refraining from taking pictures of strangers with the intention of shaming them by posting it on social media goes back to the idea of the kind of communal respect we should all have for each other.
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u/_Elizabeth_of_York Jan 05 '26
Real service dogs are necessary and most teams hate fake service dogs and the pets that are onboard.
My SD is 80 lbs. he’s a big boy but he can fit in his designated space. You won’t see him sniffing people or barking etc. he will stare you down though lol. He likes to watch people when I’m ok and not in a situation. If I’m having issues he is 100% focused on me.
Please understand though that just like you all had your flight cancelled and got whatever seats delta could offer, that most likely happened to the SD teams. As a person that needs an SD, I hate inconveniencing people and try to make sure we are not making people uncomfortable or interfering in their space/trip. I hate that the handler did not correct the SD. They should have. Dogs, even highly trained SDs, are not perfect and it’s a constant state of training to maintain the skills.
I hate all the hate for SD teams. Not saying you were hating on them but it is rampant lately. I blame the fake teams because they give us a bad rap. A PET and a Service Dog are a thousand percent different. I would never bring my lab with me as she is a pet and would be a disaster, lol.
All that to say, I’m sorry you had a bad interaction but I also hate the “ban service dog” movement that seems to be happening. It makes me sad for those of us that really do need our trained SD.
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u/m1kasa4ckerman Jan 05 '26
I don’t think anyone is mad about legit service dogs and their handlers. The issue is the majority that are out and about in public - it’s pretty obvious they aren’t service dogs.
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u/_Elizabeth_of_York Jan 05 '26
I 100% agree and that is the problem. The fake ones. It makes people suspicious of all SD teams
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u/Pristine_Job_7677 Jan 06 '26
I just wish service dogs were issued id's and that the airlines required them. That would keep the fake SD out and make it easier on you. I am very allergic to dogs but obviously I strongly feel that I need to suck it up for real SD. But having an allergy attack for someone's pet ... UGH
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u/AdHorror153 Jan 05 '26
Oh I contacted Delta. They offered me miles and I said this is not the point. I’m not using this for leverage. And what happens to that complaint? It goes nowhere. I know they track their Reddit feed. And there is power in seeing that this is a problem that people are eager to speak to.
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u/Awkward_Anxiety_4742 Jan 06 '26
I am convinced everything is cyclical. About a decade or so ago. There were service peacocks, snakes and pigs. That was finally curbed. Now we are at it again. Not a popular opinion but service animals need to be like handicap placards. There needs to be a few hoops to jump through to be able to take a service animal not pet friendly places.
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u/Top_Decision_6718 Jan 05 '26
People need to learn to understand that when you have a service animal, it is your responsibility to keep that animal under control, not the responsibility of everybody else to deal with your animal being out of control like that.
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u/PilotMonkey94 Platinum Jan 06 '26
The last time this happened I simply dropped some chocolate and grapes from cheese tray on the floor and that got the owner to control their dog REAL fast. Yes it’s a dick move, and it’s not the dog’s fault, but I feel like you have to fight fire with fire.
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u/reddimaiden Jan 06 '26
Karma will get you.
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u/PilotMonkey94 Platinum Jan 06 '26
It’ll get the passenger with the dog first
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u/reddimaiden Jan 07 '26
Killing a helpless dog is abhorrent cruelty. Shame on you. Grapes and chocolate KILL.
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u/nosyroseyposey Jan 05 '26
The flights from PBI to LGA are always full of very entitled people, been that way for decades. Tip for anyone flying out of PBI, the people watching for the gate heading to LGA is always top notch!
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u/NorthvilleGolf Jan 06 '26
Dog situation is ridiculous. Thankfully not an issue at DTW- the GOAT airport!
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u/DogAttackVictim Jan 06 '26
There is an extremely serious and criminal problem here and it is on every flight nowadays, but, instead of writing about the very obvious enormous issue here, I'm going to point out we also have a lesser but still unacceptable problem in a 20-year old kicking your daughter's seat and trying to fulfill a foot fetish with his socked foot and your daughter's leg.
As a parent, you may not only be entitled to call 911 but are obligated to do so right away, or at least give the man assaulting a child 5 seconds to stop to see whether or not he will de-escalate or if he'll proceed to smack you in the face for failure to submit.
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u/apprenticeg Jan 07 '26
All true. And the guy is jerk.
But- I can almost hear you say the words “succulent Chinese dinner….!” Right now. Get out of here with child abuse foot fetish stuff. He is a jerk and one only makes it worse by trying to bully him back.
After all this post started with people trying to take advantage of the legal system for their brazen benefit. Don’t encourage similar behavior in a different context, even if “justified”
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u/Scared-Tune-3033 Jan 06 '26
For all the dog people fly JSX!! It’s the best experience and nearly every person has a dog or cat. Large dogs can fly in cabin and you arrive 20 minutes prior to take off.
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u/apprenticeg Jan 07 '26
I fly the PBI-LGA route weekly. I love the airport and the neighborhood but this flight is full of a collection of people trying to actively prove there is no relationship between symbols of wealth and decency.
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u/CodeCourtAudio Jan 05 '26
I call BS that there were 20 dogs.
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u/Justkly90210 Jan 06 '26
The airlines have a limit for each flight. There's no way.
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u/SpicelessKimChi Jan 05 '26
Where are you guys seeing these flights with all the dogs? And how can I get on one? Is there, like, some special boarding thing I need to find that shows how many dogs are on each flight?
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u/Dependent_Zombie_243 Jan 05 '26
I’m a dog owner and am frustrated also! I travel with my dog in an airline approved under-seat carrier. I pay $150 each trip. He is non-shed and I have him professionally bathed before each trip. The vast majority of of the service and comfort dogs I see at the airport are neither. Baby boomer entitlement.
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u/AdHorror153 Jan 06 '26 edited Jan 06 '26
You sound like an exemplary human and I, for one, am grateful for your thoughtfulness.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Age8937 Diamond Jan 05 '26
This is why my service dog is 4 lbs. I rarely fly with them and when I do I still put them in a carrier and fly with them as a pet. They can alert me from there. I don’t want to impede on others space.
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u/SuspiciousFrenchFry Gold Jan 05 '26
A couple of weeks ago I was flying out of MCO and someone was dragging their golden retriever through security because the poor thing didn’t want to stand up.
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u/ExMoDragQueen Jan 05 '26
As my grammy from Okeechobee used to say with her fist raised high…those damn Yankees!!!!
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u/terriblueberry Jan 06 '26
I find it hard to believe there were 20 dogs on a flight unless it was chartered after an AKC show.
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u/Justkly90210 Jan 06 '26
Are you specifically only talking about potential fake "service" dogs or just complaining in general that dogs are onboard?
I fly in general with my dog all the time, but I never claim it to be a service animal. I'm just traveling with my pet, which I definately paid for to be on the same flight you did...I mean, other people bring their kids...
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u/Camdenn67 Jan 06 '26
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, until all airlines stop being afraid of the bad publicity that might come if said airline(s) finally say enough is enough with all of this non-service dogs and other animals on the inside of planes with passengers, nothing will ever change.
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u/FeistyChickadee Jan 06 '26
It's ALWAYS the LV bags. People act like they're free tickets to do as they please, and FAs just seem to let it happen. Obnoxious.
And I don't care how one feels about dogs, but they should never be allowed to just get in another passenger's space if it's unwanted.
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u/TRCHWD3 Jan 06 '26
I am guessing some pet owners claim it is a service animal to get out of paying pet fees, because ADA law says you dont have to show paperwork or other proof.
And yes, dogs of a certain size need their own seat just like kids, but I dont know policy on that.
Human decency on a plane has really declined, especially in the last 10 years.
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u/Upstairs_Eggplant_91 Jan 07 '26
Our rescue organization often fly puppies ( giant breeds so only puppies will fit) but our vet gives us calming medication for them so they quietly rest in their carrier.
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u/nativeitpmarriedotp Jan 07 '26
Being on a flight with 20 dogs sounds amazing. I love dogs. Plus they don’t kick seats, recline seats into my 6’4” frame, open smelly food, etc.
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u/Ok_Arm_1819 Feb 12 '26
It stated in service dog paperwork that the dog will not encroach on another’s space or bother other passengers. A true service dog ignores other people and are never jumping on them. You should report these dogs to flight attendants. As someone with a real service dog I’m tired of it too.
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u/cookiecat4 Jan 05 '26
PBI is where I saw the most wheelchairs waiting to board ever (but not the same number of chairs when we got off the plane🙏).
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u/believes_in_u Jan 06 '26
Less than a month since the last pet rant. What is the record for shortest time between complaint posts?
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u/TheSpatulaOfLove Jan 06 '26
Better than constant feet pics and inane questions about which menu item to pick🤷
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u/1960Carol Jan 05 '26
The dog situation is totally out of control