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[brocaknows]

Hello,

So I've been having panic attacks and they are especially connected to flying.  I have a flight in about 2 months and was wondering if I should go to a psychologist to try to get a letter to allow me to fly with my dog.  When he's with me I feel calm for some reason.  I think also the panic attacks have to do with the feeling that terrible things happen when I'm apart from my pet (from previous bad experiences), so maybe that's why I feel safe with him.  Should I go to a psychologist now?  What should I say?

[Kirsten]

It needs to be a psychologist that is regularly treating you.  It's not the sort of thing he can diagnose in one visit.  He has to determine you are severely mentally ill, ill enough to qualify as disabled.  If disabled by mental illness, then you really should be getting treatment anyway.

The Air Carrier Access Act, which is what permits people with disabilities to fly with emotional support animals, applies only to those who are disabled.  Most people (74%) who have a diagnosed mental illness are not disabled by that illness, just as most people who have a vision impairment are not blind.  So if your illness isn't severe enough to disable you, then you wouldn't qualify to fly with an ESA and would need to find a flight that would permit your pet in cabin.

If you have anxiety that is preventing you from doing things in your life that you need or want to be able to do, then yes, definitely you should seek professional help in managing or overcoming the symptoms.  But make that your focus rather than a flight.  If your doctor is concerned about the severity of your condition, that's when you start discussing whether an ESA should be part of your treatment plan.

[Roxie]

I've been known to carry a very large Teddy Bear named Garnet (Gund) that doubles as a pillow to help me calm myself.

Roxie

[Dazzler]

I thought any dog could be brought in the cabin that will fit under the seat in a carrier?  Of course you have to pay for a ticket.  But if the dog makes you feel better you are allowed to fly with pets.  I've been on many flights with pets, even taking them out and putting them in their laps.  It seems a lot less of a hassle than going to a psych doctor and getting a letter.

[latopla]

There are some flights that allow dogs to be in the cabin as long as they fit under the seat while in their carrier.  However, I am pretty sure that policies state that the dog cannot be removed from its carrier during the flight.  Also, airlines tend to charge extra to do this or they count the dog/carrier as your carry on and charge extra for an additional bag...so either way you pay an additional cost.

If the dog is too large to fit under the seat in a carrier, then you cannot bring it on the plane unless it is an ESA or service dog.  Airlines are very vigilant about this so a doctor's note would be absolutely necessary.  Also, as Kirsten explained, you do have to be disabled by your anxiety because the doctor's note does have to state that you are, in fact, disabled.  Therefore, you are going to have to consult with a doctor who is willing to state in writing that he believes you to be disabled.  A one time visit with a doctor you've rarely or never seen before just isn't going to produce this type of letter.  The DOT or ACAA (forget who wrote the actual guideline) is quite specific in what must be included in the letter...it isn't as simple as, "XXXXX need to be accompanied by a dog on a plane for medical reasons."

Just because you see someone do something doesn't mean it is always what is truly allowed.

[Dazzler]

What I said I saw was dogs in cabins...pets who were paid for.  This is the option I was suggesting.  It was all perfectly legal and no one was passing the dog off as a service animal.  My suggestion was to just PAY the extra money for the dog...it might be cheaper than getting a doctor's visit or consultation fee to write a letter.  And the result would be the same...she'd have her pet with for emotional support.

[Kellynbobellen]

do all airlines require an actual doctors notes for your SD?  if so, do you have to get one for each time you fly or can you like...laminate one or just keep copying an old one?

[Roxie]

Have you read any of the articles in SDC about flying with SD's or ESA's ... or read the rules for flying with one of those?

Pets ride in a kennel in cargo, I believe. I don't think if a pet makes one feel better traveling with it in the cabin allows a pet to be in the cabin.

I can just see the person sitting next to me bringing out a huge python because it is his pet and it makes him/her feel better to have a pet in the cabin with him/her.

In 1967 or so when I flew to DC, a woman had her cat Roxie in a box under her seat. And it stayed in the box under the seat.

I sure would hate for 50-100+ pets flying in the cabin under seats or on laps!

Law is very clear on what animal can fly in the cabins and under what circumstances and what documentation is required.

Roxie

[Dazzler]

I just flew to Key West on Spirit Airlines and the animal was a pet and allowed to fly in the cabin.  The owner paid extra for keeping it onboard. They don't permit animals in their cargo hull.   During the flight the animal was let out of the carrier a couple of times to sit in the owner's lap.  No one complained and the airline personnel didn't say anything either.  This is from Spirit Airlines pet policy:

Carry-On Pet Policy:
Spirit Airlines accepts small pets (domestic dogs, cats and small household birds ONLY) for transportation in the passenger cabin on flights within the continental United States. Dogs and cats, but not birds, are also permitted in the cabin on flights to/from Puerto Rico or St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. Pets are not permitted in the cabin on international flights. For travel occuring on or after January 22, 2009, the fee for bringing your pet in the cabin will be $100 each way. Pet fees must be paid at the time of making your reservation. Each passenger is limited to bringing one pet carrier containing up to two pets. Since the fee is per container, passengers traveling with two puppies or kittens in the same compartment will only have to pay one pet fee. Many states and foreign countries require that pets be accompanied by a health certificate. However, Spirit Airlines does not require a health certificate for carry-on pets. Nevertheless, it is the passenger's responsibility to ensure that proper documentation is available in the event that it is requested. Passengers traveling with pets must check-in at the ticket counter. Curbside or self-service check-in is not available. Please allow extra time beyond normal check-in guidelines when traveling with your pet.
Checked Bagage/Cargo Policy:
Due to the extreme temperatures that may be experienced in cargo areas, Spirit Airways does not transport pets as checked baggage.
Carrier Guidelines:
Pets traveling in the cabin must remain in a pet carrier at all times while on the aircraft. Pets must be free to stand in an upright position and comfortably move about the carrier. A maximum of two similar pets may share the same container, provided that they can meet these requirements when inside the container. The dimensions of the pet carrier must not exceed 18" long x 14" wide x 9" high. The pet carrier must be able to fit under the seat in front of you. Soft-sided containers are permitted in the cabin, but not the type which permit the pet’s head to remain outside the container.
Pet Reservations:
Spirit Airlines limits the number of pet containers inside the cabin to four per flight on routes within the U.S., including San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. Therefore, it is essential that you reserve a ticket for yourself and your pet as soon as possible after your travel plans are confirmed.

[Ilghaus]

Spirit Airlines must be one of those small basic airlines that have limited flights. Anyway, the major airlines that I have flown on have all posted that there is one pet per carrier and one pet in the cabin per flight. So if you are not the first one to book a flight you must either fly your pet in the pet cargo area (again most major airlines now have special pet sections available so you just have to enquire which flights have them when you make your reservations) or ask for another flight which does not have a pet already booked to fly in the cabin. Only small dogs can fit in the size carriers that pets must fit inside of. AND, I have never seen or heard of anyone allowed to remove their pet from the carrier. This must be something that Spirit allows on their flights and is not the norm.

I just reread the previous post "Pets traveling in the cabin must remain in a pet carrier at all times while on the aircraft."  So this particular airline breaks its own rules thereby leaving itself open to major problems if a passenger would complain. And since their rules state the carrier can only be 9" high and the dog must be able to stand up then the dog must be very tiny indeed.

[Dazzler]

Spirit Airlines is a fairly large carrier.  They fly to a lot of southern states.  They probably fly a lot of winter residents to Florida and adopted the policy to allow family pets to be brought along.  I was sitting across the aisle from the pet in the lap and I didn't have a problem with it being out of the container.  There are actually pet dogs that are as well behaved as service dogs. 

[Ilghaus]

OK I must say I am really wondering here.

Pets must be free to stand in an upright position and comfortably move about the carrier. A maximum of two similar pets may share the same container, provided that they can meet these requirements when inside the container. The dimensions of the pet carrier must not exceed 18" long x 14" wide x 9" high.

 

I don't even think most cats could stand up comfortably and move around in a carrier only 9" high.

I didn't have a problem with it being out of the container.  There are actually pet dogs that are as well behaved as service dogs. 

I myself would not have a problem with a well behaved dog outside of its crate. I was just making note of them breaking their own rules which could turn around and bite them IF a passenger complained. As to well behaved dogs - I know I have owned several myself.

[Dazzler]

The point I was trying to make is that some airlines indeed allow family pets to fly in a cabin.  The OP didn't say what size her dog is.  I just wanted to clear up misinformation that all dogs must be in cargo except service animals. 

[Dazzler]

I just checked United Airlines...one of the largest carriers in the US and they allow pets inside the cabin also...for a fee.  They must be in a carrier and it's considered carry-on baggage.  They are allowed to fly International also.  They have some restrictions for short-nosed breeds during summer months.

[Kellynbobellen]

yeah ive certainly never seen a pet allowed in the cabin, not even a small pet!  We moved when I was really young across the country and flew with our two guinea pigs, they were in a tiny carrier that was smaller than some of the carryon luggage we had and they still made us check them!!