While grasping at straws, perhaps we need to look at a few remarks that sum up this "opinion" piece.
"The Chicago Tribune sat down with Charles Petrof, a senior attorney with Chicago disabled rights advocacy organization Access Living, who says that purposefully low barriers to entry is the point of these rules. Inclusiveness for all is the goal and according to Petrof “If you need proof beyond a basic doctor’s note, depending on what kind of health care you can afford, you may not get to see your psychiatrist more than once per year. And wait times for mental health treatment can be long. You may not be able to satisfy these requirements in time to take a flight. So what it results in is, if you’re poor and disabled, you’re kicked off the plane.”
I would say that's correct.
Even Carissa Rawson, the individual behind this "opinion" piece notes.
"I understand what he’s saying, and
in all fairness it’s reasonable. But his solution, rather than changing the laws surrounding emotional support animals, is to lay the responsibility at the feet of airlines. “Once we start changing rules,” he says, “it seems like access for disabled people ends up getting limited. The airlines need to address the dog or animal that is causing a problem.”
Let's see. She understands Mr. Petrof's remarks and as she puts it, "... it’s reasonable".
"So when I heard that new rules for emotional support animals were announced in August, I was beyond excited."
If we follow the link she provided it brings us to...
US Department of Transportation Issues New Rules for Service, Emotional Support Animals
"As the number of emotional support animals in aircraft seem to be an ever-growing problem, airlines such as Alaska, American, Delta, Spirit, Southwest and United have tightened rules regarding ESAs.
The DOT says that it’s not taking any action against airlines that have required documentation related to vaccination, training or behavior."
Seems as though they have addressed this. See a previous post in this never ending debate.
"In the final policy statement, the agency specifically addressed certain topics:"
There are a few, many have been discussed already. Here are just a few.
Species Limitations
"Many airlines (Alaska, American, Southwest, United) current limit emotional support animals to dogs and cats and limit service animals to dogs, cats and miniature horses. These seemingly will need to change to avoid “categorically” refusing to transport other species."
Each airline sets it's own rules so, direct any concerns to the individual airline. They are quite free to set their own limitations and have, up to this point done so. Should be unhappy with these limitations, find another airline.
Breed/Species Restrictions:
"
Airlines aren’t allowed to ban entire breeds — such as pit bulls — although they may refuse to carry a specific animal if it’s found to pose a threat."
Once again, express your concerns with the airline you chose.
Documentation Requirements:
"DOT will not take action against an airline if it requires passengers to provide advance documentation of a service animal’s vaccination, training or behavior.
However, the department will step in if documentation is used to “unduly restrict passengers with disabilities from traveling with their service animals.”
Sounds as though the Department of Transportation would like to continue as much of a hands off approach as it can. Let the airlines "police" themselves, which they do.
Containment:
"
Airlines are allowed to set their own containment rules as long as they are reasonable. The DOT points to “tethering and similar means of controlling an animal” as reasonable containment rules."
Well of course they are, "... allowed to set their own containment rules as long as they are reasonable." Which they do.
Advance Notice:
"Airlines are prohibited from requiring advance notice for passengers traveling with service animals as this notice “may significantly harm passengers with disabilities” as it prevents these passengers from making last-minute travel plans necessary for work or family emergencies. "
It's very important they don't delay their disabled passengers.
Check-In Requirements:
"Airlines aren’t allowed to force passengers with service animals to check in at the counter. However, the Enforcement Office is fine with airlines requiring passengers to check-in ESAs and PSAs at the counter. The DOT notes that regulations permit airlines to require ESA and PSA users to check in one hour before the check-in time for the general public."
Easy to understand.
Proof That an Animal Is a Service Animal:
"Generally, airlines are allowed to “seek credible verbal assurance” that a passenger has a disability and the animal is a service animal. Further, airlines may ask the passenger questions “to determine the passenger’s need for the animal” — even if the animal has a harness, vest or tag."
Again, read the postings and you will find a description of the letter needed.
Number of Service Animals Per Passenger:
"Recognizing that “a passenger may reasonably need more than one task-trained service animal,” the DOT isn’t setting a limit on how many service animals may travel with a passenger with a disability. Instead, the department will focus on making sure airlines allow passengers to travel with “one ESA and a total of three service animals if needed.”
I would accept one animal and believe that's fair.
Mental Health Professional Form:
Airlines are allowed to require passengers to provide “medical documentation of their need for the animal” for emotional support animals and psychiatric support animals.
However, airlines aren’t allowed to reject a form that “meets the criteria found in the rule because of an airline’s preference that the passenger use the airline’s form.”
Again, please look back and find the form.
https://thepointsguy.com/news/dot-new-rules-service-emotional-support-animals/
Must we continue this dance?
Cheers
