DOT provides equity for disabled air travelers with service animals

There has been a growing controversy among air travelers for precious space on airliners, and this has now spilled-over to affect those traveling with service horses and service dogs.  Some airlines are making obese passengers pay for the extra space that they occupy, and we are now seeing airlines charging extra for the coveted aisle seats.

Here, we see a new DOT proposal to impose this equity for non-obese disabled, namely those raveling with a service animal:

http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm?action=detail&pk=DISABILITY-LIVING-03-24-06

 

"The DOT proposes changes in the Air Carrier Access Act that would allow airlines three options if a service dog is too big to sit in the small amount of space directly in front of the owner's seat.

The three options include charging the disabled passenger for an extra ticket, putting the dog in the cargo hold or making the passenger and dog wait for a later flight. All three of these alternatives are outrageous and unacceptable. "

The article notes that some disabled believe that charging them for the space that they occupy is discriminatory:

"Charging the passenger for a second seat would disenfranchise many disabled people unable to pay two fares."

This article notes that the air carriers will follow the same procedure when Orwellian obese people fly:

"The current airline practices provide for an empty seat where space is available, or asking for a volunteer to share leg space with the service dog. This policy has served both the airlines and the public well. It imposes no financial burden on either the airline or the disabled passenger. And it also happens to implement the very spirit of the Air Carrier Access Act."

This regulation applies to both guide and service animals, including emotional support horses.