Southwest Airlines Community

I don't care for them in closed containers. Nonetheless, they are permitted, the policy is clear and the potential of sitting near a permitted animal is some thing we agree to based on contract of carriage. As long as dog behaves as required, its not a problem for me. ... View more

But while there is no mask policy for dogs, there is a mask policy for children 2 years old and above. The policy does not consider ease of use. ... View more

I don't think there is a policy requiring testing. They do however need to have seen their vet and be up to date on vaccinations. ... View more

It is about getting airlines to discontinue the safety farse of lap children. No more lap children. ... View more

They did and they do. ... View more

The ADA prevents discrimination and insures access. The child was not told 'you can't fly because you have autism.' Thus, the child was not discriminated against. The ADA does not mean a person with a disability gets whatever they want/need because restrictions aren't agreeable to them. Now, the outcome might be different in the classroom where IDEA comes into play. But ADA is not IDEA. The ADA doesn't apply to air travel in any case. ... View more

Southwest has well-articulated its mask policy. The child also became disruptive. No one is marginalizing anyone. The child was given access and not discriminated against. The child could not comply with the requirement for travel. No one did anything illegal or inappropriate. We need to distinguish that from feeling badly for the family in this circumstance or in general. ... View more

This message is for Rebecca: The ADA does not require individuals to do anything for persons with disabilities. I point this out because you have addressed a specific individual (actually in my view attacked her). We, the general public, are not required to accommodate individuals with disabilities, based on the ADA, organizations and entities are. Airlines pass the buck to other passengers and expect us to share in their responsibility, when, in point of fact we have no obligation to do so. This is why a person can request a new seat if they don't want to sit by some one for any reason, including behavior that might be related to your psychiatric condition. I don't have to be subjected to you, no one does. And the ADA doesn't and can't require me.   The ADA does not dampen our rights, it does not give you new or special rights. It merely ensures an airline does not say, we are afraid due to your psychiatric condition you will lose control on a flight and therefore, you can't fly with us. If we extend that example, it does not however protect your behavior if you do lose control and become disruptive. Removing you from a plane for disruptive behavior is perfectly legal and required since that sort of behavior can endanger others. Now, if they removed you for disruptive behavior but not some drunk for the same disruptive behavior, that's going to be a problem. ... View more

Boy, people really think the ADA is a huge sharp sword. It is actually quite limited. It requires non-discrimination and access. Service animals such as those for the blind perform essential functions, namely if the individual can physically not get around without them then not permitting the animal denies them access. An emotional support animal for , let's say fear of flying, is different. ADA isn't there to make your trip comfortable. As for discriminatory, if the airline said, we don't allow service animals but we allow pets in the cabin, that is discriminatory. The ADA is not nearly as broad as the general public believes it is. The years of people stretching it, using it as a weapon, has brought us to this regrettable position of people being so tired of having that axe swung at them, the true constriction of the ADA is now becoming clear. Its protections are quite limited. Its too bad really because if hostile people who believe they are soooooo very entitled based on their meager knowledge of the ADA would just ask nicely, they would discover most folks are kind and helpful when you don't threaten them or act like a spoiled Child when you don't get your way. Bottom line: The law and documentation are clear on this point. All the bullying of crew and other passengers doesn't turn an ESA into a service animal, nor does it turn a restricted species or non-recognized species of 'service' animal into a service animal just because you think it should. Follow disseminated policy and everyone flies fine. Otherwise, write your congressperson. ... View more

Allowed=permitted, Aloud=Audible.   I agree with your view. As for the issue of documentation, some countries require visas some don't. Some restaurants require men to wear jackets, some don't. Companies require documentation in different forms. Never rely on what an individual person 'tells' you regarding documentation. Read the disseminated policy, follow it and you are good to go. ... View more

Most people on this forum are pretty good at posing rational arguments and solutions as opposed to calling people names. ... View more

While I agree your rabbit was likely no problem, people have exploited airlines with their peacocks and so......... ... View more

Oh yeah! Cross country (Alpine) here we come! So excited! Now if there were more trail huts for overnighting.......... ... View more

No, the mother needed to realize this was an inappropriate situation into which to place her child. Wait....she did! She had her doctor's 'excuse' for her kid. The rules are clear, mask. If anything, look at the rates of infection in children with autism. Its because their parents don't want to deal with the outbursts when they are expected to wash their hands.   Autism, while the behavior cause du jour, is not a free pass in society for your kid to get to do, not do, or behave however they feel like. ... View more

HIPPA constrains providers. ... View more

My rule has always been, never check anything you would mind some one else having. Small bags and pack backs are quick picking for those pirates, pack your scuba lead in there to slow them down. ... View more

Agreed. Native Americans are likely the most under-represented, most neglected minority population in the US. ... View more

No we can't get along when some one tries to force others to join their cause du jour and tries to shame them when they don't. Southwest is an airline not the DOJ. ... View more

I'd prefer their focus be on safety in the air. ... View more

I'm not supporting companies jumping on that band wagon for PR purposes. ... View more

We don't know what's going on in homeless populations and masks do work. I guess if one has a negative test in hand then one could go without a mask.  ... View more

People seem to want it all ways. Travel but not wear masks or abide by social distancing. I think we can travel safely if we all work together by agreeing to a set of reasonable practices. No one is being asked to wear a self-contained breathing hood! But since it seems we can't get people to wear a simple mask, airlines won't enforce, can't agree on middle seat open, lets just all sit home until either we agree on safe practices or this is finally resolved.  ... View more

We should be staying home, voluntarily, IMHO ... View more

Yes, I have a few opinions. First, grow up. Second, fly first class. Finally, be thankful it wasn't some one's screaming brat whose parents smile and think we all have to put up with their screaming kid. I would pay triple to fly kid-free. ... View more

The chonky is an issue. Under the seat is a small carrier. I would talk to your vet about the flight duration and how long your 12 pounder will be squeezed. ... View more

If I'm sitting in your row and there is a middle seat, why do you assume you can put your kid in it? The flight attendant will ask you to move your kid because I will firmly request that they do so. Lap child means lap child. ... View more

Open seat doesn't mean free seat for you. ... View more