Airline experience

In December I planned a trip to Miami. I try to meet friends there every year and this year the perfect timing is March 2-9th. So I booked my ticket on American after hearing from a few puppy raisers that they have had a positive experience with American and I also had miles to use on a ticket. When I booked I told them in December that I would be bringing a Service Dog in TRAINING. They said that was fine and that they would make a note in my file because it was too early then to add a dog.

Fast forward to yesterday. I received a call from American asking me about the dog. Their first question was how much she weighs, I told them about 64 lbs. Then the man asked what services the dog provides for me. At this time I told him that she is IN TRAINING. He then said that American does not allow puppies in training into the cabin. She could ride under the plane, but if she was an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) then she could fly in the cabin.

I really feel strongly about this subject because MOST ESA's are fakes, people trying to get their dog to fly for free in the cabin. There may be some people out there that really need a dog, but ESA's do not have to have any training, the person just needs a signature on a paper from a "doctor". If you google "ESA" you can get a certificate printed the same day. This is why I have such a problem with ESA's.

Battier is 16 months and has been in training since she was 2 months old. She know approximately 35 commands. Battier also is trained to only go to the bathroom on command. She will keep a down-stay until I tell her to get up. She has been exposed to different people, sights, sounds and pretty much anything you can think of! Basketball games, pool parties, BBQ's, Air Shows, movies, hotels, road trips, theme parks, restaurants, basketball camps with 300 kids, work at a bus company, malls, concert, parks, tennis courts, physical therapy, doctors visits, bowling, football games, tailgates, golf tournaments, camping, RV trip, and many many more places.

I was very upset yesterday with American and their policy, I understand as Canine Companions for Independence puppy raisers we cannot push the issue to get our puppies places and we depend on the good will of companies to allow our puppies training opportunities for when they become service dogs. After posting on Facebook, I heard from a few people that have not have positive experiences with American in the last year and a half. I'm guessing their policy has changed in that time.

American also has a history of not allowing SERVICE DOGS on their planes. Check out this article of them not allowing a Iraq vet and his service dog that was trained by South Eastern Guide Dogs, it sounds like a similar program to the new CCI PTSD program. Click here for the link.

I tweeted some other airlines yesterday along with American. Two that I wrote to were Frontier and United, both of them accept puppies in training and are happy to assist. Frontier has awesome customer service on twitter! They write back fast and are very helpful! United as well and I also spoke to a woman named June on the phone that was great! Both airlines helped me get seats that would accommodate Battier the best. I decided today that I would spend $550 extra on tickets and drive to SFO from Sacramento to give Battier this training opportunity to Miami. I am also paying for tickets on airlines that support the puppy raising mission. The customer service at Frontier and United are topnotch. American, I cannot say the same for. When I called to try and cancel my American ticket I was on hold for an hour and 54 minutes! I think that has to be a record.

Overall, I am happy that I found two airlines that are supportive of CCI and puppies in training. I also wish I knew this before because I probably would have saved money if I booked with them in December.

Look out for pictures of Battier from Miami! We're going to Shane Battier's Battioke event on Tuesday March 3rd! South Beach, and the Kings and Heat game!

A BIG THANK YOU to Frontier and United for making this possible and for also allowing puppies in training to get the experience they need to be an awesome service dog in the future.