Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Guide dogs and airplanes. (self.Blind)
submitted by mudgts
Guide dogs on airplane question
So my wife and I are watching “Pick of The Litter”, a show on Disney plus about guide dogs and it follows them from puppy to handover.
The one woman picking up a dog is a lawyer and she travels a lot on airplanes. I’m just curious if the dogs have seatbelts to handle the turbulence. I would imagine that the guide dog should be allowed on the plane with its person.
Thanks
So my wife and I are watching “Pick of The Litter”, a show on Disney plus about guide dogs and it follows them from puppy to handover.
The one woman picking up a dog is a lawyer and she travels a lot on airplanes. I’m just curious if the dogs have seatbelts to handle the turbulence. I would imagine that the guide dog should be allowed on the plane with its person.
Thanks
CloudyBeep 3 points 3y ago
Guide dogs travel on the floor. If they were given seats, one less paying passenger would be able to fly. Guide dogs never fly in cargo.
mudgts [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Agreed. I wasn’t referring to a seat but the front seats in economy. There is a larger space there and I was wondering if the dogs were leashed to the wall in case of rough turbulence.
CloudyBeep 1 points 3y ago
Guide dog handlers try to avoid bulkhead rows for that reason but also because sometimes there is less leg-room.
mudgts [OP] 1 points 3y ago
So if the air is turbulent, the dogs just fly around the cabin? It can be pretty rough sometimes
[deleted] 1 points 3y ago
[deleted]
meeowth 1 points 3y ago
They are usually required to be wearing a travel safety harness that is looped around a seatbelt
SeptemberJoy 2 points 3y ago
I've travelled with all 3 of my guides. In Australia we get a free seat if flying with a guide dog. Generally they get the floor beneath the window seat, and I tether them to my seat belt. I've always been able to angle myself to provide a buffer. Also always take the harness off both for dogs comfort and not to break the harness given the tight space.
Regarding the question about multiple guide dogs on a plane - we used to have a rule that only 2 service dogs per flight were allowed, but the rule was flexible if the airline notified early.
I prefer the bulkhead as my guides are larger and don't fit easily between seats - it can be done, just isn't as comfortable.
Dog tax: $1 my second guide, Zeke. The plane was particularly cold so he got my coat.
Regarding the question about multiple guide dogs on a plane - we used to have a rule that only 2 service dogs per flight were allowed, but the rule was flexible if the airline notified early.
I prefer the bulkhead as my guides are larger and don't fit easily between seats - it can be done, just isn't as comfortable.
Dog tax: $1 my second guide, Zeke. The plane was particularly cold so he got my coat.
JynxBJJ 1 points 3y ago
My Lily got sick on her first plane ride, coming home from Leaderdogs. She’d been sick that morning, but the vet cleared us for travel. She threw up in the air sick bag I held under her snout, poor baby. She’s flown twice more since the, 4 takeoffs and landings, wire no problems. We had a bit of turbulence on one leg, and I reached down to stabilize her. She did great, even stayed asleep.
mudgts [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Was she buckled in? I wonder how many pets puke in their carriers down in the hold?
JynxBJJ 1 points 3y ago
No, she rides on the floor, between my legs, facing the back of the plane. Just like in the car, bus, van, all transport. She only got sick because she’d had tummy troubles that morning (aka she woke me up to the worst diarrhea at 1 am). She’s never gotten sick in transport since.
Having her in a seat would actually increase the ris’ of injuries. Chairs are designed for humans, not other species. The instability of a human chair to a dog is not good. For example, this weekend I chaperoned a hs day trip. Lily ride on the floor on the way to the competition, but the floor was filthy and soaking on the trip home, so I allowed her to sit on the seat. I had to hold her tightly the entire ride, especially at turns. Not ideal, but I didn’t wan5 to have her need another grooming so soon.
Having her in a seat would actually increase the ris’ of injuries. Chairs are designed for humans, not other species. The instability of a human chair to a dog is not good. For example, this weekend I chaperoned a hs day trip. Lily ride on the floor on the way to the competition, but the floor was filthy and soaking on the trip home, so I allowed her to sit on the seat. I had to hold her tightly the entire ride, especially at turns. Not ideal, but I didn’t wan5 to have her need another grooming so soon.
DrillInstructorJan 1 points 3y ago
I don't do guide dogs (I'm not a dog person) but I quite often get given a bigger seat on planes. Is that common?
mudgts [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I wonder why you would get a larger seat? I certainly wouldn’t complain though :)
DrillInstructorJan 1 points 3y ago
I never liked to ask. I think it's because they want to have a higher cabin crew to person ratio.
Envrin 1 points 3y ago
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I absolutely love dogs, and had two boys I loved like my own children before I went blind. Actually, I went blind while they were in my care, and it was no problem.
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Anyway, stupid question. What happens if I have two guide dogs with me? How is the airplane going to handle that?
I absolutely love dogs, and had two boys I loved like my own children before I went blind. Actually, I went blind while they were in my care, and it was no problem.
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Anyway, stupid question. What happens if I have two guide dogs with me? How is the airplane going to handle that?
gracers94 1 points 3y ago
Why would you have two guide dogs at the same time?
Envrin 0 points 3y ago
Well, so they can have a friend. :)
I'm not getting dogs again unless they get to have a brother or sister.
razzretina 1 points 3y ago
Most dogs can fit under the seat in front of their person if needed. It's not the most comfortable for either dog or handler, but it can be done for short trips. Often the staff will move us to seats in our class with more leg room, although I was once (and only once) moved to first class to fit my dog. I kinda think they should just do that automatically but I'm sure some jerk would abuse it. On my last flight, my dog and I just got three seats to ourselves in the very back. The flight back was less comfy but we managed.
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