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Please stop asking people to “make” their pet a Service Animal by paying for your unnecessary ID. The law only requires the person to be legitimately disabled and have a trained dog.
How do I submit my DOT service dog traveling form to Southwest?
There is no fax number included with the information that I can see.
Thank you
Beth
You will have to present the DOT form when you check-in at the ticket counter or gate agent.
It used to be that you could e mail your paperwork. With the exception of American Airlines( after submission with first flight, you are given an ID # for your dog, and it is good for duration of rabies vaccine period, thereby allowing you to bypass the ticket counter and go straight to TSA), you must now check in at the ticket counter with each flight with your service dog. I’m told this is because the staff want to observe behavior of the animal, visually certifying acceptable behavior. The DOT paperwork is an attestation document that you are disabled and that your dog meets the “minimum” of acceptable public behavior. This is a direct result of people trying to take “pets” that exhibit behaviors that no “real” service dog would show.
How do I travel with 2 service dogs, do I need to buy a extra ticket?
You do not need to buy an extra ticket but both service dogs must be comfortably accommodated in your foot space. If that is not possible, you may want to purchase another seat for more room.
My service dog is a full size Golden Retriever? How will i travel if the dog is full size?
Your dog will be allowed to sit in your foot space. If it is too large for that, the airline may accommodate you by placing you next to an empty seat if that is feasible.
Request more leg room. Certain flights offer this option.
My service dog is a Lab, about 63#. You need a bulkhead seat to accommodate your dog. I always get a bulkhead, window seat, so his tail does not accidentally get run over with one of the drink/food carts or people stepping on the tail or paws. It is best to train at home placing you dog in a corner, so that he/she becomes accustomed to utilizing very small spaces. If you get a regular seat, you will literally have your feet ON TOP of your dog. You may advise crew this is not acceptable, but if you plan in advance this will never be an issue. We fly domestically and internationally quite often and never have a problem if you clarify while booking your seat as to your needs.
I will start by saying I love dogs, I don’t have one because I travel way too much. I fly at least 80 flights annually and have shared many flights with dogs. My problem is that SW states that your dog should be in a pet carrier that will fit under the seat. If it does not, then it should be a certified and trained Service Animal. It seems like most people are just going on line and buy a cheap vest and putting it on any old mutt they can find and trying to pass it off as a Service Animal. I don’t mean to call anyone Stupid, but putting a vest on an untrained dog DOES NOT MAKE HIM A SERVICE ANIMAL !!! When your dog jumps up and grabs a sandwich out of my hand and commences to smear it all over the floor ,I’m sorry but that is not a Service Animal. Service animals do not do that, they are well trained and disciplined. Go by the rules like everyone else and leave your dog at home or put him in a kennel unless it is a true Service Animal. I’ve already lost one sandwich, I can’t afford to lose any more
No one should fake having a service dog, it is both unethical and potentially against the law. A service dog can also be removed from the airport or flight if it is misbehaving. If you are having trouble with a passenger’s service dog, we recommend notifying the gate agents or flight attendants immediately.
So….there is no requirement with Southwest Airlines to submit the form at least 48 hours prior to flight? I only need to bring the completed form on the day of travel? I have read 48 hours in advance and I really dont want anything to go wrong at the airport, as in being told that I was supposed to submit the form 48 hours in advance. Thank you!
You should submit the DOT form at least 48 hours before your flight. If you book a flight that is within 48 hours of departure, you can submit the form at the gate.
It previously was a requirement to deliver completed form to airlines for their review in he time frame you mentioned. With updates this is no longer required that the 48 hr. rule is in effect. The new form can be presented at the ticket counter. You are now attesting to the fact that your service animal meets the minimum of behavioral requirements for public access as defined by the airlines. If you are interested in having met the maximum requirements as defined in ADI( Assistance Dogs International), check out the behaviors tested and required for their certification. This is the true test of “real “ service dogs, not pets dressed by their fraudulent owners. I applaud the airlines for their diligence in weeding out the poorly behaved “pets” that try to fly under the guise of service dogs.
How do I go about sending my DOT paperwork 48hrs before my flight?
Or do I do like I’ve people saying just to bring the paperwork but I don’t want to have any problems.
Thank you,
Julie
Most airlines will have either an email address or a web portal where you can send or upload the DOT form. You can also submit it to the counter before your flight. It’s recommended to have a copy with you during travel. For more info on the DOT form please see this link: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-use-the-dots-service-animal-air-transportation-form-to-board-flights/
Hi Julie, I fly 2 times a week with my service animal and I bring my dot form with me and date it. In front of them, I have never had a problem. James Knight
It says that you’re allowed to have two service dogs. But it says the dog cannot occupy a seat. Normally with my one dog they will just lay at my feet or under the seat. What would the situation be if i had two dogs with me?
Depending on the size of your dogs, both could sit at your feet, or one in your lap and the other at your feet. If you have two particularly large service dogs, the flight staff may be able to move you to a seat that has an empty seat next to it so you have additional room for your dogs.
Should a service dog who can fit in a carrier under the seat fly the entire flight in their carrier or can they sit on the handler’s lap?
Service dogs are allowed to sit in their owner’s lap during flights.