More info:Reddit
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Image credits:Pascal Borener / Pexels (not the actual photo)
One passenger had to move from their assigned seat on a flight so a giant service dog could sit comfortably in their place
Image credits:Sparkling_Spritzer
The passenger tried to get the flight attendants to help with the situation, but they wouldn’t do anything about it, so the passenger was left without a seat
Eventually, the passenger finds another seat and moves while the service dog takes over his comfortable free spot
With boarding pass in hand and visions of tiny pretzels and in-flightmoviesdancing in their head, the OP (original poster) and their husband boarded a flight from San Diego to Denver.
Our unlucky Redditor tried reasoning with the dog’s owner and flagged down a flight attendant, hoping for a quick resolution. Instead, they got a shrug. Yes, a shrug. The kind that says, “Not my circus, not my monkeys,” or, in this case, oversizeddoggo.
The situation escalated when it became clear that the flight was completely full, leaving the OP convinced they’d be grounded in favor of a canine. And, after what must have been an awkward standoff, a United Airlines staff member boarded to assess the situation. But guess what? The dog stayed put.
Somehow, another seat was found for the OP, leaving the massive pooch lounging comfortably in its originalseat. The dog owner? Presumably unfazed. The passenger? Probably wondering when airlines started prioritizing paws over people. I don’t know about you, but I’d be pretty irritated at this point.
Image credits:Kelly / Pexels (not the actual photo)
But here’s the thing: United Airlines’ ownpolicyclearly states that service animals must not occupy the aisle or floor space of other passengers but—get this—it doesn’t say anything about seats! So how did this happen? One word: loopholes. While airlines are obligated to accommodate legitimate serviceanimals, enforcing size restrictions or checking paperwork can sometimes feel a bit too relaxed.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for service animals, as they provide invaluable assistance to those who need them.Service animals, especially dogs, are pretty much furry heroes, often smaller in size, but not in impact. These furry companions aren’t just cute faces, folks; they’re trained professionals who help people with a wide range of disabilities.
Whether it’s guiding someone with vision impairment, alerting a person with hearing loss to important sounds, providing physical support for people with mobility issues, or even providing mental health support, these pups are living proof that dogs really are man’s best friend.
They’re not here to snuggle on your lap (well, not unless you’re their owner)—they’ve got jobs to do! And let’s be honest, any dog who can stay calm in a crowded airport or on a packed flight deserves a medal—or at least a VIP pass.
Netizens sided with the passenger, saying that the airline should have told the dog owner to purchase another seat for the animal due to its large size
Image credits:MART PRODUCTION / Pexels (not the actual photo)
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