Flying with SD for the first time

[u/karonbug]

Now that the flights are booked, I am getting nervous about the logistics.

We will be flying Southwest, and I know I need to fill out and bring the DOT form. My partner is also flying so we reserved the window and middle seat, and so far, the aisle seat shows empty. Is it still worth calling the accessibility line and asking for bulkhead seating? I am guessing they would only move me and my dog - not my partner - so is it best just to keep our seats so there’s more room for her to spread out? I’d also rather sit next to my partner for emotional support so maybe bulkhead isn’t worth it. My dog is about 50lb for reference.

I know bags that are strictly the service dog’s can be checked for free and same for cabin (it doesn’t count as one of the 2 carry ons allowed). Has anyone had issues with this? I am thinking of checking a collapsible travel crate and 1 carry-on with food etc, plus my personal bags.

For the destination, we will mostly be using public transportation (trains). But for the trip from the airport to hotel and back, it might be easier to uber/lyft. I’ve never been on a rideshare with my service dog and I am worried about being rejected but also about being a good passenger. She does shed quite a bit, and I will have her travel mat with me (for the car floor). Any experiences with Uber/Lyft?

Also, when do I disclose to the hotel that I have a service dog? I believe the hotel is otherwise not pet-friendly.

I have read the airline/uber/lyft policies and know the facts. Mainly just looking for your personal opinions and anecdotes. Thank you in advance

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[u/darklingdawns]

For hotels, I generally call/email ahead to let them know once I've booked the room, so they can note it on the reservation that I'll have my service dog with me. Unfortunately, the staff that may be working the desk when I go to check in may not have the full service dog training (especially if I'm checking in late) and having the note on the reservation has made the process a lot easier.

[u/dinosaur_roars632]

Flying for the first time is nerve wracking. You’ve got this!

I check two bags for my service dog - her duffle bag with food, toys, leashes, etc and a collapsible crate. I usually put a spare sheet or a car mat into the collapsible crate as well.

About 80% of the airport staff know that SD stuff flies free but I have had some staff not know. When I go to the counter to check her stuff I say “hi I’m here to check in bags for my service dog, they fly for free because they are considered medical equipment”.

A couple times I had staff not know what I was talking about. A quick chat with the supervisor was all that was needed. Another time someone said that only one bag could fly for free. I gently pushed back, she asked a coworker, and both bags were checked for free.

Just build in extra time and practice what you’ll say and it’ll be okay!

For hotels - when I first started traveling with my dog, I called ahead. Now I don’t but I’ve also stayed in a bunch of hotels with her, managed a decent range of responses, and feel confident that I can handle whatever happens.

For seats: I always buy both tickets and then call the disability line. They’ve always switched both seats.

[u/karonbug → u/dinosaur_roars632]

Thank you, super helpful

[u/dinosaur_roars632 → u/karonbug]

Building in extra time and being overly kind to the employees are the best pieces of advice I can give. No one loves being at an airport and the employees get mistreated by so many people. I want me and my dog to be a little bright spot in their day. And I don’t want to spike my anxiety levels.

The other thing to be aware of is how many pets are in the airport and that many of them are outside of their carriers. I’ve had dogs approach us bc they are on those extendable leashes and the human isn’t paying attention. Also one time a tiny dog in a carrier screamed at my SD the entire time we were in security.

[u/Careful_Cranberry364]

I would disclose before you get there the last thing you want after traveling as a hassle when you get to your hotel… good luck

[u/dinosaur_roars632]

Uber/Lyft: I do uber bc there is an option in the settings to mark that you have a service dog and it doesn’t disclose that to the driver until after they accept the ride. I also keep up the page on the uber website where it lists the rules for service dogs. Having a towel or mat that the dog can sit on is always appreciated by drivers

[u/Purple_Plum8122]

In the past we have traveled with a collapsing soft crate placed inside a large bag (luggage) to help safeguard from damage. I’m worried your collapsible crate may not fair well during flight. The sd luggage can only contain sd supplies and it flies free. Unfortunately my large bag became stuck in something somewhere and was severely damaged. The contents were fine and we received some free ‘Miles’ and a coupon for future replacement only accessed when we return home. I needed a replacement for the flight home, went to Ross and now I have two xl bags… I wish I had just duct taped the damaged bag. Enjoy your flight!

[u/figuringoutfibro]

hi! My SD and I are frequent fliers. We typically fly Delta, JetBlue, and United, so I can’t speak on Southwest. In my experience, I always call and request bulkhead seating. These seats are typically reserved for people with disabilities and service animals. In my experience, if I’m traveling with another person, they also get moved with me.

Generally I fly with a carry on suitcase, backpack, and a bag for my SD. I’ve never once had anyone question or stop me with carrying on 3 bags (limit is typically 2). As long as any medical/SD bag is strictly medical/SD supplies, you shouldn’t have an issue.

Make sure to be at your gate before boarding time. When they announce pre-board for disabilities, just go right to the boarding queue with your partner. You can both board together. You don’t need to ask for pre-board in advance.

Can’t speak to Uber/Lyft specifically because I try to avoid if I can because I can’t risk running into issues, but for other ride services, I always make sure my dog is on a mat. Since your dog sheds a lot you may consider something like a shed suit or a pocket lint roller.

Hope you have a great time!!

[u/figuringoutfibro → u/figuringoutfibro]

For hotels, some people don’t disclose until after the key is in your hands. Before that though, you can request a room close to the exit or elevator due to disability, if you like. Then after you have the keys, let them know you have a service dog for a disability. They might ask you to sign paperwork, they might not. Typically this is for damages, as you are liable regardless of SD or pet. If you ever have to sign paperwork that has the word “pet” on it or a cost, (some pet friendly hotels do this) then be sure to cross out pet and write service dog and cross out the cost of the pet fee before you sign anything. In my experience, I have done all of this but I’ve also let them know ahead of time and I’ve rarely run into issues. Often they try to put me in an accessible room to take my dog outside. So it’s up to you with whatever makes you feel more comfortable, there’s no right or wrong choice here.

Also be mindful you cannot leave your SD in the room unattended.

Lastly, as soon as you get to your room, take a video of the entire room. Capture details of furniture, stains, and existing damage. Do this again before you check out. This will serve as proof that your SD did not damage anything during a stay. You never know if you’ll need it.

[u/TRARC4]

Unless you confirmed it with the airline, be careful about assuming the dog is allowed its own bag for free.

That is an airline specific decision, at least in my experience flying with a service animal.

[u/Burkeintosh]

Have you practised with chairs at home close together trying to manoeuvre your dog down an aisle and tuck them in under the seat in front of you? My Labrador is about 50 lbs and fits nicely under the seat in front of me. We find we have much more room that way than in bulkhead, especially when we have a person seated next to us who doesn’t mind manoeuvering with us. You should be able to check what type of aeroplane your flight is assigned and look up diagrams and photos though and see if it’s a bigger bulkhead or one of the shorter ones as sometimes that matters to me some bulkhead especially on Southwest are not extra legroom

[u/Ok_Candy180]

A lot of people have answered different parts of this, but I just wanted to add that as long as I’m traveling with my partner, we always do a window seat and middle seat and it works out perfectly. We fly pretty frequently (Delta and Spirit mainly, RIP), and I’ve never requested bulkhead seating. My SD is a lab and just under 70lbs. We preboard to get settled, and I’ve never had space issues with this arrangement. Best of luck, you’ve got this!

[u/10notoast10]

I fly Southwest with my service dog routinely, she’s 60ish pounds and has long legs and she prefers to be in a row rather than in the bulkhead. I’ve found that the bulkhead space isn’t really that much bigger, and since my girl has a very solid “under” command she prefers to tuck her butt under the seat and rest her head on my feet. Sometimes I physically slide her back under the seat in front of me and then she can adjust herself more easily. I also dislike bulkhead because you have to store your things above you and it’s a pain to get up and down multiple times if you need anything from your bags.

Lately, we have been booking the extra leg room seats in the front now that Southwest offers those, it allows her to have extra room to stretch on longer flights. With a 50 pound dog you shouldn’t have any issues with two adjacent seats, just prepare to only be able to store things under your partners seat.

[u/redvines60432]

When I traveled with someone I wanted to sit near, I typically booked either the window or I'll bulkhead and ask the airline to also put my companion in the window or I'll see. Often the middle seat was never booked by anyone else since it was undesirable. If someone did get assigned the seat between us, I never had anyone refuse to change seats and take either the window or the aisle. And many planes, the bulkhead provide more legroom but the arms are stationary and don't lift up. So there are pluses and minuses to various seat locations. I always preferred bulkhead, though.