flying with your dog posing as a service dog

[ryanj247]

has anyone done this?

i've talked to a couple people who have done this. basically they just bought a "service animal" vest or whatever online. then they told the airline they had a disability and would be traveling with their "service dog".

apparently airlines are very sensitive about the ADA, and don't ask a lot of questions. people have service dogs for all kinds of disabilities: i.e., "seizure alert" dogs, etc. there is no governmental agency that certifies dogs for these purposes. so basically they can't really challenge your claim that your dog is a service dog protected under the ADA.

so, you can be a perfectly normal/capable looking person, traveling with a service dog that does not look/act like a service dog, and get the following benefits:

1) your dog can travel with you in the cabin. the airline makes sure to seat you in the bulkhead so that your dog has plenty of room. obviously much preferable to stuffing your dog in a crate in the cargo hold for hours of travel, having to give them tranquilizers, etc. etc.

2) you don't have to pay the $1-200 fee (each way) most airlines charge for traveling with your pet.

anyways, i'm considering giving this a shot on an international flight soon. i'd appreciate any/all advice.