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Can You Bring A Dog To The Airport To Pick Someone Up?

Can You Bring A Dog To The Airport To Pick Someone Up?

Most passenger airports around the world only allow dogs in airport buildings under certain, very restrictive circumstances. The reasons are varied.

 

Can you Bring a Dog to the Airport to Pick Someone Up?

Most airport authorities only allow service dogs in airport buildings and on planes. But, the owner must provide documentation and make it wear a service dog coat or harness. But, as the USA’s Department of Transportation updated its rules and regulations, U.S. airlines now don’t allow emotional support animals inside planes.

Can you Bring a Dog to the Airport to Pick Someone Up?
Can you Bring a Dog to the Airport to Pick Someone Up?

 

Dogs and Airports

The options for bringing a dog to an airport are very limited. They are as follows

  • In a certified travel carrier
  • A seeing-eye dog
  • An emotional-support dog

 

The Difference Between Service and Support Dogs

Seeing-eye dogs are the most common type of service dog. They have been specially trained to aid blind people and, as such, are regarded as an extension of their blind owner.

All categories of service dogs are extensively trained in whatever type of service they provide and the owners always have to have the required government documentation on them at all times.

Registered service dogs are generally trained by a government-recognized organization or they can be trained by their owner. If the latter is the case, then the dogs have to be tested prior to being registered.

Before service dogs can be tested for government registration, they need to be trained by government-recognized organizations or the owner
Before service dogs can be tested for government registration, they need to be trained by government-recognized organizations or the owner

Emotional support animals are in a separate category. They have not been trained in any particular skill and accompany their owner, providing comfort and support.

Emotional support animals aren't trained in any other skill compared to their support animal peers
Emotional support animals aren’t trained in any other skill compared to their support animal peers

The unusual thing about a support animal is it can be any type of animal. A cat, a mouse, a dog, or even a pet snake.

Some of the odder service animals have been a pet squirrel, a pig, and a duck.

 

Airports and Dog Facilities

A growing number of airports in conjunction with airlines are providing pet-sitting services both for passengers and for friends and family picking up passengers.

A number of airports in the USA now offer pet sitting services for both the passengers and  their friends and family who will pick them up in the airport
A number of airports in the USA now offer pet sitting services for both the passengers and their friends and family who will pick them up in the airport

These include such airlines as KLM and Royal Dutch and airports such as LAX, Frankfurt, Dubai, and New York.

The John F. Kennedy airport in Queens, New York is one of the more advanced pet-sitting facilities in the US for travelers. The ARK, as it is known, can even accommodate overnight stays, either short or long-term, in its animal hotel facility called the Oasis.

The ARK is the only animal care facility of its kind operating in the United States and the company has some serious expansion planning underway, with plans to set the standard across the nation for our animal friends.

Read more tips on dogs at the airport from the TSA.

 

Dogs and Airport Passenger Pickup Options

If you have a dog and need to pick up someone from the airport, what can you do with your dog? 

If your pooch is used to being in your car, then an hour or so waiting while you pick up your passenger will be no hardship.

If your dog is used to being inside a car, then you can make it wait inside the car for at least an hour or two to pickup someone from the airport
If your dog is used to being inside a car, then you can make it wait inside the car for at least an hour or two to pickup someone from the airport

Another possibility. If there are two of you, you can collect the passenger while your friend or family member takes the dog for a walk.

If there are two of you who will pick up a passenger in the airport, one of you can walk the dog
If there are two of you who will pick up a passenger in the airport, one of you can walk the dog

Another suggestion — leave your dog at home. He or she will probably be happier there than waiting in the car.

Another option when you need to pickup someone from the airport is to leave your dog at home
Another option when you need to pickup someone from the airport is to leave your dog at home

If you are taking your dog to travel with you on a flight, you have to have him or her in an approved pet carrier. Your dog must stay in the carrier until it’s time to board.

It’s a very good idea to have your dog visit the relief area before going through security.

 

Dogs and Airports

As you can imagine, airlines have a great many rules and regulations for travelers who want to travel with their dogs.

It’s important to bone up on the rules well in advance of your actual trip so there are no surprises.

Contact the airline you are traveling on to check with them on what breeds of dogs they don’t allow. Some dogs are not bred for flying either due to respiratory issues, such as bulldogs or for dogs with aggressive behaviors, such as pit bulls.

Dogs that aren't bred for flying like the bulldogs and dogs with aggressive behaviors aren't allowed to be flown in airplanes
Dogs that aren’t bred for flying like the bulldogs and dogs with aggressive behaviors aren’t allowed to be flown in airplanes

Read more about how long can dogs go without water next.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bringing your Dog to the Airport

 

I have a small dog. Can I bring her to the airport in a carrier?

Dogs are permitted in most airports in a carrier. Contact the airport you are flying out of before you plan your trip. Rules for dogs vary from airport to airport and country to country.

 

Do airports have a place for our canine friends to relieve themselves?

Most airports now have an area where dogs can relieve themselves. The airport supplies poop bags but just in case, always have one on hand.

 

Can I walk my dog outside the airport entrance while waiting for my friend to arrive?

The only area where you can walk your dog is the doggy relief area. Or, to and from your vehicle. You can also walk your dog in the parking area.


In Conclusion On Can You Bring A Dog To The Airport To Pick Someone Up

You can generally cannot not bring a dog to the airport unless it is a service dog and you have the proper documentation and a harness. Most dogs, if well-trained, can be left in the car in the parking lot. However, if the weather is hot, this is not a good solution and is not recommended.