Final answer:
The TSA and DOT have updated regulations regarding animals on airplanes, focusing on service animals. This restricts passengers from transporting pets as emotional support animals without proper documentation or training, while ensuring individuals with disabilities can still travel with their documented service animals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The TSA guidelines now prohibit certain items and behaviors to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers on airplanes. One of the significant changes in guidelines pertains to the presence of animals on flights. In response to misuse of the rules concerning emotional support animals, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has established regulations that allow only documented and trained service animals, including psychiatric service animals, in airplane cabins. These regulations were developed with input from over 15,000 comments, including those from individuals with disabilities and airline staff, to address loopholes previously exploited by pet owners.
According to the new DOT regulations, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered throughout the airport and on the aircraft. Limitations are placed on service animals such that they must fit within the handler's foot space, and each passenger is limited to two service animals. These measures do not discriminate against persons with disabilities but instead close loopholes that allowed some pet owners to transport pets without a carrier or fee, ensuring that those with a genuine need can travel with their service animals.