[PHXFlyer]

I know that most airlines, including Alaska, do not sell seats for use by an animal. A pet carried in the cabin must be in an approved carrier and stowed under the seat for taxi, takeoff and landing. The only exception to the rule is if the animal is a "service animal." Unfortunately, the definition of a service animal has become very blurred over the last several years. Initially it was just seeing eye dogs. Now there are so-called "emotional assistance animals" which are expected to be treated the same way when traveling by air. In my opinion it is way too easy to have a regular pet declared an "assistance animal" for the sake of being able to transport it for free and without the kennel requirements of a pet.

I was boarding a flight once and saw a woman playing with a dog in the gate area. When it came time to board, she took a yellow "vest" out of her carry-on that said "service animal" (it almost looked home-made!) and placed it on the dog. I asked the gate agent, who I have known from taking many flights, what the deal was. He told me that most anyone can go to a vet and get a certificate for their pet to become an "emotional support" service animal. I told him that my observation was that this dog did not appear to have any training consistent with a service animal. I know from working with blind persons in the past that their dogs were highly trained and well behaved. This dog was all over the place and didn't even respond to the most basic commands. He told me he sees it more and more and that they have problems all the time with these so-called service animals disrupting other passengers and relieving themselves both in the airport and on the aircraft.

It's very possible that the person on your flight purchased a second seat for "themselves", which is perfectly OK, only to use the seat for the animal.

I do, however, have one question. The incident you describe happened 18 months ago. Why are you just getting around to posting this now?