First off, I’m asthmatic. My asthma attacks can be easily triggered by certain fabrics, excessive dust, and even fur. I had already boarded my plane and my nebulizer is in my check-in luggage, and I only have my emergency inhalers with me. This was a 7 hour flight.
Later on, a passenger with a golden retriever arrived and apparently they were assigned to the seats beside me.
I requested the flight attendant if it’s possible that I be transferred to a different seat, explaining my whole situation. Unfortunately, the dog owner took this negatively and expressed that I’m a "dog hater" and I’m shaming them for bringing a dog on a flight. I even answered back ~calmly~ that they’re free to bring their dog anywhere, and it’s just that personally, I have a medical condition that prevents me from being around furry dogs, and that’s why I requested myself to be transferred, and not them and their dog.
The dog owner went on and on calling me a hater and even started saying that they paid for this extra seat.
Thankfully, the flight attendants gave me another seat far from the dog since the flight wasn’t at full capacity.
But AITA for wanting to be transfered away from a furry dog because I have asthma?
Additionally, are passengers usually informed if there’s going to be a pet among the passengers? I have no idea on this.
Tell the dog owner to go fuck a cactus.
NTA. Am sure the dog owner would enjoy the medical emergency when you have an attack at 35,000 ft. People die from asthma attacks.
NTA. You asked to be moved due to a medical condition. As long as you were polite and didn’t make a scene, you’re fine.
I love dogs but boy do I hate some dog owners.
I do not love dogs; I don’t wish them ill (but I can’t say the same for the owners!)
Even if they didn’t have a medical condition, not wanting to sit next to someone’s animal and politely asking to be reseated is perfectly reasonable.
NTA of course, assuming this is real. And no, flights do not inform you ahead of time about pets being on board. Most of the time there are so many last-minute changes it’d be pretty impossible to do so.
NTA without a doubt. I also would not fault you if you simply did not want to sit next to a large dog, even if you did not have asthma. There are many reasons people might not want this; for example, I know people who are really afraid of dogs.
Also, aren’t golden retrievers supposed to travel in cargo in a cage? I once took my cat on a plane, and one of the conditions was that she had to fit into a carrier under the seat. I guess this was a service animal?
NTA – you simply requested an accommodation for your disability. The dog might also have been an accommodation, but there was an easy solution and the dog owner was huffy for no reason.
You have asthma. That’s a medical issue, not a personal vendetta against dogs. You asked to move yourself, not kick them out. Totally reasonable.
NTA. Even _if_ you were a raging dog hater, you did not make that their problem – you simply sought accommodation for yourself in a calm and unintrusive manner. Whether it be a medical request or a personal dog-vendetta request, you did the only thing you’re entitled to: seek accommodation and accept its outcome.
Why do people feel entitled to everyone around them loving their live appendages as much as they do, whether it be dogs, children, shitty partners…
NTA
I once had to travel with my cat and let everyone know that my cat was in his travel carrier. Now, everyone in my row found this magical and wanted to pet him but IF they had an issue, I would have fully understood.
Pet owners need to be understanding of people.
I usually think the seat swapping posts aren’t real, but this one i agree with.
I adore dogs. Most of my friends have dogs and i interact with them. However I have asthma and if dog hair gets in my face my eyes swell up like I’ve been I a boxing match, and my breathing sounds like a chain saw. I’m careful with how I interact with them.
Sitting in a confined place with one would be hell.
NTA. Your request to change seats has zero impact on the dog owner. You didn’t ask the dog owner to do anything for you, you just tried to change your own situation to accommodate for your allergies. If anything, they should be happy that they now have an empty seat next to them!
Even being a dog hater is a valid reason to move. You didn’t ask for the dog owner to move, just yourself.
It’s their problem (that they’ve invented), not yours if they take offence to you wanting to move, and you shouldn’t have to justify it to anyone.