Can I wait for someone in the airport with a dog?
I have to pick up someone in the near future at Chicago O'Hare airport. It has been years since I have been to an airport and I was wondering if I would be able to wait for the person with my dog?
I tried searching for the answer but just got a bunch of details on how to travel with an animal which I am not looking for.
I am kind of unfamiliar with what area of the building I have to wait for this person and if a dog can be allowed there.
I am assuming rules would be similar across all major airports in the U.S.
Any help or resources are appreciated!
EDIT:
It is just a dog. Not a service animal. He is very well behaved though.
I mean waiting inside part of a building
Best Answer
While the official airport website is silent on the topic, O'Hare airport guides indicate that animals are not technically allowed inside buildings aside from service animals (whose presence is permitted by law). For example, iFly states
Animals are not allowed inside the passenger terminals unless they are in a kennel. Exception: Working dogs on a leash.
Windy City Paws, a Chicago-based dog walking service, states in its airport guide
Working and service animals are allowed inside the passenger terminals as long as they are on a leash. All other animals must be in a kennel. Not all those traveling with pets adhere to these rules, and many can be seen walking their dogs on leashes throughout the airport. However, the rule is always in place and can be enforced at any time. The best route is to always have your dog in a kennel instead of taking the chance of missing your flight or being fined.
Anecdotally, I have seen leashed dogs which do not appear to be service animals waiting in the baggage claim area of the terminal, in line with the WCP FAQ, but I imagine if the airport personnel in your area are stricter, or if someone else complains, you would probably be asked to wait outside on the sidewalk. Also note that the pet relief areas are all located behind security, so you would need to take your dog outside somewhere when nature calls.
In general, an airport is not someplace I would casually bring a pet. They are noisy, crowded, full of strangers trying to pet or feed them, odd-smelling, and otherwise stressful to the animal. And an animal which is well-behaved at home may not react well to the craziness of the airport environment, which after all brings out the worst in humans.
Pictures about "Can I wait for someone in the airport with a dog?"
Are dogs allowed in airport arrivals?
So are dogs allowed in airports? No \u2013 for the most part, passengers cannot bring their dogs, leashed or unleashed, into the terminal (unless it's a service animal that the person needs and that's lawfully can be inside the building).Can someone else fly with my pet?
The short answer is: Yes, and in fact it's not uncommon. But as always, policies vary from carrier to carrier, and either way it's going to require some legwork and cash on the pet owner's part. Most major carriers operate separate cargo services alongside their passenger business.How do dogs go through airport security?
Pets small enough to fit under the seat in front of you in a carrier must pass through TSA security just like humans. Pets must be transported to the security checkpoint in a pet carrier that can fit under the airplane seat in front of you. Just before your turn, remove your pet from the carrier.Can dogs fly as passengers?
Passengers are permitted to bring 1 pet carrier only. Each pet carrier can contain no more than 2 of the same species of small dog. Both soft-sided and hard-sided carriers are permitted. Your dog must remain in the carrier, underneath the seat in front of you.A Dog Abandoned By Its Owner In Airport But The Loyal Dog Waits Him
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Daria Shevtsova, Andrea Piacquadio, Anna Shvets, Andrea Piacquadio