So, yesterday, the busiest travel day of the year, my service dog Dallas and I flew home to Florida. I was so nervous, it was neither of our first flights, but our first flight together, with him as a full SD (he previously flew as a pet while in training with another person). I had no idea how it would go.

First thing to note, if you’re flying, fill out the DOT Service Animal form and submit it as soon as you book the flight. They had no problems with me listening myself as the owner trainer. Also, call the airlines and request accessible seating and the ability to preboard with guests with disabilities. Ask them for a follow up to the phone conversation in email, so you can print out the confirmation. Also print out and carry with you the DOT form. We were not asked for any of these things, but I was prepared just in case they did ask.

To prepare to fly, I fed him dinner, but did not feed him breakfast. I also took up water about 4 hours before the flight. We got to the airport at 5 am, and it was already crazy. After taking the shuttle from parking to the airport, we went through security. We did have TSA Precheck, which was a major help. If you can, I’d highly recommend applying for it.

Through TSA, I took off his cape, as it has pockets and things in it, and sent it through the scanner. Since I had precheck, I didn’t have to take anything out of my bags or take my shoes off, which was helpful. We went through the scanner together, but his harness set it off, so the guy sent me back and asked me to take off his harness as well, and just keep his collar and leash on. We went through again, this time with Dallas walking behind me (arm outstretched so he was about two feet behind) and we didn’t set it off, so we were allowed to go. No pat down for either of us, no hand wiping or anything. Super easy.

We got our bags and I put his gear back on and we went to find our gate. Navigating the airport was easy, if your dog can heel and can do well in a mall environment, they’ll be fine in an airport. We visited the service dog bathroom, but it was disgusting. Poop on the floor, sticky tile, smelled awful. Dallas usually goes on command but he wanted no parts of this room, which I’m glad for.

We waited at our gate, no one working asked us any questions or anything, and when they announced preboarding, Dallas and I went up and were allowed to board with no problems. There was a lady in a wheel chair in front of us, but she ended up having to go back because she forgot something, so Dallas and I ended up being the first ones on the plane.

We flew Spirit. If I fly spirit again, I will pay extra for the extra leg room. It was so tight. I barely had two inches between my knees and the back of the seat in front of me. It was very hard to finagle Dallas to fit under the seat, simply due to lack of space, he couldn’t turn around or even really duck his head. I was originally seated in the aisle seat, but when the lady who was seated in the window came, I asked if she would mind switching with me, and she was fine with that.

The window seat was easier. It wasn’t any more room but I was able to lead him into the position better, and he curled up under the seat and stayed there the whole flight. I also did not have to worry about his tail or paws being in the aisle.

Finally, we landed and got off the plane. The flight attendant told me that Dallas was his favorite passenger haha. We had no problems leaving the airport, except the lack of accessible bathrooms.

And that was our flight! We have three more flights in the next two weeks, so I’ll update if anything more happens. It was honestly so easy, and Dallas did so well!