Member-only story
Petty Bureaucrats Who Defy Logic
How I fought the system and won
I prepared. I checked the website for the most recent rules and regulations. I had all my ducks in a row. Yet, when I arrived at the airport with all the necessary paperwork for my service dog to fly with me, the airline agent told me that the paperwork I had wasn’t correct.
Agent: You don’t have the correct paperwork, Ma'am. (imagine that wahwahwah sound that was used in the old Peanuts specials when Charlie Brown’s teacher would speak, that’s her tone).
Me: What do you need that I haven’t given you?
Agent: You need paperwork that your dog is up-to-date on on her shots and vaccinations.
Me: I provided you with a detailed bill from my vet, that lists my dog’s shots and the dates she received them.
Agent: Yes, but it’s not in the correct format, Ma’am. If you checked the airline’s website, you would know that.
Me: I just checked the website yesterday. It said that proof of shots was required. That bill is proof.
Agent: I told you, it’s not in the correct format.
Me: Can you please show me, on your computer monitor, the airline’s website and point out what you mean by correct format.
