Award-winning author barred from boarding Qantas flight with disability support dog

An acclaimed writer has been told she won't be able to board a Qantas flight with her disability support dog, as the organisation she works with doesn't have the right accreditation.The psychiatric assistant organisation says Qantas has made an unfair call in its disability support dog policies

The acclaimed author is left"distressed" after being told she would be unable to board with the support dogFiona Wright, a widely published author and critic, was scheduled to fly to Alice Springs on Friday for the NT Writers' Festival.

Ms Wright said she supplied evidence including the qualifications of the dog's trainers, the educational syllabus the dog had gone through and the public access test that the dog had passed"with flying colours", to no avail."It's hard for me to actually know why I wasn't allowed on the flight because Qantas asked me to fill in a great deal of paperwork," she said.

"They also asked me to give quite specific information about my disability and what the dog has been trained to do, which I'm not 100 per cent certain is legal." A Qantas spokesman said the airline would be contacting Ms Wright as soon as possible to look into the matter."It's been incredibly stressful and this is the case for a lot of people who live with disability, and especially psychiatric disability," she said."The other thing is that there seems to be no process to appeal, at least no one has been answering my phone calls."

regardless of who she is or what the dog is for, if it is in the role of a service dog, then it needs to pass certification. even if a training group can't afford the costs of being able to certify service dogs, they can affiliate with ones that do certify.

Australia is so backwards! All small dogs travel on planes in Europe and America. I would fly more often if my small dog could be in the cabin - there no way I’m putting my dog underneath. Ridiculous out-dated rules. Qantas VirginAustralia

Feel like I have to go with qantas on this one, reluctantly as not a great fan 🙏

Good. Properly trained and accredited assistance dogs can be easily identified by their official, uniform identification carried with them. 'Support' dogs are not accredited assistance dogs under the relevant legislation and private orgs are free to make up their own minds abt it

Sorry take a valium. We don’t need that American emotional support animal shit in our country. They should have told you to stay home and Skype in so your anxiety isn’t triggered by being in the world.

samtwyfordmoore This sux 😢

My experience with Qantas is one I choose to forget. Give me a golden labrador in the next seat anytime instead of someone with a singlet on smelling of stale BO, dripping sweat everywhere and unable to control his bowels.

Shameful

The issue should be with MindDog for not providing the training credentials that Qantas goes by. Looks like MindDog training needs to be kept up to date with airlines guides.

Told she can't board without proving that her dog is a disability support dog and not a support peacock. Here's their website where anyone can apply if you have any doubt about which that is.

What does 'acclaimed' and 'award-winning' author have to do with it?

I reckon if she'd have declared the pooch 'gay' it might have got a seat next to the pilot.

Good on Qantas for maintaining standards. Otherwise airplane cabins will be full of dogs supporting their owners’ neuroses!

On a flt once where a 'support' dog took a sh*t right in the aisle. Needless to say, unpleasant for all concerned. A flt a family member took a 'support' parrott went berserk squawking & thrashing about the entire plane. So there is a downside to support animals on flts.

Australia has this ridiculous including Quantas attitude to dogs on transport or restaurants we really live in la la land.travelling through Europe people travel with their dogs ..not to mention the dreadful discrimination to this person and her dog..what is wrong with people

Thank God they don’t let authors on our planes!

Diddums

Why even mention that she is an “award-winning author”? What’s that got to do with anything at all? That doesn’t give her any more or fewer rights than anyone else. And my donkeys help me deal with stress - can I take one on a plane please?

Sounds like a trouble maker to me looking for attention, which she got. Award winning author, should that give her priority? She is not sight impaired.

Typical Qantas .

Its not a problem in the US or Europe. You can even take your dog on the bus or train there. Australia, so backward 😡

WritesFiona take a friend instead of your pooch. Humans can be good company as well.

Should gave said the dog was gay 1

How shameful. She's won awards!!! Should have told them the dog was gay. AlanWillFixIt abcnews

Firstly, when I see that dog, I don’t think “support dog” why did she need the dog? Did she let them know beforehand when she booked the flight to ensure it wouldn’t be an issue? Typical outrage culture, not taking into account the circumstances.

FFS everywhere in Europe and in the USA support / service dogs are permitted to travel alongside the people they support - time that Australia caught up!!

Support dog. Seriously.

Is this the 21st Century? Unbelievable! 🤬🤬🤬

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Alan Joyce's extended tenure at Qantas isn't as novel as it might seemEyebrows were raised when Qantas said Joyce had been asked to commit to at least another three years as CEO. Are 14 years in the captain's seat too long?
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »

Qantas flight makes sudden landing after electrical faultA Qantas flight from Bali to Sydney has been forced to make a sudden landing in Broome after encountering an electrical fault mid-flight. Another flight mishap 🙈💔 - how's a globe trotter like me supposed to get over her fear of flying which began in 2019 !!?!?!?!
Source: newscomauHQ - 🏆 9. / 77 Read more »

Qantas flight makes diversionary landingAfter the engine was shut down, the jet – which carries up to 350 passengers - made a diversionary landing in Cairns at 5.10am yesterday. 9News
Source: 9NewsAUS - 🏆 10. / 72 Read more »

‘Bang and sparks’ on Qantas flightA Qantas flight departing Tokyo bound for Sydney was forced to divert and land in Cairns after passengers heard a “loud bang” from their aircraft’s engine. Thats the thing with Qantas their fleet is ageing and I avoid them where I can. This aircraft is a 747-400 and most airlines in the world retired that aircraft type years ago. That model first came to service in 1989.
Source: newscomauHQ - 🏆 9. / 77 Read more »

Staggering thing Qantas left off flightPlastic bottles, plastic-wrapped blankets, plastic cups, plastic cutlery, plastic stirrers, aluminium containers, disposable toothbrushes, and all topped off with umpteen paper towels. For anyone who is even remotely eco-conscious, the staggering waste that one passenger can produce on an average flight is pretty horrifying. Now, imagine a different kind of in-air experience, one without the guilt, where single use plastics and bulging rubbish bags destined for landfills are a thing of the past, and instead, compostable cups, food containers and cutlery, are the go. Well, if Qantas has its way, it’ll be a reality sooner than you think. The LNP would say why should we do this first when we make so little difference. We should wait until the rest of the world has done it. CEO'S Leaving! Don’t care, as don’t fly joyce......
Source: newscomauHQ - 🏆 9. / 77 Read more »

Alan Joyce breaks silence on Folau postsQantas chief executive Alan Joyce has broken his silence on the Israel Folau scandal, saying he supports Rugby Australia (RA) for taking action against the star’s latest controversial social media post. Where does he buy his gas and will he speak out against Sharia in Qatar? Freedom of Expression 🤔 I don’t agree with what Israel Folau has done but please provide fair coverage and for the gay CEO of Qantas to have the biased view he does yet still partner with government airlines in the middle east that still put homosexuals in goal is a bit to rich for my blood.
Source: newscomauHQ - 🏆 9. / 77 Read more »

Opinion & analysis | Sky News Australia.Kieran_Gilbert: The fact that people aren't engaged is reinforced by the large numbers of undecided voters and highlights how important this week will be, in particular, the final 48 hours of the election. MORE: amagenda auspol zalisteggall Increasing the supply isn't cheap, Zali. zalisteggall So sky she's a Murdoch enemy now ? zalisteggall Really come on Warringah voted for this Turkey
Source: SkyNewsAust - 🏆 7. / 78 Read more »

Sky News Extra | Sky News Australia.billshortenmp The reality is that if the Liberal Party and the National Party were united, then TurnbullMalcolm would still be PM because they'd have a policy on climate change. Watch live: ausvotes billshortenmp ScottMorrisonMP Is Paul Murray on yet, anyone? billshortenmp ScottMorrisonMP How was that nasty? Bill was telling the truth. LNP ministers are resigning because of the chaos in the Gvt and the fact that they knifed Turnbull. Scott Morrison trying to get sympathy but made himself look ridiculous. billshortenmp ScottMorrisonMP Bill Jokes - he does it as a sarcastic retort when he fears losing an argument. Attack.
Source: SkyNewsAust - 🏆 7. / 78 Read more »

Politics - Australia Decides | Sky News Australia.ScottMorrisonMP: One in three jobs here in central Queensland is dependent on the resources sector. MORE: NewsDay auspol ScottMorrisonMP Strong press conference by Morrison newsday ScottMorrisonMP ScottMorrisonMP
Source: SkyNewsAust - 🏆 7. / 78 Read more »

Comedy legend Tim Conway dies at 85Tim Conway, the Golden Globe Award-winning actor who embodied several comical characters on The Carol Burnett Show including the Oldest Man and Mr. Tudball has died at age 85. ❤️😢
Source: newscomauHQ - 🏆 9. / 77 Read more »

ChangeMakers: Barnardos Mother of the Year named | Sky News AustraliaSingle mother of two, Maria Worner, has been named the Barnardos Mother of The Year.\n\nShe has been a foster mum for 15 years, bringing countless children into her Canberra home.\n\nMs Worner says once children 'learn their situation isn't their fault, no matter where they come from, they can become productive members of society'.\n\nMs Worner also believes sport 'is the great leveller' allowing for children to excel beyond their circumstances.\n\nThe award honours mothers who go above and beyond for the wellbeing of children.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n she barracks for the hawks?
Source: SkyNewsAust - 🏆 7. / 78 Read more »