u/Choice_Trainer3946

TLDR: Tips and tricks for 6+ hour flight with an SD

I have a self trained psychiatric service dog that I have previously flown with and he's done very well in both the airport and on the plane. I am looking at doing a cross country flight to NYC where the plane ride will be about 6 hours. I've never done a flight that long with him (we've done layovers with a 2 hour and then 3 hour flight), and I'm not sure if there are any recommendations people have. I'm probably anthropomorphizing here, but I'm worried about him being couped up under the seat for 6 hours (and possibly more with a delay). As a human that sounds really awful. I have no real evidence that he will have an issue with the flight time other than his excitement to get off a plane once we land (but that seems normal?). I'm worried about the airplane bathroom, doesn't seem like there would be enough space for both of us if I do end up needing it. Should I avoid liquids? How long can I keep him from drinking water before it's unsafe? What am I not thinking of? Are there any recommendations for things I should do to prepare myself and him for the long journey?

TLDR: Any advice on submitting DoT complaints or handling access issues with Southwest?

I have a psychiatric SD that is self trained with the help of so many online resources and people. I was trying to travel back home from visiting family for a week when the Southwest gate agent denied me entry since I had put myself as the trainer on the DoT form. I have flown with my SD since 2020 and we have never had any issues with this since the form started being implemented a few years later (when he was in training he flew as an ESA before the access rules changed).

Eventually they did allow me entry after the whole ordeal triggered a panic attack (and they saw my dog tasking). However I missed my flight, ended up taking medication that I try to avoid since it makes me extra drowsy and was rebooked with a connecting flight (I try to avoid this when flying with my SD).

I am planning on filing a complaint with the Department of Transportation. My husband took pictures as things ramped up. But I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this? I feel like we should file something with Southwest specifically too.

I also want to make sure this doesn't happen again in the future. It's really messed with my head and was just a completely awful day. The gate agent basically told me (without explicitly telling me) that I can put anything in the trainer field that isn't my name and they won't flag it. But that feels super weird and wrong. They let me through because I filled out a new form with the name of a YouTube channel I used a lot. I hate this though because in my mind I'm basically saying that org is liable for anything my SD does and that's not fair to them.