The plane had already settled into that familiar rhythm right before takeoff. The emotional support cat stayed securely hidden inside the carrier, calm and quiet, exactly as planned. Then a nearby passenger complained. Nothing dramatic, just enough to change the mood. Suddenly, a routine flight felt uncomfortable due to the thought that the airline could take some strict action. Could the airline actually stop future travel? Situations like this feel personal in the moment, but airlines don’t act on feelings. They act on written rules, and understanding those rules is what turns panic into clarity.