Comments on: In the doghouse http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/in-the-doghouse/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Toni Vitanza http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/in-the-doghouse/comment-page-1/#comment-8420 Toni Vitanza Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:08:19 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/in-the-doghouse/#comment-8420 Please remind your readers, please, that the carry-on pets CANNOT come out of their carriers at any time on board!! They CANNOT ride in your lap on the plane!!! It's against regulations. The rule is designed to protect you, your pet and other passengers! As a flight attendant, I also do not allow people traveling with carry-on pets to sit in an exit row. I am afraid they would take the time to grab the pet before beginning evacuation in the event of an emergency. So many pet owners seem to either not know or ignore the rule that I have taken to giving every one I see a "pet briefing" prior to takeoff. Please remind your readers, please, that the carry-on pets CANNOT come out of their carriers at any time on board!! They CANNOT ride in your lap on the plane!!! It’s against regulations. The rule is designed to protect you, your pet and other passengers! As a flight attendant, I also do not allow people traveling with carry-on pets to sit in an exit row. I am afraid they would take the time to grab the pet before beginning evacuation in the event of an emergency. So many pet owners seem to either not know or ignore the rule that I have taken to giving every one I see a “pet briefing” prior to takeoff.

]]> By: Toni Vitanza http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/in-the-doghouse/comment-page-1/#comment-8419 Toni Vitanza Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:07:40 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/in-the-doghouse/#comment-8419 Please remind your readers, please, that the carry-on pets CANNOT come out of their carriers at any time on board!! They CANNOT ride in your lap on the plane!!! It's against regulations. The rule is designed to protect you, your pet and other passengers! As a flight attendant, I also do not allow people traveling with carry-on pets to sit in an exit row. I am afraid they would take the time to grab the pet before beginning evacuation in the event of an emergency. So many pet owners seem to either not know or ignore the rule that I have taken to given every one I see a pet briefing prior to takeoff. Please remind your readers, please, that the carry-on pets CANNOT come out of their carriers at any time on board!! They CANNOT ride in your lap on the plane!!! It’s against regulations. The rule is designed to protect you, your pet and other passengers! As a flight attendant, I also do not allow people traveling with carry-on pets to sit in an exit row. I am afraid they would take the time to grab the pet before beginning evacuation in the event of an emergency. So many pet owners seem to either not know or ignore the rule that I have taken to given every one I see a pet briefing prior to takeoff.

]]> By: Paul Kincade http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/in-the-doghouse/comment-page-1/#comment-8131 Paul Kincade Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:23:03 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/in-the-doghouse/#comment-8131 While I'd never think of taking my 100# pound hound on a plane, I remember a well behaved collie on an American Airllines flight back in 1965. I was in first class and the plane's departure had been delayed 45 minutes, waiting for a late arriving party. It was the stars of a TV show who had been at the White House to film a public interest promo for avoiding forst fires. The main star was Lassie and she had a seat on the aisle at the bulkhead and her trainer, Rudd Weatherwax, had the window seat. Lassie slept beneath her seat, while her trainer attempted to drink all of his and her complimetary cocktails! Those were the good old days, when first class was really first class. I should point out Lassie was actually a male collie. Mr. Weatherwax told me they used male dogs (there were several Lassies available), because females shed their fur a couple times a year and couldn't be photographed. While I’d never think of taking my 100# pound hound on a plane, I remember a well behaved collie on an American Airllines flight back in 1965. I was in first class and the plane’s departure had been delayed 45 minutes, waiting for a late arriving party. It was the stars of a TV show who had been at the White House to film a public interest promo for avoiding forst fires. The main star was Lassie and she had a seat on the aisle at the bulkhead and her trainer, Rudd Weatherwax, had the window seat. Lassie slept beneath her seat, while her trainer attempted to drink all of his and her complimetary cocktails! Those were the good old days, when first class was really first class.

I should point out Lassie was actually a male collie. Mr. Weatherwax told me they used male dogs (there were several Lassies available), because females shed their fur a couple times a year and couldn’t be photographed.

]]> By: turtletrot1 http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/in-the-doghouse/comment-page-1/#comment-1357 turtletrot1 Wed, 09 Aug 2006 21:53:07 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/in-the-doghouse/#comment-1357 My Shih-Tzu made 8 round trip trans-Atlantic flights and there was nary a problem. The animals are not in with luggage. There is a separate compartment. It has comfortable temperature. (Does everything in your luggage fraaze or melt....NO!) It is dark and the motors drone. I know she sleeps all the way. Upon landing, and going through customs complete with papers for dog is not a problem. Once through that the only problem is hanging on to the leash as she makes a bee-line for a exit so she can get out to pee! It would not occur to me to have her in the cabin with me. I would not want her to be awake and asking either to get out of kennel, or to have a drink, or food. Nope. In the hold is where pets belong. My Shih-Tzu made 8 round trip trans-Atlantic flights and there was nary a problem. The animals are not in with luggage. There is a separate compartment. It has comfortable temperature. (Does everything in your luggage fraaze or melt….NO!) It is dark and the motors drone. I know she sleeps all the way. Upon landing, and going through customs complete with papers for dog is not a problem. Once through that the only problem is hanging on to the leash as she makes a bee-line for a exit so she can get out to pee!
It would not occur to me to have her in the cabin with me. I would not want her to be awake and asking either to get out of kennel, or to have a drink, or food. Nope. In the hold is where pets belong.

]]> By: Elaine Harris http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/in-the-doghouse/comment-page-1/#comment-1356 Elaine Harris Wed, 09 Aug 2006 20:47:17 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/in-the-doghouse/#comment-1356 I have been annoyed far more times by small, obnoxious children than pets on airlines. In fact, I cannot every remember encountering an unruly pet. As someone with both allergies and asthma, I find it hard to believe that man had an allergic reaction to a dog 25 aisles away. I am much more likely to have a reaction to someone smoking right outside of a terminal or inhaling fumes from bedding in a hotel. I have been annoyed far more times by small, obnoxious children than pets on airlines. In fact, I cannot every remember encountering an unruly pet. As someone with both allergies and asthma, I find it hard to believe that man had an allergic reaction to a dog 25 aisles away. I am much more likely to have a reaction to someone smoking right outside of a terminal or inhaling fumes from bedding in a hotel.

]]> By: Jacquelyne Paige http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/in-the-doghouse/comment-page-1/#comment-1355 Jacquelyne Paige Mon, 05 Jun 2006 03:34:51 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/in-the-doghouse/#comment-1355 I think pet owners should consider their pet's general health and temperament when making a decision weather to allow a pet in a cabin or in the cargo hold. My dog would not make it either place,so I will leave him at home come vacation time. I think pet owners should consider their pet’s general
health and temperament when making a decision weather to allow a pet in a cabin or in the cargo hold.
My dog would not make it either place,so I will leave him at home come vacation time.

]]> By: Elizabeth Walker http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/in-the-doghouse/comment-page-1/#comment-1354 Elizabeth Walker Wed, 31 May 2006 17:00:08 +0000 http://beta.elliott.org/photos/in-the-doghouse/#comment-1354 I do think that travellers should be allowed to travel with their pets but that they should be in the hold.The holds should be pressurised and air conditioned so that the animal is safe and comfortable. The crate should also be secured so that it cannot move during the flight. British Airways have excellent facilities for transporting pets and have a first class record of taking care of animals in their care. I live in the Cayman Islands and have many requests for assistance with pet travel. It is always hard to get accurate advice from the airlines so any information you have will be most gratefully received. Keep up the good work, I find your emails very useful and to the point. I was particularly interested in recent correspondence re car hire. I rented a car from Hertz in London in January which I paid for in advance. On returning the vehicle I was told I would have an additional charge as the had given me a larger car than I had paid for. I was in a hurry so I let it go. When I got my statement from Amex, I had been charged exactly double and also a speeding fine of 50 GB pounds had been added! I do not recall having been speeding but I may have been caught on a camera. I do not object to that but I am annoyed at being given a larger car without being asked if Iwanted it. I do think that travellers should be allowed to travel with their pets but that they should be in the hold.The holds should be pressurised and air conditioned so that the animal is safe and comfortable. The crate should also be secured so that it cannot move during the flight.
British Airways have excellent facilities for transporting pets and have a first class record of taking care of animals in their care. I live in the Cayman Islands and have many requests for assistance with pet travel. It is always hard to get accurate advice from the airlines so any information you have will be most gratefully received.
Keep up the good work, I find your emails very useful and to the point.
I was particularly interested in recent correspondence re car hire.
I rented a car from Hertz in London in January which I paid for in advance.
On returning the vehicle I was told I would have an additional charge as the had given me a larger car than I had paid for. I was in a hurry so I let it go. When I got my statement from Amex, I had been charged exactly double and also a speeding fine of 50 GB pounds had been added! I do not recall having been speeding but I may have been caught on a camera. I do not object to that but I am annoyed at being given a larger car without being asked if Iwanted it.

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