Comments on: Pets on planes?

By: Steve Sutherlin

Steve Sutherlin — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:33:16 +0000

Pets should be banned in the passenger cabin.

By: Marie Urquhart

Marie Urquhart — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:14:07 +0000

where do you go for vacations that you are able take your pets on vacatiion with you

By: Christine Moss

Christine Moss — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:38:30 +0000

I moved from Missouri to Kentucky for a new job and was not able to bring my two cats with me because of my original housing situation. My situation changed and my parents were flying from Missouri to Kentucky for a visit and I asked them to bring the cats with them.

The cats were placed in a soft-sided carrier so they could travel in flight. They had hard carriers on stand-by just in case they were forced to be in the cabin for some reason. There was some concern about the 15 pound weight limit for one cat and after speaking with customer service on the phone and asking how strictly that rule would be enforced – was told “It depends on what kind of mood your gate agent is in.”. Thankfully, my mother said their agent was allergic to cats and didn’t even place them on the scale, he just printed their boarding passes and got the cats out of his presence as quickly as possible.

There was a problem at security, though. One of my cats almost escaped and could have gotten loose in the airport, which would have been a disaster. And yes, she was tranqued. The other cat, also tranqued, became very restless and tried to claw out of her carrier during take-offs and landings, but otherwise, they traveled fine. No uncontrollable meowing, no allergic passenger (or airline attendant) throwing a fit or any other problems I was terrified of my parents encountering.

Long story short, my cats survived the trip, but it would have to be an absolute emergency before I fly them anywhere again. Just far too nerve-wracking.

By: Mercedes

Mercedes — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:40:45 +0000

Thanks for the comments. My maltese is a sleeper. She sleeps with us in our bed all night. She is 6 lbs. and I am thinking of taking her with me to New York state. Will the airlines charge me? She will lay on my lape not a seat.

By: Millie

Millie — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:44:14 +0000

If I had a choice I would rather sit next to a well behaved 15 pound dog on a flight than: a 300 pound sweaty person stuck to me the whole flight, a brat screaming and carrying on next to me, behind me or in front of me, the same brat kicking my seat or throwing treats on my head, his stupid mother saying “sweetie, please behave” which the brat ignores the whole 8 hour flight., a motion sick woman throwing up on the floor which ends up splattered on my suede shoes, the rude jerks carrying on inappropriate conversations for all the world to hear, the woman breastfeeding her infant that expects me to act as her nursemaid and hold all her baby supplies and forces me to hear all about how precious junior is when I don’t care and just want to take a nap or read my book. I would gladly let the dog put his paws on me and sit close to my food if I had a choice.

By: Pat Gorman

Pat Gorman — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:05:19 +0000

If an animal gets out of its carrier, you should blame the owner, not the hundreds of thoughtful pet owners that take care of their animals and follow the rules. I think it is only fair to ask the person sitting next to you if they are allergic to a pet and if they are, ask the flight attendent if you can switch seats with someone. I have traveled several times with my dog and have had no problems whatsoever with him. I gave him a bath the night before the flight and brushed him carefully even though he does not shed or produce dander like some breeds do. I was told to keep the dog in the bag on the flight, and I did so. However, the airlines need to stop charging the high prices to allow us to take them on board. It is for their safety. The airlines are double charging for the space where we normally keep a hand bag and put our feet. They can’t provide a safe place to put them below. Dogs have died, and dogs have gotten lost. The pets sit quietly in their bags crunched under the seat for hours without a peep. Young children scream,run up and down the aisles and carry on and parents don’t calm them down. Listening to a baby cry for three hours or more is far more annoying than a quiet pet asleep at my feet.

By: EM

EM — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:40:09 +0000

Sometimes driving isn’t an option. We’re in the process of moving from San Diego to Seattle. So, do we subject our 2 cats to 3 days in the car or 3 hrs on a plane? We chose to fly them. We dosed the cats a week before the flight to see how they reacted. So far we have only transported one cat and he slept through most of the flight. I would NEVER let my pet out of the carrier on the flight – that’s inviting trouble. And I don’t believe in bringing my cats on vacation with me.

By: CJ

CJ — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:47:05 +0000

Some animals adverse reactions to tranquilizers is well known. Anyone taking their pet on a flight and planning on givng Fido or Fluffy one for the first time should have the sense to have a “trial run” at home.

Give the kitty or pooch a dose as a test and then put them in their carrier for a few hours so they get used to both the drug and being in their carrier for a long period of time.

A little common sense goes a long way!

By: Judy Swetish

Judy Swetish — Wed, 31 May 2006 23:25:40 +0000

I took my 15 lb. Pom to Chicago from Orange County over the holidays 2 yrs ago. He was very good on the packed flights and I asked my seatmates if it was ok, otherwise I would have asked to change seats. With all of the screaming, crying, kicking, and loud kids on the flights, my fellow passengers were amazed and commented how good my dog was!

By: Karen Hall

Karen Hall — Wed, 31 May 2006 19:41:45 +0000

Most airlines quit serving peanuts on their flights because of the allergic reactions of some passengers. Should they respond any differently to those with allergies to animal dander? If you want to take your pet, drive! This is a health issue; not a personal preference.