Flying today, quick question about seating..

[goofy4tink]

I'm flying Delta/Song today with my ds's cat. We have notified Song and they have okayed the cat for in the cabin. In fact, I was put in the middle of a huge empty section, with no one around me because of the cat. So, yesterday that is still the case. But this morning I checked the flight and I have people beside me. I don't care one way or the other, but feel badly for them. There are many empty seats on this flight, so far at least. Can I ask for a different seat when I check-in? I have to pay the $50 fee for the cat upon check-in, so figured I could see if there were any seats that didn't have someone next to them and maybe change to that one. Since I wanted a window seat, I figured that it wouldn't be too hard to keep that middle seat open. Think I have any chance of that? I just don't want to irritate anyone.

 

[GoldenOldie]

As long as there are other empty seats available, you can always ask the desk to switch you to one.

 

[safetymom]

Just get to the airport early while they still have some seats that they could assign you to.

 

[kirbsam]

you dont want to irritate anyone and you are bringing a cat on board??? i think just the fact that you are means you will be irritating half the cabin. sorry, for being so harsh, but that is the truth.

 

[paladin]

you dont want to irritate anyone and you are bringing a cat on board??? i think just the fact that you are means you will be irritating half the cabin

I have been on flights where folks had cats and I would never have known except that I was sitting next to her and saw the cat. It was totally quiet and far less irritating than a good portion of the other passengers.

 

[safetymom]

She is doing nothing wrong by bringing the cat on board. The airlines allow it so why not?

 

[DebbieB]

Sounds like she is being considerate by trying to move her seat to an empty row. It will probably be in the back of the plane where no one wants to sit anyway.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I agree, she is trying to be considerate, following the rules and paying the fee for the cat.

I guess I am really suprized though because of allergies. I didn't realize they allowed cats.

I wonder how it works if you have severe allergies? My BIL and SIL won't even come in my house because I have one cat (and the house is rather clean, it isn't like it smells catty.) Having a cat on the airplane would flip them out. (but in all honestiy I think they are both rather hypocondrtacts to a certian extent.

OP I hope you have a safe flight and all goes well. My cat doesn't travel across town well, it wouldn't be pretty.

Does the airline require specail papers from the vet before putting it on the plan? I know I saw an episode of airline where SW did for a dog.

 

[michelle8671]

you dont want to irritate anyone and you are bringing a cat on board??? i think just the fact that you are means you will be irritating half the cabin. sorry, for being so harsh, but that is the truth.

I would much rather be next to a cat than some peoples badly behaved children. Before I get slated I have 4 children but some children have never been taught how to behave!!

 

[DebbieB]

I think as long as the allergic people don't get close to the cat they will be OK. When someone comes into your home, the cat's fur and dander is all around on the carpets and the furniture (no matter how much you clean). On the plane, the cat stays in the carrier under the seat, there shouldn't be much fur outside of it.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I think as long as the allergic people don't get close to the cat they will be OK. When someone comes into your home, the cat's fur and dander is all around on the carpets and the furniture (no matter how much you clean). On the plane, the cat stays in the carrier under the seat, there shouldn't be much fur outside of it.

That makes sense to me. However as I said my DB and SIL are a little nutso.

I remember once I had this lady over who was in grad school with me. She was going on and on about how allergic she was to cats, all the time mine was sleeping right under her seat and she never knew it. She apeared just fine. It was pretty funny.

 

[JodyTG]

Actually, I am VERY allergic to cats. Just being near where a cat has been makes my eyes swell up and my sinuses close. Thankfully, none of my friends have cats, although...one of my friends didn't tell me that she had watched her neighbor's cat over a weekend until I visited her and had my little problem. She's still apologizing for it.

If I was on a flight with a cat, it would be just terrible for me. The only cure is to take Benadryl and go to sleep for 10 hours (it knocks me out) and that would totally blow my vacation.

 

[bavaria]

Actually, I am VERY allergic to cats. Just being near where a cat has been makes my eyes swell up and my sinuses close. Thankfully, none of my friends have cats, although...one of my friends didn't tell me that she had watched her neighbor's cat over a weekend until I visited her and had my little problem. She's still apologizing for it.

If I was on a flight with a cat, it would be just terrible for me. The only cure is to take Benadryl and go to sleep for 10 hours (it knocks me out) and that would totally blow my vacation.

Sorry to hear that - my sister is the same.

There was a thread awhile back asking if they made an announcement prior to the flight 'warning' people about animals in the cabin.

Well, on my very frequent flights I have never heard this. I have however seen several animals (and often don't realize that there IS an animal behind or next to me until the owner comments)

Once I did find a dog next to me just after I had had an athsma attack, and was told that I could elect to take a later flight, or sit next to the dog.

I suppose that they are trying to be as equitable as possible, including those who have paid to bring their animal aboard.

Just a heads up for anyone who is curious.....

 

[NJBlackBerry]

On my last trip to Orlando, there was a DOG in First Class. When I sent a nasty-gram to Continental I found out that one pet is allowed in each cabin - yes, they paid for this. Did I mention the dog was very high strung and barked most of the flight. If I was sitting next to the dog - and I wasn't - I would have been very unhappy.

Personally I don't think pets belong in the cabin.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

A pressurized and climate-controlled cabin is much better for pets than the unpressurized cargo hold.

Each airline has its own regulations regarding pets. Southwest apparently doesn't allow any (judging from what I remember from an episode of Airline one time). I'm sure I've flown with pets in carriers in the cabin and never realized it. A dog barking most of the flight would be annoying, but so can a baby crying.

At least the OP is showing the right attitude in being considerate of the other passengers. Since the flight apparently has several open seats, it shouldn't be hard for someone -- either the OP or someone seated nearby -- to move to make sure everyone isn't inconvenienced.