Pet Free Flight?

[wiigirl]

I would report the incident to the airline. I don't think pets can roam free. Here's the rules for USAirways:

I think thats an FAA rule and not just an airline rule..

 

[WDSearcher]

Wow. I reallllllly should have known better than to post on this board. Everyone here is so friendly and kind, aren't they?

I can assure you that the incident really happened. It was on a Delta flight from Cinncinnati to Madison, WI. I would have gotten the FA's name myself but the FA was not wearing a name tag and wouldn't give her name to the man when he asked.

Believe me or not.

I don't think it's either unfriendly or unkind to think that you might have either misheard something or been exaggerating. But I guess that depends on how you read stuff.

Your OP doesn't mention if you personally heard the FA, or if it was the other passenger who heard the comment and then related it to you. If it was the latter, then there certainly could have been something lost in translation, particularly if the other passenger was already upset.

I still vote for "said in fun, but not received that way" regarding the "roam around" comment.

The FA was out of line with pretty much everything else.

 

[clutter]

Wow. I reallllllly should have known better than to post on this board. Everyone here is so friendly and kind, aren't they?

I can assure you that the incident really happened. It was on a Delta flight from Cinncinnati to Madison, WI. I would have gotten the FA's name myself but the FA was not wearing a name tag and wouldn't give her name to the man when he asked.

Believe me or not.

If I was in your shoes, I'd write about the incident to the airline. I'm not normally one to do that, but for the FA to refuse to give her name when asked, well that would set me over the edge. I'd have been writing the letter on the plane, lol! I imagine that the gentleman involved is planning to do the same, so I'd send a letter in to support him.

 

[RadioNate]

Wow. I reallllllly should have known better than to post on this board. Everyone here is so friendly and kind, aren't they?

I can assure you that the incident really happened. It was on a Delta flight from Cinncinnati to Madison, WI. I would have gotten the FA's name myself but the FA was not wearing a name tag and wouldn't give her name to the man when he asked.

Believe me or not.

Huh?

That said. I've flown with cats a few times. Both times the FA was quite clear that they had to remain in the carrier under the seat.

When exiting the plane, even if you don't have a name a complaint w/the flight number and a general description should suffice should you ever encounter a situation where you need to make a complaint again.

 

[Handbag Lady]

It would have been an obnoxious FA. I would have reported him and the incident to the airline.

And, as a person owned by two cats, I realize if the cat had gotten out of the carrier in flight there is no way it could have been caught to be placed back in the carrier prior to the aircraft door being opened.

I would agree. There is NO way my cat would go back in the carrier after being let out on a flight. She would also pee on everything from fright.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've flown with my cat before. It was not the most pleasant experience of my adult life!!! Nothing better than taking a scared and nervous cat out of it's carrier and holding it in your arms as you through security!! I intentionally booked a seat that had no one in the immediate area. Then, just before travel day, I noticed that passengers had been seated all around me.
When I got to the gate, I asked the GA if I could change my seat to one with no one in my row, and with as few people in the immediate area as possible. The woman was really rude....she said, and I quote..'Oh, don't you like people??? Or are you just antisocial??' I was quite taken aback. I told her I had a cat with me and didn't want the cat to bother anyone, and had already changed my seat several times. She just rolled her eyes and said there were empty rows but they were in the extreme rear of the plane!! Not an issue for me. But, there was a nice couple in the row in front of me. Not sure why she didn't move me back to the last row, and keep the row in front of me, which would have been over the cat, empty. There was a lot of room on that flight...Delta by the way. This is what I find when looking at travel with my pet.......

CARRY ON YOUR PET
Dogs, cats and household birds can travel with you in the cabin for a one-way fee*, collected at check in, to the following destinations:
U.S./Canada: $125 USD/CAD
Virgin Islands: $125 USD/CAD
Puerto Rico: $125 USD/CAD
Outside the U.S.: $200 USD/CAD/EUR
Brazil: $75 USD
Special cases:
For any travel to or from South Africa, Honk Kong or the United Kingdom — with the exception of service animals — pets must travel as cargo and are not permitted in the cabin.
For travel to Hawaii, pets are not permitted to travel in the cabin, and other restrictions may apply. See Pets to Hawaii for details.
*CAD amount will be charged exit Canada, and EUR amount will be charged exit Europe. Fees established by the contract of carriage in effect at the time of ticket issuance will apply.
The following restrictions apply to pets traveling as carry-on baggage:
Your pet must be small enough to fit comfortably in a kennel under the seat directly in front of you. Maximum carry-on kennel dimensions are determined by your flight. You must contact Delta Reservations to determine the appropriate kennel size.
Your pet must remain inside the kennel (with door secured) while in a Delta boarding area (during boarding and deplaning), a Delta airport lounge and while onboard the aircraft.
Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old for Domestic and International travel.
Your pet counts as one piece of carry-on baggage.
You may not carry on more than one pet.
Exception: Two pets of the same species and size may be allowed to travel in one kennel, provide they are small enough to fit into one kennel and are compatible. They will be charged as one pet.
Pets are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Call Delta in advance at 800-221-1212 to arrange to bring your pet on board. To ensure the comfort of all of our passengers, Delta limits the number of total pets per flight.


As you can see, pets are not allowed out of their 'carriers'. Not sure why any FA would go against company policy. If I had heard a FA make that announcement, I would have sent off an email to Delta. If her name wasn't available, I would have been sure to give the flight number, day of travel, my itinerary number. That way they could track her down and retrain her.

I was lucky. My cat (actually my son's cat, I was flying it down to Florida for him) was very quiet. She cried a little upon takeoff and landing, but was quiet the rest of the time. I did ask the couple in front of me if they had any allergy issues with cats. They didn't, I stopped worrying.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

The only time I could see myself taking a pet on a plane (cargo or in the cabin) was if I were moving or had to take the animal to some kid of specialist.

 

[fly girl]

Wow. I reallllllly should have known better than to post on this board. Everyone here is so friendly and kind, aren't they?

I can assure you that the incident really happened. It was on a Delta flight from Cinncinnati to Madison, WI. I would have gotten the FA's name myself but the FA was not wearing a name tag and wouldn't give her name to the man when he asked.

Believe me or not.

Looked it up, it was a regional carrier, Pinnacle Airlines which works in cooperation with Delta as a Delta Connection Carrier. Therefore, it could be a relatively easy to write it up as she was likely the only flight attendant on the plane.


However, if she was working with another crew member, I can't imagine the other crew member going along with her! It is against FAA and really just plain stupid. If that was the case, it would lead me to the conclusion her statement was made in jest. Sure, she could have had an extremely dry sense of humor and the joke wasn't read as one. (I'd also say it was in poor taste too.)


Write it up. If she was solo it would be easy to figure out who she was. If it was a 2 person crew, give a physical description. Supervisors will be able to identify the crew member that way.

 

[burnurcomputer]

I havn't had any animals on flights that I have been on before. I have to remember this, I have a child who is allergic to dogs. He takes his regular meds everyday anyway, but then I can have his inhaler handy if he needs it. Good to know!

 

[Ember]

I've flown both nationally and internationally with a cat. I have been told every time that she must stay locked in her carrier. The most I've ever done is sneak a hand in to give her a bit of love. There is no way I'd let her roam, even if I were allowed. Cats are unpredictable and most do not feel secure in unfamiliar surroundings. My snuggling ball of love is a raging ball of terror at the vet. Much better for all concerned that she stay snug in her carrier.

Different airlines have different regulations, but when I flew domestically in Canada, she had to be in a soft sided carrier. It looked just like a bag, and unless you looked quite closely, you would never have known there was a cat on board. It's different when she's had to be in the bigger, hard case carriers. I've heard people on the DIS complain about allowing pets onboard, but never in real life.

 

[IheartMickey]

We have a service dog, she is allowed to walk around and be out of a carrier but we just hold her. Luckily her breed does not cause allergies.

People who have pets as emotional support animals are also allowed to have their pets out of the carrier. I've never heard of a cat roaming free on a flight before though.

 

[goofy4tink]

The only time I could see myself taking a pet on a plane (cargo or in the cabin) was if I were moving or had to take the animal to some kid of specialist.

Yep. Only reason I had the darned cat was because my son had driven to Florida, from Mass, to relocate, and there was no room in his car for the cat!!! Since I was flying to WDW about a month later, I told him I would deliver the cat to him, then he could drive me to BWV on his way home to Tampa!!!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Some routes do not allow pets (like to Hawaii) but most flights do allow 2-3 pets on board at any given time.

Not true, just pets have quarantine restrictions upon arrival and only service animals are allowed in the cabin.

For reference my sister-in-law brought her dog to Hawaii during a 1 year relocation, though the dog needed to be quarantined for a few days (I think it was 4 days) based on the requirements at the time.

 

[EMom]

We have a service dog, she is allowed to walk around and be out of a carrier but we just hold her. Luckily her breed does not cause allergies.

People who have pets as emotional support animals are also allowed to have their pets out of the carrier. I've never heard of a cat roaming free on a flight before though.

I am going to be totally and completely politically incorrect here and say that while I have no problem with service animals, "emotional support" animals push me over the edge. Need your dog, cat or snake to fly with you so that you don't have a meltdown? Sorry. That same animal may send someone else into their own omotional tailspin and what about THEIR emotional needs? We need a balance. Take a Valium before you get on the plane or something.

It is a balancing of needs. A true service dog/animal is something society has to deal with and I think most people get that even if they have a fear of said animal. But if someone needs an animal along to support them emotionally and that very animal is going to infringe on someone else's emotional well-being, then the person with the "I must have my animal with me" should have to accomodate and do without the animal.

It doesn't help my attitude that so many people fudge and call their pets "emotional support" animals when they just want Fifi along for the outing. You know, my cats relax me and put me at ease, but I leave them at home for the good of just about everyone. If I got on a plane and someone had a snake along for emotional support, I would claw my way off that plane. And honestly, I don't put it past someone.

 

[Glennie5]

I have never been on a flight that had a cat on it or at least not that I knew of, but have flown a few times where there have been dogs. Normally it doesn't bother me but the last time my DD and I flew to Disney the elderly lady sitting next to me had a dog with a serious gas problem. Worst flight ever!

 

[meggiebeth]

I am going to be totally and completely politically incorrect here and say that while I have no problem with service animals, "emotional support" animals push me over the edge. Need your dog, cat or snake to fly with you so that you don't have a meltdown? Sorry. That same animal may send someone else into their own omotional tailspin and what about THEIR emotional needs? We need a balance. Take a Valium before you get on the plane or something.

It is a balancing of needs. A true service dog/animal is something society has to deal with and I think most people get that even if they have a fear of said animal. But if someone needs an animal along to support them emotionally and that very animal is going to infringe on someone else's emotional well-being, then the person with the "I must have my animal with me" should have to accomodate and do without the animal.

It doesn't help my attitude that so many people fudge and call their pets "emotional support" animals when they just want Fifi along for the outing. You know, my cats relax me and put me at ease, but I leave them at home for the good of just about everyone. If I got on a plane and someone had a snake along for emotional support, I would claw my way off that plane. And honestly, I don't put it past someone.

I totally agree. Whilst some are deserving of having animals there for 'emotional support' it does get abused and I don't think animals should be allowed on planes for any old reason. It is not fair on the people that are seriously allergic to animals.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[diz8297]

Let me say this: I love my animals. I'm owned by two cats and a dog (I call him my third son). Having said that, I would not take them on a plane. I am finding it ridiculous that animals (aside from bona fide service dogs) are being allowed on flights so frequently. On our last trip to Florida, there were "lap dogs" on each flight. I think it is inconsiderate to other travelers who may have allergies. I would love to move to Florida someday. And if I do, I intend to drive my furbabies down.

 

[meggiebeth]

Whoops, sorry- duplicate post

 

[EMom]

I have never been on a flight that had a cat on it or at least not that I knew of, but have flown a few times where there have been dogs. Normally it doesn't bother me but the last time my DD and I flew to Disney the elderly lady sitting next to me had a dog with a serious gas problem. Worst flight ever!

ACK! Our 5 month old kitten eats like a starving dog and has the most vicious farts. Someone would throw us out of a plane if they had to sit next to him. I've seen the vet about it, and it seems he is just a Class A Farter. He belches too. Really, he just lacks manners entirely.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Let me say this: I love my animals. I'm owned by two cats and a dog (I call him my third son). Having said that, I would not take them on a plane. I am finding it ridiculous that animals (aside from bona fide service dogs) are being allowed on flights so frequently. On our last trip to Florida, there were "lap dogs" on each flight. I think it is inconsiderate to other travelers who may have allergies. I would love to move to Florida someday. And if I do, I intend to drive my furbabies down.

I don't have issues with pets on a plane, sometimes it's the most convenient solution and it's not particularly cheap, however, I do believe they should always be secured in their carrier, except service animals, not only for other passengers, but their safety.

There are restrictions on pets being stored in the cargo area of a plane, so sometimes there are no other options for smaller animals.