small dogs on a plane

[roliepolieoliefan]

4)
As for the comment that dogs belong in the cargo hold - I disagree.

Many of the people transporting dogs are going back and forth to shows. Many of these animals are worth sums in the 5 digits. Dogs die in the cargo holds. They get seriously stressed out. And if your job and livelyhood is showing this dog, you don't want it stressed out the day of the show. It is just as much a necessity for a person's livelyhood as an engineer's expensive laptop - only worth much more.

Sorry but I have to laugh at this comment. I showed my dogs for many many years. Believe me, if showing is your livelihood, 99.9% of those people have big RV buses to transport their pup crew across the country so they do not get stressed etc.

I don't know anybody who would take their pup and board an airplane for a show. As I said, if showing is their "job" they have many many more than 1 animal they would be showing.

I am an extreme animal lover but all animals should be in the cargo compartment. I agree it is dangerous to fly an animal, large dogs are in just as much danger, though it is not an option to bring medium and large animals on the plane with you.

Dogs large and small and cats should be in the cargo compartment. What if someone doesn't mention their animal allergy or the dander is still on the seat after the animal deplanes, the results could be grave.

my kids nor I have any allergies, so this is not a concern. But a humans health shouldn't be compromised because poor FiFi can't stay home or fly alone.

 

[lovetomow]

But a humans health shouldn't be compromised because poor FiFi can't stay home or fly alone.

You are gonna have tons of people who will disagree with this statement. I happen to agree with it 110%.

 

[Nana Annie]

Sorry but I have to laugh at this comment. I showed my dogs for many many years. Believe me, if showing is your livelihood, 99.9% of those people have big RV buses to transport their pup crew across the country so they do not get stressed etc.

I don't know anybody who would take their pup and board an airplane for a show. As I said, if showing is their "job" they have many many more than 1 animal they would be showing.

We will have to agree to disagree then.

I have been showing for over 30 years now, and I know plenty of people that fly their toys and small dogs in the cabin from show to show. I wholeheartedly agree that many handlers and full time show owners have large rigs, but sometimes if you have a show on the east coast and you need to be across the country by Saturday for the next circuit, sometimes it is just easier to fly.

And many of the smaller breeders, who have equally valuable dogs as the large owners, fly. No sense in hauling a huge RV around for one or two small dogs. The fuel costs are ridiculous. My breeder is one of them. She has a top 5 dog, and it is the only one they are special ing right now. They fly to every show as it is much easier on the dog, the owner/handler and the pocketbook. And that dog is in the cabin.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Just tell the reservationist you're highly allergic. There are major restrictions on carrying small animals in the plane - they charge a fortune, limit the number, and have special carriers you have to use.

There are also airlines that don't allow any pets in the cabin (I believe Southwest is one?).

I'm deathly allergic to someone that has smoke in their clothing or too much perfume/cologne. I just ask to move far far away if I am seated next to them. It's only happened once.

 

[Nana Annie]

What if someone doesn't mention their animal allergy or the dander is still on the seat after the animal deplanes, the results could be grave.

If the rules are followed, there will never be any dander on the seat. The animal is in a airline approved pet carrier and must remain under the seat at all times. The carrier should not be opened and the dog must never be allowed out of the carrier, even just to sit on an owner's lap.

If somebody sees a dog or cat out of its carrier, I suggest making a complaint to a flight attendent immediately. Because, yes, they are then making it a potential problem for the next person who sits in that seat.

But if you want to debate pet dander on a seat, what about the people who have shedding dogs and sit on a plane with their clothes containing dog hair? They are potentially transferring that hair to the seat? That is about as much pet hair/ dander you would get on a seat if all the rules are followed and the in-cabin pet remains in its carrier during the entire flight.

 

[mommasita]

Dogs belong in the luggage compartment.

Where I work, this is the ONLY place for all animals.

 

[TwinsinCA]

And perhaps they aren't just taking "Fluffy" with them on vacation, maybe they are moving? Just too many possibilities out there...

We have made several long distance/out of state moves over the years and our cat always flew with us. Once someone at the airport actually said to me "When we vacation, we leave our pets at home." I explained we were moving and leaving our cat behind was NOT an option!

We do always sedate her so she doesn't make noise and disturb others but I don't know what can really be done if someone with allergies is on the same flight. If you are THAT allergic that a cat in a carrier under a seat in the same cabin is going to kill you, then maybe the onus is on you to ask if any other pets are on board when you make your reservation. I wonder if they note the flight somehow so that the severely allergic and the pet people are at least not seated near one another. I have no idea. But if there is not system in place, there should be.

 

[DisneyWorldOct08]

I've never seen it, but I would never take my dog on a plane. He is small and social, but never mind even the people allergies, I would be worried about just him, flying. When I think about what planes do to my ears, I can only imagine my dog would be in extreme discomfort being in the air and probably very stressed out. Stressed dogs = messy bathroom issues. Who wants to deal with that on a plane...

So unless there was a dire reason why I had to bring him, he wouldn't fly.

I'm extremely allergic to cats and I was on a flight once about 10 years ago where some lady had two fluffy cats and I was miserable the whole flight. It was full and I couldn't switch seats.

 

[librarygal]

With proper documentation you are allowed to bring an "emotional service animal" on the plane with you. This could be a monkey, pot bellied pig or any other small animal that is not dangerous. No snakes on the plane.

http://www.fedsmith.com/article/90/

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

My mom is severely allergic to dogs and when she flies, she tells the agent who books her that she is allergic. If there IS a pet flying on the same flight as she is, the ANIMAL gets bumped, not my mom. The only way my mom gets bumped is if it's a seeing eye dog. Otherwise, if it's a pet, the pet/owners need to go on a different flight. This is through Midwest Airlines, btw.

 

[Nana Annie]

My mom is severely allergic to dogs and when she flies, she tells the agent who books her that she is allergic. If there IS a pet flying on the same flight as she is, the ANIMAL gets bumped, not my mom. The only way my mom gets bumped is if it's a seeing eye dog. Otherwise, if it's a pet, the pet/owners need to go on a different flight. This is through Midwest Airlines, btw.

As it should be.

As I mentioned before, most of the airlines that allow pets in the cabin have this regulation. That is why you have to declare your pet at time of ticketing. And you are also made aware that if there is somebody on the plane with severe allergies, you will be the one bumped. For the most part, people travelling with pets are travelling just one step above stand-by. You have a seat on the plane, but if somebody trumps your animal with allergies, you are bumped and will be accomodated on the next available flight.

Or you can choose to provide a airline approved crate and put the pet in the cargo hold. Your choice - next available flight or dog/cat goes into cargo hold.

Only exceptions would be service animals. Those do not get bumped.

 

[mamacatnv]

I don't have any issue with it and don't see the big deal. I remember when I was a kid and people would have their pets on board in carriers so it has been going on a long time.

If someone is deathly allergic to an animal, how do they know the person sitting next to them does not own the same type of animal and has the hair/fur/dander all over their clothing which on a full flight could come in pretty close contact?

I would rather be sitting next to a person with a crated animal than a sneezing, coughing, wiggly, gooey toddler any day.

 

[poohandwendy]

I don't have any issue with it and don't see the big deal. I remember when I was a kid and people would have their pets on board in carriers so it has been going on a long time.

If someone is deathly allergic to an animal, how do they know the person sitting next to them does not own the same type of animal and has the hair/fur/dander all over their clothing which on a full flight could come in pretty close contact?

I would rather be sitting next to a person with a crated animal than a sneezing, coughing, wiggly, gooey toddler any day.

That is a good point. There is no way to prevent that.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

If the rules are followed, there will never be any dander on the seat. The animal is in a airline approved pet carrier and must remain under the seat at all times. The carrier should not be opened and the dog must never be allowed out of the carrier, even just to sit on an owner's lap.

If somebody sees a dog or cat out of its carrier, I suggest making a complaint to a flight attendent immediately. Because, yes, they are then making it a potential problem for the next person who sits in that seat.

But if you want to debate pet dander on a seat, what about the people who have shedding dogs and sit on a plane with their clothes containing dog hair? They are potentially transferring that hair to the seat? That is about as much pet hair/ dander you would get on a seat if all the rules are followed and the in-cabin pet remains in its carrier during the entire flight.

The thing is as others have stated of all he times I've seen animals on flights, which now BTW is almost all of them, the animals are always out of the crates on the people's laps.

Yea, you could complain, it doesn't bother me, so I never have.

But in other places its cut and dry, service animals only, as it should be anywhere. Why should little Fifi get to sit on mommy's lap and Brutus has to ride with the luggage.

All animals large and small should ride in the cargo hold. Yep, you guessed it, I have large dogs and they get discrminated against all the time. Airplanes, hotel rooms, you name it.

I think we should form the "large dog disrimination group".

 

[poohandwendy]

The thing is as others have stated of all he times I've seen animals on flights, which now BTW is almost all of them, the animals are always out of the crates on the people's laps.

Yea, you could complain, it doesn't bother me, so I never have.

But in other places its cut and dry, service animals only, as it should be anywhere. Why should little Fifi get to sit on mommy's lap and Brutus has to ride with the luggage.

All animals large and small should ride in the cargo hold. Yep, you guessed it, I have large dogs and they get discrminated against all the time. Airplanes, hotel rooms, you name it.

I think we should form the "large dog disrimination group".

I would only agree with that if the cargo hold is temperature and air pressure regulated for living beings. (heat/air conditioning) I don't expect it to be comfy, but it shouldn't be a deadly place either. Too many animals have died due to the extreme conditions in the cargo hold.

 

[jrmasm]

Why should little Fifi get to sit on mommy's lap and Brutus has to ride with the luggage.

Because Brutus doesn't fit in mommy's lap and would overflow into neighboring seats.

 

[Nana Annie]

Yep, you guessed it, I have large dogs and they get discrminated against all the time. Airplanes, hotel rooms, you name it.

I think we should form the "large dog disrimination group".

Got me there. Having had large breed dogs, I know well the hassles of getting hotel rooms, etc.

Large Dog Discrimination Group - love it

 

[christiane]

From the FAA website: (http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_pets/cabin_pets/)

Can I be sure that there will be no animals on my flight if an airline does not allow pets in the cabin?
No, you can’t be sure. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has rules (14 CFR part 382) (PDF) that require airlines to allow passengers to fly with their service animals in the cabin on all U.S. airlines. Service animals are not pets. They are working animals that assist persons with disabilities. There is no limit to the number of service animals that can be on any flight. Service animals do not need any health certificates to travel and they do not need to be confined in a container or cage.

I have severe allergies to pet dander. How can I be sure that there is no pet dander on my flight?
You will still be exposed to pet dander on every flight, even without any pets in the passenger cabin. This is because most allergens are carried into the cabin on the clothes of other passengers.

Then what should I do if I am allergic to pet dander, but I need to fly?First, you can reduce the chance that there will be an animal in the cabin on your flight. You can fly on an airline that does not allow pets in the cabin. You can also ask the reservations agent for your airline if another passenger on the same flight has made reservations to travel with a pet. You should also check with your allergist or doctor before your trip to discuss travel related risks and ask if you should carry medications with you. If a reaction should occur during the flight, follow your doctor’s treatment instructions and ask a flight attendant for assistance

Christiane

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

I opened this thread thinking, hmm, maybe it's like "Snakes on a Plane!"

 

[olena]

well I have never been on a plane with a seeing eyedog, I know they can't turn them away but there seems to be a much less chance of that happening. But it seems every single flight I have been on lately there has been a small dog. All I can say is the dog isn't a ticketed paying passenger!

This may not be true soon. Some airlines are going to charge extra to bring animals in small carriers in the cabin. I heard as high as $100 each way for cats. I don't know about dogs.

It's all part of the trend of new fees being charged for things like preferred seats, extra bags, fuel surcharges, etc. So for some routes, the passenger may be paying more to bring their pet than they are paying for their own seat. I think this will lead to people sneaking their animals.

On the topic, I have been on flights with all sorts of animals...small dogs, service animals and cats...and I've never had a problem with my severe allergies. The animals don't lick me, which causes hives and they don't 'live' in the aircraft. The worst problems I have with animal reactions is in their homes. Their saliva and dander is everywhere....in the ductwork, clinging to walls and surfaces, embedded in all upholstered items and carpets, on the curtains, etc. The more lax the housekeeping, the worse it is.

I always carry something like Claritin with me, in case I find myself in a difficult environment. If someone was having a severe reaction that resulted in an emergency, the crew should react appropriately.