what caused SW Airlines to do this?

[Pea-n-Me]

I just wish people wouldn't throw around exaggerated accusations about what people post. There have been some good discussion and suggestions for dealing with the situation, but geez, some people...

I'm LOL at the irony of your post.

Nobody had a problem with this post (to me). You even thought it good enough to quote in your reply.

For Christ's sake. A pet is an animal and a person is a human being! Clearly a difference; they are not interchangeable although it is clear that some people value animals more than humans. Are you that crazy cat lady with the sign in her yard that says "if you run over my cat, I'll run over your child"????

I thought it was one of the rudest responses I've ever encountered here.

 

[DISdreamin']

Wow - I just read through this thread and...wow.

Honestly, if you are highly allergic to animals (be it dogs or cats), it seems that due to the airlines being compliant with ADA, there was ALWAYS a chance of being exposed to animal dander on ANY flight. Yes, now it may become a more obvious danger because SWA is allowing non-service animals/pets on flights, but it was always a possiblity, and more likely a probablility, that you were being exposed, at some level. It's not like they sanitize everything between each and every flight.

As far as those who say animals on flights are rare, I honestly don't believe it. I don't fly too frequently (maybe 4 or 5 times a year) but when I do, I probably notice animals in per-carriers on probably 25% of the flights. My guess is they're there much more often than that, I just don't see them!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

No, what Jessica meant was they're one of the last airlines to remove the ban on pets in the cabin.

I thought what Jessica posted was a quote from a SW blog, but I didn't read the blog, I admit. I'll have to take a look when I get a chance.

I'm LOL at the irony of your post.

And I'm LOL at your inability to comprehend my post. The OP expressed concern about a family member's allergies and SWA now allowing pets on their flights, and her post is intrepreted as a "panic attack" by another poster. I expressed my dismay at people who so quickly and easily throw around exaggerated labels of people and what they post, and yes, I called those posters "some people". Whoa!

 

[aristocatz]

I think you should just mention your allergy concerns to the ticket agent when you book. This way they can seat you in an area that is not near a pet who might be traveling onboard.

 

[Planogirl]

This is an interesting discussion. I was always one who argued against allowing pets in restaurants and stores partially because of the possibility of some patrons having allergies and many said that those allergic people would just have to deal with it. Yet those animals didn't need to be there (except service animals).

Now people travel or move with pets and I find that the need to be able to transport them much more necessary than taking Fido to a restaurant. Yet so many are up in arms about it. Truly ironic.

Why do so many people pick on Southwest in this case? Most airlines have always allowed pets so why didn't anyone complain to them? It's not up to Southwest to be the only pet-free carrier.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't see it as anybody picking on Southwest; there are simply posters here who are expressing their disappointment at Southwest's change in policy.

 

[mousey]

I would much rather have a pet in my row then an overweight person who is half in my seat or a screaming kid!! We fly Jet Blue a lot and many times you don't even notice the pets until people come to claim their luggage and they are carrying a pet carrier.

 

[bicker]

Why do so many people pick on Southwest in this case?

I think a lot of people develop unfounded proprietary perspectives towards service providers of various sorts, in varying degrees. This prompts them to ascribe to those suppliers commitments that those suppliers never actually made, essentially imposing on those suppliers expectations that have no rational basis other than personal desire.

We see the same sort of thing affecting retailers, cable companies, cell phone services, etc.

Oh! ... and theme park resorts.