IYO, Should pets be allowed to fly?

[Dancing Fire]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/united-announces-cabin-animal-policy-puppy-dies-overhead/story?id=53762622

 

[Austina]

Absolutely.

Of course there needs to be certain requirements that the pet should meet (in addition to health checks), because even as a dog owner, I wouldn’t want to sit listening to a dog howling and barking throughout the flight ( any more than I want to hear children screaming and crying). Most dogs would happily sit quietly with their owner during the flight, and as long as they’re comfortable (having been toileted pre-flight) then it shouldn't be an issue.

Of course there will be people who will say it’s a health hazard, they’re allergic, it’s against their religious beliefs etc., but I’d rather have my dog sitting next to me than a lot of passengers I’ve encountered

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

I actually read the story, but there was little explanation. Which responsible dog owner would just let them place a puppy in the overhead compartment?

And if so (they evoke language barriers), not check on the animal.
Of course the flight attendant was being a total idiot, too.

I hate when people try to free themselves of ANY responsibility. And of course it's the animal who suffered the horrible consequences.

 

[Missy]

I cannot read the story. I heard more than enough by accident. Too upset for words.

But I will say pets can fly responsibly if the owner purchases a seat for them (if they are small enough to be in the seat in the carrier next to their human passenger) and carries them in an appropriately safe carrier. They should NEVER be put in storage and NEVER anywhere else but right next to or on the floor in front of (in their carrier) their owner. Period.

And to agree with @kipari yes the people are the responsible parties whenever something tragic like this happens. And to answer your question @Dancing Fire if little kids can safely fly our furbabies should also be allowed to fly safely. They are part of our family and sometimes there is no other good way to get them from Point A to Point B.

And to echo @Austina yes agreed. I would rather have my dog or cat next to me vs a screaming baby. And I love babies don't get me wrong but I also love my furbaby.

Please don't make me choose. Both babies human and furry ones can safely fly when one uses common sense and appropriate safety measures.

 

[luv2sparkle]

The one thing that bothers me about it, is that a lot of people have their dogs made into 'therapy" dogs by just filling out some paperwork. It seems that makes real therapy dogs who are needed by people less legitimate. My daughters MIL recently did this with her golden. The dog is not a therapy dog, she just wanted to be able to bring him with her more places. When I have been to the LAX to bring DD for a flight, the Southwest line for check-in is filled with dogs. If they are allowed on flights there should be clear rules that the airlines should follow and real therapy dogs should have special exemptions like being able to be out and on the laps of their people. I don't mind that dogs are allowed but it seems like things regarding animals should be more clearly defined.

 

[rodentman]

If the pet has the ability of flight, why not?

 

[TooPatient]

It can be done safely. Much as I would avoid it, even having them in cargo can be done safely.

The sad reality is that a lot of people already dump their dogs and cats when they move or are going somewhere for a month. Limiting their options further would likely increase the number of animals dumped for travel/moving. The shelters and rescues are already swamped by this. We need to make the requirements clearer so the animals can travel safely and more people will opt for that instead of leaving them behind.

 

[Irishgrrrl]

Yes, they definitely should be allowed to fly. And not in overhead bins, either!

When we got our first French bulldog back in 2009, I flew halfway across the country to pick him up. He rode in an airline-approved carrier under the seat in front of me, from Marquette to Detriot to Baltimore, and never made a sound. Our flight attendant was WONDERFUL and kept asking me "Does the baby need anything? Are y'all OK?" LOL! He even brought us ice chips for me to give him so he wouldn't get thirsty. He couldn't have been more kind and accommodating. Delta knows how it's done! United needs to take lessons from them.

ETA: If that flight attendant had asked me to put my dog in an overhead bin, there's no way in hell I would've agreed to do that. I would've walked off the plane first. SMH.

 

[lyra]

Of course they should be allowed to fly, and it should be a high priority whether in the cabin or in the cargo hold. We have flown dogs several times. It's not always just a "why can't you leave it at home" situation. We moved across the country and had a big dog. He HAD to go with us, and HAD to fly cargo. He was well looked after, but it was a Canadian airline obviously. I also can't read the details of those stories. Everyone should share the blame on that. As just another passenger, I would have checked on the dog MYSELF just for my own peace of mind. Or I'd get kicked off for causing a ruckus, most likely. But I wouldn't just sit there and allow that to happen, ever.

 

[Dancing Fire]

I don't mind pets flying in the plane as long as they are potty trained b/c I don't wanna smell their pooh inside the cabin if they have an accident, but what if I am allergic to dogs and cats should I get off the plane then?

 

[yssie]

We moved cross-country with three cats: driving wasn't feasible. They flew with us in-cabin. I cannot begin to imagine letting anyone put my animal in an overhead bin and then leaving it there for three hours.

The only victim here is the dog whose owners didn't care enough about his welfare to raise a fuss when appropriate

 

[Irishgrrrl]

I don't mind pets flying in the plane as long as they are potty trained b/c I don't wanna smell their pooh inside the cabin if they have an accident, but what if I am allergic to dogs and cats should I get off the plane then?

Take a Benadryl, DF. You can't sneeze when you're unconscious!

 

[bludiva]

The one thing that bothers me about it, is that a lot of people have their dogs made into 'therapy" dogs by just filling out some paperwork. It seems that makes real therapy dogs who are needed by people less legitimate. My daughters MIL recently did this with her golden. The dog is not a therapy dog, she just wanted to be able to bring him with her more places. When I have been to the LAX to bring DD for a flight, the Southwest line for check-in is filled with dogs. If they are allowed on flights there should be clear rules that the airlines should follow and real therapy dogs should have special exemptions like being able to be out and on the laps of their people. I don't mind that dogs are allowed but it seems like things regarding animals should be more clearly defined.

Agree, it drives me crazy that people abuse service animal laws... it makes things harder for the people who actually need a highly trained service animal. And an emotional therapy dog is *not* a service dog.

A woman brought her dog with her to the gym the other day and tied it up in the lobby during class. It was not a service animal, it was not a well trained dog, it was barking and looking for her and freaking people out. I'm sure she told them it was her therapy dog. A colleague was on a flight a couple of weeks ago where a fake service animal got sick in multiple ways on the flight and the smell was so bad passengers were nauseated.

As much as I love my dog and wish there was a better solution than sticking her in cargo, I'm not going to act like the rules don't apply to me because she and I are oh-so-special. I do wish there were flights that accommodated dogs that don't fit under the seat if you buy them a ticket. There was an attempt at a pet airline (pet airways) years ago but it apparently didn't make enough money and shut down.

I haven't read enough to know what happened with the recent frenchie/bulldog incident but flying is really dangerous for smush-faced animals, they already have trouble breathing. I'm guessing the dog & carrier didn't fit under the seat like it should have and the passenger felt panicked and didn't want to miss the flight. I wonder if the flight attendant knew also and didn't want to cause the flight to be delayed or missed or whatever or did she have no idea? Sad all around and one more reminder why flying just sucks these days.

/rant

 

[rocks]

It makes my blood boil when people get a letter from a physician saying they need a "comfort dog" to fly to avoid paying for a ticket. Therapy dogs go through training and certification, but both categories fly free. We have two friends(sisters) that have extraordinarily well behaved cockapoos. They fly between ny and FL regularly. They buy tickets for the dogs.....the right thing to do. People have suggested they get the fake paper work; they would never consider it. I respect them and wish more people had their morals.

As for us...our boy is too big to fly in the cabin. We drive.

 

[OoohShiny]

If the pet has the ability of flight, why not?

There would be a certain irony if a parrot was not permitted to fly in a plane

 

[arkieb1]

In Australia and other countries all animals have to be checked on and they all travel in the underneath compartments, even for long haul flights, we mostly don't allow any animals in the cabin.

 

[KaeKae]

This story is awful. We have flown with a cat, on two occasions. I cannot even understand why a flight attendant got involved. We carried them on, in a carrier and placed them under the seat in front of one of us. I certainly would not have stood for our pet being placed anywhere but in front of us. In fact, we PAID for the right to do so.

But, I also chose to drive cross county last summer, rather than put my 55 pound dog under the plane. DD and I drove with the dogs, while DH took the cat on the plane. In fact, he came close to being stuck in Texas with the cat, during a layover that nearly didn't take off. They were in one of a very few flights that got out during a lull in a coming hurricane. (I guess it hadn't quite reached them yet, but he was very grateful not to be spending the night in the airport, let alone with a cat.)

 

[Puppmom]

No way I’m reading that article. I already know what happened and it will just make me cry.

But I do think pets should be able to fly. My dog wouldn’t do well but I can see how some would. I would honestly be THRILLED if I boarded a plane and discovered my seat mate was a dog instead of a human!

 

[KaeKae]

No way I’m reading that article. I already know what happened and it will just make me cry.

But I do think pets should be able to fly. My dog wouldn’t do well but I can see how some would. I would honestly be THRILLED if I boarded a plane and discovered my seat mate was a dog instead of a human!

That happened to us once. Actually, for some reason I never knew, the fight attendant rearranged seats and we wound up next to a lady with her "therapy-dog-in-training." DD and I were MORE than happy to accommodate, and boy was he spoiled during that flight. At one point, he was spread out under DD's feet, into mine and his handler. I don't know what the real story was, but we loved him. A Lab mix, I think. Another time, I carry on dog was behind us. Obviously, his owner let him out for a bit (I don't think that is really allowed) and he climbed under the seat. Again, we were thrilled to meet him, probably lucky for the owner.

 

[Karl_K]

I am now very allergic to cats.
I am dreading flying again with the proliferation of animals on board flights.
The security circus is bad enough.

 

[Bron357]

Here in Australia it’s cargo hold for all pets!
Guide dogs and accredited therapy dogs (and here in Australia it’s like a 12 month certification process with assessments etc so you can’t just throw on vest that says “therapy” animal) are fine in the cabin though the airline has to know beforehand so they can allocate a front row seat so as to fit the dog on the floor.
As far as I know, no one here has tried to board a plane with a therapy pony, kangaroo, wombat etc because our accredition for “ recognised therapy” animals is really structured and not easy to obtain.

 

[lyra]

I am actually very afraid of flying. My emotional support is ativan. I wouldn't put my dogs through the stress of an airplane journey just for my benefit. ESAs are supposed to be for people with actual disabilities, and of course I support that idea. My phobia is something that my doctor can give me meds to cope with at least. I am quite claustrophobic, and need ativan for plane rides, MRI's and any tiny medical procedure too--they all make me feel trapped. YMMV.

 

[Arcadian]

When we were house hunting in FL from Massachusetts I looked at what it would take to fly Lucky. It was absolutely ridiculous in as far as price, and there's no way in hell I was allowing her to be considered cargo. I would not have even been able to fly into a preferred airport, costing me more money on my own tickets, so I drove. In fact we drove a total of 3 times, 3 days each trip. The worst of the trip was the first one and only the first leg because we got such a late start. I can't blame her; we overnighted in New Jersey I learned to keep driving and overnight in Baltimore instead! I'm thankful my dog loves road trips, so it wasn't as terrible as it could be for some who's animals don't travel as well.

FWIW, I'm quite allergic to cat dander. Love the buggers, but sneezing, stuffy nose, bloodshot eyes is not a good look! Thankfully doggie dander is not as bad, and grey's dont tend have lots of it.

In the US unfortunately there's been all kinds of bruhaha with emotional support animals. Some chick brought her therapy pig on a flight once. The pig pooped in the aisle (yummy) and was disruptive. They got kicked off eventually.
https://www.cnn.com/2014/11/30/travel/emotional-support-pig-booted-flight/index.html

And someone tried to bring on a Peacock...

Though people seemed to be fine with the emotional support duck
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...e-soars-in-popularity/?utm_term=.c100c29e577d

Its like the friendly skies has turned into a zoo. what next? Emotional Support Cheetah? Maybe Ostrich? Ooo wait, Elephant!

 

[bludiva]

When we were house hunting in FL from Massachusetts I looked at what it would take to fly Lucky. It was absolutely ridiculous in as far as price, and there's no way in hell I was allowing her to be considered cargo. I would not have even been able to fly into a preferred airport, costing me more money on my own tickets, so I drove. In fact we drove a total of 3 times, 3 days each trip. The worst of the trip was the first one and only the first leg because we got such a late start. I can't blame her; we overnighted in New Jersey I learned to keep driving and overnight in Baltimore instead! I'm thankful my dog loves road trips, so it wasn't as terrible as it could be for some who's animals don't travel as well.

FWIW, I'm quite allergic to cat dander. Love the buggers, but sneezing, stuffy nose, bloodshot eyes is not a good look! Thankfully doggie dander is not as bad, and grey's dont tend have lots of it.

In the US unfortunately there's been all kinds of bruhaha with emotional support animals. Some chick brought her therapy pig on a flight once. The pig pooped in the aisle (yummy) and was disruptive. They got kicked off eventually.
https://www.cnn.com/2014/11/30/travel/emotional-support-pig-booted-flight/index.html

And someone tried to bring on a Peacock...

Though people seemed to be fine with the emotional support duck
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...e-soars-in-popularity/?utm_term=.c100c29e577d

Its like the friendly skies has turned into a zoo. what next? Emotional Support Cheetah? Maybe Ostrich? Ooo wait, Elephant!

Yeah, that's the problem, people abusing the rules to allow animals onboard that would normally have to go as cargo. It's supposed to be more like what @Bron357 described and it used to be until a few years ago. I think this bad behavior is more common now since people started selling fake service tags for your animal online for like $50....easier availability and more people doing it makes others think it's ok i guess.

I flew my dog in cargo once, it was expensive and stressful but it was the best option at the time. People who have show dogs fly their dogs routinely, there must be some tips out there on how to make the flight less stressful on the animal.

 

[Arcadian]

Yeah, that's the problem, people abusing the rules to allow animals onboard that would normally have to go as cargo. It's supposed to be more like what @Bron357 described and it used to be until a few years ago. I think this bad behavior is more common now since people started selling fake service tags for your animal online for like $50....easier availability and more people doing it makes others think it's ok i guess.

I flew my dog in cargo once, it was expensive and stressful but it was the best option at the time. People who have show dogs fly their dogs routinely, there must be some tips out there on how to make the flight less stressful on the animal.

For some dogs and cats+ other animals, the routine of doing it becomes second nature, and basically they get trained to being crated. Lucky is a retired racer, so crating isn't a big deal. the travel crate however was a bit different but we made a great game of it, lots of praise, and treats, and she took to it fine. When we did all the driving however, no crate (my car was too small!) and basically the back half of my car was her crate. Considering her travel bed is gel memory foam, I would climb back there with her at rest stops

I'm sure for the rest pharmaceuticals play a part.

Generally though I think in part they also pick up ques from their humans. Lucky used to really fret at the vet's office because I can't say I liked being there either and I hated seeing her stressed out and it became quite the cycle. So little by little, I started to ignore her more in the vets office. Do you know the dog finally started settling down more? It wasnt over night and took about a year but we got there!

With crating, I think it takes time to do, which some don't have or don't realize they need, and most people don't view crating as a great thing. Animals will pick up on that and will not want to do it.

 

[lyra]

We crate trained all of our dogs, big and small. It's easy to do with puppies. Our Chi's don't get crated unless necessary now, but they often take turns just going in the crate we have out. It could fit all 3 easily, but only 2 get along well enough to actually use it together for outings. I feel like I failed with #3. He is so unlike the other two! He requires his own separate crate. Such a diva.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

My CKCS is crate trained. When it's time to go to bed he goes right in, I don't even have to close the door. We have never flown him anywhere (nor would I) but he has no issues being in a crate.