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Fly the Friendly Skies With . . . Pets
When traveling with my service dog, Bailey, I often hear, “Gee, I wish I could take my pet along.”
I understand how hard it is to leave the family dog or cat. Now, there is good news for small pet owners from Southwest Airlines. Starting June 17, small dogs and cats (that can be stowed under the passenger’s seat) will be able to fly in the cabin.
Sorry. Pets do not earn rapid rewards and unaccompanied minors will not be able to bring their pets. The cost is $75 each way. No more than two (of same species) will be allowed per pet carrier and each passenger is allowed only one carrier.
Now for the rules:
Having a pet does not entitle the passenger to pre-board. Don’t plan on taking a carry-on as the pet carrier replaces it. Pets must remain in the carrier at all times; no letting their head or tails pop out during the flight. Cats and dogs must be at least 8 weeks old.
The animals must be harmless, inoffensive, odorless and require no attention during flight. SWA’s policy states: ”We maintain the right to refuse acceptance of a cat or dog exhibiting aggressive behavior or any other characteristics that appear incompatible with air travel.”
What happens if there is a disturbance in air? Would they make an emergency landing for a barking dog?
Southwest Airlines will not be responsible if a customer misses a flight due to the need to take the cat or dog to an outside relief area. If the pet becomes ill during the flight, oxygen or other first-aid procedures will not be administered. In the event of an emergency, an oxygen mask may not be available for the cat or dog. Southwest Airlines assumes no liability for the health or well-being of pets. Finally, Southwest Airlines will not accept pet remains in the cabin of the aircraft.
Since $75 is often much cheaper than a kennel or other vacation pet arrangements, I have to wonder how many irresponsible owners will think they can just put their dog in a carrier with no more forethought than given to a piece of luggage.
I certainly don’t want to sound elitist - “I can take my dog but you can’t take your pet.” However, there is a very big difference between pets and service dogs — in training, health and grooming of the animal.
Will people bring small dogs and cats not appropriate for travel such as animals prone to motion sickness, yapping dogs and cats that cry and claw at the carrier the entire flight? How will they plan for the discomfort to the animal’s ears on take off and landing? What about grooming standards that service dogs must meet for the safety of other passengers and animals (dander, fleas, ticks)?
According to the FAQ section of the SWA website, “Southwest does not require a health certificate or any other documentation from the Customer’s veterinarian for pets to travel.”
But according to their pet policy, “Southwest Airlines accepts small vaccinated domestic cats and dogs.” How do they know whether they are vaccinated and for what?
Traveling with a dog presents its own set of challenges. Bailey has gone through hundreds of hours of training and I have completed several public access courses. This ensures that the dog is well-behaved and not a threat to other travelers. Additionally, the dog needs protection from high-risk situations common with air travel. Other passengers should not be impacted by the presence of the dog. The owner must know the signs of stress and the relief schedule of their animals.
Again, I think this is wonderful news from SWA, and I am not concerned about people who have animals for show or competing — as they generally have the same standards for behavior, health and grooming as service dogs.
I am concerned about Aunt Betty’s dog, FiFi, and for her fellow passengers. Betty can’t stand to leave little FiFi even though FiFi is a terror, yaps constantly, and bites ankles and small children.
It has taken years of education and the proven track record of service animals working well to gain the current level of acceptance.
I just hope I don’t have to sit by a yapping dog for the whole flight.
Darcie Gore earned a master’s degree in social work and enjoyed working with diverse populations for over 30 years. She is a stroke survivor and is assisted by Bailey, her service dog. Darcie has been married to Jim since she was 17 years old. They have two grown children, Laura and Jeff, and live in a retirement community.
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I usually prefer a window seat, but when traveling with a pet it is easier to get the pet carrier in and out if you have an aisle seat.
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My child has a severe cat allergy and as a parent, I would be furious if we were next to a person on a flight with a cat. It would cause an allergic attack that would not only compromise his breathing but potentially ruin a family trip. I would hope that when one in six people are allergic to cat dander (which is so hard to eliminate from surfaces) that airlines could find a way to contain the animals in an area where they wouldn’t be exposed to other passengers.
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Darcie Reply:
June 16th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I am sorry your child has cat allergies. Having any kind of disablity is not fun when the environment impacts your enjoyment. With service dogs, we are taught how to groom them and how to be sensitive to potential allergies of others. I don’t think ‘normal’ pet owners will be as sensitive.
However, I also have learned in my public access classes the PEOPLE spread the dander more than carry-on pets.
“According to many allergists, the bigger problem can be pet dander on the pet owner, as opposed on to the pet itself. While pets are generally confined to the interior of a pet carrier, their owners will move around much more, expelling pet dander from their clothing into the air” This article also discusses people with allergies flying. Read more here.
The bottom line is your son was probably exposed to more cat dander from cat owners standing or sitting next to him.
Just as I have to in order to fly, you may need to start planning for medications, seat assignments, and checking reservations at boarding.
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Larry Reply:
June 17th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Darcie,
I don’t know how to plan my seat assignment to make sure the person next to me does not bring in a cat.
How do you do that?
Your little brother.
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Darcie Reply:
June 17th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Hey bro, surprised to see you here. Even more surprised that my world traveling brother would ask me a question about flights :). I am so glad you did. I know how allergic you are to cats (that is one of the reasons I am so sympatric to allergy sufferers). Great question for many people.
There are three steps to flying with a medical condition.
First, make sure you have all medications you may need within reach on the flight. .
Second, when booking the flight, notify the airlines of your severe allergy to cats.
Third, when you board, tell the flight attendant and ask if there are any animals booked on the flight. They should make sure you are not seated in that area. But again, you will get more dander from the cat owner next to you that left kitty at home.
Southwest Airlines was one of the last airlines to prohibit pets in the cabin. Almost all of the other airlines have had pet policies in effect for years.
Excellent article. Although my dog is too large to fit in a carrier under the seat, I hope people will THINK about their dog’s training and behavior before a trip. If the dog is a spoiled brat, please leave them home. You may love them, but you are not making any friends. It’s like people who let their dogs eliminate and never pick up after them, they ruin privileges for the responsible people. Really, I think ANY dog that travels on airlines should at least have passed a Canine Good Citizen test.
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Just a note about the poll - it will only take a single vote from each internet address - which I was reminded of this morning when I entered mine , keeping my wife from entering her (entirely different) response…
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Darcie - Just a question please. Since Bailey is a service dog, does he/she have to be crated during flight? It would seem to defeat the purpose of service……
Sign me - Ignorant
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Darcie Reply:
June 16th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Natalie, Thank you for asking. I am happy to answer questions here about service dogs. No, Bailey does not need to be crated since she is a medical alert dog and must be free to do her job. Depending on the alert, she uses her paws or nose.
We have flown Southwest Airlines several times and we pre-board and usually take the bulkhead. Bailey curls up at my feet. Unless passengers look down in the corner as they board, they don’t even know she is on board.
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Interesting article. The last time we flew, I was amazed at the number of people at the airport taking small dogs with them on their flights. I just hadn’t seen that before. As someone who loves her dog, and wishes she wasn’t so big so we could take her along too, my initial reaction to this was that it’s great. But, having read the post regarding allergic reactions, I’m having serious second thoughts. There’s no way you can predict if someone is going to have a pet on the plane, and with the recycled air, it’s not like the person with the allergy won’t probably be affected. Kind of like having dinner in the nonsmoking section of a restaurant — across the aisle from a smoker. If I had a severe allergy, I’d probably have to think twice about flying at all, or fly only those carriers who did not allow pets (at what cost?!) — that’s just not reasonable. I think Southwest may have opened a can of worms for themselves here.
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I’ll take a dog/cat/emu on a plane any day over a screaming child or obnoxious drunk.
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kjb Reply:
June 16th, 2009 at 11:11 am
You said it.
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I have a severe reaction to perfume, after shave, and hairspray /gel. No one gives me any extra benefits, I am the one that has to move or do what it takes to take care of MY problem. I wouldn’t expect different, and think those that do are self centered,selfish, and whiners.
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Skeeter and I flew to Oklahoma City and I used a very nice travel bag that I purchased for him at Happy Tails Barkery off Hartnell Ave, in the Cobblestone shopping center next to Raley’s. The bag has a heavy mesh on one side so he could see out and stay well ventilated…it also had a nice shoulder and hand strap and plenty of ouches for accessories but most of all, it came with a set of waterproof collapsible fabric bowls.
Skeeter is my 5 pound Chihuahua and he enjoyed the flight riding down at my feet. It wasn’t till the return flight when a make steward used the call button to signal to the stewardess to how many vacant spots in the overhead were left as he walked the isle. The ding dong finally set Skeeter off as it is a signal as with most dogs that someone is at the door LOL before then…nobody ever suspected or noticed there was a dog on board.
You can see Skeeter in the ad for the Barkery @ http://www.htbarkery.com/
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I am very happy that Darcie is able to take her companion/Therapy dog with her when she flies. She needs Bailey to alert her when she is about to expect a problem with her health.
God Bless Bailey an Southweat Airlines.
Sheila C;ick
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Darcie Reply:
June 17th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Just to make sure there is no confusion, Bailey is allowed in public places because she is my SERVICE DOG.
Sheila knows Bailey is also a therapy dog with RX Pets and Delta. As a therapy dog, she viisits patients and has children read aloud to her. Being a therapy dog DOES NOT entitled her to public access (i..e, stores, restaurants, public transportation). That right is only reserved for working service dogs.
If she were only a therapy dog the pet policieswould apply to her.
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I think service dogs are a necessity. They are well trained and used to being in crowds.
I am VERY allergic to cats, however (as well as rabbits, so don’t bring your bunny!). If I have to sit on the same enclosed space with a cat for several hours without a choice, I say leave them in a kennel. I will have an asthma attack, and possibly needing hospitalization. Will you pay my emergency room bill? How about when the plane has to land to care for me?
Service dogs and silent ones are fine. No cats or rabbits.
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During flight, cabin air is supplied by a combination of outside air and filtered recirculated air. It’s actually pretty clean, apparently cleaner than most buildings. Don’t know about on the ground, but they have to exchange the air somehow. Here’s a good essay on the subject:
http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2009/05/08/askthepilot319/index.html
Maybe having an animal on board won’t be a problem.
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There is an airline just for pets that flys NY to LA,
Read about it here.
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I am extremely allergic to cts. My throat closes up, so up to now I have refused to board if a cat is on. I call ahead etc, but sometimes they can’t tell me if a cat or dog has been booked.
It is very frustrating, stressful and inconvenient.
There should be some policy to avoid a major problem. It is becoming more and more difficult.
My allergist agrees.
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Nice article. The pet policies right now for flying with animals in Europe into the Uk are crazy. So many things to do with the vet and paperwork after paperwork between the local governments issuing documents and the vet stamping passports… its mad. But no pets are allowed on board the cabin. Not that Im aware of anyway. But to be honest. Unless the animal is sedated, it wouldnt be much fun for anyone to be listening to a screaming cat or a whining dog… same way its not fun to listen to a screaming baby on a flight or a brat of a child demanding sweets and then getting sick into the paper bag and smelling the plane out of the sky!
But these people and their allergies need to wake up and smell the coffee a little. If your allergies are so bad that theres a chance you could force the plane to land and have u rushed to an ER, then I wouldnt even bother pricing a ticket for the flight. Stick to the ground. As someone already said… u dont know if the people sitting in the row in front and behind you, the people on either side of you, the air hostess who gives you your coffee, or even the pilot driving the plane, have come from homes with 20 cats. Whatever causes your severe ‘life threatening’ allergies would be in the air thats regenerated in the air con of the plane anyway… so unless you actually have grounded planes in the past and had to get an ambulance out on the runway for you… save the drama queen tactics please and stay grounded.
Or if you ever board a plane and see a cat, do the classic hand up to forehead, eyes rolling to Heaven and just drop down to the floor. Im sure the cat will have a great laugh.
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