United (one of my least favorite airlines) is under fire for two recent mishaps involving dogs.

One is a flight attendant ordering a bag containing a french bulldog into the overhead compartment because it didn't fit under the seat. The dog died, apparently from lack of oxygen (although it was reported the dog was barking almost non-stop for most of the flight).

The other incident was when a German shepard-like dog wound up in Japan, and the owner wound up getting a Great Dane!

Personally, I would like to see all dogs (cats, turkeys, lizards, etc) banned from the cabins of planes. The cabins are overcrowded and unsanitary enough without adding animals that carry parasites, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I love dogs and have owned my share of them, but I don't sleep with them, or let them lick my face (dogs like to lick their butts and their balls, so no way am I going to let them lick my face (or worse lips).

In case of an emergency exit, having dogs on board increases the danger to other flyers.

Also in heavy turbulence, a 50 lb "emotional support" dog becomes a projectile that can injure passengers (no seatbelts for dog that I know of).

Keep all dog and other critter in the luggage section.

JMO

BH63

On my flight to Anchorage several years ago using Alaska Airlines and one their 737's I watched them load the luggage to ensure my luggage and rifle made it aboard, I saw 3 adult Golden Retrievers put on. The plane was delayed from takeoff for almost 2 hours on the taxiway due to another incident. The plane took off and landed maybe 6 hrs latter. I also watched to ensure my luggage and equipment came off. what I saw was some of the luggage was coated in frost maybe an inch or so as was the dog cages which appeared to have more probably due to the respiration of the dogs. I assume the dogs where alive but-the only way that frost can occur is when there is a leak allowing that subzero temperature to get in contact with warmer air which would have a higher level of moisture. Now at 35,000 feet the outside air is around -50, couple that with a wind speed of 500 MPH+ imagine what the wind chill would be on those dogs....something to think about.

quote:

Originally posted by raamw:
On my flight to Anchorage several years ago using Alaska Airlines and one their 737's I watched them load the luggage to ensure my luggage and rifle made it aboard, I saw 3 adult Golden Retrievers put on. The plane was delayed from takeoff for almost 2 hours on the taxiway due to another incident. The plane took off and landed maybe 6 hrs latter. I also watched to ensure my luggage and equipment came off. what I saw was some of the luggage was coated in frost maybe an inch or so as was the dog cages which appeared to have more probably due to the respiration of the dogs. I assume the dogs where alive but-the only way that frost can occur is when there is a leak allowing that subzero temperature to get in contact with warmer air which would have a higher level of moisture. Now at 35,000 feet the outside air is around -50, couple that with a wind speed of 500 MPH+ imagine what the wind chill would be on those dogs....something to think about.

Good words of caution and thanks.

I think United is far and away the worst for dogs, bird dogs or otherwise. I have had very good service from Alaska Airlines and more than acceptable from Delta Airlines.

Buff I certainly appreciate your concern, but I think these days more and more folks are traveling with and treating their pets like the children they ain't and so the airlines need to accommodate.

For me, I strictly make my travel decisions based on my bird dogs well being in flight so if the airlines want folks like mine business, they'd better accommodate.

Can't speak to United, but I have flown puppies and grown dogs to and from Europe for more than 40 years and never had even a hint of problems. I think we only hear about the bad incidents...pretty much the media today.

Buff:

I completely agree; it is totally out of control. I had a bulldog emotional support animal defecate twice on a flight last year. I wanted to choke the bitch that needed it for "emotional support" (she had her feet on the bulkhead and didn't look too stressed to me).

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
Buff:

I completely agree; it is totally out of control. I had a bulldog emotional support animal defecate twice on a flight last year. I wanted to choke the bitch that needed it for "emotional support" (she had her feet on the bulkhead and didn't look too stressed to me).

Sorry, I'm allergic to dog dander, accommodate me, or else.

Grizz

My wife was a little kid when a pit bull dog bit her cousins face off in front of her and he barely survived.

She hates dogs to say the least. 2 of my kids are scared to death because of my wife's experience and her attitude toward them.

I do not want to see any animal other than service on an airplane I am flying on. If it is in the cargo hold, ok fine.

I personally love dogs, but flying sucks and I had to listen to some asshole's cat scream for 2 hours on the flight between Casper and Salt Lake in a turbo prop. What a fucking ordeal that was.

I am glad I am not the only one who has believed this crap has gotten totally out-of-control.

Even a blind person doesn't need a guide dog while in the cabin. There are flight attendants that can escort them to their seats and to the bathroom if needed.

I am tempted to spray my pant legs with bear spray or something. That should make for an interesting flight if some idiot has their lap dog in the seat next to me. LOL

I remember one time in Zimbabwe where I was playing with some lion cubs. A few hours later I was at the home of a PH who uses Irish Terriers to hunt lions (Problem Control) in sugarcane.

The reaction of those dogs when they got a whiff of lion was almost comical. Their hair stood up on end, and they stiffened and trembled.

BH63

quote:

Even a blind person doesn't need a guide dog while in the cabin. There are flight attendants that can escort them to their seats and to the bathroom if needed.

Well, jackass, what does the blind person do when he/she gets to his/her destination?
I understand your concern but animals do NOT do well in cargo holds, which, I do not believe are pressurized. Animals have died under these circumstances.
I have never traveled with a pet, and hopefully will never have to. This is not an insurmountable problem. Airlines will have to learn to deal with it. these animals are NOT travelling free.
Peter.

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:

quote:

Even a blind person doesn't need a guide dog while in the cabin. There are flight attendants that can escort them to their seats and to the bathroom if needed.

Well, jackass, what does the blind person do when he/she gets to his/her destination?
I understand your concern but animals do NOT do well in cargo holds, which, I do not believe are pressurized. Animals have died under these circumstances.
I have never traveled with a pet, and hopefully will never have to. This is not an insurmountable problem. Airlines will have to learn to deal with it. these animals are NOT travelling free.
Peter.

Agree with you, but this Service dog thing has gotten out of hand. Few bucks will buy you a jacket and certificate saying you have a "Service dog".

Grizz

Grizz, I can't disagree with you. I should apologise for my response of "jackass". I retract that statement. Airplane travel is no longer a pleasant experience at best, so I suspect that people are less tolerant of anything that makes it worse!
We seem to have 3 categories:
1. People that travel with pets in general.
2. People with 'service dogs".
3. People with guide dogs.
I have a lot of respect for blind people trying to maintain their independence. The other categories need to find airlines who treat their "service dogs" and pets with the care that they deserve.
Again, I apologize for my initial comment. It was unwarranted.
Peter

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:

quote:

Even a blind person doesn't need a guide dog while in the cabin. There are flight attendants that can escort them to their seats and to the bathroom if needed.

Well, jackass, what does the blind person do when he/she gets to his/her destination?
I understand your concern but animals do NOT do well in cargo holds, which, I do not believe are pressurized. Animals have died under these circumstances.
I have never traveled with a pet, and hopefully will never have to. This is not an insurmountable problem. Airlines will have to learn to deal with it. these animals are NOT travelling free.
Peter.

Dogs have been flying in the cargo hold for decades. Most have no issues. With today's commercial airplanes, the temperature and pressure in the cargo hold can be adjusted according to the cargo.

To answer your question, an airline attendant takes the blind person to their dog once they reach their final destination. Duh!

BH63

As an aside, if there is an emergency evacuation due to a fire on board, I doubt that having dogs on board would make the evacuation go smoother.

They could well cause some people to lose their lives.

BH63