The Real Poop On Airline Bias

[mechchic3]

This is an article by The NY Post Cindy Adams. She is the owner of two Yorkshire Terriers. I just found it amusing because I work for an Airline and what she says couldn't be more true.....



CINDY LIEVE, editor-in-chief of Glamour magazine, asked me how is a dog like a man.

I told her, they're both household pets. Whether he's Fido from the kennel or Franco from The Bronx, you have to feed him, pet him, give him attention, cootchy-coo him, tell him over and over what a good boy he is and you have to supervise his cleanliness. And throw him a bone periodically. And watch that this household pet does not become a potbellied pig. No vacuuming up everything on the table. No seconds on cheesecake. No chocolate. No booze.

No matter which sly dog we're talking about, you definitely have to guide his behavior when he shares your bed. And maybe with the taller variety you don't exactly have to play "Fetch," but you sure as hell do have to play games. And you have to let him out now and then. Also, both animals require training. Whereas a two-legged male leaves the seat up in your powder-room loo, a four-legged male lifts his leg on your living-room chair. Both must be taught how to go potty. And most of all, whatever the breed, remember: a hairy beast does best when kept on a short leash.

So if both species need the same care and feeding, why shouldn't both warrant the same rights?

Like, for instance, on an airplane. My two 31/2-pound hounds flew first class to and from Arizona last week. Neither even took up a seat, yet it was required that their full fare be paid. No freebies. No discounts.

But did they get mileage? No.

Jazzy and Juicy Adams were fed no airline meals. Not even a treat. Didn't even get the regulation crappy mini-pretzels or salty stale almonds. And being Park Avenue New Yorkies and seasoned travelers, their behavior was impeccable. They didn't try to hassle the stewardess. Didn't want more ice. Didn't ask for a blanket. Didn't get drunk. Didn't look to heist those icky headphones. Didn't pester anyone because they couldn't figure how the seat reclined or tray table dislodged.

They didn't even take up any room. They had to fly inside their own carry-bag that regulations required being stowed under your seat the entire time. Never were able to stretch their legs the whole five hours. And forget about using the facilities. Neither used one drop of the airline's soap, water, Kleenex or toilet tissue. They did not litter, stuff up the seat pockets in front of them or toss messy newspapers on the floor to make work for the clean-up crew.

Their three-inch legs did not stick out in the aisle to impede the (excuse the phrase) food cart. They did not demand pre-boarding because of pregnancy or age or impairment. They asked no favors. Didn't yap when the plane was delayed taking off. Didn't pester the service reps as to where's the gate for this or exit for that. I mean, you couldn't want for nicer passengers. They asked for nothing. They got nothing. Yet they were charged full doggie fare.

But did they get mileage? No.

Except for Jazzy, who had a squeaky toy in his mouth, there was no carry-on. They didn't overload the overhead bins with stuff that shifted in flight and zonked you on the head when you opened it. They didn't request their coats be hung. They didn't get up before the plane came to a final halt and the seatbelt sign was turned off. When some slob across the aisle snored like a Roto-Rooter, they did not badger the flight attendant for a seat change. I mean, my two family members were a perfect lady and gentleman.

They have a cocker-spaniel friend who once, before flying, overate and thus exceeded the cabin's 20-pound maximum. He was coming in to New York from Canada. Although he's royalty - a King Charles with a pedigree better than the airline's CEO - he was made to fly cargo. In the belly of the plane. In a cage. With no mommy to comfort him. And his ticket for this trip one-way? $170.

But did he get mileage? No.

The Chinese tell us this is The Year of the Dog. Jan. 29 ushers in the Chinese calendar-year 4704. Listen, my Yorkshire terriers do not need to participate in the dragon dance or firecracker ceremony. They couldn't care less what Confucius says. They'd rather sniff each other's butts than plum blossoms and chrysanthemums. You can even shove the chicken from Column A and beef from Column B. But how about a little respect? The dog is a sign of good fortune. So how about giving him some?

Just how about maybe - mileage?

[pea496]

How true. We fly with Conner all the time. Don't dare take the pup out of the bag. The flight attendants will be all over you.

[Bruce's_Mom]

Once with Bruce, he somehow escaped and I had fallen asleep and the flight attendent wanted me to secure him inside the bag with duct tape...Um yeah right. Most of the time he is less annoying, cleaner and more pleasent to be around than the people I am flying next to...Stupid rules!

[MyFairLacy]

LOL i don't understand why it's so expensive to fly with a little dog. It's not like it's putting the airline out at all...it's no different than just taking a carryon bag with you.

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by Bruce's_Mom

Once with Bruce, he somehow escaped and I had fallen asleep and the flight attendent wanted me to secure him inside the bag with duct tape...Um yeah right. Most of the time he is less annoying, cleaner and more pleasent to be around than the people I am flying next to...Stupid rules!

duct tape??? LOL makes me think of people who tape up their car windows because they don't have any glass their anymore

[larsensyorkies]

OMG, I have never flown with my dogs but that can't be for real. Do all airlines seriously charge full price for them when they don't even take up a seat?? I always thought it was like an extra $50 tops to take them on as a carryon. Talk about exploitation!

[yorkiesmiles]

thanks for posting. I'll be traveling with my 2 for the 1st time in Dec. It's $80 for each direction - plus Northwest doesn't allow you to pay at the airport like other airlines - you have to go thru an agent who then gets you for another $10 for a ticketing fee

This is the biggest rip off known to man & they keep getting, because some of us are willing to pay

[Sookie]

Originally Posted by larsensyorkies

OMG, I have never flown with my dogs but that can't be for real. Do all airlines seriously charge full price for them when they don't even take up a seat?? I always thought it was like an extra $50 tops to take them on as a carryon. Talk about exploitation!

NO, you don't pay full price. I have flown twice with Kalina already. One time it was about $50 and the other time it was a little bit more. It shouldn't even cost that much though, because all they do is sit in the case under your seat. The case can't weigh more than 15 lbs, including the dog. The case must be a specific size. I once had to BUY a case from the airline because mine was an inch too tall. They only allow 3 to 5 pets per plane, first come first served. It really is a rip-off. Make sure you have a current health certificate from your Vet prior to flying.

[meglaulanmar]

she probably had to pay for a seat since she was flying w/ two. One person can only fly w/ one dog...even if they are tiny and fit 2 to a cage...like my mom's dogs.

[GAOMariposa]

Too bad sneaking in your doggie is impossible. Someone used to sneak their dog onto the plane. I think he would give it something to make it sleepy. But one day he got caught and they told him he either missed his flight or he did something with the dog. He had to give the dog away to someone at the airport. I could never run the risk of doing that. Although I wonder if flying from Mexico into the U.S. they wouldn't care to look at the dog's airline ticket, etc. But who knows what might happen at customs. Too much to risk!

[BellieBoo]

when i was going to school in Orlando I'd fly back and forth to Ft Lauderdale and Spirit airlines charged me $75 each way...keep in mind the reason i flew with them was bc their airfare is usually cheap... my ticket was $80 each way (in first class) i think... why then do i have to pay almost the same for a 5lb (at the time) Yorkie?...whom btw had to stay in her carrier? makes me want to train her so she can be my therapy doggie... help me with the anxiety of flying, or something like that... lol

[Yorkiekids]

How true. Sebastian being 12 pounds with long legs, just would have liked to sit on my lap instead of being scrunched up under the seat in front of me. He tried to escape his plight a few times by coming out of the carrier, but who could blame him. It would have been like one of the stewardesses being crunched into an overhead. He wasn't even offered a little water. We finally arrived at our destination, and mommy rented him a car which he was very welcome in, and we drove him home out of the bag without scrunched up legs. No we didn't get any sky miles.