[KimInMD]

I fly all the time with Lucy and Lola. I buy a ticket for Lola and a middle second seat in my name (only $2. more) for Lucy. Both dogs still have to be stowed under a seat, but it's less crowded for them if each has their own carrier. Lola is a 17 lb., big Shih Tzu, and Lucy is a 7lb. Yorkie. Southwest rules state that I only have to pay $75. for one dog, even if two are in one carrier, but that would never work with bigger dogs. I stow Lucy in front of me, and big girl in the middle because it has a few extra inches of under seat space. I don't pay for Lucy because I refuse to pay for a seat and a ticket for her, and that's what the airlines want you to do. No one ever notices her in the Kwigy Bo, so we are fine. For security, I put Lucy in a sling made with a pashmina scarf, and carry Lola through the metal detector, which leaves me a free hand to get their bags, shoes etc. I use a travel size suitcase dolly to wheel Lola and her carrier around, and that helps keep weight off my shoulder. By the way, another stinky rule is that the dog carrier counts as your carry-on bag, so travel lite, and even if you buy two seats, you still only get two free pieces of luggage (not 4). Southwest gives you a "reserved" card to place on the second seat, but make sure the flight attendant sees it, so their count comes up correct. Other airlines don't give you cards. People with a second seat "reserved" card (on Southwest) can get priority boarding, which is really nice. I don't put either dog in the seat, but I pull them out from under after takeoff. Most flight attendants follow the FAA rules, but some look the other way. Most times my seat mate doesn't even know I have two dogs, but I always let them know before takeoff so they can move if they have allergies.