Personally I think they should be allowed to be in our laps too as long as they are well behaved and/ or mildly sedated. The takeoff part was scary for her, my ear were popping badly and i'm she was feeling that pain and pressure. A baby did too, they were crying and no one told the parents to put them in a carrier! It's a tricky balance. I believe animals should be able to travel as long as they are not a safety risk or big distraction. It's not fair if they are disturbing ppl. At the same time, children, loud people, drunk people, etc. also may disturb others and that's just part of the flying experience you have to accept.
I understand your concern- as long as Moxie is in my arms, she will be quiet and still. It's being quiet and still the whole time in the carrier part she needs to work on. The sedative helped a lot and also practice. We've taken the amtrak before and at first she would yelp in her carrier when she couldn't see my face. Then only when she couldn't see my feet. Now I can leave her to go to the bathroom. It can be stressful but they are part of our families so we gotta do what we gotta do! My friend had big dogs and she refused to put them in cargo, so she hired a friend to drive them across the country!! At least our guys are little!

Lady Gemma, I agree. My previous dog flew with me all the time. Albeit, he did not start flying until he was around 4 and a bit more settled. He received a small dose of Valium from his vet, not for the flying but because he would have thought everyone in the airport was there to see him. It did help with the take-off/landing which is uncomfortable for most on board. He always did great until he was older and uncomfortable. Then we drove vs fly so that he could still go on trips... Common sense used.

My current puppy is still in training on good behavior so he has not flown yet and I try to stay at hotels that are super pet friendly so that if he barks (which he still does) they will understand. I also let the front desk staff know when we are leaving the hotel and him in the room so that if he becomes too loud they can call me to return. So far so good as it is only when we initially leave the room. I have to say the Aloft in Nashville is one of the most dog friendly hotels I have ever stayed at (more so than the Loews there).

Yes, most of us with dog like ours, have them socialized so that they do behave better than most kids and many adults in public. This has been an area of contention with me on hotel and airline pet fees. Put in place because of possible damage. Dogs don't scribble with crayon on beds/walls, etc. Run toys into walls, play with phones, remotes, etc. or throw a screaming fit in room, halls, and lobbies. Plus the fact that on planes, our dogs are considered our carry-on.. yet carry-ons are allowed without charge. I have yet to figure out the purpose of the pet fee just for that reason other than it nets the airlines more money.

Yes, many hotels still charge pet fee for ESA and $100 and $250 at some hotels is outrageous and some are per pet.

Just my 2 cents... :)

I posted below on thread about pet friendly hotels and RV Parks; I think it applies to the rules and restrictions when flying with our pets, as well!


"I've been operating this hotel for many years. In all that time, I've never had a dog steal towels, bedclothes, silverware or pictures off the walls. I've never had to evict a dog in the middle of the night for being drunk and disorderly. And I've never had a dog run out on a hotel bill. Yes, indeed, your dog is welcome at my hotel, and if your dog will vouch for you, you're welcome to stay here, too."

lol that is too good.