AIRLINE BAN ON CARRYING PETS IN CARGO

Mexico Connect Forum Discussion Threads

Posted by Carey in Cozumel on Abril 18, 2000

I understand from someone who got caught by it that all the airlines that fly between the US and S. America have stopped carrying pets as cargo. This due to some recently signed Pet Provision legislation cracking down on the airlines handling of pets. The gentlemen in question travels frequently between Colorado and Cozumel on Continental. Got to the airport here on March 9 with crated dog in tow and was told that no airlines were accepting any dogs! He managed to get his out by sneaking it aboard a charter. But, that's not an option for most of us. I wanted to let people know about this so you don't have a dreadful scene at the airport. And I'm also wondering if anyone has more current info on this subject. I'm planning to head back to the states via Continental with two poodles in cargo in mid-June and am understandably, I think, concerned about this development.
Carey in Cozumel

Posted by jennifer rose on Abril 22, 2000

“Animals by Air: It Can Be Beastly”
Practical Traveler / By Betsy Wade / New York Times / April 23, 2000

Air travel is not the best way to go for pets, experts agree. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals leads on this view. Barbara Listenik of Brooklyn, who shares her life with Boris, a mixed boxer-pit bull that all but died on a trip in a cargo hold, is not far behind. After nearly losing Boris late in 1996, Ms. Listenik undertook a crusade to improve animal safety in the air that met a measure of success when President Clinton signed what she calls "the Boris Bill." It is a tiny blip in the act re-authorizing the Federal Aviation Administration, which Mr. Clinton signed April 5. But "my crusade is not over," she says. The Boris Bill, which was introduced last summer by Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, Democrat of New Jersey, and Representative Robert Menendez, also a New Jersey Democrat, requires for the first time that airlines report the numbers of animals they carry, and how many die or are lost or injured. The Department of Transportation, which gathers other air travel data, will devise a reporting formula, then collect and publish statistics.

Until now, all figures on how many animals go by air have been estimates. The Air Transport Association estimates that 750,000 animals -- 500,000 of them pets, the rest laboratory animals or commercial shipments -- travel annually. With real figures, the bill's advocates hope, will come improved handling and a better way for travelers to select a line on the basis of performance. The law also requires better training for airline employees.

Just the same, Ms. Listenik does not plan further air travel with Boris, she said recently as she was preparing for two television appearances. Boris the spokesdog will travel by auto just fine, she said. Ms. Listenik's bad adventure with Boris began with her arrival at La Guardia Airport on Christmas Eve 1996. After a Delta flight from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., she went to baggage claim and found the dog's container crushed and empty, except for a few teeth. The dog was outdoors being chased by cargo crew. He dashed inside, the police in pursuit, out again and disappeared. Ms. Listenik, a mural artist, put up posters offering a reward. Six weeks later, she found him in an abandoned building in Corona, Queens. He was in poor shape, but she brought him back to health, which involved dental surgery.

Seeking Ventilation

Enlisting animal-advocacy groups, including the A.S.P.C.A. and pet owners who had similar experiences, she began a campaign. A major goal was to require forced-air ventilation in the cargo holds of all types of planes, not just in wide-body jets as at present. This part of the original bill was vigorously opposed by the Air Transport Association, representing the airlines. The airlines said they would stop carrying animals altogether if they were compelled to retrofit cargo areas. This brought the American Kennel Club and the American Zoo and Aquarium Association in on the side of the airlines lest there be a cutoff of air transport. The provision was dropped from the bill in conference. In fact, it is commercial shipments of animals, not travel of individual pets, that are the source of the major horror stories. Dr. W. Ron DeHaven, a veterinarian who heads the animal care division of the United States Department of Agriculture, says that care of animals has improved since the early 90's, when major fines began to be levied against airlines. In 1994, Delta paid $140,000 after 32 dogs out of 106 being shipped to pet stores suffocated when the cargo hold was not opened during a delay. United paid $48,000 in a settlement in the early 90's when 24 animals died. T.W.A. paid $60,000 in March 1994 for failing to ensure sufficient air and veterinary care. "This turned things around," Dr. DeHaven said of the fines. "The lines recognized their liability and the negative public reaction. They instituted much better training." An important change since the days of the multiple animal suffocations, he added, is that airline captains are now told when they have animal shipments aboard and can better deal with delays on the ground.

One legal change may prompt closer attention from airline employees. In January, the government raised to $2,500, from $1,250, the amount an airline must pay a traveler for irretrievably lost luggage. This rule covers pets, so while the compensation may not ease a pet owner's grief, it may make baggage handlers more cautious.

Riding Under a Seat

Airlines limit pets in the cabin because of concern about passengers who may be allergic to them. But under certain circumstances, most permit a small cat or dog, or even a hamster or guinea pig, to travel under the seat in front of the passenger in the cabin. Most airlines restrict how many pets may travel this way, so it is important for the passenger to tell the airline and to keep checking close to flight time. The animal must ride in an approved pet carrier with an absorbent liner.

Airlines charge for pet passengers. The cost for an animal traveling as cargo is based on weight (including the carrier), the attached bag of food and the rest. The fee for the in-cabin animal is set by each airline; the range is $50 to $75 each. General airline rules, including requirements for veterinary certificates, are posted on the Air Transport Association Web site, www.air-transport.org; click on Pet Travel Guidelines. Diana Cronan of the association says that this part of the organization's Web site gets the most hits, an average of 700 a month. The A.S.P.C.A. also has advice on pet travel at its site, www.aspca.org (type "travel" in the search box). Individual airlines should be checked. American Airlines, for example, according to John Hotard, a spokesman, will not carry animals in the cargo hold between May 15 and Sept. 15 because of heat. Delta may not take animals if the outdoor temperature at either end of the flight exceeds 85. No airline guarantees that a pet going as cargo will travel on the same flight as its owner. This means the owner must stay in touch about pickup. All of this shows why experts are cautious when discussing animals in the air. "We would not recommend it unless there is no other way," said Nancy Blaney, who heads the A.S.P.C.A.'s national legislative office.

Air travel by guide dogs has long been covered by the Air Carrier Access Act, but a Hawaii State requirement for four-month quarantine effectively prevented blind people who travel with dogs from visiting Hawaii. After a 1993 suit under the Americans with Disabilities Act, backed by the Justice Department, a settlement was reached in 1998 permitting pre-certified vaccinated guide dogs immediate entry. http://www.nytimes.com/library/travel/practical/pt000423.html

Posted by Carey in Cozumel on Abril 24, 2000

Thanks for the info, Jennifer. It appears that the US airlines are retaliating against the new costlier "pet provision" bill by just refusing to carry animals to a lot of places. I shall raise an incredible stink if necessary in this case, however, as I hold in my sweaty little paws, paid-for return tickets for the dogs and was given no warning back in January that there might be a problem bringing them back in June. I'm aware of the hazards of taking dogs in cargo. However, there are a number of ways to ensure a much safer trip if your pets, like mine, have no choice but to travel this way.

• #1 Avoid connecting flights whenever possible.
• #2 Don't fly out of heavily congested airports.
• #3 Don't fly on holidays, weekends and other times when the planes are likely to be fully booked and staff busiest.
• #4 When you get on the plane PERSONALLY inform the pilot that there is a pet on board. That way if there's a red tape mix-up and the pilot doesn't get the message from airline administration, he'll get it from YOU and act accordingly.
• #5 Vets advise not sedating your pet heavily--or at all, actually (although I'm considering a tiny tranquilizer dose for one of mine next go-round as I could hear the little bugger, I mean darling, yelping angrily below me throughout the entire trip down last time!) They advise no sedating because if there is air turbulence, etc. your pet can't take care of himself properly if he's knocked out

.
Carey in Cozumel

Posted by Carey Sutton on Abril 25, 2000

Follow up for anyone interested in this subject. My Dad in the states made a tiny fuss with the subtle hint of a potential lawsuit and the airline now tells us that "of course" there won't be any problem bringing my dogs back but that they can't guarantee they will accept them in the future. So if anyone out there is in my position--came down with dogs in cargo and worried about getting them back--kick up a fuss and argue the Grandfather Clause--the airline has the right to refuse to fly dogs in the future--but they already made an implicit contract in flying your dogs down as part of your return ticket.
Carey in Cozumel

Posted by Mexico Mama on Abril 18, 2000

Hi,
Good friends flew here in November with confirmed reservations for themselves & dogs both ways, returning April 29. They called to confirm as they'd heard some rumor, too, and Mexico said they had to get them out of Mexico by April 15th, which was the very next day! They ended up giving them one more day, after lots of help from American Airlines in Canada, too. The problem was not north of the border, as the cut-off date is May 15th up north. But it is at the airline's discretion and AA in Guadalajara changed their deadline to April 15th. So, they ended up with one of them having to stay to renew an FM-3 and one of them getting squeezed onto first class in order to get the dogs home. They'll be bringing a car next time, they said! Best Wishes, Suzanne
MexicoMama.com

Posted by Diana on Abril 18, 2000

• 1. So is it only on American Airlines?
• 2. Does "cargo" count as anything under the plane? I thought they had a "middle compartment" where they put animals...

Posted by Dona in Lakeside on Abril 18, 2000

When we came to Guad in February they said there were date restrictions on flying pets in and out. Ours came in as cargo - and stayed in a warehouse for 2 days before we could get the customs agents to do their thing to get them out. I would NEVER put my pet through that again; I'll buy a car and drive first. We were lucky that my husband is fluent in Spanish and we could 'visit' them and bring them food and water, otherwise???? AND they were in regular cargo, not in a special area under the pilots as I was told. Just be forewarned you can't believe everything you are told.

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