After reading some of the hysteria-filled comments by people with pet allergies, I must add this...
If any of you have ever been seated next to me on a flight (I usually do not fly with my cat), then you have been EXPOSED to loads of cat dander -- it's all over my clothing -- even though you can't see it. Same for every pet owner who boards a plane. So you are ALWAYS exposed, no matter where you go -- and you should prepare accordingly.
Just as many people are allergic to perfumes. What's next...a no perfume policy to protect those passengers? I am allergic to peanuts, but I would never ask an airline to ban them on a flight.
These scenarios of animals running up and down the aisles, barking, biting and defecating is ABSURD. If you have flown any other U.S. airline in recent years, you HAVE flown with animals in your cabin. The reason you haven't noticed them? Because the vast majority of pet owners who pay to travel with their pets are responsible people, who know to keep their pets out of the way of others. Five small animals in carriers under seats will hardly be noticed... and probably better behaved than some passengers I've been seated next to over the years!
Give Southwest and P.A.W.S. a reasonable chance to succeed -- or fly another airline and pay their outrageous fees for everything they offer -- and still have to fly with animals!
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Southwest, you REALLY do listen to your customers! Last year I wrote to you about your pet policy (I fly to Florida with my cat often and couldn't fly you all winter). You responded that you were reviewing your pet policy -- and you meant it! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
And to the woman (listed above) who wrote about allergies... please tell her to read the FAA guidelines. Sharing an airplane cabin does not cause allergic reactions to pet dander. Most likely, the allergen (dander) is carried on passengers' clothing from holding their pets at home! That cannot be avoided anywhere in public, and is partly why traveling pets are restricted to carriers. In all of the years I've been flying where there are animals on board, I have never heard as much as a sneeze from a fellow passenger.
For those of us who must travel with our small pets, I commend you on your accommodating us. You will see us a lot this winter, and we will remain loyal Southwest customers.
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