[jimworcs]

Ok, well lets just keep it cool here...

1. I agree that $300 to transport the dog is robbery
2. The size of the dog is irrelevant. Peoples actions in a crisis can cause significant problems. This is why in an evacuation,where seconds count, passengers cannot even retrieve their handbags when exiting the airplane. My only point was that an owner may try to "rescue" the dog and in doing so impede an exit.
3. I was not suggesting that the dog would unzip the carrier, but on a life vest and start looking for the exit, but it is perfectly feasible that the dog carrier could be damaged and the dog escape given the forces at play in an air accident for example.
4. I have a small dog myself. A 4lb dog wrapped around your feet whilst in a panicked, dark and chaotic atmosphere is a danger to both the passengers and the dog.
5. Citing examples of bad animal handling in the cargo hold is a reason to regulate and control the way the airlines handle animals, not an argument for allowing them in the cabin. The best way to deal with this for the regulators to fine airlines heavily every time an animal is injured or killed and to criminally prosecute the moronic airline employees who inflict such cruelty on the animals.

One last thing, trying to stop thread drift on discussion forums is like trying to stop the tide!