[delorianhawkins]

I was recently on a flight from San Diego to NY where a passenger boarded with a small dog in a carrier. My daughter's allergies are fine as long as the animal stays in the carrier. According to the airline's policy, the pet must remain in the carrier underneath the front seat during the entire flight. This woman immediately took the dog out of the carrier and began kissing it in the mouth (yuk). I asked the flight attendant if I understood the policy correctly as it was written in their inflight magazine. He mentioned that I was correct and asked her to place the dog in the carrier underneath the seat in front of her which she did. Fifteen minutes later, she took the dog out of the carrier and allowed it to walk all over the empty seat next to her. All of the flight attendants began to play with the dog. After 30 minutes of this, my daughter started wheezing. I gave her meds which made her drowsy but allowed her to breath. If the policy didn't state that pets are to remain in the carrier at ALL times, I wouldn't have complained. Knowing that the flight attendants violated their own policy (unless confronted) it makes me wonder what other policies they're violating. When I complained to the airlines, they chose to focus on the fact that pets are allowed in the cabin. Again, if the dog stayed in the carrier and wasn't allowed to walk the seats, my daughter would have been fine.

[countrynewsman]

When you complained, did you mention that the dog was out of its kennel? Even if your daughter did not have allergies, it would still be inappropriate to have the dog out. Add to that...the flight attendants obviously knew this and did nothing about it. I would mention this to the airline and also to the D.O.T. in a formal complaint. Which airline did you fly?

[The_Judge]

Newsman......the complaint's in the AA section. I bet she flew NWA.

I don't know whether it being out of the kennel or not had any effect on your daughter's allergies. Even in the kennel, the dog is still on board.

That being said, the dog is required to stay in the kennel the entire trip, including in the airport which alot of people forget about. You should pursue this matter at the very least with the airline and probably with the DOT. They may be interested to know the flight attendants were playing with it and then serving food and beverages.

[delorianhawkins]

Actually I did mention to the airline that the dog was out of the kennel. They didn't seem to care. Thanks for the advice about the DOT. I will definitely let them know.

[countrynewsman]

I didn't think about the food and beverage part that Judge mentioned. I would really complain loudly to the DOT about it!

[PHXFlyer]

I would hope flight attendants would wash their hands and/or use hand sanitizer prior to serving food and beverages regardless.

Unfortunately airlines cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment. Service animals are permitted to travel without a kennel. Had there been one on your flight you wouldn't have much recourse. About all you can do is if aware that an animal we be on board is to request to be seated as far away as possible. The next time you travel with your daughter call the airline and make them aware of her allergies. Also call again 24 hours before your flight and ask if there are any pets traveling on your flight and if so request a seat as far away as possible.

[countrynewsman]

While it is true that an allergen-free environment cannot be guaranteed, the airlines can agree to abide by their own rules. They certainly point to their rules when it benefits them and costs us. I'm not allergic to dog hair, but I don't want one scampering about on a seat next to me. If a dog is onboard, other than a service animal, and it is required to stay in the kennel, then it stays in the damn kennel. Again, I would complain LOUD AND CLEAR to the DOT, Consumer Affairs, and send a copy to the airline. Too bad you didn't get the names of the flight attendants.

[jimworcs]

Frankly I don't think any dog, service animal or not, should in the cabin. Put them in the hold where they belong. The passenger will just have to be apart from their little "precious" for the duration of the flight, or take a train, bus or car!