Air Canada adds Pets to 'No-fly' list
By breepeace
@breepeace (3014)
Canada
June 25, 2007 7:12pm CST
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/228293
Air Canada continues to demonstrate how much it cares about it's passengers, last year they decided pets would not be allowed in the cabin, and now they've announced that as of July 15th, pets will be BANNED from flying with Air Canada.
I've always disliked Air Canada, they aren't friendly, they are more expensive than other carriers and their employees seem more inept than I feel comfortable with, but this has taken them to a whole new level of stupid and unreasonable.
Most people with animals that I know refuse to fly Air Canada, just because they've never been pet-friendly, I've always flown myself and my 'precious cargo' on Westjet and have never had a problem. The last time I flew with a dog, they even kept her inside the air-conditioned warehouse until the bitter end, just so she wouldn't be left on the hot tarmac in her crate, and the 2 baggage handlers that were on were extra careful with her – one even leaned forward to accept a kiss on his nose from through the crate bars.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@huggiebear22 (2007)
• Canada
26 Jun 07
I think it is a good idea after seeing how scared soem pets get in the cargo areas I have flowen my dog a few time and she travels well but i try to avoid it as i feel it casues too much stress on them and i am conderned if they pick up a disease from soemother animal.
1 person likes this
@breepeace (3014)
• Canada
26 Jun 07
That's what vaccinations are for.
It's not a good idea, because it prevents people from taking their pets across country or out of country, since Air Canada is one of the only carriers that will fly out of country. As someone who shows dogs, I will not be able to fly Air Canada to any of my destinations with my animals now.
They will however fly animals in their cargo planes at about $400 more on average than what they used to charge on shipping animals via cargo on your flight. It's a cash grab.
Did you know that right before summer vacation starts, animal shelters experience an increase of almost 25% more animals being surrendered due to owners that can't take them on vacation with them?
1 person likes this
@huggiebear22 (2007)
• Canada
26 Jun 07
I never thought of peopel who show dogs or the fact that peopel drop them off at shelters. Mine goes to oneof the family when i go away and there is no one to care for her.
You would think that the airline would make exception for peopel who show dogs.
2 people like this
@breepeace (3014)
• Canada
27 Jun 07
Nope. It's no pets, period, as of July 15th. That would include show dogs, but that's fine.
Most show people have had horrendous experiences with the airlines 'forgetting' to load their dogs or losing them in transit, so that the poor animals are stuck in their crates for long periods of time, so most people I know fly Westjet now. Air Canada personnel always did seem to have a problem with flying pets as you would always get attitude when you showed up with an animal.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
26 Jun 07
It is a good thing we are taking West Jet to Vancouver to go on our Alaskan Cruise. Any airplane who does not love pets and wants them to stay in an impersonal canal does not deserve me as a passenger. I heard also that Air Canada's services have gone steadily downhill. If my dog were still alive, I would rather keep her in a doggy carrier besides me in the passenger section, but I guess it would not help those who are allergic.
1 person likes this
@breepeace (3014)
• Canada
27 Jun 07
My mom and I were discussing that last night and she said last year when she was flying to a show on the lower mainland in BC via Westjet, there were 6 dogs inside the cabin in their carriers, in addition to countless others in the hold, and the staff were incredible with making sure everyone knew when their dogs were on board.
I hope they will continue to maintain their status as a pet-friendly airline, because pet-friendly anything is becoming a rarity in this allergy obsessed world we live in.
My personal opinion is that people encounter allergens EVERYWHERE they go: dust, pollen, dust mite waste, perfume and yes, pet dander on the clothes of pet owners everywhere. I am very allergic to strong perfumes, but yet I encounter people everywhere who choose to bathe in their Chanel No. 5, and I cope, so I imagine people with pet allergies can do the same.
