Originally Posted by
StayingHomeIsBetter
The pet fee is just another example of a fee that has no realistic relationship to the actual incremental cost to the airline.
It is only that high because the airline is in position to unjustly dictate terms.
That said, I do not support the practice of declaring a pet to be an ESA in order to fraudulently avoid the fee.
Pet owners should be fighting the fee, not ducking it.
+1 on the first paragraph. There is no way having a pet onboard is costing Delta $125. Even if that was a RT fare that is still a little high. Just like there are people that don't think kids should be allowed in first class, I've encountered people that feel the same way about pets so maybe Delta is using that absurd fee to discourage travelling with pets but the only time I travel with a pet is if I absolutely have to. I'd rather leave pets at home where they are comfortable and have my pet sitter come in but sometimes you don't have a choice but to travel with a pet.
What really ticks me off about that fee though is the pet is considered a carryon. The carrier is going under your seat not in the bin! Fortunately I have never had an issue with a GA or FA telling me I couldn't bring my rollerbag on board when travelling with my cat. When I travel with a cat I don't have my backpack so the only thing going in the bin is the rollerbag and cat carrier goes under the seat in front of me like my backpack would.