I think, generally, that one's level of acceptance to annoyances declines as the price one pays for a product or service increases.

Trying to do lots of posting to get to the magic 180!

Thanks.

If the gate agents scans the boarding passes the screen will alert the agent of the in cabin pet, but it does not say if pet fee was paid or not. Agent would have to pull up passengers record to see if fee was paid.

Just a Thanks for you reply and for CO allowing us to travel with our pets.It is an issue that has been of great contoversy.I who travel on the weekends to Cat Shows across the nation and some times the pond feel much better having control over my animal's well being with him under my seat .I hope all travelers with pets remember this is a privalege a not a given and treat the opertunity as shuch. Cheers Jane

Nice catch, Vulcan! I've edited my original post. Below are our current in-cabin pet limits.

• First Class: A maximum of 1 in-cabin pet is permitted in First Class, but only on 737 and 757-300 aircraft. On all other aircraft (all of which have BusinessFirst seats), in-cabin pets are not permitted in the premium cabin.
  
  
• Economy Class: A maximum of 4 in-cabin pets are permitted in the main cabin of all Continental and Continental Express flights. We do not allow in-cabin pets on Continental Connection flights, except for those operated by Commutair. On Commutair, the maximum is 1 in-cabin pet.

I hope this clarifies.

What, no cockfights/dogfights in the back cabin? Admittedly rather low class (even for economy!), but this could qualify as live inflight ondemand entertainment!

Seriously, last time I flew KLM they were bragging on having successfully shipped some giraffes halfway across the world (from Africa to Thailand, if I remember correctly, complete with Schiphol transfer). I haven't heard of Continental moving anything equally exotic, but I haven't been keeping a close watch on all the inflight magazines.

Well I still think CO should try and be competitive with the other SkyTeam partners at $75. A lot of people only travel with pets now and then or in special cases so I don't think dropping the price to $75 would cause an on board menagerie. We already know that each flt. has a limit so the likely cause of bringing the price in-line with the competition would be more revenue from pets and people....not an increase in pets on board. Paying nearly $200 approaches the cost of a humans ticket and is nothing more than gouging. If CO truly wants to establish a deterrent to pet travel than they should outlaw it completely on their flights. Gouging people gives a negative perception of the airline and for pet lovers it only serves as a deterrent from flying CO at all. If CO and DL have the same fare on a trip where I need to bring my pet - I'm not paying CO an extra $40 for the pleasure. There goes my pet fee and the revenue for the ticket I didn't buy all because I want to bring my cat- my cat who behaves better than all kids on the plane and usually goes unnoticed in his black duffle bag. People love pets and they love companies that love pets - just ask Michael Vick.

How bout?
Pets = $95
Seat Kicking Kids = $125

Well said! I'm a dog lover but don't believe dogs or other pets should be allowed on board.

I also think kids shold be banned from the cabin. And if they are, they should pay a PREMIUM rate, not a discounted rate, commensurate with the wear and tear and extra attention and hassle that they provide.

Maybe if you put them into little kennels down below where their shrieking doesn't bother fellow passengers ... :-)

I agree. If we pay for the pet why do they take away a carry on piece from us? When you bring a lap child you get MORE carry-on and you don't pay for them. The fee is getting too high for the "service" provided.

Indeed I often wonder what the "service" is? I doubt they pool each $95 fee to buy cleaner for aircraft in case a puppy pees. The fact is that lap children are far more likely to provide an unpleasant situation for their seatmates in terms of both space and hygiene yet we are subjected to their presence all the time without limits.

That's $75 each way. Unless I'm missing something (happens a lot), CO is charging $95 each way. So CO is 27% higher. That's noticeable, but not huge.

In any case, the airlines are getting very proficient at charging fees for things that cost them very little (see award ticket fees.) I expect this trend to continue.

Animal lovers will pay the fees, so CO is happy to collect. If you don't want to pay, go see a psychologist and have your pet identified as an emotional support animal.....

David

The competition Newark to Florida is Jet Blue. I have 2 cats. So a RT on CO costs me $200 more, not insubstantial. I am going to try it to see how it works over the holidays. If I need to do a lot of RTs with them, then CO will probably lose my and my wife's fare as well on those flights.