One thing I haven't seen mentioned is the need for a vet certificate (saying they're healthy to travel) within 10 days of the flight. That was another annoying expense. Also, no exit rows allowed. And you'll have to take any pet out of the crate for walking through security.

We did it with cats a couple months ago because we were moving, and it was a horrible experience haha. But cats are different than dogs, so good luck!

I brought my cat on the plane when I moved three years ago - by far, clearing TSA was the worst part. After I carried the cat through the metal detector, I had to hold her in my arms while they swabbed my hands for bomb residue. Meanwhile, my cat was very displeased, and my bins and things were piling up at the end of the conveyor belt. I was worried she would wail and cry the whole trip, based on he behavior in the car. She was chatty during the boarding process, but she didn't make a sound once we pushed back. (As an aside, we flew WN for that trip - it was a short hop from RDU to BWI, and their pet fee was only $75 at the time).

Unless you are the Target dog :D (presumably dog was on it's own ticket in this case)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27302981-post3963.html

On a recent D1 LAX-JFK flight there was a dog out of its cage the whole flight. Both owners were in flatbed seats in row 4. FAs thought it was so cute. Ugh.

Someone in front of me went through the WTMD (Precheck) holding their cat in front of them/draped over their shoulder. I was impressed that the cat seemed so mellow about it.

The fee is to try to prevent ever more people from bringing pets on board. If you've ever been on a flight where an annoying dog wouldn't stop yapping, or a nervous animal soiled its cage making breathing difficult you'd understand why.

Safe Travels,

Doc

2 words that do not go together. Give me a real dog (more than 5 pounds).
I have had only nice 4 legged kids in FC. Better than most 2 legged ones.

quote
I once saw an adorable chihuahua nearly bite the hand off a fellow FC passenger and then an FA who got too close to its owner.[/QUOTE]

I wonder if Delta would allow me to buy a cat it's own tickets:) For a DTW/MDW or ORD trip a ticket is usually cheaper than the pet fee.

+1. I don't have an issue paying a small fee but the fee they charge is absurd. My biggest issue is the pet counts as a carry on but as stated above I've never had to check my roller bag or backpack and put both in the bin and the cat carrier under my seat. Not sure if it was due to my status or the FA and GA being unaware of the rule of it counting as a carryon or just don't care.

Um a vet certificate isn't required for standard domestic travel.

Only needed if country of destination requires.

I'm willing to bet that the airlines charge such high fees because the don't want people bringing their pets on the plane. They could probably make more money if they charged $50 per direction instead of $150, because for everyone that pays the $150 now, I bet 4 people would pay the $50.

Now this has had some unintended consequences with EAS.

I'm not trying to start an EAS conversation just illustrating the high fees have lead to an influx of bogus EAS

And...after dodging the counter...if the FA asks where the green pet-in-cabin tag that's supposed to go on the kennel is...just tell them.....like homework...the dog ate it.

Thank God pets as carry on is not allowed in my country (hopefully never allowed) but Ive got to ask, what do you do when Precious has to poop or pee?

Im aware that its an animal and you cant control these things but what do you do to clean up and not let it affect other pax in the cabin?

Serious question, do they wear doggy diapers?

My girls have only ever flown paid first. But they are spoiled and I'm not about to spend hours in a plane with cats in coach. I guess I've been lucky with TSA though, I ask for the private screening area and they have always been happy to take them back there. I've been shocked at how good they (both TSA and the cats) have been. Hopefully we can live in OR for a while though and they won't ever have to move again.