Official Peanut Gallery Thread
Jan 4, 2018, 5:21 pm
#1081
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
Destined for the Peanut Gallery, of course.
Jan 4, 2018, 6:42 pm
#1082
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,256
Why is it that a lap child is free and a dog is $95 service fee?
What service is southwest providing for the passenger with a pet carrier that they are not providing to a lap child?
Would people be outraged over airlines charging $95 for a lap child?
Even though they act otherwise, WN doesn't really want little bobby on board.
#MICDROP
What service is southwest providing for the passenger with a pet carrier that they are not providing to a lap child?
Would people be outraged over airlines charging $95 for a lap child?
Even though they act otherwise, WN doesn't really want little bobby on board.
#MICDROP
The dog or cat can easily enough be boarded or left at home with regular checks from a pet-sitter instead of going on the trip; the baby can't be.
Jan 4, 2018, 8:04 pm
#1083
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,617
Thing is, the FAA and NTSB dismal economists have run the numbers and have long come to the conclusion that, although lap babies are not ideal for many and varied reasons, allowing them in cabin without additional charge actually does save lives. For many families the cost of an additional plane ticket for an under-2 would push them to drive instead of fly to their destination, and driving somewhere by private car is exponentially more dangerous than flying to that same location is.
The dog or cat can easily enough be boarded or left at home with regular checks from a pet-sitter instead of going on the trip; the baby can't be.
The dog or cat can easily enough be boarded or left at home with regular checks from a pet-sitter instead of going on the trip; the baby can't be.
Jan 4, 2018, 8:15 pm
#1084
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1,867
Thanks for bringing this up. For some people, a pet has almost human importance. I suspect that a significant fraction of pet owners drive solely for the comfort and/or dollar savings for their pet. If the lap child calculations were done for pets I think free lap pets would also save human (and pet) lives.
Jan 4, 2018, 10:20 pm
#1086
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Gold, WN A+ & CP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,240
Jan 5, 2018, 7:50 am
#1087
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Long Island
Programs: Southwest Airlines, Marriot
Posts: 235
Jan 5, 2018, 9:08 am
#1088
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: HSV
Programs: Hy Glob,Choice Dia, MR TIT,IHG SPR,HH Dia, Wyn Dia, UA Sil, WN Alis, Hert 5*, National EE
Posts: 1,188
Thing is, the FAA and NTSB dismal economists have run the numbers and have long come to the conclusion that, although lap babies are not ideal for many and varied reasons, allowing them in cabin without additional charge actually does save lives. For many families the cost of an additional plane ticket for an under-2 would push them to drive instead of fly to their destination, and driving somewhere by private car is exponentially more dangerous than flying to that same location is.
The dog or cat can easily enough be boarded or left at home with regular checks from a pet-sitter instead of going on the trip; the baby can't be.
The dog or cat can easily enough be boarded or left at home with regular checks from a pet-sitter instead of going on the trip; the baby can't be.
Jan 5, 2018, 9:12 am
#1089
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,256
It's not my argument; it's the long time argument made by United States government economists and transportation officials.
Jan 5, 2018, 11:21 am
#1090
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AA, DL, Avis, Enterprise, National, IHG, HH, SPG/MR
Posts: 1,852
Jan 5, 2018, 11:39 am
#1091
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,012
Something I've been wondering (since this now seems to occur on most of the flights we're on): What happens when someone has a large "emotional support" animal taking up half the room on the floor of their row and the flight is otherwise completely full? Someone just has to deal with a large dog taking their leg room?
I know that individuals can have non-apparent disabilities for which a service dog is necessary, however--at least flying in and out of Austin--it's quite often just appears to be a young, able-bodied person with a dog on a leash (who also often gets to pre-board) .
I know that individuals can have non-apparent disabilities for which a service dog is necessary, however--at least flying in and out of Austin--it's quite often just appears to be a young, able-bodied person with a dog on a leash (who also often gets to pre-board) .
Jan 5, 2018, 11:40 am
#1092
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Gold, WN A+ & CP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,240
Never said you should be. I'm jealous that your problems are so few.
Jan 5, 2018, 3:07 pm
#1093
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: A-List Preferred, Companion Pass
Posts: 5
[QUOTE=trouble747;29254358]Something I've been wondering (since this now seems to occur on most of the flights we're on): What happens when someone has a large "emotional support" animal taking up half the room on the floor of their row and the flight is otherwise completely full? Someone just has to deal with a large dog taking their leg room?
That's exactly what happens - I have been in a bulkhead seat with a fake ESA (beautiful retriever) and the dog was essentially laying its head in my lap while also laying across my feet. She was a sweet dog and all but shedding all over and, well smelled like a big dog...as did I when I got off the plane. I wonder what happens on other airlines when this happens and they don't get to choose any seat they want....
That's exactly what happens - I have been in a bulkhead seat with a fake ESA (beautiful retriever) and the dog was essentially laying its head in my lap while also laying across my feet. She was a sweet dog and all but shedding all over and, well smelled like a big dog...as did I when I got off the plane. I wonder what happens on other airlines when this happens and they don't get to choose any seat they want....
Jan 5, 2018, 3:22 pm
#1094
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: HSV
Programs: Hy Glob,Choice Dia, MR TIT,IHG SPR,HH Dia, Wyn Dia, UA Sil, WN Alis, Hert 5*, National EE
Posts: 1,188
The ultimate flight hack would be if I used my companion pass as a COS, and then claimed I needed another seat for my ESA to have space.
An entire row on every flight, better than first class.
An entire row on every flight, better than first class.
