United forces woman to put puppy in overhead bid, where it dies during flight

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't bring dogs on planes at all. Except for certified service animals.

The airline is at fault, but who in the heck flys with a baby, a small child AND a puppy? Stop doing this people. It's kinder to the animal and the rest of the passengers to leave it at home. If you can't afford to board the dog or have a dog sitter, you can't afford to fly and own a dog.

You're allowed to have a pet in a carrier that fits under the seat, which is what this family had. I can't believe all you assholes who are blaming the victims here.

If a flight attendant told me to put my dog in the overhead they would have to Taser me or escort me off the plane, because I would never do it.

That flight attendant should be fired and charged with animal cruelty.

It didn't fit under the seat, even the sympathetic passengers have acknowledged it was sticking out into the aisle. If it fit under the seat, the flight attendant isn't going to bother going out of her way to find bags to move into the overhead bin because those bins are always overfull the FAs end up having to move stuff around or gate check stuff to make it all fit.

O.k then United has to figure out how that dog carrier got onto the plane because somehow that got through routine screening.

It's possible that it was of a size that could be collapsed to fit under the seat, but then the dog wasn't cooperating so that it would actually fit. Would you prefer that the carrier be left hanging out into the aisle so that the dog got its skull crushed by another passenger stepping on it?

I don't understand why it couldn't have been turned so that it was part way under the seat and part way under the owner's feet rather than sticking out into the aisle. I am having a hard time visualizing this actually.

In addition to the puppy and her 11 year old, the woman also had an 8 month old lap baby. I'm guessing they were using part of the under seat storage area for the baby's diaper bag--since you often have to go a while into the flight before being able to access the overhead bin, it's smart to put anything you think you'll need for your baby/young child under the seat, instead of up above.

This lady made a lot of choices i wouldn't have made, but they were within the airline rules. I hope this tragedy makes the airline review and change some of their policies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have tried to figure this out but haven't seen anything about:

did the woman ever check on the dog during the flight?

No, she didn't.

apparently there was turbulence the whole time, 3.5 hours, so they weren't allowed to get up. Dog barked the first 2 hours. Ugh, so sad.

Other passengers, who are otherwise sympathetic to the family, have disputed that there was turbulence the entire time and that the dog barked for two hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully this incident will make airlines re-think their pet policies and not let them in the cabin with passengers. Let them ride in the cargo hold like all other animals. Airlines have a monopoly on most of their routes so a boycott by pet owners isn't going to be effective.

After this lawsuit and outcry, I hope United just says, "screw it, let them ride in cargo". Maybe they can put some seats in cargo for their owners who can't be separated for the duration of the flight.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you see that yesterday United sent a couple's dog to Japan by accident?!

Unreal. And people wonder why an owner would prefer to have their dogs ride with them on the plane.

Dogs aren't luggage. They have feelings, they need to be cared for, fed, watered, walked.

Those poor people must be frantic.

Haha. Omg this is hysterical. Whatever - it’s a dog, it’ll get over it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's possible that it was of a size that could be collapsed to fit under the seat, but then the dog wasn't cooperating so that it would actually fit. Would you prefer that the carrier be left hanging out into the aisle so that the dog got its skull crushed by another passenger stepping on it?

Or rolled over by a beverage and snack cart? Or tossed about by the turbulence that was a problem on this flight? Because I've seen these things happen to luggage and belongings many times while flying, even when the items are adequately stowed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't bring dogs on planes at all. Except for certified service animals.

The airline is at fault, but who in the heck flys with a baby, a small child AND a puppy? Stop doing this people. It's kinder to the animal and the rest of the passengers to leave it at home. If you can't afford to board the dog or have a dog sitter, you can't afford to fly and own a dog.

You're allowed to have a pet in a carrier that fits under the seat, which is what this family had. I can't believe all you assholes who are blaming the victims here.

If a flight attendant told me to put my dog in the overhead they would have to Taser me or escort me off the plane, because I would never do it.

That flight attendant should be fired and charged with animal cruelty.

I agree. And I almost never say that a person should lose their job. But in this case, I think that the FA should be fired.

For a DOG?! Oh hell no. Lady can buy a new one, same breed and everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dogs should not be traveling in the cabin. I am very allergic and I could die.

Then you shouldn’t fly. It isn’t everyone else’s reposibiliry to accommodate your needy condition.

Agree.

Non service dogs shoukd not fly in cabins.

It is not everyone's responisbilkty to pretend your dog is more important than a human.

+1000

Slow clap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't bring dogs on planes at all. Except for certified service animals.

The airline is at fault, but who in the heck flys with a baby, a small child AND a puppy? Stop doing this people. It's kinder to the animal and the rest of the passengers to leave it at home. If you can't afford to board the dog or have a dog sitter, you can't afford to fly and own a dog.

You're allowed to have a pet in a carrier that fits under the seat, which is what this family had. I can't believe all you assholes who are blaming the victims here.

If a flight attendant told me to put my dog in the overhead they would have to Taser me or escort me off the plane, because I would never do it.

That flight attendant should be fired and charged with animal cruelty.

It didn't fit under the seat, even the sympathetic passengers have acknowledged it was sticking out into the aisle. If it fit under the seat, the flight attendant isn't going to bother going out of her way to find bags to move into the overhead bin because those bins are always overfull the FAs end up having to move stuff around or gate check stuff to make it all fit.

O.k then United has to figure out how that dog carrier got onto the plane because somehow that got through routine screening.

It's possible that it was of a size that could be collapsed to fit under the seat, but then the dog wasn't cooperating so that it would actually fit. Would you prefer that the carrier be left hanging out into the aisle so that the dog got its skull crushed by another passenger stepping on it?

I don't understand why it couldn't have been turned so that it was part way under the seat and part way under the owner's feet rather than sticking out into the aisle. I am having a hard time visualizing this actually.

In addition to the puppy and her 11 year old, the woman also had an 8 month old lap baby. I'm guessing they were using part of the under seat storage area for the baby's diaper bag--since you often have to go a while into the flight before being able to access the overhead bin, it's smart to put anything you think you'll need for your baby/young child under the seat, instead of up above.

This lady made a lot of choices i wouldn't have made, but they were within the airline rules. I hope this tragedy makes the airline review and change some of their policies.

Having more items at your feet than can fit under the seat is not within airline rules. If that woman could have made the carrier fit but decided to put the dog up instead of one of her other carry-on items, that kills any sympathy I had for her. Yes, it would be inconvenient to put your diaper bag up, but between that and your dog?!? You keep your dog, not the diapers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully this incident will make airlines re-think their pet policies and not let them in the cabin with passengers. Let them ride in the cargo hold like all other animals. Airlines have a monopoly on most of their routes so a boycott by pet owners isn't going to be effective.

After this lawsuit and outcry, I hope United just says, "screw it, let them ride in cargo". Maybe they can put some seats in cargo for their owners who can't be separated for the duration of the flight.

+1000

The reason dogs are in the cabins now is because too many have died in cargo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully this incident will make airlines re-think their pet policies and not let them in the cabin with passengers. Let them ride in the cargo hold like all other animals. Airlines have a monopoly on most of their routes so a boycott by pet owners isn't going to be effective.

After this lawsuit and outcry, I hope United just says, "screw it, let them ride in cargo". Maybe they can put some seats in cargo for their owners who can't be separated for the duration of the flight.

+1000

The reason dogs are in the cabins now is because too many have died in cargo.

Then passengers should keep their pets at home. There is no reason for a pet dog to fly from Houston to NYC. None.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully this incident will make airlines re-think their pet policies and not let them in the cabin with passengers. Let them ride in the cargo hold like all other animals. Airlines have a monopoly on most of their routes so a boycott by pet owners isn't going to be effective.

After this lawsuit and outcry, I hope United just says, "screw it, let them ride in cargo". Maybe they can put some seats in cargo for their owners who can't be separated for the duration of the flight.

+1000

The reason dogs are in the cabins now is because too many have died in cargo.

Then passengers should keep their pets at home. There is no reason for a pet dog to fly from Houston to NYC. None.

This.

You don't need to fly with your dog, unless it's a trained, certified service animal.

It's better for your dog to leave it at home. Flying is stressful for animals - your codependency needs to be dealt with, if you can't be separated from your pet for a couple of days. There's absolutely no reason to fly with your pet.

And if you're moving? Drive. And if that's not an option? Rehome your dog, or reconsider how important it is to move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully this incident will make airlines re-think their pet policies and not let them in the cabin with passengers. Let them ride in the cargo hold like all other animals. Airlines have a monopoly on most of their routes so a boycott by pet owners isn't going to be effective.

After this lawsuit and outcry, I hope United just says, "screw it, let them ride in cargo". Maybe they can put some seats in cargo for their owners who can't be separated for the duration of the flight.

+1000

The reason dogs are in the cabins now is because too many have died in cargo.

Then passengers should keep their pets at home. There is no reason for a pet dog to fly from Houston to NYC. None.

This.

You don't need to fly with your dog, unless it's a trained, certified service animal.

It's better for your dog to leave it at home. Flying is stressful for animals - your codependency needs to be dealt with, if you can't be separated from your pet for a couple of days. There's absolutely no reason to fly with your pet.

And if you're moving? Drive. And if that's not an option? Rehome your dog, or reconsider how important it is to move.

This. There's something really wrong with all those people who insist on taking their pets everywhere. Pets should stay at home, to be cared for by someone trusted at all time. That doesn't work for you? Then don't get a pet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully this incident will make airlines re-think their pet policies and not let them in the cabin with passengers. Let them ride in the cargo hold like all other animals. Airlines have a monopoly on most of their routes so a boycott by pet owners isn't going to be effective.

After this lawsuit and outcry, I hope United just says, "screw it, let them ride in cargo". Maybe they can put some seats in cargo for their owners who can't be separated for the duration of the flight.

+1000

The reason dogs are in the cabins now is because too many have died in cargo.

Then passengers should keep their pets at home. There is no reason for a pet dog to fly from Houston to NYC. None.

Exactly. Or put them back in cargo -- it's just a risk the owner will have to take if their dog needs to experience NYC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully this incident will make airlines re-think their pet policies and not let them in the cabin with passengers. Let them ride in the cargo hold like all other animals. Airlines have a monopoly on most of their routes so a boycott by pet owners isn't going to be effective.

After this lawsuit and outcry, I hope United just says, "screw it, let them ride in cargo". Maybe they can put some seats in cargo for their owners who can't be separated for the duration of the flight.

+1000

The reason dogs are in the cabins now is because too many have died in cargo.

Then passengers should keep their pets at home. There is no reason for a pet dog to fly from Houston to NYC. None.

Exactly. Or put them back in cargo -- it's just a risk the owner will have to take if their dog needs to experience NYC.

Totally agree. Dogs belong in cargo if they need to travel. They're animals.

[Anonymous]

I keep thinking about this. The articles I have seen mention that the Dad of the family was working in NY, and that is why the mom and two kids were traveling from Houston to NYC--I'm guessing for spring break? I have a brother who lives near Houston and their spring break is this week.

So, why not leave the dog at home in Houston? Hire a local neighborhood teen to come over twice a day (or even more!) That is what we do with our cats when we travel. Our neighbor is a high school girl who comes over and feeds/plays with our cats. We pay her well. Our cats are happy and in a familiar and comfortable place. Win/Win.